Devil's Rise 11 The DMV

After three months James finally became an Esquire Smith. It was a difficult journey for James. He had to memorize basic metal properties as well as common Tier 1 and Tier 0 metals. James first few forgings were a disaster. Without any understanding of Metal Dao it was hard to interact with the metals. James control of his Fire qi left much to be desired as well.

When James finally was able to melt a metal properly by controlling his Fire qi in the forge, he found that reforging metals without metal qi was difficult. James haphazardly forged his first Esquire Dagger with a Tier 0 metal. To work with Tier 1 metals required Esquire Metal Dao. Having the corresponding level of Metal Dao mastery wasn't always required to deal with higher level metals.

However, without breaking into the Metal Dao you could not work with Tier 1 and above metals at all. James understood better why Esquire Devils were the minimum requirement to be considered part of devil society. If you were not at least at this level you could not even practice a profession.

James figured Kyle must be proficient in Wood Dao to be able to grow Tier 1 felweed. He eventually gave up trying to work with Tier 1 metals and sought the council of his Devil Ancestor.

"Ha ha, little brat I think you might have learned an important lesson today. Every profession practiced in the Abyss requires understanding of Daos to be proficient in them. This is why devils are not experts in many fields."

"To become a Devil Duke smith I had to gain a high level understanding of Fire and Metal Dao. If you split your focus trying to learn all fields you will never reach a high level in any of them. It also would affect your personal improvement of your own devilry realm."

"Just sitting here attempting to study and learn a third Dao such as Metal Dao would be detrimental to you right now. Metal Dao is a difficult Dao to master and you already have two Daos. Your devilry would suffer if you spent months studying just to step into the Metal Dao."

I honestly did not even suspect you would step into the Fire Dao so quickly. Soulflame qi was all you need to do Esquire level forging of Soul items. Having an understanding of the Soul Dao makes handling metals with soul properties as easy to handle as if you had an understanding of the corresponding Metal Dao."

"Here is the inheritance you worked so hard for, study it well and forge a place for yourself in the Hudson clan. Our time must come to an end now. I've given you all the attention I can. You have regained a normal life. Through practicing forging as an Esquire smith you have gained precision and depth to the usage of your hands. Your vision does not handicap you, you have even forgotten how much of your vision you have lost as you interact with the world I believe."

"When you first lost your vision you bemoaned not being able to see a thing. Barely able to navigate the halls of my mansion. Brat, I didn't forget all the things you broke in my halls sneaking out. Now you hardly bring up your vision as a problem and are focusing tirelessly on improving yourself."

"Study this book well and master your Soul Dao. That is your best path, blacksmithing can only be complimentary to you. The Soul Dao is whats most important for your devilry to progress. The Devil Dao and the Soul Dao do seem similar on the surface but there are many differences that true masters can use to tell them a part."

Kogthoz took James to the front door handed James the tattered book and began to walk away. ~Such an amazing exit. From the look on his face I could tell my speech filled him with so much hope. I definitely have mastered being a knowledgeable and refined Devil Ancestor.~

"Wait Devil Ancestor, this young master wants to start his own organization. I still know nothing of devil contracts." bemoaned James, only reason he came here in the first place was to learn about contracts. He got so caught up in trying to get this Soul Inheritance he almost forgot.

Kogthoz just ignored him and continued to walk away slowly and dramatically. He looked back with his head over his shoulder and said "Study the Soul Dao well, then you will understand." Then disappeared on the spot.

~Damn old fogey, always making this young master work for things. Where is your [Kogthoz Devil Count Scripture - Volume 1, Contracts]. Whatever this young master will always come out on top. Since I am now free again I should go to the DMV to get an official Devil Mark.~

Devil Mark Validating Association was the regulation authority of titles within the Abyss. It was where devils were officially documented for their titles. Other races could also get professional badges at the DMV Association. Not even Empires would cross the DMV as it spanned the Endless Abyss. The Xertzul Abyss was only a single Abyss in the Endless Abyss. The offices in Xertzul Abyss were only branches of the monolithic regulatory authority.

Without a Devil Mark from the Devil Association you were practicing without a license. Everyone would have peace of mind when dealing with an accredited professional. Devils believed in a lawful society. The Hudson City branch of the DMV could handle accreditation of most common professions. For rarer professions people would have to head to larger branches.

The Hudson City DMV branch was very orderly. No snacks, food, drinks, or entertainment of any kind was allowed to be brought in. It was a hall filled to the brim with people. Long rows of tables and chairs of people miserably waiting.

You were to remain silent while waiting and no communication talismans of an kind were allowed. There were also no bathrooms for customers. If you left the building your spot in line was forfeited. James thought there was a high level devil practicing the Misery Dao behind this terrifying organization.

"How may I assist you today?" Said the attendant at the counter James walked up to after waiting in line for hours.

"I would like to get the Devil Marks for Devil Esquire and Devil Esquire smith."

"Here are forms 1N and form 1BS. After you have finished filling them out return them at the receiving counter and wait patiently until you are called."

James checked out the two long forms he received. The Esquire form was the longer of the two. It asked him the names of his parents, his level in devilry, his devil clan, the Daos he had pursued, his level of those Daos, and many other random information. James slowly but surely filled out both forms after an agonizing hour of torture. The form even asked him what he had eaten for the last week. It was a truly grueling process.

After turning in his forms and waiting for 6 more hours until he was finally called for his devilry Test. He was lead to a smithing room. A fat old devil lady greeted him. The devil looked over the forms as he sized up James.

"A member of the local Hudson devils. I see you are looking to be get a Devil Mark for both Esquire as well as Devil Smith Esquire. All you need to do is forge a basic sword and you will receive your Devil Marks."

James quickly forged an Esquire Devil Sword in the forge in front of him passing the test. ~He had to pee and was ready to go home. He had no idea why this organization was so backwards. He dared not complain to them however. That was the face the DMV had.~

With his Devil Marks James could strut around proudly and open his own Blacksmithing shop if he wanted to. Blacksmithing was over saturated in Hudson City however. With the Devil Ancestor being a renowned blacksmith many Hudson descendants who had a connection with Fire or Metal Dao took up the profession.

James headed back to his parents home and rested after the exhausting day. He practiced the [Flint u0026 Steel Art] as always before heading to bed. Only through continual practice would someones devilry level rise. Checking out the artifact would have to wait. He didn't have the patience for learning now.

Waking up James slowly thought to himself how far he had came. He was an Esquire Devil and even an Esquire smith. He had even had Devil Marks to back his claims. It was time for him to began what he had been waiting all day yesterday to do. The Soul Dao was a complex mistress. Sadly she wasn't getting any love today. It is time for this arrogant young master to strut his stuff!

James was finally free, no ancestor imposed tasks or mother imposed training. No longer would he be a common devil working hard to improve himself every day. James took a deep breath and put on his best suit. He now looked the part, he didn't have any personal lackeys yet so he dragged his butler along as his lackey for the day.

Azon was a changeling and follower of his mother, the chief butler of James family house. Changelings were beings with the ability to shapeshift into other humanoids. His natural form was pale, slender, with pupil less eyes, and metallic silver hair. James had never seen his true form. He took on the mantel of an old devil sporting a monocle while fulfilling the duties of a butler. He would be impeccably dressed with white gloves, black pants, black shoes, and a black vest.

For some reason he only amounted to being the princesses butler. It was a lowly position for a cultivator to have, but Diana apparently treated him well considering he had been the house butler since James was a youth. He was used to playing the role of a loyal lackey and he rather enjoyed Jame's antics.

Azon's care and protection contributed to fostering James' overbearing personality. James had never met a situation where Azon didn't swiftly take care of it. James wasn't sure of Azon's cultivation realm but some how Azon never let him down. No matter who it was Azon quickly dispatched them making it look effortless. He was the perfect loyal lackey to foster an arrogant young master. Esquires, Knights, and Barons had all been swiftly trampled underfoot by Azon.

"Come Azon, we haven't toured Hudson City in months. We must check out my new tavern, this young master finally has his own business."

"Yes young lord. This old butler will follow in your steed. I will prepare a grand carriage, several guards, and several maids to attend to young lord. Your reentry into devil society must be a grand occasion."

Azon knew just what was needed to make James happy.

Chapter end