Forsaken By The Gods, I Made A Contract With the Demon King

My eyes snapped open at 2:30 AM, well before my alarm was set to go off. The room was pitch black, with only faint moonlight filtering through the window.

I'd made sure to get to bed early, aiming for at least six hours of sleep before Professor Vale's training.

I got up and went to the washroom.

The cold water splashing against my face helped chase away the last remnants of sleep. As I dried off, my eyes caught sight of the dual kusarigama resting against the wall. After yesterday's practice session, my muscles still carried a dull ache, but I couldn't afford to leave them behind.

The academy grounds were eerily quiet at this hour.

My footsteps echoed softly as I made my way to the training area, the twin sickles secured at my sides.

Their weight had already become familiar, almost comforting.

The academy grounds were eerily quiet at 2:45 AM. Only the whisper of wind and my footsteps broke the pre-dawn silence as I made my way to the training area. The memory of my kusarigama practice still lingered in my aching muscles, making each step feel heavier than the last.

Then I saw Professor Vale's figure in the distance - and he wasn't alone.

Four other students stood with him, their outlines barely visible in the dim moonlight. Everything about them screamed 'senior' - from their relaxed postures to the confident way they occupied space. Something about their presence made my stomach twist.

"Good morning, Professor," I managed, keeping my voice steady. The seniors turned to look at me, and I caught an expression that made my blood run cold.

Was that... pity in their eyes?

"Well, look who's punctual!" The tallest of the group stepped forward, his broad shoulders blocking out what little moonlight there was. "I was betting we'd get to watch Professor Vale's special welcome for latecomers."

"Derek," he introduced himself with a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Second year. The quiet one's Jin, our resident mountain goat is Vyse, and the one trying not to fall asleep is Kris."

The others acknowledged me with nods, but that unsettling look of sympathy remained. Like they were memorizing my face for a future obituary.

I bowed respectfully. No point in antagonizing seniors, especially ones who seemed... relatively friendly.

"Is this... normal?" I gestured to the unusual gathering. "Having an audience for morning training?"

Jin, lean and sharp-featured with close-cropped hair, barked out a laugh. "Normal? Kid, nothing about Vale's training is normal. We're here as witnesses. And clean-up crew, if necessary."

"Don't scare him too much," Kris yawned, though her eyes were alert. "We're all going along for this morning's fun. Think of us as your very own cheerleading squad."

"More like medical response team," Vyse muttered, just loud enough for me to hear.

"Besides," Derek added, "someone needs to mark the trail with your body parts if you don't make it."

"You're not helping," Jin elbowed him.

Their banter was interrupted as Professor Vale stepped forward, moonlight casting harsh shadows across his features. That usual stern expression now looked downright predatory.

He checked his watch with deliberate slowness, the seconds ticking by in heavy silence.

At exactly 3:00 AM, he spoke. "Today's lesson is simple." His arm rose, pointing behind the academy where a massive mountain loomed against the star-filled sky.

My eyes followed his gesture upward... and upward... and upward... until the peak vanished into darkness above.

"Run to the top," he said simply.

I waited. And waited. Surely there had to be more - some special technique to practice, some essence-control exercise to master while running.

"That's... it?" I finally asked, breaking the silence. "Just run up the mountain?"

"Just?" Jin whispered. "Oh, you sweet summer child."

"Is there a specific path we should take?" I tried again.

"Up," Vale replied, his expression unchanging.

"Any particular technique we should-"

"Up," he repeated, somehow making the single syllable sound threatening.

"What he means," Kris interjected, "is that the route is your choice. The only rule is up. No essence-enhanced movement, no shortcuts, just you versus gravity."

"And weather," Vyse added cheerfully. "Don't forget the weather."

"And wildlife," Derek chimed in.

"And your own rapidly depleting will to live," Jin concluded.

Professor Vale cleared his throat, silencing them instantly.

"The seniors will accompany you. Not to help-" his eyes glinted dangerously, "-but to ensure you don't... stray from the task."

"Or die," I heard someone mutter.

"Questions?" Professor Vale asked, though his tone suggested he wasn't actually interested in answering any.

I looked up at the mountain again, its peak now hidden by gathering clouds. Then at the seniors, who were already stretching and preparing for what was clearly a familiar routine.

"No, Professor," I said, resigning myself to whatever fresh hell awaited. "No questions."

"Good." His smile was colder than the pre-dawn air. "Begin."

As I took my first steps toward the mountain, I heard Derek behind me.

"Ten credits says he throws up before the first checkpoint."

"Twenty says he cries," Kris countered.

"You're both wrong," Jin's voice carried on the wind. "Professot Vale's got that look. Kid's not going to have energy left for either."

Their laughter followed me into the darkness, along with the growing certainty that I was about to discover exactly why they called Vale the Devil of the Academy.

The senior students exchanged knowing looks. Vyse, a girl with a long braid, whispered something that sounded suspiciously like "poor bastard" under her breath.

I looked at the mountain again, trying to gauge its height.

The peak was lost in the darkness, but even the visible portion was daunting. The slope started gradually but quickly became steep, with sections that appeared nearly vertical.

"When... when should I start?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

"You've already wasted three minutes asking questions," Professor Vale replied. "I suggest you start running now."

There was no more room for delay.

With one last look at the intimidating slope ahead, I began to run. The weight of the kusarigama at my sides seemed to grow with each step, and I could have sworn I heard someone mutter "he won't make it past the first cliff" as I left.

The initial stretch wasn't too bad - a gentle incline through the academy's outer training grounds. But as I entered the treeline, everything changed. The slope steepened sharply, and roots and rocks seemed to materialize out of nowhere in the darkness.

The twin sickles bounced against my legs with each step, their chains jingling in an almost mocking rhythm.

Every few minutes, one would catch on a branch or root, forcing me to stop and untangle it. Each delay felt like a personal failure, especially knowing Professor Vale was watching.

I really regretted taking the dual kusarigama with me right now.

Anyway, after what felt like hours but was probably only twenty minutes, I reached the first major obstacle - a sheer rock face that stretched up at least thirty feet.

In daylight, it might have been possible to pick out a clear climbing route. In the pre-dawn darkness, it looked like a wall of shadows.

I was already breathing hard, my legs burning from the uphill run. The thought of climbing while managing the kusarigama seemed almost impossible. But then I remembered the pitying looks from the senior students, and something hardened inside me.

Fine. If Professor Vale wanted to see how I'd handle this challenge, I'd show him.

I studied the rock face, letting my eyes adjust to the darkness. There - a series of ledges and handholds, barely visible but potentially manageable.

I secured the kusarigama as best I could, making sure the chains wouldn't tangle while I climbed. Then, taking a deep breath, I reached for the first handhold. The rock was cold and rough against my fingers, offering a decent grip despite the early morning dew.

As I climbed, a strange calm settled over me.

Each movement had to be carefully considered - one wrong placement of hand or foot could send me plummeting back down. The weapons at my sides added an extra challenge, forcing me to adjust my balance constantly.

When I finally pulled myself over the top edge, my arms were shaking with effort. But there was no time to rest - the mountain stretched endlessly upward, more challenges visible even in the darkness ahead.

I forced myself back into a run, though my legs protested every step. The slope here was even steeper, the terrain more treacherous. Loose rocks skittered away under my feet, and branches whipped at my face in the darkness.

The sky was beginning to lighten almost imperceptibly, the stars fading one by one. I had no idea how much time had passed or how far I'd climbed.

The academy grounds below were lost in darkness, and the peak above still seemed no closer than when I started.

But I kept running. Because somehow, I knew this wasn't just about reaching the top. This was Professor Vale's way of testing not just my physical capability, but my determination. Each step up this mountain was a statement - that I belonged here, that I could handle whatever challenges the academy threw at me. Continue your adventure with mvl

Even if those challenges involved running up an impossibly tall mountain in the dark while carrying weapons I barely knew how to use.

Even if my legs felt like they were on fire and my lungs were ready to explode.

Even if this was just the beginning of what promised to be a very, very long day of training.

I adjusted the kusarigama again and pushed on, the mountain's peak lost somewhere in the darkness above. One step at a time, one challenge at a time, I would prove myself worthy of this path I'd chosen.

No matter how many mountains I had to climb.

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