Demon Tamer's Ascension-Chapter 37: Trials 3

One of them was a male, the other a female. They stood side by side, both clearly stunned by the way Alex had just carried himself.

The female stepped forward first, her eyes lingering on him with curiosity. "I’m Alexia Astrea. As you can probably tell, I come from a third-degree family. And... I could’ve sworn I’ve seen your face before. Maybe just one of my dumb hallucinations," she added with a soft smile. "Anyways, you’re from the Artorious household, right? I’m really glad to be working with you."

Alex returned the smile smoothly. "Likewise. And you being from the Astrea family makes this even better. Your lineage is well known for taming creatures aligned with the Deep Sea Deity, if I remember correctly."

"Not exactly," Alexia replied, tilting her head slightly. "There are a few exceptions. Like me." She paused briefly, as if trying to recall something. "And your family comes from..."

She stopped mid-sentence, then smiled again, this time more carefully. "Never mind. Looks like I forgot."

Alex let out a quiet breath. "No worries." Then his gaze shifted, landing directly on the male beside her. "What about you?"

The boy flinched slightly under the attention, his hands tightening into fists. "My name is Ezra. Ezra Soulfer. Nice to meet you." His grin stretched awkwardly across his face, uneven and forced.

Alex leaned in just a little. "Nice to meet you, Ezra. I don’t think I’ve heard of your family before. What degree are you?"

There was no immediate pressure to move deeper into the dungeon. No beasts had appeared yet, leaving them a brief window to exchange introductions.

Ezra scratched the back of his head nervously, his messy red hair shifting with the motion. "Well... yeah..." He shut his eyes for a second, bracing himself. "I’m a fifth."

He lowered his head right after, clearly expecting ridicule.

Instead, Alex’s response came calm and steady.

"Interesting. I didn’t know fifth degrees were even attempting this trial. That’s actually pretty impressive."

Ezra blinked, caught off guard.

"I’m glad you’re on our side," Alex continued. "I’ll make sure you get through this part of the trial. That’s one thing I can guarantee."

"Thank you!" Ezra bowed quickly, his yellow eyes lighting up.

"No need," Alex replied. "Just doing what needs to be done."

Up close, Ezra was short, barely reaching five feet two. His posture curved inward, his presence almost shrinking into itself. With his dull yellow eyes and messy red hair, he looked like someone constantly overwhelmed by the world around him.

It was almost pitiful.

But Alex didn’t dwell on it.

"Anyways," Alexia cut in, stepping forward with renewed energy, "I think we should start by introducing our tamed beasts. It’ll make coordination easier. What do you think?"

Alex nodded. "Makes sense. We’ll need proper synergy."

Ezra adjusted his glasses with shaky hands. "Y yes! I can go first. It’s already with me... You can come out now."

Something shifted behind his shoulder.

A tiny creature crawled into view.

A lion.

No bigger than the size of Alex’s hand.

Alex narrowed his eyes slightly. Since when were creatures that small?

He pushed the thought aside. It didn’t matter right now.

"Oh, what?!" Alexia suddenly exclaimed. "I actually have the same one." She raised both her hands dramatically. "The Great Lion Deity, I summon... Carl!"

A small magic circle flickered beneath her feet.

And just like that, an identical lion appeared. Same size. Same features. Same faint flow of mana.

Everything about them matched.

That felt off.

At best, those creatures were classified as B-rank. And yet Alexia was from a third-degree noble family.

Then again...

There were always exceptions.

Alex let out a faint smile. "Interesting."

He raised his hand slightly. "My turn."

"The Great Alpha Deity," he said, pretending to follow a chant, masking his intent, "I summon... Adoff. Come out."

A magic circle expanded beneath him, far more stable than the others.

---------------------------

[Adoff Has Appeared]

└ Ironridge Pathway Active

└ The highest manifestation form of Adoff is currently active

---------------------------

Alex had no intention of downplaying this summons. If he was going to claim the Artorious name, he needed to meet its expectations.

Adoff emerged at full size.

Large. Solid. Dominant.

"Wow... he’s huge," Alexia said, clearly impressed. "Good thing we’re on the same team."

Alex simply nodded, his attention already shifting forward.

A narrow pathway stretched deeper into the dungeon, lit by torches embedded in rough stone walls.

"Well then," he said calmly, "let’s move. You two go first."

As they began walking, a voice echoed quietly in his mind.

"So the trials have begun?"

Alex’s expression didn’t change.

"Stay quiet," Victor cut in immediately. "Don’t draw attention."

"Understood."

Alex ignored them both. If Vanesca truly had scouts watching, even a slip in behavior could expose him.

Alexia and Ezra stepped forward, entering the dimly lit path.

"Something feels off," Alexia muttered.

Alex followed a step behind, then paused slightly.

There was something he needed to confirm.

"Appraisal."

---------------------------

[Appraisal Active!]

└ Information displayed above the target

---------------------------

His gaze shifted upward, locking just above Ezra’s head.

---------------------------

[Name]

└ Ezra Soulfer

[Personal Rank Mana Core]

└ F Rank

[Beast Rank]

└ F Rank

[Beast]

└ Adolescent Lion

[Family]

└ Fifth Degree

---------------------------

Everything checked out.

Completely honest.

Alex felt a small sense of relief. Having someone like Ezra be genuine made things simpler.

But one detail lingered.

An F-rank beast.

His steps slowed.

That didn’t match.

Alex turned his head slightly, shifting his gaze toward Alexia.

The moment the information appeared, he understood.

His smile deepened just a fraction.

So that’s how it is.

Drip.

Drip.

---------------------------

[Name]

└ Alexia Acker

[Personal Rank Mana Core]

└ B Rank

[Beast Rank]

└ A Rank

[Beast]

└ Silkshade Nyx

[Family]

└ Fifth Degree 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

---------------------------

Alexia glanced back at him, her smile widening just a bit too much.

"What’s wrong, Alex?" she asked softly. "Did you find something?"

Alex looked forward again, his expression returning to neutral.

"Nothing. Let’s keep moving."

She slowed her pace slightly, Ezra following close behind.

"Uhh, guys..." Ezra’s voice trembled as he pointed ahead. "L-look over there."

Both of them lifted their heads.

Shapes moved in the distance.

Not one.

Not a few.

Dozens.

Clusters of creatures, gathering in uneven waves deeper within the dungeon.

"W-what do we do?" Ezra stammered. "There are too many of them!"

Alexia’s eyes narrowed as she observed the incoming horde. "We haven’t even decided on a leader yet. What’s the best move right now?"

Alex didn’t hesitate. His gaze remained fixed forward, calm and unwavering.

"We fight."