Forsaken By The Gods, I Made A Contract With the Demon King

---------[Lunacy]----------

Ability Description: In a world where sanity crumbles like fragile glass, true power lies in embracing the madness. Control the chaos within you, warp the reality to your whim - see what can't be seen and become the Lunatic, where your insanity is the only truth left standing!

---------[Lunacy]----------

There was definitely a change!

The last time Levi read the description - it was something like this.

---------[Lunacy]----------

Ability Description: In a world where sanity crumbles like fragile glass, true power lies in embracing the madness. Let the chaos within you surge forth, warp the reality to your whim. Become the Lunatic, where your insanity is the only truth left standing!

---------[Lunacy]----------

The phrase that once read "Let the chaos surge forth" had shifted to "Controlling the chaos," and there was something about "seeing what can't be seen." Levi wasn't sure what it meant, but curiosity tugged at him. However, the two gleaming eyes watching him with intense interest kept him from dwelling on it further.

"It's an innate ability," Levi began, leaning back as Valerius edged closer. "It lets me put pressure on others..."

"And?" Valerius pressed, clearly unsatisfied with that answer.

In the world of followers, Valerius was known as lazy, but that wasn't the truth.

He wasn't lazy—it was just that Earth had become too dull for him.

It hadn't always been this way. Valerius was once an ordinary human, living life like anyone else. But that was before his first entry into Paradise.

After that experience, nothing on Earth could hold his interest anymore.

The sensations he felt in Paradise, where his life was on the line every second, where a moment's carelessness could end it all—that was excitement.

The thrill of facing monsters so powerful they could crush him with a single stomp—that was interesting.

In comparison, nothing on Earth seemed worth his effort.

But Levi's ability? That was different.

When Valerius saw Levi using it, something ignited deep within him—an emotion he hadn't felt in a long time.

Interest.

No ordinary power could stir Valerius like that. And now, he couldn't shake the feeling that he needed to know more.

The problem was that Levi really didn't know much more about his ability.

It had only been around four months since he'd made the contract with the Demon King, and if he counted the time from when got the Lunacy ability in the Sanctum, he'd barely had any opportunity to test his powers.

No one had taught him how to properly use his abilities.

That was part of the reason he'd come to the academy.

"I... don't really know much about it," Levi admitted, careful not to sound arrogant or rude. The last thing he wanted was to be disqualified over something so trivial.

Valerius stared at him for a while, assessing whether Levi was telling the truth. It seemed genuine enough. He'd seen Levi struggle to control the ability during the exam, so he decided to believe him…for now.

"Well, that's all the more reason for you to become my disciple," Valerius said, leaning in with a grin. "If you agree, I'll teach you how to control your abilities, I'll teach you how to fight, and I'll even give you resources you won't find anywhere else."

He was making it hard to say no.

In the short time Levi had been unconscious, Valerius had done a background check. Levi was an orphan, supposedly blessed by luck to have made a contract with a god. There was also a report that he'd defeated the young master of the Malakani family, showing that he also have considerable talent.

The only concerning part was Levi's connection to the Mercenary Federation, but Valerius figured he could sever that tie once he had Levi under his wing.

Even from Levi's perspective, the advantages were undeniable.

First, having a mentor of Valerius's caliber meant learning things he couldn't buy, no matter how much money he had.

Second, the resources Valerius offered were crucial as Levi was penniless.

And third, becoming Valerius's disciple would offer the perfect cover for his identity as a demonic follower. Anyone might suspect a normal student 'Levi' of being a demonic follower, but it would be far harder for anyone to question the disciple of one of the three Guardians of the Favored One's Academy.

With so much to gain, Levi just couldn't refuse.

"I, Levias Drake, greet Master Valerius," he said, shamelessly bowing.

Valerius smiled wide, clearly pleased.

But little did Valerius know, this decision would later become the greatest regret of his life…

***

After talking a bit more with Valerius, Levi found himself navigating the maze-like corridors of the Academy once again. Despite becoming Valerius's disciple, he wasn't exempt from taking the mandatory tests. Valerius had made it clear—Levi still needed to pass to attend the Academy, and there was nothing he could do about it.

Not surprisingly, his watch beeped with the details of his next test.

Congratulations on Passing the First Assessment.

Your Next Assessment is scheduled in Room Number 895.

Please proceed to the venue immediately.

Note: Those who are late will automatically be disqualified.

Fortunately, thanks to the sheer number of students taking the exam, Levi still had some time before his test started, so he took his time heading to the venue.

When he finally reached Room 895, he noticed something different from his previous assessment. This room wasn't open. The door was shut tight.

Levi knocked.

There was silence at first, then a mechanical voice spoke, "Come in."

Startled by the voice, Levi hesitated but followed the instruction.

Upon entering, he realized this test would be unlike the last one. The ceiling was domed, and strange devices lined the walls. He took another step forward and noticed something else: he was the only one in the room.

Except for an instructor—or perhaps an assistant—seated on the far side of the room. Levi didn't get a chance to speak before the same mechanical voice interrupted.

Student Levias Drake—ID confirmed.

Beginning the Second Assessment.

Please defeat the monster within two minutes.

Before Levi could react, his surroundings began to shift.

---***---