Chapter : 22 Rias wants help

The echoes of the ongoing clash reverberated outside the school building as Dylan stood before the classroom entrance, which now lay in ruins, courtesy of his formidable sword.

"First form of Nine Thunder Blade is strong," Dylan marveled, genuinely impressed by the unexpected strength that heightened both his speed and power output.

Meanwhile, amidst Dylan's contemplation of his newfound techniques, the students and even the teacher were left in astonishment. A child of perhaps six years had single-handedly dispatched two Middle-class and one High-class devil.

The teacher, caught in a mix of shock and suspicion, pondered aloud, "How can such a young child achieve this? It defies logic; even as a High-class devil, his combat powers shouldn't enable him to take down all three of them alone. Unless... could he be above High-class? But a child of his age?" The teacher questioned herself, grappling with the perplexing mystery.

"Just impressed by that, I can't wait to see the reaction when you learn the last form," Liridian spoke, appearing beside him and observing Dylan lost in thoughts about the techniques he used.

"Wait, how will I get the other forms? Are all nine forms rewards for clearing all the levels in the Arena?" Dylan asked telepathically, curious about obtaining the remaining forms after receiving the first one as a reward for clearing the first level.

"You are correct. The other eight forms of the Nine Thunder Blade are rewards for clearing each level. Additionally, you will need to master all of them to clear the 10th level of the arena; otherwise, it will be impossible," Liridian explained but seeing Dylan who doesn't seemed too shocked, prompting Liridian to add, "Don't assume learning the remaining Nine Thunder Blade forms will be as easy as the first one."

"Well, I will learn it either way, whether it's hard or not. If the first form feels this powerful, I can't wait to experience the rest of the forms," Dylan declared, his enthusiasm for mastering the Nine Thunder Blade growing.

"But first, I need to escape from this school," Dylan muttered. Liridian intervened, advising him, "Don't use the magic circle now; you've used quite a bit of your spiritual power. Hide somewhere and recover first. The magic circle I provided will surely get you out of the barrier around the school, but it requires significant amount of spiritual power. So Recover some your spiritual power first, then leave."

"Okay, then I'll just watch the fight going on outside for a while," Dylan said, hearing the clashes of sound and pressure from the ongoing battle. As Dylan turned to leave, he glanced one last time inside the class, locking eyes with Rias before exiting the room.

Dylan roamed the corridor, scanning the school buildings. He noticed many students hiding in the rooms below and others fighting in the next block. "Seems like only this floor is empty," Dylan mused, stopping in front of a locked glass window. The window opened on its own, revealing people in weird robes attacking with magic.

"It seems that girl is still following you," Liridian said, referring to someone tailing Dylan after he left the classroom.

"I know; I sensed her," Dylan replied, his gaze fixed on the sky where a battle was unfolding.

Suddenly, the sound of approaching steps echoed. "You're here," a soft, breathless voice said. It was Rias, catching her breath after running.

"Why are you following me?" Dylan asked without turning around, already aware of her identity.

"I... I wanted to say thank you for protecting us," Rias confessed.

"There is no need. I wasn't trying to protect anyone; it was just a coincidence," Dylan said, initially having no intention of getting involved but somehow he involved himself.

Sensing Rias still standing there, Dylan turned around. "Is there anything else?" he asked, knowing she might have more to say.

"I know I don't have the right to say this, but can you please help me?" Rias stammered, avoiding eye contact but eventually looking towards Dylan, awaiting his response.

"I'm not asking for free help; I can give you money or any other assistance you need in return," Rias pleaded desperately, her face reflecting the urgency of her request.

Dylan, still contemplating, heard Rias shout suddenly, "I will even marry you when I grow up!" Her cheeks puffed with frustration, interpreting Dylan's silence as a refusal.

Dylan, usually calm, was beyond shocked. "What stupid thing are you saying? Who wants to marry you?" he replied, his tone elevated.

"You don't want to?" Rias responded, somewhat shocked, given the numerous marriage proposals she usually received from other devil families.

"Of course not! Who would want to marry a pufferfish?" Dylan said, a hint of disgust in his tone. As a teenager trapped in a child's body, the thought of such proposals brought an uncomfortable image to his mind, considering the societal consequences that might follow or maybe not since he is still a child in body but what about FBI.

"Pufferfish? Who are you calling a pufferfish? I'm not a pufferfish, you are..." Rias halted her retort, remembering she needed Dylan's help. "Please help me," she said, her attitude shifting.

"At least tell me what help you need; I'll decide if I can assist or not," Dylan responded, open to the idea of helping if the request wasn't too significant.

"I want you to help me find my friend," Rias said softly.

"Is she your age?" Dylan inquired.

"Yes, she is my age, even the same height, but I'm a bit stronger than her," Rias began explaining, but Dylan stopped her. "I'm not asking that much," he said, signaling her to stop her blabbering.

Dylan closed his eyes, attempting to sense his surroundings. Although his spiritual senses hadn't reached a level where he could distinguish individuals but he could sense the structure of the school building and the number of people around.

"There are some students on the lower floor; she might be there, and there don't seem to be any terrorists," Dylan mused, looking at Rias as he walked past her.

Walking past Rias, he said, "Follow me, pufferfish." Rias's eyes twitched with anger, but her desperation to find her friend overrode any irritation as she obediently followed Dylan.

As they walked, a thought nagged at Dylan – if she truly was Zeoticus' daughter, that would make her his aunt in a maternal sense. Moreover, she possessed a significant amount of demonic energy, currently suppressed by some kind of seal, a detail Dylan picked up when she attacked the terrorists.

"By the way, don't you have any guards with you?" Dylan inquired, breaking the silence, his deduction leading him to suspect her identity as Zeoticus' precious daughter.

"My father's knight is here too, but he must be fighting. I've also informed him that I am safe," Rias replied.

"I see," Dylan said as they continued to make their way.

To be continued...

-------------------

Support with power stone.