Furball (I had some trouble calling him that with a straight face, but I'd get to it) remained while the others left the great hall. We needed to talk about my powers. Seeing how bleak my chances of winning, let alone surviving this little trip in wonderland, appeared, I was really interested in knowing what I could and couldn't do.

He just stood there, not moving save for his tail that he apparently couldn't help wagging around. I motioned him toward a chair. He stood close to it, until I explicitly told him to sit, what a good boy... I came used the excuse of a two men conversation to get closer and leave this stupid throne for a bench hardly more comfortable.

"Well, Archmagi, care to give me some crash course? 'How to be a Demon Lord 101' or something?" I asked to the good boy, and the good dog obeyed.

"Of course, my Lord, it's quite simple. In this world, creatures can grow in power, both physical and magical, by training. Their level of strength can be appraised with the proper equipment but all you need to know is that the nature of a being can limit its power. The Heroes and you have no such limitation but while their level rise through their training, yours rise with them, about four third of the level of their party."

"So, I don't have to train?"

"Well, not really my Lord, but you can familiarize yourself with your powers, physical and magical as these won't rise with your strength."

"Ok, well at least I can do something useful with my time... Even though I'm just some scaled up villain. Is this Skyrim? Am I Alduin or something?" I sighed, Furball seemed about to take an initiative and ask what Skyrim and Alduin were, but finally decided against it.

"You mentioned magic right?" The werewolf nodded... and did nothing. Was this Archwizard really stupid or did he need everything worded? "Care to elaborate?"

"Oh, yes, I would like that very much my Lord!" And then again, silence... I pride myself a calm man, but this one was trying my patience more than anyone calling me 'Lord' ought to. He was lucky I didn't yet know howto use my magical power; else not even PETA could have saved this walking animal from receiving the worst beating in the history of these halls (and from what I'd heard, that was saying much).

"Explain it to me..."

"Magic can control the elements, Water, Earth, Wind and Fire. It can control minds, light and darkness. The only limit is your power and imagination. Except for Light and Dark magic, these are linked to religion and require some specific rituals, usually written in roundabout ways on decaying scrolls."

"Ok, so elemental and mind magics are limited by power and imagination, while Light and Dark magic are limited by faith and clerical knowledge."

"Exactly, my Lord." I wanted to ask how he could be any good as an Archmagi of two elemental schools while imagination seemed completely beyond him... But instead went for a more technical question.

"And it's the church that one is part of, or at least know the rite of, that determines whether it's light or dark magic?"

"Yes, my Lord, that and which of the Gods one believes in." Gods? Plural? That was something interesting, maybe I could bribe another one to get out of here!

"Ok, that covers the theory, someone bring me some target practice!" I shouted to no one in particular. Furball scurried out, as if suddenly realizing he could become a target practice himself quickly enough.

Only minutes after that, Francis appeared. I turned eagerly towards him and what he had brought me to try my powers on... My smile quickly vanished.

"Francis, what am I going to do with you?"

"Is my Lord not pleased? I assure you they are clean, my Lord!" Replied a confused Archdemon as he bowed.

"No, Francis, your Lord is not pleased... Slaves girls are not proper target practices, is this really your answer to every query?"

"I am sorry, my Lord, the previous Demon Lords seemed to enjoy it quite..."

"I'm sure they did... Anyway, you're good at dark magic are you not?" He nodded. "Then go summon me a hamburger, with bacon!" The Archdemon appeared perplexed, probably not sure what a Hamburger was exactly, but still went away after a bow.

"Ava!" The little Fae came in an instant, flying from God knew where. "Please have some fruits and vegetable brought over." The Fae flew away and I turned toward the half-dozen of slave girls... How many did we have, like seriously? Anyway, they seemed terrified and freezing. "Ava, bring Aïko too!" I added. And so, it was done.