After his recent encounter with the elf Eli, Kim was summoned by Evan, one of the most powerful mages of the human kingdom.
"How does she know?"
Eli had claimed to know the whereabouts of his two brothers, or rather members of his clan. Kim had feigned ignorance, but she had immediately guessed his lie.
For now, he trusted no one: everyone was trying to recruit him to their side.
"I was waiting for you, Kim."
When he arrived at the meeting place, the mage stood in the center of the hall.
"Good day, master."
"You can call me Evan."
"As you wish… Master Evan."
The mage stroked his long beard, pleased.
"For our first lesson, we will study the origins of demons."
At first, Evan had intended to teach him magic. But observing Kim, he realized the boy remained completely neutral: neither on the side of humans, nor of elves or dwarves. A neutrality so extreme that he felt no hostility even toward demons.
The aim of this first lesson was therefore to break that indifference and, if possible, to recruit Kim to the human side.
"Demons are individuals cursed by the Santos constellation."
"So it's not limited to a single race?"
"Exactly. If your constellation Eros embodies light and benevolence, Santos is its perfect opposite."
Seeing no reaction from Kim, Evan struck the floor with his staff. Immediately, a man bound by ropes of light appeared in the center of the room.
Barely arrived, he cried for help:
"I beg you, spare me!"
Evan glanced at Kim. He remained impassive.
"The black marks you see on his body are stigmas of the curse. That means he is in the first stage of demon evolution."
"So there are other stages?"
"Yes, three in total. The first allows the individual to draw strength from their emotions, rather than from mana."
Suddenly, the luminous ropes vanished. The man, now free, manifested armor that covered his entire body up to his neck, then burst into flames.
Kim opened his eyes wide.
"I know what you're thinking. But this man is not blessed by two stars. His armor comes from his akasha. Only his flame comes from the elemental fire constellation."
"Akasha?"
"Yes. An akasha is directly linked to the soul. It can take any form. For example, mine is this staff."
No sooner had he finished explaining than the flaming man launched a gigantic fireball in their direction.
Despite the threat, Kim remained calm, praying that nothing would happen to him. His intuition was correct: the attack was stopped cold by a banner that appeared out of nowhere.
Even though his attack had had no effect, the man continued, his flames growing ever more intense, before collapsing to his knees.
"Is it over?"
He expected something worse, even though he knew the previous attacks had already been deadly.
But the next moment, the man began to speak incoherently. The marks, until then hidden by his armor, appeared on its surface. His black hair turned white, and his irises disappeared entirely.
"The second stage," Evan explained, "occurs when the akasha itself is corrupted."
"If the akasha is directly linked to the soul, that explains why his words no longer make any sense…"
Evan sketched a slight smile. Kim had guessed correctly, even if the mage had not confirmed.
"At this stage, the primary instinct takes over. The only way for them to return to the first stage… is to disable their akasha before the situation worsens."
Kim frowned.
"But the most terrifying thing," Evan added, "is that their way of fighting changes completely: they become strangely more intelligent in their way of combat."
The demon, now transformed, summoned a new fireball, identical to the previous one.
Kim reassured himself thinking it would change nothing, since the enemy was still trapped by the protective banner.
"What…?"
Against all expectations, the demon did not aim at Evan or him, but struck the floor at a spot lacking protection.
Before he could continue, Evan raised his staff. A wave of light burst forth and the demon was instantly disintegrated.
"I'm sorry, Kim. I would have preferred that you could observe the final stage."
Kim slowly approached the place where the demon had just disappeared.
"It's all right. In return, I have a request."
"I'm listening."
"Is there truly no way to cure someone afflicted by this curse?"
Evan slowly shook his head.
"Unless one masters the demon aura, it's impossible. And to this day, no one has ever succeeded."
Kim remained silent. He knew very well what the aura was: a kind of protective envelope, a barrier that allows one to shield oneself from one's own spells.
"I see…"
* * *
William's Point of View
— How did I get here?
"And if I told you that I fell from space, would you believe me?"
"Hahaha, you've got quite the sense of humor," replied Doctor Nidiyawane.
I laugh nervously, to lighten the mood.
— You know, my boy, I hate being mocked.
— What…?
— Catch.
By reflex, I catch the object thrown at me: a piece of metal with familiar writing engraved on it. No sooner is it in my hand than my body freezes and I collapse heavily to the floor.
Before my mind has time to comprehend, the doctor continues:
— Get rid of this child.
The masked men comply. They grab me by the shoulders and lift me from each side.
— Why…?
Since my arrival in this shitty world, I've only brushed against death — and it's precisely that fear that gave me a reason to hold on.
At first, I just wanted to find Luca and prevent him from altering the course of things and to leave all the work to Kim even though I'm reluctant about that initiative.
Without realizing it, rage begins to consume me.
[Warning: you are about to manifest the demon mark.]
I should pay attention to the Kersas notification. I see it, but ignoring it grows stronger than me.
— Kid, stay still, orders one of the men.
— You should have listened to the doctor.
Suddenly, a sharp pain rips through my skull. I endure it, I accept it.
— what!?
— watch out!!
Then, without warning, two chains burst from my body and hurl my two guards against the walls.
One of the men survived. Trembling, he pulls a sort of device from his pocket. Unfortunately for him, my chains have already pierced him through and through, pinning his body to the wall.
But that brief moment is enough for him to press the device.
A shrill alarm sounds immediately. The lights start flashing down the corridor, casting jerky shadows on the walls. The high-pitched noise pierces my eardrums, forcing a growl out of me.
Footsteps already resound. Reinforcements are here. In an instant, I find myself surrounded on both sides of the corridor.
I had promised, before entering the orphanage, that I would leave my life as a mercenary behind and live a normal life.
But now that I'm reincarnated in this novel, nothing holds me back.
"Please deactivate your Akasha for your safety."
"Akasha? As if I'm going to obey."
Honestly I don't understand what he's talking about, but who cares? Not me anyway.
"Hahaha… Hahaha! HAHAHA!!!"
Without meaning to I burst into loud laughter.
Even more chains sprang from my body, tearing me off the floor and suspending me, ready to strike at any moment.
--- --- ---
Profile
Name: William/Tashi
Clan: Fari
Age: 8
Constellation: None
Curse : Santos
Akasha : Chains
Skill : Scarlet Eyes
Stats:
Luck: 2.1 / 10
Agility: 15
Dexterity: 11
Strength: 17
Mana: 5 /5
--- --- ---