Chapter 02 : So I Met a Demon Princess

- "What is it, Hero Agni?"

- "How did you know my name, your highness?"

- "There are three phases of Summoning Ritual. Select, mark, summon. They started the ritual with my blood. In the first phase, the ritual selects the individual who is fit to be the hero. This phase took 11 days straight. On the eleventh day, the ritual selected you and visually showed your details. Such as how you look, your name, your age, etc. After that, the second phase activated. The ritual marked you wherever you were. And in the third phase, the ritual summoned you here."

- "Ah! Got it."

- "Agni Roy is a very unusual name. I guess every name from your world will be unusual to me."

- "It is a very special name to me. In Bengali, it means fire."

- "Oh! I think the name is bound with your soul. That's why your power is a dark blue flame."

I look at my right hand and say, "Seems so." Varthion says, "Let's go, Hero Agni. Your room should be prepared by now. Let me take you there." I say, "Sure. Let's go, your highness."

We stand up. And proceed to the door. Suddenly the door opens. A female demon enters into the room. She is a bit taller than me, with long red hair, two horns, and red eyes. In one word, she is breathtaking. Literally! I forgot to take a break for a while. 

Varthion says, "She is Vaelya Vel Azar. My beloved sister. And also the general of the Demon Army. Vaelya, this is our hero, our hope." "Doesn't look like it." Vaelya remarks. Ouch! My everyday workout jumps into the drain. Varthion laughs and says, "Don't let his physique fool you, sister." Vaelya says, "We will see. Now go to the royal court; all ministers are expecting you." Varthion asks, "Has anything happened?" "Maybe they want to talk to you about your hero." Vaelya replies. Varthion says, "Sorry, Hero Agni, I have to go to the royal court. Vaelya will give you the company. And sister, please show Hero Agni around." Vaelya says, "Sure." Varthion leaves with the six sages.

My heart is beating loudly. Vaelya is standing in front of me. I can't look at her. Her dressing sense is very much different from my world. A bit revealing for a Bengali boy to feel comfortable to look. And she is looking at me. And I can't handle eye contact with a lady. Vaelya says, "That's a weird dress!" Ah! They aren't familiar with our world dress. Vaelya again says, "Our so-called hero can't even look at me!" Ah! I look at her eyes and say, "I was thinking." 

- "About what? How to betray the demons?"

- "What?"

- "I guess I'm wrong. Because how can you betray us with this weak body?"

- "Aren't you a very powerful one, hiding in a safe shadow?

Vaelya bursts with anger. Her eyes are burning like fire. I guess I just hit on her unhealed wound. I say, "Sorry. I shouldn't have said that." Vaelya says, "I am challenging you to a duel now." A what now!

- "Absolutely no. I want to help demons. I can't fight you."

- "Help yourself first, you weakling. The duel is on. If you won't fight, I will kill you here and now. If you are weak than one my soldier, how can you call yourself a hero? And how do you hope to help us? I won't allow a weakling to be called as the Hero of the Demon Realm."

- "Alright, let's fight. But where?"

- "Come outside."

Vaelya walks out of the room. I follow her. The hall is massive. "Where are we going?" I ask. She replies, "To the training ground." 

I have seen a lot of anime. In this situation the protagonist proves himself by defeating the one who challenged him. But In some anime, the protagonist got beaten and lost his senses. So, which result will be fall upon me? I don't want to get hurt unnecessarily. And I don't want to hurt her to prove something. 

We arrive at the training ground, now the battleground. Maybe half of a football field. The training ground is covered with walls. There are many types of weapons near a wall. Sword, spear, bow and arrows, knife, axe, etc. Many demons gather around to see. Vaelya picks up a long sword and points it at me. She says, "Choose your weapon, weakling." I say, "I will fight with bare hands. I don't want to hurt you with any weapon." Vaelya laughs and says, "Don't daydream. Weakling. You will hurt me? Do you think you can even scratch the general of the demon army? Let's see you try. Choose your weapon." 

I look at a demon and say, "Can you give me two cloths? Each of them will be my arm's length." That demon quickly brings me two red cloths.  While handing me the cloth, the demon says, "You are the hero, right, sir?" I nod. The demon says, "I am rooting for you, hero. Please go easy on our lady." I smile and say, "Sure." I will, of course. But she won't for sure. I wrap the cloth tightly around both hands. Much better! 

Vaelya laughs and says, "I've warned you, weakling. If you wish to die on your first day, I will grant your wish with pleasure. After all, we don't need any fake hero." She makes a battle stance with the long sword.

I clench my fists. This is my first fight in this other world. Let's see how it goes.