Summoned with an SSS-Rank Portal Skill

Victoria's excitement was palpable, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. The prospect of obtaining a demonic bloodline was clearly a dream come true for her, and the fact that they were about to step into the heart of the demonic realm only heightened her enthusiasm. She practically bounced on her feet, her energy contrasting sharply with William's more cautious demeanor.

"Are we going to be safe there?" William asked the grotesque creature, his tone serious. He wasn't just thinking about himself—Victoria's safety was equally important.

The creature's form shifted slightly, its grotesque features softening as it considered the question. "Certainly," it replied, its voice now smoother and more reassuring. "But you should be careful. With your royal bloodline, you might find yourself caught in some… intrigues. Especially considering the demonic kingdom isn't doing well lately."

William's eyes widened in surprise. "Royal bloodline?" he repeated. "I thought my bloodline was just purer or something. What do you mean by royal?"

The creature chuckled, a sound that was oddly warm despite its unsettling appearance. "It is purer," it explained, "but it's also royal. You carry the blood of the demon kings of old. That's why you're so important—and why you need to be cautious."

William blinked, processing the information. The idea of having royal demonic blood was both thrilling and overwhelming. He had always known he was different, but this was on another level entirely.

Victoria, meanwhile, looked even more excited. "Royal bloodline?" she said, her voice tinged with awe. "That's incredible! Does that mean you're, like, a prince or something?"

William shook his head, still trying to wrap his mind around it. "I don't know," he admitted. "This is all new to me."

The creature's form began to waver, its grotesque features flickering as if it were struggling to maintain its shape. "If you want to go, then go," it said, its voice strained. "I can't hold my sanity for much longer."

Before stepping through the portal, William turned to the creature, his expression earnest. "Please," he said, "don't kill Sarah, Asir, or the other students in the fissure. They're not our enemies."

The creature nodded, its form flickering again. "I will even try to get them out of this place for you," it promised. "I won't forgive myself if I let down the future demon king."

William's stomach churned at the mention of being a "future demon king," but he pushed the thought aside. There would be time to process all of this later. For now, he simply nodded. "Thank you."

As he and Victoria approached the portal, William hesitated, one last question on his mind. "Can we communicate with them?" he asked, glancing back at the creature. "If we're going to the demonic realm, I need to know we'll be able to understand each other—especially Victoria."

The creature's voice was faint now, its form barely holding together. "Yes," it said. "When you go through the portal, you'll gain access to their language. Magic can do wonders."

William nodded, relieved. "Good."

With that, he and Victoria stepped through the portal. The experience was unlike anything either of them had ever felt. It was as if the world around them dissolved into a swirling vortex of colors and sounds, their bodies weightless yet pulled in every direction at once. Time seemed to stretch and warp, seconds feeling like hours, and then—

They emerged on the other side, their feet landing on solid ground.

When William and Victoria stepped through the portal, they had braced themselves for something extraordinary—something otherworldly. They expected a red sky, bizarre creatures, or a landscape that defied imagination. But what they found was… surprisingly normal.

The first thing they noticed was the sky. Through a small window in the black stone building they had appeared in, they could see a clear blue sky, much like the one they were used to. The air was fresh, and the atmosphere was calm, almost peaceful. It was a far cry from the ominous, foreboding realm they had imagined.

Victoria blinked, looking around in confusion. "Where are we?" she asked, her voice tinged with both curiosity and disbelief.

William, equally puzzled, scanned their surroundings. The room they were in was made of smooth, black stone, its walls carved with intricate patterns that seemed to pulse faintly with a dark energy. It was clear they were in a structure of some importance, but where exactly?

"I don't know," William admitted, his tone cautious. "But a portal like that must have some kind of protection. If strangers come through, someone will probably show up soon to investigate."

As if on cue, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the hallway outside. Within moments, a group of soldiers burst into the room, their movements swift and coordinated. They were clad in sleek, black plate armor, their weapons gleaming in the dim light. Some carried swords, others axes, and a few even wore gauntlets that crackled with faint magical energy.

The soldiers formed a semi-circle around William and Victoria, their weapons raised and ready. The tension in the room was palpable, but before things could escalate further, a figure stepped forward.

It was their captain, a striking woman with long, flowing black hair and a pale, almost ethereal complexion. Her eyes, a deep shade of red, glowed faintly in the dim light, giving her an air of both beauty and danger. She had been anxious when the alarm sounded, fearing an invasion, but her expression softened slightly when she saw only two people standing before her.

"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice sharp but controlled. "How did you find the portal?"

William raised his arms in a gesture of both surrender and sincerity, his voice steady as he spoke. "We found the portal through the area you once lived in a long time ago. A creature with tentacles—some kind of guardian—spoke to us and allowed us to pass."

The captain's eyes narrowed, her skepticism etched deeply into her expression. She crossed her arms, her tone sharp and probing. "And why would the guardian let you through? Just recently, they permitted a man to pass because he carried an ancient book that once belonged to us. What about you? What makes you so special?"

Without hesitation, William reached into his coat and produced a weathered, leather-bound book. He held it up for the captain to see, its pages faintly glowing with an otherworldly light. "I have a copy of the same book you mentioned," he said, his voice calm but firm. "But that's not all. I also carry a demonic bloodline. That's why the guardian allowed me to pass." He gestured to the woman standing beside him, her presence quiet but resolute. "And this is Victoria. She seeks a bloodline of her own, and I've promised to help her."

Victoria's eyes flickered with gratitude as William spoke on her behalf. She had been silent until now, but his unwavering support gave her a sense of reassurance. She nodded slightly, her determination clear.

The captain's expression shifted from skepticism to outright disbelief, her voice rising in both volume and intensity. "What? If you're lying about this, you'll die horribly. Do you understand the gravity of what you're claiming?"

Her demeanor had changed entirely. Gone was the cool, composed leader; in her place was someone visibly anxious, almost unnerved. The demonic bloodline was a rarity, especially outside the confines of their secluded island. For William to claim possession of such a bloodline—and a pure one at that—was no small matter. It was a statement that demanded proof.

But William was prepared. He had no intention of hiding the truth. Sooner or later, they would discover it anyway. "I do have a demonic bloodline," he repeated, his tone unwavering. "You're free to conduct whatever tests you need to verify it. But I have one condition: you must promise that both I and my student will be treated well. And you must give her a fair chance to obtain a bloodline of her own."

The captain's eyes bore into his, searching for any hint of deception. After a long, tense moment, she finally relented, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "Fine," she said, her voice clipped but conceding. She turned to the soldiers surrounding them and barked an order. "Stand down. Sheathe your weapons."

The soldiers obeyed immediately, their blades disappearing into their scabbards as they stepped back, creating a clear path. The captain gestured for William and Victoria to follow her. "Come with me," she said, her tone now more measured but still carrying an edge of authority.

As they followed her, Victoria leaned slightly closer to William, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you," she murmured, her gratitude evident.