I furrowed my eyebrows, the presence of others surrounding me, I could hear their breathing, the sounds of their heart beats and even the flow of mana in their meridians. I forced my eyes open, shooting up before squinting.

Ouch, I should have let my eyes adjust first. The lights blurred my vision. I kept my right eye closed, realizing my mother was still here.

“Zeref, Zeref, it’s just us.” Mothers voice cooed as she gently pushed me to lay back down. I did, as she said and took slow, deep breaths.

“Why are the lights so bright?” I groaned, squinting. 

Jace ran to the light controls, turning the brightness of the room down.

I could finally see clearer as I looked around to see who was here.

Mother, Jace, Malia, Naz, Sara, Allefin and lastly Voadhailis.

‘Welcome back brat! And congrats. You beat that Lucifer b*stard.’ Voadhailis’s voice had matured a little while I was gone.

‘Yeah he was a formidable opponent. I ended up using Godspeed to beat him as a last resort. That’s why my body is so messed up.’

“Zeref, you can open your right eye. They already informed me about your little secret.” Mother spoke, stroking my hair, “Even though I’m disappointed you kept such a secret from me. I don’t want any more secrets between us.”

“I promise.” I replied, giving her a wry smile.

I slowly opened my right eye to reveal the new black pattern on my red iris. My body ached from the metamorphosis I went through after I had cleared the dungeon. I flexed my fist feeling a new found power running through me. My dormant demon DNA had finally activated.

“So what happened to the large Dungeon. Did everyone return safely?” I asked.

“Yeah. The Rank 1 S rank Hunter had apparently cleared the final floor, all the Hunters returned safely because of him. He’s so handsome omg.” Naz blushed, staring into nothingness; Jace nudged her a little snapping her out of her trance.

So he took all the credits. That wasn’t bad I guess, my peaceful life wouldn’t be affected by paparazzi.

“Zeref, did something happen in that dungeon?.” Malia said, with a stern voice. Everyone shuffled in their seats at her questions.

“Why? Did something happen to me whilst I was unconscious?” 

“It was horrible. Your bones and everything reshaped, cracking open then healing again constantly. And don’t get me started on that hideous and bloodthirsty mana pressure you used to give off. The Doctors were too afraid to even go near you. Only yesterday your body returned back to normal.

“The Hunter Association had to evacuate all the patients from this side of the wing as your mana pressure was too suffocating.” Malia reported, folding her arms.

Is that what Gramps had to go through during my first Metamorphosis? I’d have to catch up with him later.

“I’m also tired of keeping secrets so I’ll tell you guys everything. Please keep this between us.”

They all nodded solemnly, vowing to keep whatever I was about to say between us and us only.

“I’m now a Demon King.”

They all gasped at my words. I sighed knowing I’d have to explain everything from the start, including everything about Lucifer and Kayden. 

**

-Knock. Knock

Our jolly moment of laughter and small anecdotes had been interrupted by 2 men wearing black suits and dark sunglasses.

Mother handed me my Eye Patch, quickly helping me to put it on making sure they wouldn’t see..

“I’m sorry to interrupt your reunion with your family, Mr Amara but the Director is asking for you.” The man at the front spoke, his voice a bit shaky out of fear. 

“Okay. tell him I’ll be there in 10 minutes.”

“Yes sir.”

The 2 men dressed in black left immediately not trying to cause a nuisance.

‘Rapid healing’

A reddish aura surrounded my body, healing up all of the imperfections and injuries the forceful metamorphosis caused to my bodies.

“Okay. I need to go see the Director. When I’m back we’ll all spend time together. I promise.” I smiled, getting up from the bed. I cracked my neck left and right checking out my improved body.

My muscle mass had increased again and I grew to 6ft 2. My face had matured a little and my wavy black hair had grown in length.

“Okay take care.” Mother said, “And be back quickly, we have a lot to discuss.” her voice was serious on the last phrase. 

Did she want to talk about The Tournament and Candidate Games? She must have caught on by now, the events I was experiencing wouldn’t happen to a normal kid.

I hugged everyone and said my quick goodbyes before leaving the room. I clicked my fingers, changing my outfit into more casual wear.

I wore dark trousers and a grey turtle neck jumper.

‘Brat. Slow down.’ Voadhailis flew out of mother’s arms flying above my head, before resting around my neck.

**

As I walked into the Hunter Bureau, the gathered Hunters paved a way for me. Even the S rankers got up from their seats to watch me. 

I tapped the receptionist’s desk with my Hunter ID card.

“I’m here to see the Director. May I know where he is?” I asked..

“Y-Yes sir, he’s at the Training Grounds.” The receptionist stuttered.

“Okay, thanks.” I flashed her a smile, “And loosen up Rebecca. You’re good at your job.” 

“Oh my god, he knows my name.” She whispered.

I smiled, walking down the stairs into the training facility.

To my surprise the whole training facility was empty. Only the Director, a couple strange men and some bodyguards waited for me.

“Welcome back. Zeref.” The Director shook my hand. 

“Please follow me.” he said, walking down another flight of stairs until we reached a training platform. 

“I heard from Taras about what happened. When he woke up and went into the next floor with the other Hunters, you were found there lying on the ground and the portal to the outside world had already appeared.

“How did you clear the last floor by yourself?” The Director asked with a stern face.

“I’m going to have to turn down your stupid question. Please stop wasting my time and get to the real reason you brought me down here, otherwise I’m leaving.” I snapped.

Voadhailis, blew a flame from his mouth out of annoyance too, showing that he agreed with me.

“Is that a Dra-” 

I glared at the man who spoke up in shock, making him step back in fear. He shushed himself and avoided my glare.

“I’m sorry to upset you Zeref. I just wanted to do a Hunter valuation and introduce you to the other important people of the Hunter Association.”

“Now if you’ll please place your hand on this orb, it will place you in a rank.” A man wearing a white lab coat held a black orb in his hands.

I did as the man said and released my mana pressure. 

The whole training facility shook with a murderous and bloodthirsty aura. The Director completely enveloped his body in darkness mana to overcome the pressure whilst the other board members also activated their mana skins, barely withstanding the pressure.

-Crack. Crack.

The dark orb shattered into smithereens like pieces of glass, leaving the men in a total state of shock.

I withheld my mana pressure again, allowing them to ease up again.

“T-The Orb. It broke.” The man in the white lab coat stood wide eyed.

“What’s the result then?” The Director spoke my words as I was going to ask the same thing.

“It’s Unknown.”

**

We all had finally reached home and were enjoying ourselves near the fireplace. It was night time now and the wind began to become aggressive. Everyone had come over: Mr Xanxus, Naz, Sara, Allefin, Miss Elena and even Gramps.

“What happened next?!” Gramps’s eyes gleamed as he let out his inner child listening to how I cleared the Dungeon.

“And Mr Xanxus. I’m going to take some extra time off school, I need some time to rest after something like this.” I tried to sound tired, to persuade him but mother stepped in too.

“Xanxus if you don’t let him off I’m going to handle you myself.” I swear her hair began to rise with her anger.

“O-Okay. Yeah you can have as much time as you want off.” Xanxus scratched his head in fear, giving an awkward laugh.

“Alright, let’s all have a drink.” Malia walked in with a tray of drinks in fancy glasses. A pale drink bubbled, popping against the clear wine glasses with golden rims.

A hand reached up as we all fell silent. Jace looked at me with a warm smile, holding his glass up.

“Let’s raise this toast to Zeref.” he smiled, proudly.

Malia raised her glass, looking at me as well. The slight twinkle in her eyes as she smiled softly.

“For putting a roof over our heads.”

I exhaled, feeling warm inside.

“For being an amazing grandson.” gramps raised his glass as well.

“Okay no need to be cheesy-” I tried to protest.

“For saving me.” Sara raised hers.

“For being like my big brother.” Naz put hers up next to Malia’s.

“Okay guys-” I started to cringe.

“For being a role model and leader.” Allefin raised his, nodding at me as I awkwardly pulled my lips into a line.

“I’m so proud.” my mum finally finished.

I thought it was over until Miss Elena and Xanxus put their glasses up, speaking in unison.

“For being the best student.” They both spoke, looking at each other with annoyed expressions.

“Copycat!” Miss Elena yelled.

“Have you no shame, lying to everyone’s faces like this? You copied me!” Xanxus flinched when Miss Elena stood up.

“What you gonna do, you table leg?” he mocked, subconsciously moving back as she neared his face.

“This.” she smirked before splashing her drink over his bald head and rubbing it in.

“Hands off! AHHH!” he screamed, protecting his head as she clawed him.

“Um… anyways.” Jace awkwardly continued over both of their yelling.

“Cheers to Zeref!” Malia yelled, standing up as we all drank.

“CHEEERS!” Miss Elena screamed, snatching Xanxus’s drink as they both tried to drink from it at once.

“Cheers.” 

End of Volume 1

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep