The crimson princess

Pov Inglis,

Unknown: "I would like to know one thing—who are you, really?"

I heard a voice in my head that belonged to the creepy little girl, yet she hadn't opened her lips.

Unknown: "How creepy I am, huh? You're a newborn, and yet you're aware of your world and even managed to stop my arm, even though I didn't put any real power into it. If I know everything, it's because I've been reading your thoughts—your vocal cords aren't fully developed yet."

Inglis: "This is not the time to talk. The house is on fire, and in my opinion, the flames will reach us in just a few minutes."

She made a gesture, and strange writing in a language I didn't recognize appeared. When the inscription was complete, a protective dome formed around us.

Unknown: "Now nothing can disturb our conversation. So answer my question—truthfully—because I will know if you lie. And don't worry about time passing, because I have all the time I need."

I explained to her my heroic past and everything that had led to the present situation. She only interrupted me to ask for more details about certain things.

Unknown: "I see, I see. It's sad that you had to die so young and couldn't enjoy life."

Inglis: "You're not going to kill me?"

Unknown: "Do I look like someone who kills babies?"

Inglis: "No, but you have a dangerous aura that tells me you could do it without blinking."

Unknown: "Keep treating me like that, and I'll let you burn alive."

Inglis: "I'm sorry, but could you lower your aura?"

Unknown: "I didn't activate my aura. I think it's the power you had in your previous life that allows you to see hidden auras, so you'll have to control it yourself. What I meant is that you are going to die because your body cannot withstand the excess power you have deep within you. And since fire is a magical source, your aura must have leaked out and created this fire."

Inglis: "How is this possible? Since my birth, I've kept my aura inside me and tried to handle it carefully."

Unknown: "While you were sleeping, your body must have reacted instinctively and released this energy."

That might be possible since I think I was having an unpleasant dream.

Unknown: "Now you have one choice. If you refuse, I will leave and let this fire consume you."

Inglis: "You could at least tell me what to expect so I can make the best choice."

Unknown: "I know a way to prevent your body from being destroyed by your power. If you accept, I will help you train your body to withstand this energy overflow."

Inglis: "And how would refusing make you leave me here?"

Unknown: "Let me finish instead of rushing. Today's youth always want to move as fast as possible."

Inglis: "I'll remind you that I've lived for over a hundred years."

Unknown: "And I was born almost 500 years ago."

It's true that from her point of view, I'm still young.

She told me about a peerage system and how her race, the Devils, used to turn members of other races into Devils.

Some seek out the strong to increase their influence within their faction or for battles known as Rating Games. Others, on the other hand, seek individuals to add to their harems, with or without consent.

She explained all of this to me because by becoming a Devil, my body would be able to withstand more energy, and she would also be able to block the excess energy that is harmful to me.

Unknown: "There is only one thing I ask in return. Since you will have to fully educate yourself about this world—the different factions, combat techniques, and so on—it would be a bit like you were my daughter. So instead of just being like my daughter, you will be my daughter. You will carry my family name. You will be loved the same way as my other children. You will have a large family. Whatever past you had, the only thing that will matter to me is your present life. So, what do you say? Accept, or I'll leave now."