Ascaros
'The first magic tome you hold was what I wrote when I first entered this place and converted my mana into black magic. But my research... didn't stop there. Once you fully understand the contents of the first magic tome and can wield black magic on your own...'
The first magic tome seemed less about pure black magic and more about the foundational principles of converting mana into black magic.
"That's when... you'll finally be worthy to face my true research, the next stage: the second magic tome."
Ascaros's voice rose with excitement.
Unlike the first tome, he now proffered a second one—antique in style, yet exuding an eerie aura.
"The second magic tome contains the profound spells I first researched with black magic. Truths that will upend every shred of common sense you possess... no, all the world's magical theories!"
His voice mingled manic pride, deep affection, and the pure joy of finally sharing his research with someone.
He was like an artist unveiling his work for the first time.
'Heh... he's getting all excited...?'
I chuckled inwardly.
The man who'd despaired over the Life Vessel when we first met was now bubbling like a child at the mention of his research.
'Makes sense. Locked away here for thousands of years, researching black magic alone—he must be dying to show it off to someone.'
"And once you've fully mastered the second magic tome and unlocked the path of a true black mage... that's when the crossroads to the third magic tome begins. There, you'll face a choice about the origin of existence itself. But that's still a long way off. Even for someone as strong as you, converting all your mana to black magic at once is practically impossible. Even a genius like me took a full hundred years—"
But he was talking too much.
I tuned out his rambling explanation, flipped open the book, and focused on the system window visible only to me.
Would you like to read Archmage Ascaros's Low Black Magic?
I hit the Yes button without hesitation.
In an instant, the knowledge within the book transformed into light and etched itself perfectly into my mind.
"So, take your time with the first magic tome and begin to grasp my profound world... Hm?"
Ascaros glanced at me for a response, then fell silent at the scene unfolding before him.
Something utterly beyond his expectations was happening.
'...Wh... what's this...?'
Confused thoughts swirled rapidly through Ascaros's hollow mind.
'...Mana... the mana... it's gradually... converting to black magic...?'
His gaze dropped to the man's lap, where the first magic tome—written by Ascaros himself thousands of years ago—lay open.
He'd been explaining the basics and difficulties of black magic, but the man had ignored it all, flipped to the middle, and started reading?
And now, the instant he did, he understood it and was converting his mana to black magic?!
'...Th... that... it can't be possible...?!'
People have a strong tendency to cling to the methods they've grown accustomed to over time, even if hundreds of more efficient ways are right in front of them.
The reason was simple.
They've repeated it countless times until their body and mind are completely attuned to it.
Mana was no different.
Whether fire, water, wind, earth attributes, or neutral mana—changing the nature of mana you'd grown familiar with over long years into something entirely different was exceedingly difficult.
Unless you were a blank slate who'd never properly used mana before.
Discarding decades or centuries of ingrained habits for a wholly new approach was harder the stronger you were.
It was a painful process of physically and magically denying everything that had become as natural as breathing.
'A genius, perhaps?'
Ascaros's empty red gaze wavered with suspicion.
Yes, nothing short of heaven-sent talent could explain this common-sense-shattering event.
It had taken him, a genius, hundreds of years to convert his mana.
Of course, pioneering a path where none existed was worlds apart from following an existing one—but even accounting for that, this defied all reason.
"Hoo~"
As Ascaros drowned in confusion and shock,
I opened my eyes and checked my updated status window.
My mana had converted to black magic, and in the process, its value had doubled from 10 to a whopping 20.
Whoa, what an insane gain!
Given my trait forcing me to pump everything into Charisma, any boost to other stats was a godsend.
'Hmm, this should be enough to start seriously grinding levels.'
With the system granting full understanding of Ascaros's Low Black Magic, his ramblings from moments ago finally clicked into place in my mind.
Black magic felt utterly different from regular mana. Definitely more ferocious and savage.
If normal mana was pure 'water,' black magic was like 'cola' fizzing with carbonation.
'That bubbly, popping sensation.'
Infusing a bit into my hand, I felt an ominous energy.
This level should be plenty to smash weak undead or monsters with raw black magic.
Perfect for level grinding.
Of course, while I'd memorized everything, my proficiency was still lacking.
Black mana flickered at my fingertips, but shaping it into precise spells was tricky.
'Well, even game skills don't start at max mastery the moment you get them—that'd be too broken.'
This was a unique trait, but not special-grade.
Gripping the Life Vessel in my hand, I stared into the eyes of the lich Ascaros, still lost in profound shock.
'But why hasn't this guy taken the Life Vessel yet?'
When I realized converting mana took longer than expected, I'd thought, 'Shit, we're screwed.'
A lich had plenty of time in that window to snatch the Life Vessel and flee—or attack me.
So why was he just standing there, mouth agape?
Gawking at me without making a move.
"Ascaros, just out of curiosity."
His red gaze flickered at my voice.
"Why haven't you taken the Life Vessel?"
'Gah, I was so stunned by this impossible sight!'
'Or is he just an idiot?'
From the first magic tome's explanations and contents I'd read, Ascaros's magical knowledge was beyond imagination.
I couldn't call him an 'idiot.'
But his actions were starting to make him seem less like the dignified, cool-headed lich from the game guide, and more like some screw-loose weirdo.
Either way, this was my golden opportunity.
I had to wrap up negotiations before he snapped out of it.
I lightly gripped the Life Vessel in my hand.
"Lucky for you, I want something. I want all the magic tomes you've researched and written."
Instead of destroying the Life Vessel, I demanded his thousands of years of research findings.
Of course, once I had the tomes, I'd smash it immediately.
The lich's red gaze wavered at my demand.
"Having second thoughts?"
I pressed his hesitation, raising the Life Vessel high—like I was ready to smash it on the ground.
Silent pressure: The choice is yours.
'Wait just a moment! I'm not refusing... but what do you think of this?'
The black magic he prided himself on mastering.
Yet this man had surpassed the basics in mere seconds.
Perhaps this one could advance the black magic realm he'd devoted his life to even further?
Thousands of years of solitude, knowledge piled up alone, time descending into madness without anyone to share it with.
This man could be the one to witness his achievements, learn from him, explore together—the only such being!
The Life Vessel?
Trivial. He'd forgotten it for a moment.
After all, he was a mage pursuing the mysteries before being a lich.
'What if you took me out of this seal?'
Ascaros proposed cautiously, yet laced with desperation.
'I'll become your black magic master.'
'I converted my mana to black magic without you. Don't seem to need a master.'
The man seemed to overestimate his talent.
But black magic was an abyss no mere talent could reach alone.
'With me at your side, you'll achieve black magic faster than anyone. I'll impart all my knowledge and experience.'
His gaze burned redder, blending longing for magic's pinnacle with yearning for companionship after endless solitude.
Then, a memory surfaced from thousands of years ago: a special skeleton he'd prepared for soul experiments—a perfect vessel for harvesting and containing souls.
'That's right!'
A flash of insight.
'If this body won't do... I have a skeleton I specially crafted to stably inject souls into, from my research.'
Ascaros was desperate enough to abandon his lich form for a lowly skeleton body.
His passion for millennia of knowledge, his research, and hope to escape endless solitude clouded his reason.
'Put my Life Vessel in there, and I can transfer my soul.'
Maintaining his immortality while escaping the seal to research magic alongside the man—a perfect plan.
Or so he believed.