Frieren: Reincarnated As a Demon

Chapter 34: Apprenticeship to Frank·Visitor from the Demon Clan

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Facing Frank, who looked young yet was actually quite mature, Ash stared at his extended hand for a long time, suppressing the urge to voice his doubts.

Though what Frank said was surprising and a little beyond Ash's current understanding, it left him feeling somewhat suspicious.

Still, his intuition told him that this person wasn't the villain he had imagined, using deceit and trickery.

This left him conflicted, but in the end, he accepted the decision—even if he were being tricked—and took the hand extended to him.

Frank smiled boldly and immediately pulled him up from the wooden fence:

"Now, come home with me."

"Go home? Your home is nearby?"

"No, my home is in the capital."

Frank had come here purposely, having seen the future and knowing Ash would be here.

But his words still made Ash feel strange. How could someone, after just shaking hands, invite him to their home so casually?

Even though Ash believed Frank wasn't a bad person, the whole thing still felt odd!

However, the conditions Frank offered were hard to refuse. After much hesitation, Ash decided to go along and check it out. Besides, he could eat and drink for free and see what Frank could teach him.

...

Royal capital, outskirts.

In the unexpectedly large yet simple house, there were only two middle-aged maids.

Frank seemed to have been a self-made businessman at fifteen, and his parents had died on the battlefield when he was still young.

But thanks to his ability to predict the future, he lived a life that Ash found enviable. Yet the reality was a bit different...

Although Frank once had a lover, for reasons unknown, they chose to break up early. From a very young age, Frank devoted himself to daily training.

In what felt like an instant, Ash became Frank's apprentice in swordsmanship and settled down in the outskirts of the capital.

Day after day, from dawn until dusk, from spring's bloom to winter's chill, Ash repeated his training without faltering.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, thirteen years quietly passed.

For demons, thirteen years was but a fleeting moment, yet Ash's progress was unprecedented.

But there was a problem... Since demons' internal structures differ from humans, they disintegrate into magical particles upon death.

Although Ash originally resembled a human, his strength had reached the limits of his body, so when he fought at full power, his form would change.

Two devil-like horns would sprout from his forehead, and his entire body would enlarge, making him over two meters tall even without the horns. At the same time, his strength, agility, magic recovery speed, and control would all be greatly enhanced.

Of course, this transformation marked his full demon state.

It's also worth mentioning that in his human form, nothing changes—his appearance remains the same as before.

But that only applies to him. Thirteen years is a different story for humans... Frank, once a young man, had turned into a middle-aged uncle in the blink of an eye. Though he still seemed full of energy, there was no escaping the change.

"It's so unfair. I've become an uncle in no time, but you look exactly the same as before." Frank stroked his beard, sighing as he looked at Ash, who still appeared as youthful as when they first met.

"...But humans progress quickly, while demons advance slowly."

"Your progress, though, is nothing like the usual demons. If all demons were like you, humans would have been wiped out long ago." Frank sighed, a hint of envy and regret in his voice as he handed Ash a document.

Looking closely, it turned out to be a property transfer document—more accurately, it resembled a will detailing the distribution of assets.

"Uh... what is this? Why is my name on it?"

"If I die, the house will be yours. As for the rest of my property, please donate it to those in need."

"... if?" Ash couldn't help but feel uneasy hearing someone who could see the future say " if."

But Frank didn't explain. Instead, he packed his bags and, without looking back, said, "It's almost time for me to go... We'll meet in the middle of the continent three years from now. Have you heard of Fort Lanier?"

"...What are you suddenly talking about? I've been to Grobe Village before."

"That's right. There's a forest near there, isn't there?"

"I think so?"

"Well, over time, it changed from a village to a fortress." Frank sighed briefly, then added, "When you visit the forest, you'll find a surprise."

"It won't be much of a surprise if I'm meeting an old man."

"Haha~ It's not me you'll be seeing. But... well, you'll find out then. Now, focus on controlling your demonic state. Since you can shift forms, your control is slipping. Even without seeing the future, I can tell you're a demon."

"There's not much I can do." Ash spread his hands in frustration. "I've tried suppressing it, but ever since I transformed once, my demon aura has gotten much stronger."

"Just take your time." Frank didn't offer much advice, but smiled mysteriously, saying, "Someone will come tomorrow. You can listen to what he says, because... we've already 'talked' about it."

"Huh?"

"You'll understand tomorrow. But for now, farewell. Goodbye, my friend."

Frank left without further explanation, bags in hand, leaving Ash and two maids behind. Though the maids were from a nearby village, Ash wasn't thrilled about living with them.

Yet that was not the end of it. The next morning, the two maids were gone, and Ash discovered Frank had fired them the day before.

Ash was left speechless, planning to hire someone to take care of the house. But when he opened the door to the mansion, he found a male demon standing outside. Wearing a hood and mask, with long bangs covering his right eye and large horns, the demon had his arms crossed.

The stranger sized Ash up before speaking slowly, "This is our first time meeting, right, Ash?"

"Yes... or so it seems to me."

As Ash recognized the figure—or rather, the demon—his emotions became suddenly complex.

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T/N: Another week dawn's, and with it, the call for rank, Give me thy power stones, and I shall raise above all others, Grant me thy aid, and rewards Shall be thine