Chapter 108
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 108
After confirming that the doors to the student council office and the laboratory were securely locked, I began my experiment.
“Hoo.”
I opened the sealed glass jar. The aura emanating from the Dark Mana Stone within shimmered before my eyes, a dark, undulating haze.
Before feeding it to Kavelthar, I decided to run a few experiments using its demonic energy.
First, I wanted to see what happened if I took off Derod's Ring and fully embraced the demonic energy.
It was the same combat style I'd used against Demer after he'd transformed into a demon—one that drew upon the overwhelming power of my half-human, half-demon bloodline.
As I inhaled the rising demonic energy, a tingling sensation shot through me. The foul power filled my lungs, cold and heavy.
“Kuh.”
Ting—!
[Affinity has reached 100%. A specific event will now occur.]
In an instant, my affinity hit one hundred percent. A change so profound it felt like every cell in my body was being turned inside out washed over me.
Creaak—.
A potent, primal energy surged through my veins.
I felt a sudden sense of omnipotence, as if the world were mine to command, while a violent nature deep within me began to stir. It became difficult to maintain rational thought; my emotions felt as if they were being chilled and drained away.
This state granted me physical strength and speed that could overwhelm a demon, and even chantless magic unaffected by the corrupting nature of demonic power. I couldn't maintain this form for long, but for a short duration, it granted me immense power.
It was an overwhelming display of might that defied the game's balance.
I grabbed a nearby steel ingot and squeezed it hard in my fist.
Crunch—!
To put it bluntly, the steel ingot crumpled like a sponge. This was a feat that would require a strength stat of at least 80.
I felt my eyes grow hot and my vision turn a bloody red. Instinctively, I knew it would be dangerous to maintain this state any longer.
Tremble—.
With a shaking hand, I picked up Derod's Ring and slipped it back onto my ring finger.
Whoosh—!
With a sensation like space itself was twisting, Derod's Ring began to suck in the demonic energy filling the lab like a ravenous vortex.
After absorbing the excessive energy, the ring looked glossier than before. It wasn't mentioned in the system description, but perhaps it had a hidden function—like recovering durability or temporarily increasing its grade when it came into contact with demonic energy. Considering its durability dropped when exposed to divine power, it was a reasonable assumption.
“Hoo... hoo...”
With the ring back on, I took several ragged breaths, slowly steadying my racing heart.
The first method—awakening my half-demon bloodline—was a last resort, something to be used only in a life-or-death crisis. If anyone were to witness such a scene, I would be immediately hauled before a religious tribunal and sentenced to crucifixion under the judgment of the Papal See.
Elena might even be the one to lead that judgment. It was best not to use this power unless the situation was truly dire.
The second method was the one I had used against the large demon we called Demper.
Squeeze—.
I put on Millia's mana gloves, which I had taken off earlier. The feel of the leather fitting snugly against my palm was exceptional.
A moment ago, I had been able to absorb the demonic energy simply by taking off the ring and breathing. But with the ring on, I needed the power of these gloves to channel it.
Wearing the gloves, I brought a lab rat I had caught into contact with the Dark Mana Stone.
Squeak—!
The creature that touched the stone immediately began to mutate. Its fur turned pitch black, its body swelled, and its eyes bled a deep crimson.
I grabbed the Dark Rat, which had instantly transformed into a monster, with my gloved hand.
The Dark Rat went limp from the glove's stun effect. At the same time, demonic energy flowed into me from the creature. Since I was wearing Derod's Ring, the change wasn't as drastic as before, but the veins on my forearm began to bulge the moment I absorbed the energy.
Unlike when I had fully embraced the bloodline, my body was showing a slight rejection. And this reaction was exactly what I wanted.
I used the demonic energy, which had not yet been fully absorbed and was still lingering around my mana hole, to cast a spell.
“Mana Chain.”
The spell I cast was Mana Chain, a 2nd-tier spell. It was a technique I used often. Suppressed by the incantation, the demonic energy swirling around my mana hole transformed into a magic circle.
And then...
Clang—!
A sturdy chain of mana shot out into the air.
Thwack—!
The mana chain embedded itself deep into one of the lab walls. To think it pierced through a mana-coated wall as if it were soft tofu... As expected, the power was considerable.
It made sense now how I had blown off that thug's head with a single Fire Bolt. A spell manifested using demonic energy, which was harder to control than mana, would naturally exhibit a more domineering and brutal power.
‘I think I get the gist of it.’
This method was incredibly useful, but it had one major drawback: the timing was difficult to master. First, simply making contact with an opponent to absorb their demonic energy was a huge risk. On top of that, I had to time the incantation and release the spell before the demonic energy was fully absorbed into my body.
I would need an artifact or item to compensate for this complex process.
‘Finally, the third method.’
The last combat style, unlike the previous two, was a perfectly normal one.
The first two methods were a kind of shortcut, limited to targets possessing ‘demonic energy.’ They were extremely restricted combat methods that had to be hidden from the eyes of others. Ultimately, I needed to increase Roen's own martial prowess and lay the foundation to act freely as a mage without any constraints.
‘…My current fighting style is a complete mongrel.’
I enhanced my physical abilities with all sorts of items and potions and fought enemies with magic stored in crystal orbs and scrolls. This was less like a mage and more like a neighborhood thug or some mercenary grunt.
While this was partly unavoidable due to the nature of the ‘Alchemist’ class, there were ways to supplement it. I could create a homunculus to fight in my stead, or...
‘Inscribing an enchantment circle onto a medium.’
I stared silently at the gloves on my hands.
Typically, combat mages don't use magic with their bare hands. They carry a separate combat staff to use mana efficiently and manifest their spells. And for me, an alchemist, the ‘Azoth Sword’ would take the place of a staff.
An Azoth Sword inscribed with an enchantment circle was practically the symbol of an alchemist.
‘Until now, I've managed to muddle through direct combat somehow, but if I keep this up, a dangerous moment will eventually come.’
My enemies were gradually getting stronger, and the competitive season was approaching. I needed to develop my practical combat skills accordingly. It was about time I acquired some magical clothing to protect myself and an Azoth Sword for combat.
Although, there was the restriction that I had to reach [Intermediate Alchemy] to create an Azoth Sword inscribed with an enchantment circle and imbued with my personal mana properties.
‘My alchemy level is almost maxed out anyway.’
I had earned a lot of money, so it seemed like the right time to start alchemy development in earnest. I couldn't rely on improvisation forever.
‘First, I need to get a large amount of mercury.’
Catalysts essential for alchemy, like mercury, gold, and copper, were a given. I also needed to identify Roen's unique magical aptitude and find suitable materials for it. It would cost a pretty penny, but creating my own unique weapon was a worthy investment.
Click—.
Having finished my experiments, I briefly took off Derod's Ring and absorbed the remaining demonic energy in the lab into my body. The rest I vented outside using the ventilation fan and a magical air purifier.
All that was left was to deal with the Dark Mana Stone. Its size had shrunk a little from the experiment, but I fed it to Kavelthar anyway. It was endearing how he readily gobbled up whatever I gave him.
Just as I finished cleaning up the fragments of the broken wall, I heard voices.
“Is... is this it?”
“Try knocking. He might not be in.”
The sound of chatter came from outside the student council office.
“W-wait. Let me take a deep breath.”
“What’s with the deep breath? I’ll just knock.”
Knock, knock—.
I had a good idea who the voices belonged to and stepped out of the laboratory.
*
The student council reception room.
Pour—.
I pushed the cups of freshly brewed black tea in front of each of my guests before leaning back comfortably on the sofa in an arrogant posture.
“What brings you all here?”
The three individuals who had visited the student council office were the three elves I had helped before: Kiriel, Silphiette, and Rinarun. The three of them sat demurely on the sofa opposite me, their hands placed neatly on their laps.
On behalf of the fidgeting Kiriel, Silphiette spoke first.
“Sir Roen, we came to express our gratitude.”
“Gratitude, you say.”
“Yes. I heard that you saved me, Rina… and President Kiriel during the demon attack a few days ago.”
Silphiette had been unconscious, so she hadn't seen me herself, but it seemed she had heard the story from Kiriel. I opened my mouth and told them the truth of that day.
“I didn't exactly save you. I just bought some time. The guards who arrived later chased them off.”
Of course, I didn't reveal that the ‘guards’ had actually been the Chairman.
“We are aware. However, it is also true that the guards arrived while you were buying us time. That is why we came to offer our thanks and a small token of our sincerity.”
At Silphiette’s glance, Rinarun placed a bundle she had brought onto the table.
“This is our elves’ unique healing medicine. Please use it when you need it~!”
When she unwrapped the bundle, a box woven from leaves was revealed. Inside, turquoise pills were carefully packaged.
‘This is [Forest's Blessing], the elves' healing potion.’
It was an item comparable to a top-grade health potion and could only be crafted with a specific recipe. It wasn't quite an Elixir, but it was a considerably rare item. It was sometimes given to benefactors as a sign of gratitude, just like now. Carrying it around had the added effect of lowering the guard of other elves.
“This looks valuable. I’ll make good use of it.”
I nodded and carefully put away the bundle Rinarun had given me.
“If you ever need anything in the future, just let us know~! We’ll help in any way we can.”
“I will.”
Silphiette and Rinarun, Kiriel’s aides. They were the children of elder-level figures within elven society, so I was sure I would have a use for their help later.
“However…”
I shifted my gaze from Silphiette and Rinarun to Kiriel, who sat between them with her head bowed low.
“It seems the high elf over there has lost her tongue. Did you leave it to your aides?”
“Ugh.”
Kiriel flinched as if my words had struck a nerve. I deliberately crossed my legs in an arrogant manner and began to pressure her.
“You have something you need to say to me, don't you? I'm listening.”
It was necessary to put Kiriel, who always picked fights and annoyed me, in her place. This was the perfect opportunity. No matter how hostile she was toward me, even Kiriel couldn't act insolently when she owed me her life. Moreover, I was the benefactor who had also saved her precious friends.
As I stared her down, Kiriel’s pointed ears twitched. She stared intently at the floor as if trying to bore a hole through it.
“Th…”
“Th?”
“Th…”
After stammering for a moment, Kiriel suddenly shouted and slammed her forehead onto the table.
Thud—!
“Thank you! For saving me!”
Kiriel’s voice echoed thunderously throughout the student council office. A brass horn on display trembled, and the cupboard shook.
“Oww…”
Kiriel rubbed her forehead, having apparently hit it harder than she'd intended. I watched her in silence.
The faint traces of scars remained on her fingertips. They were from when she had helplessly clawed at the ground as her friends were on the verge of being killed by the demon. The image of her wiping away tears and screaming at them to stop was still fresh in my mind.
Although she was a bit of a nuisance, she was a hard character to hate. And seeing her offer her thanks so readily showed she was good-natured at heart and had at least a shred of conscience.
I hoped that with this, she would stop being so difficult with me and we could maintain a good relationship.
I accepted her gratitude.
“Fine. I accept your thanks. But this isn't something that can be settled with mere words. As a way of repaying the favor, there is something special I need you to do.”
“Wh-what is it? It’s not something weird, is it?”
Kiriel jumped in surprise and scooted away from me.
“It’s not weird, but you might not find it particularly pleasant.”
I took a small wooden box from my coat and placed it on the table.
Click—.
It was the jewel box containing the Truth Stone. I tapped it with my finger and said,
“I need a craftsman to cut this stone. And I want your sister to be the one to do it. Do I make myself clear?”