“It was my mistake,” Anon admitted, his voice laced with frustration. “I revealed too much, and that’s why he suspected me and exposed my true identity.”
Damacus, one of the demon gods, approached Anon, as his eyes grew bigger but his body still remained invisible “It’s not your fault,” he assured him. “You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s in a demon’s nature to live with royalty, to stand tall and unwavering. Even a rat can survive in this deadly world. What others define as selfishness and arrogance is merely a misunderstood reflection of our true essence.”
The demon girl with pink eyes nodded in agreement, her voice laced with anger. “Those gods and humans know nothing about demons. A demon lives with their own sense of royalty, bowing before no one. They never hide in the shadows just to survive. They care for no one but their beloved ones. If that’s what a demon truly is, then yes, you, me, and all the individuals present in this room are demons.”
Severus, another demon god, hissed in affirmation. “You’re right,” he declared, his eyes gleaming with determination. “The one who diminishes their own self-respect cannot be considered a true demon. We, true demons, are royalty. We never go back on our word.”
Razethor, his eyes shining with a bright yellow hue, stepped forward. “Brother Severus speaks the truth,” he stated. “A demon can be sly and deceiving, but when it comes to the battlefield, even a single demon stands with pride against an army of hundreds and thousands. We possess an unwavering strength and resilience that sets us apart.”
Damacus interjected, his voice filled with concern. “We must find a way to save you, Brother Anon. If you enter the academy and break the overcharge, the avatar of that holy god will surely emerge to kill you. And once the overcharge breaks, you will be vulnerable, weakened.”
Anon’s mind raced with possibilities, and suddenly an idea struck him like a bolt of lightning. “We need to rearrange the chess pieces,” he declared, his voice brimming with excitement.
Confusion settled among the demon gods as they exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued. “What do you mean, Brother Anon *hiss*?” Severus asked, tilting his head inquisitively.
Anon elaborated on his plan, a smile of determination playing upon his lips. “When we rearrange the pieces on a chessboard, the game starts anew. If I can level the playing field against that adversary, the game will reset. We need to find a way to bring the fight back to the beginning, to regain control.”
Understanding slowly dawned on Damacus. “You mean to say that if you never leave this forest, the game can begin afresh. By attending the academy under a new name, you can maintain anonymity and confront the challenges that await you.”
Fremus, however, voiced his skepticism. “But the seven continents of the human kingdom have seen your face. Do you honestly believe you can enter the academy and simply say, ‘Hello, everyone, I’m Eden. I just happen to resemble Anon, but I’m not him’?”
Anon’s gaze hardened with determination. “That’s precisely the plan,” he confirmed. “But what if I change my face as well?”
Fremus scoffed at the notion. “What nonsense! The <Body Modification> skill won’t allow you to change your own appearance. It’s simply not possible.”
Anon’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “Ah, but I have another idea,” he revealed, confident in his newfound strategy.
Damacus, catching onto Anon’s line of thought, nodded approvingly. “I understand,” he stated. “Brother Anon wants us to grant him a skill that can transform his face and body. With this, he can become an entirely new person, reenter the academy, and confound both gods and demons alike.”
Severus joined in, hissing softly. “Brother Anon’s intellect knows no bounds. It is a clever plan indeed.”
The demon girl with pink eyes, still puzzled, sought clarification. “That’s a great idea, but how will you change your face?”
Anon turned to her, his voice filled with determination. “Don’t you possess any shape-shifting abilities? A skill or power that allows you to alter your appearance?”
Damacus summoned a wooden mask from thin air, as it materialized in front of anon “While we may not possess innate shape-shifting abilities, I do have an artifact that could serve our purpose.” .
As the mask floated before Anon, Anon used a skill.
<Demonic Eyes>
the inscription on it became visible: – [Nature’s Face-Changing Mask].
[Nature’s Face Changing Mask is a remarkable artifact that possesses the extraordinary ability to transform the appearance of its wearer into anyone whose DNA, such as hair, is used as a reference. Crafted from the formidable creature known as a mimic, this mystical mask harnesses the essence of nature itself to grant its user the power of shape-shifting.
When worn, the mask taps into the genetic information obtained from the desired individual, using it as a template to alter the wearer’s facial features, effectively turning them into a perfect likeness of the chosen person. However, the mask’s transformative power extends beyond mere cosmetic changes. It also modifies the wearer’s entire body, ensuring a complete and seamless disguise that is virtually impossible to detect.
The transformation brought about by Nature’s Face Changing Mask lasts for a considerable duration, spanning up to 22 hours. However, such a potent enchantment comes at a price. The mask consumes a significant amount of mana to sustain the alteration, resulting in a 50% reduction in the wearer’s magical abilities during the duration of the transformation. This limitation serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between power and disguise. One of the mask’s most formidable aspects is its ability to evade detection. By completely reshaping the wearer’s face and body, it renders them virtually unrecognizable, even to those who are familiar with the person being imitated. This makes it a formidable tool for espionage, infiltration, or any situation where concealing one’s true identity is essential.
Crafted from the body of a mimic, a monstrous creature renowned for its shape-shifting abilities, the mask inherits some of the mimic’s inherent magical properties. Mimics are known to possess an affinity for mimicry and disguise, often camouflaging themselves as ordinary objects to lure unsuspecting prey. By harnessing the essence of this formidable creature, Nature’s Face Changing Mask has acquired an unparalleled mastery over the art of transformation.]
Anon’s heart raced with excitement as he realized the potential of this mysterious artifact.
Anon reached out, taking hold of the mask, a newfound sense of hope igniting within him. “With this mask, we can change the game entirely,” he proclaimed, his voice resolute.
The demon gods, now united in purpose, nodded in agreement. The stage was set for Anon’s rebirth, a chance to reclaim his destiny. With the <Nature’s Face-Changing Mask> in his possession, he would embark on a new path, one that would challenge the very fabric of the academy and change the course of their collective fates.