The Narrow-Eyed Villain of the Demon Academy

The second stage of magic.

I succeeded in manifesting it, but I was stuck in a position where I couldn't use it.

Reaching the point where I could only use magic through the inscription was a good thing.

Yes, who wouldn't be happy about that?

However, there was a problem.

It was easy to understand if I considered the 'bloodline' I possessed.

If it was discovered in the Demon Realm that I was a descendant of Arsene, I would be put to death.

The reason Diana hadn't killed me so far was because she wasn't sure if I was Arsene's descendant.

My Adam's apple bobbed up and down.

An intuition close to certainty flashed through my mind.

So, the answer was simple.

'I'll die. I'm sure of it. My head will be cut off.'

Damn it.

I cursed under my breath.

Then, scratching my head, I opened my mouth to Samuel.

"What should I do?"

"What do you mean what should you do? You can't use magic in front of others, that's all."

"For the rest of my life?"

"At least until you're strong enough that Diana can't touch you."

"Hmm..."

There must be a better way.

No matter how much I thought about it, it was a shame to not use the magic I had just learned.

However, as no other solution came to mind, I had to hang my head dejectedly.

"Hoo..."

A thin sigh escaped my lips.

In the end, there seemed to be only one way.

To become stronger than anyone else in the Demon Realm.

If that happens, even Diana wouldn't be able to stop me.

Rather, it wouldn't be impossible for me to use Diana.

I sighed. Yeah, there's no other way.

So, I was thinking that there was no real gain to speak of.

"I can see exactly what you're thinking."

"Is it that obvious?"

"Hmph, as expected, you've wasted your efforts, haven't you?"

At Samuel's words, I shrugged.

"Isn't that right?"

"No, it's not. You must be feeling it too, right? What kind of change has occurred in your body."

"....!"

For a moment, I poured mana into my body and then shrugged.

I said I hadn't made any progress.

That was wrong.

A tremendous change was happening in my body.

I had thought that the flow of mana was smooth.

In other words, I thought that mana was circulating without any problems.

But that was just my mistake.

The second stage of magic that I had stepped into.

Because of that, I realized what had changed in my body and mana.

'....It's unbelievable.'

Truly, something unbelievable had happened.

I slowly circulated the mana within my body.

Then, realizing that the speed at which mana circulated was incomparably faster than before, I exclaimed in admiration.

It wasn't simply that the circulation of mana had accelerated.

To be precise, if the mana I had possessed was of the nature of 'water,' now it was as light as 'air.'

It was a huge difference, so much so that it would not be an exaggeration to call it remarkable growth.

"Woong-."

I instantly manifested the Sword Lacquer.

Although the Sword Lacquer could not be called magic, it was a technique directly related to mana.

Therefore, I judged that the Sword Lacquer was perfect for testing new powers.

'Indeed, how is it?'

Naturally, my Adam's apple bobbed up and down.

Looking at the black mana that coated the dagger, I spoke to Samuel.

"Let's spar once."

"You seem eager to shed blood."

"If I've gained new strength, shouldn't I test it out?"

"....I can't deny that. I want to test your strength, too."

Perhaps because of his competitive spirit, Samuel immediately accepted my offer.

Seeing us like this, Miriam clicked her tongue.

"No, you're going to fight again so soon after eating?"

"It's not so much a fight as a measure of strength."

"That's not what I meant!"

Miriam seemed to be saying something, but neither Samuel nor I could hear her.

I was curious too.

I moved my lips and muttered in a small voice.

Although my clash with Samuel was only for a moment, I felt a competitive spirit in Samuel that was no less than mine.

Samuel wouldn't disappoint me, I thought.

And what I needed most was a strong opponent at a similar level to me.

The enemies I had been dealing with were either too weak or too strong.

That's why I've been struggling to find the right problems or strengths.

For that reason, sparring with Samuel was essential.

I smiled at Samuel.

"Let's do it."

"Hmph, alright."

Just as the spar was about to begin, it was none other than Kyle who interrupted.

"I haven't learned any inscription magic or anything yet, and you're saying you've already mastered it?!"

Kyle said angrily, seemingly dissatisfied.

Right.

I, too, was speechless.

Surely the level I had achieved wasn't that low.

Then why had I skipped a level so quickly?

Had I really reached a proper level?

There were changes in my body, but it wasn't impossible that it was only half-baked.

To my question, Samuel shook his head and opened his mouth.

"It's only natural. Adel's talent is superior to yours."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Samuel said, and Kyle frowned.

Kyle said, as if bewildered.

"I didn't know you didn't know. Adel is more talented in magic than in swordsmanship. In fact, I want to ask why he hasn't learned magic until now. I only pushed Adel's back, he was already approaching the realm of magic."

"....?"

Uh, um. What's that supposed to mean?

I tilted my head, unable to understand Samuel's explanation.

I was already approaching the next stage of magic?

Come to think of it, it seems Samuel said something similar in Sytan.

He asked why I wasn't learning magic, why I was letting such talent go to waste.

And that wasn't all.

"Didn't I always tell you, even when I thought you were worse than a bug, that your talent for magic is beyond the comprehension of ordinary people?"

"....I, I see."

I honestly had no idea.

I would have never known if Samuel hadn't told me now.

But I decided to be shameless.

I knew it now, didn't I?

'More importantly.'

To think that my talent for magic was greater than my talent for wielding a sword.

Even if it was Samuel's word, it was hard to believe.

Because I was the author.

It was true that I had given Adel all sorts of talents.

However, it was only talent related to 'assassination.'n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

So, it wasn't that he had no talent other than assassination, but compared to the main characters...

Wait a minute.

I realized what was contradictory about this statement.

Why did I think assassination was specialized in daggers?

I mastered stealth and Silence magic, so why did I conclude that I had no talent for 'combat magic'?

That was entirely my mistake.

'Let's believe it.'

If Samuel's words were true, I could become even stronger than I am now.

Instead of fighting solely relying on my body's instincts, I might possess tremendous power that transcends the physical realm.

Not just Adel's power, but my own.

It was the story that I might gain that.

"So what about me?"

Kyle's question reached my ears as I was thinking about it.

I just shrugged.

"Just do your best."

"Ugh...!"

Perhaps thinking I was mocking him, Kyle's hands and feet trembled.

No, I really meant it when I said to do his best.

It was unfair to me, but it didn't seem like Kyle would listen to me.

Maybe it was because his face always had a sneer on it.

But I had no intention of comforting Kyle.

Kyle showed even better efficiency than usual when stimulated.

He would probably reach the level I had achieved soon enough.

"So, are we not going to spar?"

"We should."

Samuel asked, and I immediately nodded, gripping Fang of Darkness tightly.

"Let me show you what level I've reached with something other than magic."

"I'm looking forward to it."

Cha-la-la-lak-.

Woong-.

As Samuel unfolded countless thorns.

I materialized my Inner Image.

It resided deep within me, thanks to the Darkness attribute.

It resembled the form of a serpent, but with a more terrifying presence.

A ferocious and sticky energy, like a snake that had bitten the ankles of countless people.

I raised Fang of Darkness high and materialized the Inner Image.

"Huh, already at that level. To think you could materialize the Grim Reaper. Now the strongest in Sytan will undoubtedly be you. Except for Diana, of course. It's unknown if Baltan has become as strong as you."

"....Well, I suppose so."

I readily nodded.

Originally, I had to consume the Mark of the God to properly materialize the Inner Image, but not anymore.

By consuming Crete's flesh, I was able to materialize the Inner Image even without the Mark of the God.

Moreover, reaching a new level of magic made it even easier to materialize the Inner Image.

"Woong-."

"Swoosh-."

Finally, a serpent that coiled around my body bared its sharp fangs and glared at Samuel.

Seeing that, Samuel raised his hand and cast his magic.

"I should show you too, what level I've reached."

And at the sight that appeared, I couldn't help but gape.

Cha-la-la-la-la-.

Thousands of thorns began to move as if they had a will of their own.

Bending, connecting, rising, creating something.

What appeared was a 'giant' made of thorns.

"The one who devours all, if it were to have a name,"

The level Samuel had reached.

The ability to create illusions.

"-Creation."

A laurel wreath of light, symbolizing the emperor, appeared above Samuel's head.

Thump-.

Gray waves began to surge around Samuel's body.

Access 5 advance chapters with the 'Position Exchange I' Tier ($10), or 10 advance chapters with 'Eye of Arrogance' Tier ($18), or 20 advance chapters with 'Sword Lacquer' Tier ($35), or 30 advance chapters with 'Fighting Spirit' Tier ($50)

Bonus chapter on reaching milestones.

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