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"You came out and still planning to walk away?"
Edgar looked at her and a faint smile touched his lips.
The Star Sprite rocked on the spot; her wings trembled now and then.
What is this man, really?
The pressure from his gaze alone was terrifying. It pressed down so hard she felt like she might swoon. She could only think one thing: under that invisible weight she was about to collapse.
"Master, she looks like she's in pain." Anna tugged at Edgar's sleeve.
Then, in the next instant, all of that pressure vanished.
"Ha!"
The Star Sprite lurched, nearly toppling into the lake.
"Now," Edgar said, taking a few steps forward to stand at the water's edge, "still going to leave?"
The Star Sprite fell silent for a beat, then waved a hand to close the portal behind her. She forced a polite tone. "I'm sorry. I was rude before."
She was genuinely frightened. This man in front of her was so powerful it was almost unimaginable. In all her long years she had never met anyone like him. Not brave heroes, not the demon lords of old—no one had ever made her feel suffocated just from a look alone. The man who called himself a demon was, she was certain, utterly unfathomable.
At the side, Freya curled her lip. So that's it? He calmed her down just like that? What a disappointment. Watching others bleed was starting to grow on her as a hobby.
"Whatever," Edgar said with a wave. "Let's get down to business."
"All right, Lord Demon." The Star Sprite nodded obediently. "By the ancient pact I can grant you the powers of the Elven line. Hands that can crush anything. Legs that let you soar like the wind. Ears that hear voices a thousand miles away. Eyes that see through everything."
"Which would you like, Mr. Demon?" She looked at Edgar expectantly. All she wanted was to clock out — finish this job and get away from the terrifying man as fast as possible.
"I don't need any of them."
The Star Sprite blinked, small and unsure. "Then why did you summon me?"
Edgar glanced at her and smiled. "Very simple. I want you to be mine."
"What?" The Star Sprite immediately flushed scarlet. "No way, you pervy demon!"
"Master, she refused!" Freya cried, excited. "So we attack? Use force? Threaten her? Let's just do it."
That was a naked threat. The Star Sprite glanced from Edgar's unreadable face to Freya's hungry stare and sighed. There was no chance to run.
She forced a smile that was worse than crying and performed an old, formal bow.
"Demon Lord, it's my honor to be one of yours."
Freya shot Edgar a look. "Master, did I do okay?"
Edgar smiled faintly. He was already hovering in the air beside the Star Sprite. He extended a finger and golden blood seeped from the tip.
The Star Sprite blinked, puzzled. "Demon Lord, what are you doing?"
"Performing a rebirth ritual," Edgar said. "I'll rebirth you as a demon and bind you as my follower."
The Star Sprite froze for a moment.
So she'd misunderstood at first. But… abandon her spirit identity and become a demon?
She gave a bitter little smile and thought it over. There really wasn't any choice. After a moment she found, to her surprise, that she no longer felt that deep, aching sadness she'd carried lately. If fate couldn't be fought, the only thing left was to enjoy whatever came.
Besides, demons were interesting. What kind of race produced someone as strong as Edgar?
"All right. Begin."
She drew in a breath and asked, "Is there anything I need to help with for the ritual?"
Edgar glanced at her clothes and finally shook his head. "Leave everything to me."
"All right. I'm in your hands, Demon Lord."
"Wait." The Star Sprite's eyes snapped wide. "Why are you messing with my clothes?"
She looked at Edgar with a mix of indignation and hurt. "I knew it. You're up to something."
Without expression, Edgar let a drop of blood fall onto her skin. "Don't overthink it. Those scraps of fabric were in the way."
"And once you become my demonic vassal, you'll belong to me completely. You will serve me for life."
Serve… serve?
The Star Sprite's face flamed. Her pupils trembled. Wouldn't that be the same as before? No, worse — she'd be a demon now. That sounded like a raw deal.
But before she could spiral any further, the brand appeared and she couldn't think of anything else.
Her body started to change. The very essence of her life shifted. And… it was so itchy.
A moment later, the pale green wings vanished. In their place grew a pair of long, black wings. A tail with a heart-shaped tip unfurled and wobbled into view.
"I… I'm not an elf anymore?"
She stared at the new wings and tail, pinching them out of reflex. She sucked in a breath and both cheeks bloomed with color. It was only a tail, after all.
Could this thing called the demon race actually be respectable?
Edgar paid no mind to the Sprite's private musings. His attention was fixed on the readout of her new attributes.
[Star Spirit]
Race: Demon
Master: Edgar Lucifergus
Level: LV40
Skill: Star Spirit Form
Star Spirit Form: Transform into the form of a Star Spirit. Gain hands strong enough to shatter mountains, legs swift enough to soar across the skies, ears that can hear voices from miles away, and emerald eyes that see through all illusions.
As Edgar read through the Star Spirit's stats, his expression turned a little strange.
This skill… it felt less like one ability and more like a bundle of countless powers wrapped into one.
So this woman was actually called "Star Spirit"?
Without hesitation, he voiced the question lingering in his mind.
"That's right. That's my true name," the Star Spirit replied proudly. "Among all of us elves, there can only ever be one Star Spirit. It's the highest, most honored existence."
"Only after my death can a new Star Spirit be born. That's why my name is unique."
"I see," Edgar nodded thoughtfully before asking again, "Then, have you ever granted your power to anyone else?"
"No," she answered, sounding a little deflated. "I only just became the Star Spirit not long ago… and then I met you, Master."
Even as she spoke, a sheet of paper appeared in front of her.
"What's this?" she asked.
"Your status information," Edgar explained casually. "It's similar to the class panels in this world, but with some differences."
"Oh?" Her eyes lit up as she quickly began scanning the details.
"Star Spirit Form…?"
The moment she read the description, she couldn't hold back the smile tugging at her lips.
So that meant—Even as a demon, she could still retain her Star Spirit form.
Looking at it that way, aside from gaining a master, she hadn't really lost anything at all.
Demon and elf combined into one body… honestly, it sounded kind of exciting.
Best of all, she didn't have to stay cooped up in the Elven Kingdom anymore. She could finally go out and live freely.
"..."
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