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"This is… peculiar, to say the least."Riveria's brows furrowed as she observed Damien from behind her desk, shelves of old tomes and magical instruments flickering with gentle arcane light. "I cannot fathom this ability of yours. It resembles magic, yet is neither powered by Falna nor influenced by Arcanum. I can feel the runes moving when you use it, but what they represent, what laws they obey… is beyond my understanding."
Damien lifted another object with a casual flick of his wrist, letting it hover above his palm."Is it really that shocking? Magic is supposed to be unique to each person, right?"
Riveria slowly shook her head."Not quite. Individuals may have affinities or talents, yes, but the principles of magic remain the same for all. Mana particles shaped through runes to produce specific results."
"Totally get it," Damien said with a grin.
Riveria sighed—the long-suffering kind she saved exclusively for him."Think of it this way. Mana is everywhere. Invisible particles suspended in the air, within the earth, even within our bodies. They're pure energy—impossible to physically sense or manipulate under normal circumstances. Gods, however, can. They rearrange mana to create, destroy, or conjure without effort. When they granted mortals Falna, a fragment of that ability was passed down… in a very limited form."
She extended her hand and conjured a small fireball that hovered above her palm."Now. Fire. How did I create it?"
"Uh… you moved those particles into fire?"
"Half-right," she replied. "I directed the mana, yes—but simply moving particles accomplishes nothing. They must be enticed, reshaped, forced into a new form. Runes make that possible. For centuries, my people—the High Elves—studied how to manipulate mana through chants and runic structures. A chant is a guide. A pathway. The rest is creativity and precision."
Damien whistled. "Damn. You're a better teacher than I expected. So these runes… do we memorize them?"
"Not necessarily. Most adventurers rely on long chants to maintain focus. Think of it as an anchor—keeping the mana stable while shaping it. Small spells like fire or water can be done chantless, but larger spells? One mistake could turn you into a smear on the wall. That is why chantless magic requires absurd skill." Riveria looked directly at him. "Very few can do it."
"Huh. Then I want to give it a try someday. But I still don't get the difference between your magic and what I do."
Riveria's expression turned serious again."That is what troubles me most. Your 'authority' doesn't move objects by manipulating mana. Telekinesis spells push or pull—they interact with the world by influencing particles. You, on the other hand, simply… command. You rewrite the natural law around an object, and it obeys."Her voice dropped. "It isn't magic. It's dominance."
She took a breath before continuing."The shadows are even stranger. You aren't animating corpses or transferring mana into matter. You're… giving them life. Individuality. Instinct. Skills. Necromancy is nothing like this. Nothing we know of is."
Damien blinked. "…So I'm just built different."
Riveria frowned. "You are more than that. In truth… I do not believe any mortal—perhaps even any god—has ever possessed such a power. You are the first of your kind, Damien Ardent."
"Wow… well… shit. I don't even know what to say."
"You say nothing," she replied firmly. "For now, keep the workings of your shadow powers hidden. They are already unusual, but this Authority… would draw dangerous attention."
"I see." Damien stretched his arms. "Well, that was enlightening. But hey—you spent all this time dissecting me. Next time, I want you to teach me more actual magic."
Riveria gave a small, approving nod."I don't mind teaching. But I refuse to waste my time on someone without talent. If you show no aptitude, I won't be gentle."
"That's fair." Damien looked toward the hallway. "Oh—by the way. Where's Loki? I need to ask her something."
"She should return shortly," Riveria said. "Why?"
"Just something I need to discuss with her."
"Then wait for her in her office. You will find Lefiya there. Simply tell her I sent you."
"Got it. See you next week, Riveria."
He waved casually and left the lab, the fireball still flickering in Riveria's palm as she watched him go—half fascinated, half unnerved by the boy who defied every magical law she knew.
....
Damien waited in Loki's office, leaning back in the chair and listening to the ticking of the clock. Lefiya had been staring awkwardly at him until she finally excused herself, muttering something about "needing to practice her chants." The room quieted… until the door suddenly swung open.
Loki strode in with her usual swagger, hands on her hips.
"Oh-ho! Look who's here!" she said, eyes narrowing in amusement. "Shadow Spawn himself! Finally see reason and come beg me to accept you into my Familia? I'll warn you now, I'm not that easy to persuade!"
Damien didn't even sit up. "You say that, but you're the one who slept naked on my bed without any persuasion. Pretty sure I can pull off crazier things if I'm actually trying to persuade someone."
Loki pointed at him dramatically. "All right, calm down, playboy! Plenty of men—and gods, mind you—have tried to get into this gorgeous body. None succeeded!"
"None yet," Damien shot back.
Loki grinned as she plopped herself onto the sofa, crossing her legs. "Careful there, you keep flirting like that and I might start charging you for it."
"Please, you'd pay me."
"Fair," she admitted, then waved her hand. "Anyway, what brings you to my divine beauty palace? Ask away—always a pleasure to help my favorite child who isn't actually my child!"
Damien exhaled and finally sat forward. "Enough jokes. I need your help with something."
"Shoot."
"So…" he began, rubbing his temple, "let's assume I wanted to buy a slave girl being held in Ishtar's district. How would someone get into one of her… auctions?"
Loki froze, then slowly leaned back with the most exaggeratedly disgusted face she could muster.
"Damien… wow. I didn't think you were that depraved. Wanting to buy some poor girl like livestock? I'm shocked. Absolutely shattered. My worldview is in ruins."
He glared. "Okay, okay, drop the act. I'm being serious."
She chuckled and waved her hand. "All right, all right. But you can't blame me, it's not often someone walks in and casually asks for admission to a sex auction."
He sighed. "My friend needs help. Her childhood friend was kidnapped and Ishtar bought her. She's planning to auction off her virginity. I want to save her… discreetly or otherwise."
Loki's playful expression faded. For once, the goddess looked genuinely thoughtful.
"Damien… Ishtar's no small fry," she warned. "She backed off during the tournament only because Freya and I leaned on her. Her Familia's strong — level 3s, 4s, and a level 5 who's actually competent. This isn't Ikelos you're dealing with."
"I know," Damien said quietly. "I don't plan on fighting her straight-up, but I'm not leaving that girl there. Even if I have to hide her afterward. Even if the whole city hates me for it."
Loki drummed her fingers against her knee.
"You realize the Guild won't side with you," she said. "Slavery's legal in Orario. If you're caught taking her, you're the aggressor. They won't care about the morality of it."
"I don't care," Damien replied. "If I let this slide, I'm letting Mikoto suffer. And that's not happening."
Loki let out a long breath before finally nodding.
"Fine. I'll get you in. I know someone who can arrange access, but after that? You're on your own. My contact will escort you to the entrance, then leave before anything explodes."
"That's more than enough."
As Damien stood to leave, Loki called out one last time.
"Damien… being a hero isn't glamorous. It's a thorny path. Bleeds you dry if you're not careful."
He paused at the doorway, glancing back.
"Good thing I don't plan on being a hero," he said. "Just someone who helps his friends."
Then he left.
Loki watched the door close and muttered to herself:
"…You're gonna cause so much trouble, kid."
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If you Like this story! Check out my other story ! Sukuna in DC!
AND
If you wish to read more or simply support me just because ? than check out my patreon at
"https://www.patreon.com/Riadooo"
You can Get Access to 3 More Chapters OR 7 More Chapters if you want !