Chapter 3

(Narrator POV)

Hatsu is an early riser. Always has been. In this life however, he can get up with his own two legs and start the morning with physical exercise/warm-ups.

He also spent time the last few years learning some new skills, such as cooking and weaving clothes, both he learned to do from his last life and information from books his parents left for him in this house.

It was hard to learn at first due to lack of muscle control. Fortunately, he made good progress over the years thanks to the help of Aethis' own personal experience.

This morning felt different though. Hatsu felt a kind of 'pulse' in his heart, he felt like this before but it wasn't as strong as this one. He was filled with determination. The kind of determination to help a family member in pain.

So he got up, did his morning warm-ups, and got dressed in an attire he has been working on for awhile. He wore a smoke grey tunic, a black, short, red trimmed robe, with a red five-leaf clover symbol on the left side, that covered the upper-half of his torso. He also wore black plants tucked into knee-high, brown boots and a black, elastic belt with several compartments held together by a rectangular shape buckle. And of course, he strapped on his black bag from his left shoulder to his right hip, while being partially covered by the robe. The outfit was neither complicated or simple, but Hatsu felt immense pride in it nonetheless.

After gathering some items to store in both his bag and compartments, he went to the mirror to check himself out.

Hatsu looked at his slightly spiky and messy ash-gray hair, him and Aethis always liked messing with it when cutting it, then his emerald green eyes, and finally observed his figure. A slim, slightly muscular figure and a height of 4'5" (137 cm).

His muscles seemed small, but Hatsu new his muscle density is off the charts due to Kengan's superman syndrome.

After triple checking his belongings and inventory, he grabbed his wooden broadsword, sheathed it under his bag from his back right shoulder to his back left hip, and exited his room.

The bedroom's of the house was on the same floor as the kitchen. As such, the moment he took one step out of his room, he could see Aethis standing by the island table eating the leftover Apple pancakes Hatsu made in the woods. Which was only possible due to Jeff bringing him the tools and ingredients needed. How he got them, Hatsu had no idea, Jeff is a scavenger he guessed.

When Aethis noticed Hatsu presence, he froze his actions while sweating, seemingly trying to come up with an excuse, but then decided to be completely blunt.

Aethis: "You honestly should have expected this kid."

Hatsu: "Your right, which is why I mixed some of Jeff's fur into the last batch since I knew you wouldn't be able to resist."

For a couple seconds, Aethis showed a pale face mixed with green, well, as pale as it could be since his skin was already that. But Hatsu decided to be honest too.

Hatsu: "Kidding." He said while grinning smugly.

Aethis: *Sigh of Relief* "Oooooh man, you little devil brat." He said while having his hand over his heart.

Hatsu: *Chuckles* "Your little devil brat, but either way, good morning to you to Aethis. But onto important matters, I felt another pulse this morning."

Noticing the honesty and seriousness in Hatsu's voice Aethis also got serious.

Aethis: "You sure?"

Hatsu: "Absolutely, Auntie Irene is hurting. I believe we should leave today after doing the inheritance."

Aethis closed his eyes to think, but not without getting a last bite of a pancake. Hatsu let him think while he himself made his way to the island to eat some of pancakes before Aethis subconsciously ate the rest.

After a few minutes, Aethis opened his eyes.

Aethis: "You have everything ready?"

Hatsu nods since he was eating some hotcakes. His cooking skills were getting better.

Aethis: "What about mentally? You know what happens when we go an' save Irene right, 'cause of the plan and all? I want to know if you're ready . . . for an adventure." he said with a serious look.

After swallowing the last cake, Hatsu looked Aethis in the eyes with his own determined ones.

Hatsu: "A member of our family is hurting Aethis. I know you are just as eager as I am, if not more, to save Auntie Irene, the only thing holding you back is me. No one is ever truly ready for their first adventure, but I am prepared face it head on. Not because of what I have on me, but because I won't be facing it alone. Besides, it's like you and Dad always say -"

Hatsu & Aethis: "When backed into a corner we'll just surpass our limits together!"

Both Godfather and Godson smiled brightly when saying those words. The words that kept them both going even after losing the people they loved dearly.

Aethis reaches out as he ruffles Hatsu's hair.

Aethis: "You know your Mother would be all pouty to see you so grown up at your age. Alright kid, if you're ready then let's head outside. It's time you inherit your birth right, as a true Shaitan."

Hatsu: "Right!"

Now both Hatsu and Aethis can be seen standing in the yard/training ground behind their house. Their yard consists of training dummies, worn out wooden swords, and a dirt field riddled with footprints. Both have have trained here in order to increase or maintain their skills.

Aethis stands tall in front of Hatsu, staring at him with many emotions in his mind, nostalgia, melancholy, respect, and love. He raises his right hand toward his pale, white hair and plucks a pinch of it.

Aethis then moves his hand in front of Hatsu's face with his mouth forming a grin and his eyes gaining a mischievous glint.

Aethis: "Eat this."

. . .

Hatsu: "Huh?"

It was at that moment when Hatsu started questioning everything about his life decisions.

Aethis: *Evil chuckle* "Kidding."

Hatsu: "Don't mess with me like that?!"

Aethis "Haaaaa?! You just pulled the same stunt with me brat!"

Hatsu: "I'm a kid! It's my right!"

Aethis: "So am I with my lifespan, so your point means nothin'!"

Hatsu: "Alright Alright! Can we just got on with it?"

Aethis: "Then give me a fist bump!"

Hatsu: "Fine!"

When the two fist make contact, black, red sparks start surrounding and flying around their arms and bodies. Hatsu is surprised at first but calms down after Aethis reassures him that this part of the inheritance. He notices how his entire right limb, from the his shoulder to his fingers, started turning black with red markings appearing in a certain pattern. The whole process made Hatsu feel . . . invigorated.

Soon, the sparks dissipate until only Hatsu can be seen standing with his entire arm sticking out. He brings his arm back and stares at it in amazement. His shoulder is bright red with a black five-leaf clover in the middle, while the rest of his arm is completely back with bright red markings outlining his muscles.

Hatsu: "Wow" He says while gripping and releasing his fist.

Aethis: 'Congratulations kid. You are now the host of a devil.'

The voice of Aethis echoes through his mind.

Hatsu: "Oh Aethis, didn't even notice you disappeared. Are you speaking to me in my mind?"

Aethis: 'Kekeke, Yep! For the inheritance to work, your body needed to become a host for me and my power. So now I can talk to you like this.'

Hatsu: "Huh, well are you ok like this?"

Aethis: 'Totally, I can still see and hear through you. If anything, this brings me back to when I would mess wi- *cough* help, help your father when fighting.'

Choosing to ignore how Aethis was about to say 'mess with,' Hatsu did start wondering about other . . . personal topics.

Hatsu: "Are we able to see each others memories or have private thoughts?"

Aethis: 'Not unless we give mental consent to see our own memories or someone messes with our mind to force that.'

While not proud, Hatsu was relieved about his past life not being revealed. He doesn't want to keep it to himself forever, but is not ready to reveal it, not now anyways.

Aethis: 'Also private thoughts? What, you don't want me sneaking a peek at your fantasies based on that adult book you "accidentally" read?'

Hatsu: "I, it, NO!" He says with a flushed face from remembering the day when he read a book that was more. . . intimate then he would have ever expected.

Aethis: 'HAHAHA! Well, don't worry kid, we can only communicate like this when our thoughts are mentally directed to either of us. That or I can do this.'

Not a moment later, a black and red substance began exiting Hatsu's body and concentrating on the ground in front of him. A few seconds later, when the substance faded, Hatsu could see a Chibi figure with a black body, a pallor color face, and red eyes with black markings above them.

Aethis: "I still have a body, it just wont be the same thing since I am connected to you."

Hatsu was surprised that Aethis could do this. He seemed to be around the same size of the exceeds, which is . . . convenient, but is appreciated nonetheless.

While Hatsu was lost in thought, Aethis manifested back into Hatsu and start explaining his power.

Aethis: "Right then, you obviously know what my power is right."

Hatsu: "Of course, Anti Magic, an energy capable to nullify most, if not all, forms of magic."

Aethis: "Exactly, but that's only the tip off the ice burg. Let's see what you know so far, try messing around with it."

Hatsu thinks of what to try first, then comes up with an idea. He unsheathes his broadsword and holds in front of him while placing his left hand on the blade.

Hatsu: 'Aethis' description of Anti magic and its utilization by him and my father shows its different than what I've seen in Black Clover. But, the principals are still similar. I can sense and feel the energy flowing through my body from a source. It's not my arm, thats seems to be a kind of catalyst, but I I focus and circulate the same energy through both my arms and into my sword, then maybe.'

The great sword can then be seen being engulfed by the dark Anti magic while creaking noises can be heard as a sign of resistance of the wood. However, it is not to be mistaken as a standard wooden sword. This sword was made by his father who used a type of wood considered to be as tough as metal due to its place of origin, Dragnof. Dragons are the reason it exist, but that's due to a . . . certain substance being accidentally used to grow a clump of trees long ago, thus Dracaena wood was born.

Moments later, the noises and sparks cease as the sword took a new form. Its original light oak color has been replaced with a very dark oak color with red vein cracks from the spine. The length of the broadsword increased from 135 cm to 140. The weight increased but not enough for Hatsu to have trouble wielding it, but enough to increase his training. He could also feel the Anti Magic that became apart of the material of the sword.

Hatsu: "Cool." He said while performing a few practice swings.

Aethis: "Nice one kid. Can see why you'd try [Coating] on you sword. The rest I'll teach ya later, but for now, you ready?"

Hatsu: "Absolutely, we both know where Dragnof is as well as the castles secret entrances, I even have a map with me just in case. It's time we go save a family member."

Aethis: "Right, but before that."

Hatsu felt something manifesting around his forehead. A black headband with a three red-colored, four-pointed stars with a five leaf clover at the end of it on the front right side. After inspecting it a bit, Hatsu came to a conclusion that shocked him.

Hatsu: "Is this?"

Aethis: "Yep, this was you fathers headband he wore for most of his entire life, infused with Anti Magic. He gave this to me when . . . 'that' happened, and made me swear to give it to you when you were ready. Today is that day."

Hatsu felt emotional for his father thinking of him like this, and how he now can feel Aethis' sadness about 'that' day. It made him even more determined than ever.

Hatsu: *Breathes in* "Thank you Aethis, you as well Dad. Alright, it time for an adventure!"

Hatsu & Aethis: "TO DRAGNOF WE GO!!"

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Author Notes:

So here's the third chapter. Sorry it took a while, I wanted to start showing more of Aethis' character and what he's like through some interactions with Hatsu.

I hope the descriptions were good too. The robe Hatsu wears is basically the Black Bulls robe but with my own choice, or rather his choice, of decor. The broadsword is also like Meliodas' sword from the holy war, but more around Hatsu size. I know I said it was like the demon slayer sword in the last chapter, but maybe let's choose to ignore that part, less I edit the chapter for that small part.

Oh and I finally figured out a family name for Hatsu, it's Hindi translation for the english word "Satan," fitting yeah? Let me know your thoughts on it.

It should be obvious that the capabilities of Anti Magic is going to be different, but still similar. I have a lot of ideas for it, but that'll have to wait for future chapters.

Also, I might not be able to post any chapter for a couple weeks after a few days, which is no different than my current upload schedule now, but I will try to upload some chapters before that and leave you guys with something good to read, hopefully.

But anyways, I think that's everything I wanted to say. Let me know if I missed anything and have good day!