Frilian: This Demon Isn't So Cold

"What happened?"

"That's what I'd like to ask you: did you really use magic just now?"

Beside a lake, two demons stared at each other, one big and one small.

Carlos had intended to extend a friendly sparring invitation to the demon he encountered, as he always did, and the demon in front of him had indeed responded to the invitation, casting a spell on him without saying a word.

The crucial problem is that Carlos didn't feel anything at all!

Although the specific spell could be seen and the fluctuations of magical power could be observed, the fact was that nothing actually happened.

What kind of magic is this?

"How is this possible?" The demon frowned deeply. "My magic has no effect on you?"

"How about... you try again?"

Carlos had originally intended to continue intimidating him and gradually learn his magic in the process, but seeing this unexpected situation, he decided to observe further.

"Oh, so you're that rumored monster who recently appeared." Upon hearing this, Glaosam's tightly furrowed brows slowly relaxed. "Why did you do this? Does bullying the weak make you feel good?"

"There's no reason." Seeing that the other party had no intention of continuing to cast magic, Carlos decided to use the old method, quickly approaching with his greatsword, ready to strike.

The demon in front of him was indeed fooled by this tactic. The same spell he had just used was immediately activated again, but it was like a mud ox sinking into the sea when it hit Carlos, without even making a ripple.

"How is this possible?!"

Graosam was taken aback again. Once might be due to a coincidence, but two failures could only mean that his magic was truly ineffective against the demon before him. "Don't you have any unfulfilled dreams?"

"What unfulfilled dream? Explain it to me!"

Carlos was blocked by defensive magic when he got close enough, but he was not discouraged. He casually broke the magic and asked curiously.

"My magic can lead the opponent's mind into a dream of 'giving up because they think it's impossible,' but it has no effect on you." Graosam made no attempt to hide the effects of his magic, simply explaining the essence of the magic he had just used.

"I see... So what do you think caused the magic to fail?" Carlos wasn't in a hurry to continue the attack, but asked him very seriously.

The demons are truly naive in this respect, or perhaps arrogant? But this also makes things convenient for them.

"How would I know?"

"Aren't you a user of magic?"

"Don't you have dreams?"

"Does wanting to beat you to death count as one?"

As Carlos replied, he tried to decipher the meaning behind the other person's words.

The dreams you gave up because you thought they were impossible to achieve—did you actually realize that all those things you thought you could achieve?

He felt he didn't need to continue talking to the other person; getting the magic was the priority.

It's magic targeting the mind, what a rare find!

So Carlos continued to raise his greatsword without any mercy, and this time, he used almost all his strength.

On the other hand, after confirming that his prized [Paradise Transfer Magic] had no effect, Graosam immediately started running away.

The person in front of me is no pushover. Although I've heard rumors, demons generally don't care about the survival of their own kind. Who knows how many demons have already died at his hands?

Damn it, I must report this demon to His Majesty the Demon King!

"As a great demon, what do you mean by running away like this?" Carlos chased after him. "Where is your dignity?"

"Don't you know that survival is the first priority in life?"

After replying with just that one sentence, Graosar continued to run away without looking back.

Other, more sophisticated forms of mental magic, unlike the [Paradise Transfer Magic], all require physical contact with the other party.

Graosam believed that before he could have that chance, his body would be mercilessly severed by Carlos's greatsword.

What are we waiting for if we don't run?

"Use whatever means you have, or I won't let you off the hook!" Carlos chased after him.

Unfortunately, they were both using the same [flight magic], and their magical power was almost the same, so neither of them could break the other's spell.

The two demons chased each other.

As he fled, constantly dodging or defending against attacks from behind, Grao's Sam gradually began to feel exhausted.

Feeling his magic power draining away, he realized that this couldn't go on. The demon chasing him was completely unpredictable, and if he ran out of magic power, he would have to resort to hand-to-hand combat...

How could I possibly win?!

Therefore, Glaosam decided to seek outside help. He changed direction and headed towards the location of the demons who were emitting powerful magical energy fluctuations.

As if knowing his plan, the magical attacks from behind became even more intense.

However, when Graosam arrived not far from the demon, the relentless magical attacks from behind suddenly stopped, and the demon's aura froze in place.

Carlos has too many unusable methods at his disposal. If his purpose is exposed, he is not sure what he will encounter afterward. Therefore, if he cannot bring things to a safe end, he will temporarily give up.

But can you escape the first day of the month and escape the fifteenth?

Carlos decided to keep pursuing the other person for the rest of the time.

……

"Mental magic?" Sylvia understood him a little better after hearing this. "I heard my master say that if a mage wants to overcome a stronger opponent, mental magic is the best way to break through."

"Yeah, I really wanted that magic, so I kept pestering him after that," Carlos said.

"So, did you finally learn it? That [Paradise Transfer Magic] that's said to trap opponents in a dream world."

"It's about half and half," Carlos recalled. "This is actually a very special kind of magic for me. I can't completely learn it, but because I have studied this kind of magic, I was able to see that the other party also had a mental defense spell."

"So, how come you remember the details of this incident so clearly? Hmm?" Sylvia suddenly asked, her voice ringing out clearly in the room.

"Because it's very interesting. This is the first time I've encountered mental magic," Carlos explained, then sighed, "Unfortunately, spirit and soul are only similar, but they are completely different things in essence."

Mental magic cannot interfere with the soul; he has already tested it on himself.

"May I share my current thoughts?"

"What?"

"Demons are really amazing."

Sylvia said seriously, "The 'Magic of Turning Everything into Gold' that you explained to me last night was already quite incredible, as it can be used to freeze the state of things. And today you have another 'Magic of Attracting People to Paradise,' the effect of which seems quite magical to me as well."

"Of course, you, lying right next to me, are even more powerful than them." Sylvia praised Carlos midway through, then added, "After hearing about these spells, I couldn't help but think that if demons were as united as humans, we would be finished by now."

"So, the Creator is fair; while bestowing one quality upon something, He often takes away something else entirely." After saying this, Carlos couldn't help but wonder, "But are humans truly united?"

He never thought that way from the beginning, but compared to creatures like demons, it doesn't seem like there's anything wrong with talking about human unity.

"Don't say things like that. I was actually secretly praising you."

"Thank you, but I don't think I need anyone's praise."

"I've been categorized as 'others'?!" Sylvia looked surprised.

"Isn't that quite perceptive? I was just teasing you." Carlos laughed, pleased that she had noticed. "It's getting late, time for bed."

"Are you really just trying to tease me?" Sylvia asked suspiciously.

"Good night," Carlos said, avoiding a direct answer.

"Hmph." The girl let out a small sigh, but still said, "Goodnight, you too."