The Prince and his Conflicts

(Image of how the oc looks is in the comment don't ask me why ask author-san 😁)

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Hikaru's POV

I woke up with a jolt, heart pounding, my body drenched in sweat. The vivid memories of my past life came rushing back all at once-memories tied to the world of The Seven Deadly Sins.

For a moment, I sat there, breathing heavily, trying to make sense of it all. Reincarnation...? I remembered my final thoughts before it happened, but even so, it was hard to believe. Of all places, why did it have to be this world-a world teeming with danger at every turn?

As I glanced down at my body, I was met with an unfamiliar yet familiar sight. My build was still recognizable, but there were subtle differences. My features were sharper, my frame slightly more delicate-a bit more... feminine. It wasn't a drastic change, so I shrugged it off. It wasn't worth stressing over.

What was worth stressing over, however, was the new body I had inherited. From the memories of this host, I pieced together my new identity-a demon. Not just any demon, but an incubus. A mid-rank demon. Stronger than the foot soldiers but still leagues below the Ten Commandments.

Great, I thought bitterly. I'm a side character in a world where power is everything.

After dressing in some simple attire, I left the house. The city was as chaotic as you'd expect for the Demon Realm. Streets were crowded with all kinds of demons-some humanoid like me, others grotesque beasts of red and white. Each one radiated an aura of menace. But I didn't linger. I walked through the streets until I found myself in a nearby forest.

The underworld wasn't supposed to have forests, yet somehow, these trees had found a way to grow in this harsh, lifeless realm. It was strange... but fascinating. I gazed up at the towering branches, letting my thoughts wander until something else drew my attention.

My power level.

I glanced inward, focusing on the numbers that only I could see. My eyes widened.

Power Level: 31,000

Magic: 30,000

Strength: 600

Spirit: 400

That's... absurd.

I blinked in disbelief. The host of this body had been a caster-type demon, but with a power level like this, he should have been a high-rank, not a mid-rank. Something didn't add up.

Unless...

A sudden realization hit me like a punch to the gut. Did I cause this?

Perhaps when I took over this body, it somehow enhanced its capabilities. If that was the case, then I'd hit the jackpot. Flashes of the timeline flooded my mind. Based on this body's memories, I knew I was currently 5,000 years before the events of the original story-2,000 years before the Holy War.

A sigh of relief escaped me. I have time.

But that relief was short-lived. My mind wandered toward a certain figure-the youngest prince of the Demon Clan, Zeldris. His image appeared so clearly in my head that it made my heart ache in a way I didn't expect. My face warmed, and I felt a blush creeping onto my cheeks.

Don't be stupid, Hikaru. I shook my head, trying to dispel the thought.

But then, another image surfaced-Zeldris standing next to Gelda, her arms wrapped around him. The blush on my face vanished instantly. My chest tightened.

No. Not this time.

I bit my lip, determination swelling inside me. I whispered under my breath, "You have 1,000 years before they meet. You still have time."

The words were more for me than anyone else, but they worked. My emotions settled.

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With my heart and mind a little calmer, I decided to test something. My new magical abilities. I recalled three specific spells-two I remembered from Merlin's arsenal and one I found buried in the memories of this body. The third spell stood out because it wasn't a spell from the show. It was original. The old host made this himself...?

Even more surprising was the discovery of a passive ability inherent to my body-a racial skill unique to incubi called "Seductive Charm." Its effects were simple but potent. To those attracted to my preferred gender, I would give off a sweet, alluring aroma that naturally drew them in.

Neat, but not what I need right now.

I raised my hand and snapped my fingers, picturing a vortex of wind swirling in the air. Then, with clarity in my mind, I chanted, "Endless Whirl."

The air ahead of me shifted. A fierce vortex of wind erupted from the spot I'd envisioned. Its roar echoed through the forest. My eyes widened. This wasn't like the spell Merlin used-it was stronger. Much stronger.

How?

Then it hit me. My unique ability-"Spell Ruler." It tripled the potency of any spell I cast.

This... I felt a grin tug at the corner of my lips. This could be fun.

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Three Hours Later

For three hours, I tested every spell I could think of. Fire, lightning, ice, and even darkness-all of them amplified beyond what I'd expected. By the end, I was left panting but strangely satisfied. I checked my power level again.

It hadn't changed.

So I've reached a bottleneck, huh?

I knew of a spell that could break the limit, but I wasn't in a rush. If I grew too powerful too quickly, I'd stand out. In this world, standing out was a death sentence.

I glanced at the swirling darkness around me. It wasn't ordinary darkness-it was eerily similar to Melascula's Darkness, the same magical aura she wielded with terrifying efficiency.

With a renewed sense of pride, I took off into the air, flying toward the city. I'd done it. I'd crossed into high-rank territory, and the power coursing through me was proof of it.

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Flying through the city's lower airways, I kept my eyes peeled. I wasn't looking for anything in particular, just people-watching. Then-

Bump!

I crashed into someone mid-flight, spinning from the impact. Groaning, I rubbed my head and turned to see who it was.

No... it can't be.

Standing before me, as real as the air I breathed, was Zeldris. His sharp green eyes locked onto me, his gaze as piercing as I'd imagined. My breath hitched.

I quickly stopped flying, landing on my feet and bowing slightly to mask the growing blush on my face.

"Uhm... I'm sorry for bumping into you, Your Highness," I said as calmly as I could, though my heart threatened to betray me.

Zeldris stared at me, unreadable as ever. I couldn't tell what he was thinking-and for someone as good at reading people as I was, that was unnerving.

Then, he spoke.

"You're a strong one... How has Father not noticed you yet?"

His words were blunt but precise, and they sent a shiver down my spine. His gaze narrowed, scanning me as if I were some puzzle he intended to solve.

He noticed...

I raised my head and gave him a cheeky grin. "I'm not strong enough to be noteworthy, Your Highness," I replied casually, playing dumb.

He tilted his head slightly. "Humble, huh? But you're wrong. You're strong. Stronger than me, currently."

Wait, what?

I scanned him using my power.

Power Level: 25,000

Magic: 4,000

Strength: 20,000

Spirit: 1,000

I'm stronger than him...?

I couldn't help but smile. "Your power level isn't half bad, Your Highness," I said, unable to resist teasing him just a little.

For a moment, I thought I saw it-a subtle smirk pulling at his lips. It was faint, but it was there.

He smirked.

______

🐍

Demons aren't always the horned, red-skinned monsters you imagine.

They can be elegant. Alluring. Beautiful.

But don't let that beauty fool you. Some of the prettiest faces hide the darkest souls.

Trust no one.

You never know which of them is a demon in disguise.

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I hope you loved it😊