SPELLCRAFT: Reincarnation Of A Magic Scholar

"That shameless old man..."

Maria didn't show how she felt internally, but if anyone could look within the girl, they would find out she was very frustrated.

Her reasons were also quite valid.

'I wanted to fight him. That Demon Lord... I caught him!'

Elrich Lendertwale just had to swoop in like a false knight and stole Maria's prey from her. It was not only embarrassing, but the girl was disappointed by it.

'I missed my chance to do anything...' She sighed, moving amid the horrific battlefield.

Her protective barrier was on, and her senses were still sharp, so she was in no danger at all. That was why she was able to walk in melancholy while drowning her frustrated thoughts.

'I wanted to achieve something... I wanted to at least show him how useful I can be. How much I've grown...'

Sure, fighting a Demon Lord seemed a bit over the top, but Maria felt like she could achieve it if she played her cards right—not that the opportunity would ever present itself again.

And so, the pure and innocent girl kept traversing the battlefield. Until—

"Hey, you!"

—Someone called out to her.

Maria's body halted, and her head slowly turned in the direction of the voice.

From where she stood, the girl could feel the bloodlust... the evil energy swirling around the person who stood a good distance from her.

"Are you strong?"

The one who spoke took on the appearance of a devil.

His red skin, horned forehead, and dangling tail made him appear even more menacing. No doubt, he was a Crimson Demon.

"I asked... are you strong?"

This time, the Crimson Demon stood from the pile of corpses where he previously sat on.

Mangled, burned corpses were strewn all around, but most of them had formed a pile where this Crimson Demon stood.

"Disgusting." Maria voiced her thoughts upon taking in the truly grotesque sight.

Still, despite how scary it was, the girl did not run. She simply did not move from her position. Her eyes were still locked with the Crimson Demon.

"Hahahaha! That's the spirit. So, you're strong! That's good."

In a small leap, the shirtless, muscular Demon descended to the ground, grinning with his sharpened teeth.

His height and build would make most bodybuilders shrink in fear and inferiority. The sheer amount of energy that burst from within him would also make most Mages shrivel up.

But, Maria did no such thing.

She simply watched as he drew closer to her.

"My name is Lucien. I'm the highest ranked Demon General, second only to the authority of the Demon Lords and the Supreme Lord over the Demons—The Demon King."

Maria wanted to point out how his statement made no sense considering his hierarchy was third place, not simply 'second only', but she decided against it.

Her stoic expression simply met the menacing grin of her adversary.

Still, a spark of interest lit up within her.

'Highest ranked among the Demon Generals? That should be enough as a consolation prize...'

It was made painfully clear that she wouldn't be getting the chance to fight a Demon Lord. Maria thought it was wise to go for the next best thing—especially if they came to her on their own accord.

"Alright. Let's begin, then." She softly smiled, readying herself for battle.

>WHOOOOOSSSSHHHH<

A blow surged from Lucien, making its way to Maria with breakneck speed.

The Demon General grinned, wondering if all it would take was one hit from his blow to turn the little girl into another one of the corpses around.

Sure, a few Automatons would come around, but the little buzzers were no match for him too.

The girl before him would also become one of the many dead chunks around him. Lucien felt pleased and increased his speed to completely wreck her.

However—

>VWUUSHH<

—His wrist was grabbed just as the girl before him exuded some energy in a flash.

Her body glittered white, and glistening apparel covered her—pure white armor, white feathered wings, and a white crown.

Her light-armored hand was able to grab his wrist, preventing his fist from reaching her face.

"Archangel Drive... this is good enough."

"W-wha—?!"

Before Lucien could utter another word, a volatile fist made its way to his face.

>BOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM<

The Crimson Demon heard something snap as his body was sent flying a great distance. There was no resistance as his crimson flesh traversed the battlefield and landed on the ground like a stray meteor.

The earth shattered upon impact, and a crater was formed upon his crash.

"Guark!" Blood spurted out of his mouth, and his deformed face looked in horror as the white-clad being approached him at top speed.

"W-what... what the hell?!"

Before he could move his damaged body, she had reached him, readying another fist.

"N-no!" Lucien blocked his face, but the next thing he felt was her hard blow shattering his ribs as they dug into his stomach.

"Urghhh!" He wanted to throw up, but her grip clasped his face shut, causing whatever would come out to stay trapped within.

Another blow sent his jaw cracking as he flew into the sky above him.

>BOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM<

Lucien was in too much pain—an unfamiliar emotion for someone as powerful as him.

His body burned with every strike, causing him no temporarily go numb.

It was as though the energy clashing with his was designed to bypass all his defenses and deal the greatest amount of pain to him.

The girl's brute strength also didn't help matters. Sure, he was a Demon... but she was the true monster.

"W-wha—?!"

Maria had already ascended to his location at this point, still donning her pure Angel look. Her deadpan expression, coupled with the way she gruesomely hit the Demon would make anyone wonder what kind of entity she was.

So bright, yet unbelievably dark.

"Hey, you..." Maria grabbed the Crimson Demon's throat, glaring at his mangled face.

"... Are you certain that you're the strongest of the Demon Generals?"