Reward

Alastor left the butcher's shop after paying him, heading towards the airship where he knew the rest of the students were.

Most of them were resting, the recent hectic days having taken a toll on them mentally. Amber was hanging upside down on one of the rafters of the airship while sleeping. Alicia was asleep in a chair near the door. Tori was meditating, his sword bandages flowing freely like water around him. 

A seemed to be training, as he was in a plank with a few couches on his back, but further inspection revealed that he was asleep as well.

Axel and Karna were the only other ones awake.

After watching Axel train, it was obvious that he was trying to push his body past his limit, breaking himself down.

'I suppose that is his only way of keeping up.'

Karna was looking out the window, at something undoubtedly too far to notice.

In this quiet and peaceful atmosphere, Alastor began thinking about his current situation, looking as if he was simply meditating.

'Now that I've become a Viscount, I can't depend on the passive demonic essence absorption anymore. I need to use the other method to evolve.'

'While this path is an option, almost none of the demons wish to use it for a reason.'

A demon could rely on the demonic essence produced by sentient species blessed by Samsara to evolve, just as gods could rely on the Divinity generated by mortals.

But, there were alternate methods to grow for a demon.

'To grow it's Sin.'

The downside of this method was, the higher one ascends, the more they become one with their sin.

One such case was Belphegor, who was so deeply entrenched in Sloth, she was practically a living embodiment of it.

That was also why Devils like Asmodeus of Lust and Satanael of Wrath try to reign in their Sins. To retain their sense of self.

'However, my existence was never built around my Sin, so I have no idea what would happen if I use this method.'

'Further testing is necessary.'

................................................................................

The airship pulled into the hangar present in the Academy, as the now well-rested team exited the carrier.

"Well that was really fun," A commented as he stretched.

A familiar voice rang out, "You kids certainly work fast, don't you?'

Illia floated above them simply because she could, yawning.

Her eyes gleamed as she looked at the students, 'The future of humanity looks promising. Maybe I'll retire soon.'

She asked, "So, the Alliance says you kids get a reward for the job you did. Just say what you want and I'll make it happen."

Alicia was the first to go, "One favour from you, to be used anytime in the future."

Illia seemed almost disappointed by the request and drawled out a 'fine', before Alicia vanished, teleported to her room.

A was next, "I want to be even stronger!"

Illia sighed and said, "Done. I'll send Anatoly over to you later."

Tori's wish was simle as well, "I want a way to cultivate and grow pets like the Boss of the Spiders had."

Illia didn't even bother replying before teleporting him away as well.

Karna's wish was to teleport him into his bedroom, being magically tucked in and cozy.

Illia was truly getting annoyed.

Until Amber went up, "Uhh, money?"

Illia finally sighed in relief, "I thought all of you were hopeless battle maniacs and weirdos! You'll get your money right now!"

Finally, Illia turned to Alastor, "And you, Mr First Ranker? Need a special invitation?"

Alastor smirked as he replied, "I do have a wish, but I doubt you can grant it Headmistress."

Feeling challenged, Illia asked, "Oh? And just what is this wish of yours?"

................................................................................

Alastor looked at the insides of the Royal Treasury, walking past various items that would have had ordinary people salivating.

'I could feel the space warping through the teleportation. If I can understand it well enough, soon I will be able to use the Runes for a similar effect as well.'

Alastor thought to himself, 'I was given restricted access to only the Level Two Items and Arts.'

'What they don't know, is that only Alastor Stele, the student does not have further access. The soldier who joined the squad, defending the Treasury Vault for a few months now, does have further access.'

Alastor smiled as he entered the Level 1 Restricted Area with ease, the sigils on the wall letting him in.

Even the soldier did not have access to the Level 0 Restricted Area, even for patrols. That area was available only to a select few within the Alliance.

Alastor decisively ignored everything else within the Level 1 Restricted Area, beelining towards the door where he knew his prize would be.

He opened the door, letting the green light wash out.

On a simple looking rock, a green Rune lay engraved.

To others, it was useless, only put in here due to the sheer power of the person who once wielded it. The Necromancer who Illia had to personally put down after a difficult battle.

The gray stone was extracted from his heart, and none except the Gods knew what it meant. 

The usually domineering Gods, allowed humanity to keep the Rune.

Alastor approached the Rune, and spoke to it, "I suppose it's time for you to serve a new master, Control."

The Rune of Control glowed green, as the complex shape was engraved into Alastor's heart and soul.

The Rune within his heart and the one on his head resonated, Change and Control amplifying each other.

'Another step towards the plan's success.'

'With this, I can at least survive against Envy, if I ever come across that creature.'

...............................................................................

When the Rune of Control found it's new master, far away, a fruit seller paused and turned to look in the direction of the capital.

His customers paused and turned their heads as well, the rest of their bodies completely unmoving.

The children playing around the square stopped and looked in the same direction.

The guards froze and looked in the same direction.

The animals stopped and looked in the same direction.

Trees froze, ignoring the wind, as their trunks twisted and warped to face the capital.

Bacteria in the air turned towards the capital.

Even the unliving buildings seemed to stretch towards the capital.

Beings all around the world turned to look at the capital of the Grand Alliance, the same eerie blank stare etched upon them.

Envy whispered quietly in the wind, "I want that too."

The next day, entire cities were reported to have gone missing, every trace of them erased off the face of the earth.

Envy had seen something it wanted. And it would not stop at anything to obtain it.