My 5th Reincarnation: I Was Born in Another World as a Demon - TWOB 4

Another day had passed in their journey. In the late afternoon, as they ate the delicious rabbit curry prepared by Raegan, they saw a royal carriage lay on its side, its gilded wheels still spinning. Raegan's system, Vivaan, rapidly assessed the chaotic scene:

[Threat Analysis

Demon Wolf Pack: 12 entities

Royal Guards: 6 (3 wounded)

VIP: Princess of Barthopia

Warning: Alpha Presence Detected]

Through the dust and chaos, Raegan caught sight of the princess—young, perhaps his apparent age, with striking violet eyes that showed more anger than fear. Her guards formed a protective circle, but they were rapidly being overwhelmed by the demon wolves.

 "The evolution in this world is fascinating," Raegan thought as he joined the defense. "Some wolves gained consciousness and became beast-men like Luna, while others remained animals and transformed into demons. The same species, split along such different paths."

 "Luna, guard the princess!" Leo roared, his massive form batting away two demon wolves simultaneously. "Raegan, right flank!"

 But before they could establish a defensive formation, a howl split the air. The fighting paused as an enormous figure emerged from the forest—a demon wolf triple the size of its pack, with a pulsing crystal core embedded in its forehead. Raw mana radiated from it in visible waves.

[Alpha Demon Wolf Detected

Threat Level: Extreme (B Class)

Special Feature: Exposed Core

Note: Unusual Mana Configuration]

The Alpha charged, moving with impossible speed for its size. Even Leo, with all his power and experience, was forced back several steps by its first assault. "Such power," the lion warrior grunted, blocking another strike. "Raegan, keep the pack busy!"

 Raegan fought with carefully controlled skill, protecting the princess while watching the Alpha battle Leo. His system continuously analyzed the massive demon's movements:

[Alpha Core Analysis

Type: Concentrated Demon Mana (Evolution to A Class)

Special Properties: Wolf-Spirit Enhancement

WARNING: Resonating with Host's Dormant Abilities]

The Alpha slammed Leo into a tree, and Raegan knew he had to act. He launched himself at the massive demon, drawing its attention. Fighting it felt strangely familiar—like facing a dark reflection of what he once was.

 Suddenly, his system, Vivaan, flashed urgent notifications:

[CRITICAL OPPORTUNITY DETECTED

Alpha Core contains Wolf-Spirit essence. Consumption could trigger dormant Werewolf abilities. Recommendation: Acquire and consume the core immediately]

The Alpha's attacks were devastating, but Raegan could read its movements—not just from his combat experience, but from some deeper, primal understanding. He waited for the perfect moment, then struck with precision at the crystal core in its forehead.

 The massive demon howled as the core detached, its body already beginning to shrink. Raegan quickly ducked behind a massive oak, his system blaring:

[Core Acquisition Successful

Consume immediately for maximum absorption

Warning: Transformation imminent. Maintain cover from observers]

His hands trembling slightly, Raegan brought the core to his mouth. It tasted like moonlight and fury, like the essence of the hunt itself. His demon core resonated with the foreign power, and his system exploded with notifications:

[WEREWOLF ABILITIES UNLOCKING

Wolf Spirit Integration: In Progress

Demon Core Evolution: Adapting

Ancient Powers: Reactivating

Skills Acquired:

Alpha's Howl (Demon Variant) : Pack Leadership. Enhanced Night Vision. Primal Hunting Sense]

Raegan forced himself to stay silent as power coursed through him, his demon core absorbing and transforming the Alpha's abilities into something new—a perfect fusion of his werewolf heritage and demon evolution.

 When he emerged from behind the tree, the remaining demon wolves had fled, leaving their Alpha's dissolving form behind. Luna was helping the princess back to her feet, while Leo secured the perimeter.

 "You disappeared at the crucial moment," Leo noted, his tone questioning.

 "Had to dodge the Alpha's death throes," Raegan replied smoothly, while his system continued to integrate his newly awakened abilities.

 The princess approached them, her violet eyes sharp with intelligence. "You have my gratitude," she said formally. "I am Princess Aria of Barthopia. Please, travel with us to the capital—my father will want to reward you properly."

 Your father wanted to dissect me as an infant, Raegan thought with a straight face. But he bowed respectfully, feeling his enhanced senses taking in every detail with new clarity. "We're headed to Hempshia ourselves, Your Highness. We'd be honored to escort you."

 As they helped right the carriage, Raegan felt his modified wolf spirit stretching within him like a newly awakened muscle. His system's final note seemed to approve:

[Evolution Complete

Werewolf Powers: Successfully adapted to Demon physiology

New Form: Demon Wolf Sage]

As they continued their journey, Raegan couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. The encounter with Princess Aria had been unexpected, but it had also given him a glimpse of the power and challenges that lay ahead. 

 Raegan was discovering that his newly awakened wolf senses had a peculiar sense of humor. Every time Princess Aria spoke, his enhanced hearing picked up not just her words, but also Luna's increasingly agitated tail swishes and quietly muttered comments.

[Situation Analysis

Princess Aria: Attempting to impress

Luna: Irritation Level Rising

Leo: Highly Amused

Note: Social Complexity Increasing]

"So, Raegan," Aria leaned out of her repaired carriage window, violet eyes sparkling, "you must tell me more about your combat training. Your technique was… unique." She twirled a strand of her silver hair, coincidentally matching the exact shade of Luna's fur.

 "Oh yes, Raegan," Luna mimicked under her breath, just loud enough for his wolf hearing to catch, "tell us all about how special you are while Her Highness bats her royal eyelashes."

Raegan's system, Vivaan, pinged:

[Social Warning

Friendship Status: Threatened and Jealousy Detected

Recommendation: Diplomatic Response Required]

"Actually," Raegan said carefully, "Luna's the truly gifted one. Her ability to read mana flows is remarkable."

 "Is it?" Aria's tone was polite, but her attention remained fixed on Raegan. "How fascinating. But about that move you used against the Alpha—"

 "The move he used while I was busy saving your guards from three demons at once?" Luna muttered, her golden eyes narrowed.

 Leo's massive shoulders shook with barely contained laughter. The great warrior was finding far too much entertainment in watching his young students navigate this social minefield.

 The princess's royal guard captain, still nursing his wounds from the demon attack, cleared his throat. "Your Highness, perhaps we should focus on reaching Hempshia before nightfall?"

  "Oh, but we have so much time to talk!" Aria chirped. "Raegan, you simply must tell me what brings you to the capital. Are you enrolling in Hempshia's Royal Academy?"

 "Yes, the same academy your father wanted to use to dissect me as a baby", Raegan thought. His system, Vivaan, updated:

[Irony Levels: Critical

Current Situation: Being courted by the daughter of a former hunter

Humor Category: Cosmic]

"Both Raegan and I are enrolling in advanced studies," Luna cut in smoothly, emphasizing the 'and I' with particular force. "We've been training together for quite some time."

  "How nice," Aria smiled, completely ignoring Luna's existence. "Raegan, have you ever attended a royal ball? We're having one to celebrate the autumn equinox…"

 Raegan's enhanced senses picked up Luna's growing agitation. Her tail was now doing that particular twitch that usually preceded someone getting their mana paths painfully rearranged.

 "Your Highness," he said diplomatically, "while I'm honored by the invitation, I'll be quite busy with my studies. Luna and I have a strict training schedule to maintain."

[Tactical Analysis

Damage Control: Attempted

Luna's Tail Twitch: Slightly Decreased

Princess's Interest: Unfortunately Increased]

"Oh, but surely you can make time," Aria persisted. "After all, as my rescuer, you have a standing invitation to the palace. Father will insist."

 'I'm sure he will,' Raegan thought, 'right up until he realizes I'm the demon baby that escaped his researchers'.

 Luna's quiet growl was now audible even to normal ears. Leo, the traitor teacher, was practically wheezing with suppressed laughter.

 "Perhaps," Raegan suggested desperately, "we should all focus on reaching the city safely? Those demon wolves might have friends."

 "My hero," Aria sighed dreamily, while Luna made a sound like a choking cat.

Raegan's system offered a helpful update:

[Current Predicament

Romantic Interest: Unwanted

Best Friend: Increasingly Murderous

Mentor: Utterly Useless

Recommendation: Consider running back to Mistpine]

The rest of the journey promised to be very, very long. Raegan found himself wondering if facing Sasht might actually be easier than navigating between a princess's affections and a wolf-girl's jealousy. At least vampires just tried to kill you—they didn't invite you to balls or glare at you every time a princess giggled at your jokes.

 Leo finally took pity on him. "Your Highness, I believe it's time for Raegan's afternoon training. Very strict schedule, you understand."

 "But we're traveling," Aria protested.

 "Ah, but a true warrior trains even while walking," Leo said sagely, then whispered to Raegan: "Run. Training. Far end of the caravan. Now."

 Raegan had never been so grateful for his mentor's wisdom. As he rushed to the back of the caravan, his system noted:

[Tactical Retreat Successful

Princess: Disappointed

Luna: Slightly Mollified

Leo: Still Annoyingly Amused

Note: Social battles prove more complex than demon wolves]

As Raegan jogged to the far end of the caravan, he couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation. Navigating the complexities of social interactions was proving to be just as challenging as any battle he'd faced.