I Broke the Curse
"Whoa... I look ridiculously good."
"Don't people usually not say that about themselves?"
"Nah, but I really do."
I stood in front of the mirror, staring blankly at my reflection. The features were sculpted to such flawless perfection that it was hard to believe they belonged to a human. Even the gray hair I'd always been cursed for looking ominous blended naturally into the vibe. And thanks to my boosted stats, my body had filled out into a solid, athletic build.
With a face like this alone, I won't starve to death.
I was starting to grasp just how powerful maxed-out charm really was. If life went south, I might even consider a career in... entertainment. Positively, of course. But first things first—get into the academy.
"The academy, huh..."
"Isn't that where humans go to learn? You're planning to enroll there?"
"Yeah, for now."
My immediate goal was to graduate top of the class. Academy valedictorians got love calls from knight orders, magic towers—everywhere. Once that happened, I'd ditch my hated family and coast to success.
World-ending crisis? That's the protagonist's problem, not mine.
Even if I had the power, I had zero interest in jumping in to save the day. After ten years of being ignored in this world, I had no attachments left.
"Lilia, if I look like I'm about to die, help me out."
"Wh-what!? Die?! If you die, Master, I'll vanish too...!"
"That's why you need to watch closely."
"B-but with me here, you don't need to do anything that dangerous...!"
She couldn't understand why I'd push myself with a high-ranking demon like her at my side. But to pass the academy entrance exam, I had to learn. No matter how good your stats, they were useless without knowing how to use them.
"Quit yapping and watch."
"Hic... O-okay, I'll watch!"
Startled by my sudden tone, Lilia let out a little hiccup as I sat cross-legged on the bed behind her. What I was about to do was magic's absolute basics: engraving a circle in my heart.
Talent: Mana Affinity assists in completing the circle.
Seal of Original Sin has been engraved into the torrent circle.
Whirrrrr!!!!
I closed my eyes, steadied my breathing, and felt the mana in my body resonate. It was there in abundance, but just swirling aimlessly in place. With this mana, I'd form a circle in my heart.
I wondered if I'd ever need it in my lifetime, but here we are.
The Vergilius count family's circle engraving method. As a direct descendant, I'd learned it, so it was firmly etched in my mind. I created torrents of mana on either side of my heart. Align their directions to collide...
"Guhk..."
The two torrents smashed together, sending pain like my heart might explode. Stopping here meant death. I had to force the colliding flows apart.
"Let me help."
Lilia placed her hands on my back—somehow she'd snuck up—and lent her power to guide the mana. It became much easier to control.
The pain faded as I opened my eyes to a blue status window. If it was notifying me like this, the circle must've formed successfully.
"Ignite."
Fwoosh!!!
No sooner had the word left my mouth than a streak of flame bloomed in my palm. Just a 1st Circle spell, but... this was my first magic.
"Lilia, how's it look?"
"It's amazing... Normally, you can't cast right away."
"Oh, yeah?"
Mana Affinity again, huh? It made sense as the ultimate magic talent.
Still, I've taken my first steps.
The foundation for magic was set. Now for application and study. This part would usually be the hardest, but no sweat.
"Lilia."
"Yes?"
"Teach me some magic."
I had the pinnacle of this field as my slave teacher, after all.
***
Arcadia Academy entrance exam day.
"Damn, there are a ton of people."
Waiting in the exam hall, I marveled at the teeming crowd. Even for the empire's top school, this was three times more than I'd expected.
Not that I don't get it.
The academy was a place where talent could change your life, regardless of status. And for a top school, scholarships were generous, tuition low. It'd be weirder if it wasn't packed.
"Master, Master."
"Yeah, what?"
"Those girls over there are talking about you."
"Huh?"
I'd sent ethereal Lilia to scout for useful info, but my name coming up? Unexpected.
"What're they saying?"
"They said you're super handsome."
"...Ah."
I'd hoped for rumors about me, but nope.
This look does stand out a bit.
It wasn't just handsome—it was eye-magnetizing. Gray hair, unique aura, the works.
"Now they wanna talk to you?"
"...Don't tell me about my looks anymore."
I'd sent her for intel, but it felt useless. She was a high-ranking demon, yet so innocent she barely seemed demonic.
"Magic department, number 2191. Dante Vergilius."
Sighing in my chair, I heard my name called.
Finally my turn.
I stood, stretched slowly, and headed to the exam room.
"Dante...? That pig noble pervert?"
"Huh? But that guy's not... He's too hot."
"Yeah, but same last name? Must've misheard."
Whispers about me followed every step. Made sense—they'd panic. My empire-wide infamy clashed with this new me.
"Should I kill all those humans?"
"Nah, no need to go that far. Kill everyone who badmouths me, and half the empire's population's gone."
I tossed a joke at earnest Lilia and entered the exam room. Three examiners sat, eyeing me, each radiating heavy mana pressure.
"...Hmph, you're different from what I knew. Used some black magic in the meantime?"
"Professor Barhen, watch your words."
"Tch. I'll be careful."
A man clicking his tongue disdainfully, two women watching with interest. The magic department examiners, I guessed.
"Rumors aren't reliable. You're far from what I heard. To think you've already reached 3rd Circle."
"Thanks. Trained for the exam—worked out, studied, you know."
"Worked out...? Doesn't feel that simple. Anyway, shall we begin?"
The youngest-looking woman smoothly took charge.
Talent: Insight activates.
She's hiding her face. Why bother?
A bit odd, but no need to ask. Just ace the test, as she said.
"Cast your best spell at that target."
"Got it."
I steadied my breath.
Whirrrrr!!!!
Rotating mana around my heart's circle, I deployed the spell. A dark crimson magic circle formed naturally before me.
"Ooh... That's impressive."
"Tch, still. Lightning Spear's no easy spell."
"Quiet. Focus."
Examiners murmured, but I ignored them. Immerse in the sensation.
Lightning Spear.
A bolt shot from the dark crimson circle.
Talent: Mana Affinity assists your magic.
Magic effect amplified.
Kaboom!!!!!
A deafening roar, and the target—mana gauge included—vanished. As if it never existed.
"...Huh? D-did the mana gauge just evaporate?"
"Isn't that 3rd Circle? That power..."
The gauge that withstood up to 5th Circle spells was gone. So my spell exceeded 5th Circle...?
I didn't know it was this strong.
I'd just practiced nonstop; didn't realize the output. A 3rd Circle spell outpowering 5th? Normally impossible.
"H-how'd you do that?"
"...Uh, I just did it?"
"Pardon?"
"What?"
What was I supposed to say? It just worked.
"...Magic department 2191, student Dante."
"Yes?"
"...Congratulations on your admission in advance."
The three examiners looked at me with hollow smiles. That's when it hit me.
Ah. My talents were going wild.
***
Around the time Dante entered the exam room.
A blue-haired woman waiting for her turn outside doubted her eyes.
".........Dante?"
"Pardon? What's wrong, miss?"
"No... I thought I heard 'Dante' just now."
She tilted her head, thinking of her ex-fiancé.
"Yeah... No way."
He was way too handsome for that.