"Even if I haven't reached 'godhood,' my level is astronomical compared to a normal psychic. It gives me more than just the ability to move things with my mind. It gives me... flashes. Precognition. Instinct."
Evangeline listened, her expression unreadable. She knew better than anyone that at our level of power, "instinct" was often more reliable than logic.
"And this 'instinct' is screaming for the dark," she muttered.
"Exactly."
"Fine. I won't deny that with your aptitude, you might be able to pull it off. But it isn't just about talent; it's about compatibility. You need a massive amount of mana just to survive the initiation, though in your case, that isn't an issue."
"Compatibility?"
"Yes. From what I can see, you have the stomach for it. But nothing is absolute. The process is... unique. If you fail to synchronize during the initiation, the best-case scenario is that you never use magic again. The worst-case is much shorter."
The penalty was steep. But for me, the choice had already been made. My psychic intuition had guided me through countless death-zones in my past life; I wasn't about to ignore it now.
"I don't care. Let's do it."
"…Hah. I don't know what drives you to be this way, Axel. This was supposed to be a lecture, not an initiation. Perhaps Ayaka was right to be worried."
"Sorry. I just feel like I can't let this chance slip by."
"A man with your strength still craving more... I suppose it's a guarantee that something big is going to happen during this school trip."
"Maybe the Kansai Magic Association's hardliners are going to make a move," I suggested.
"Hmph. I doubt that lot could touch you. Regardless... Chachamaru, go to the vault. Bring me the sealed box."
"Master... are you sure?" Chachamaru looked at me, her robotic eyes filled with a very human hesitation. "Axel-san, do you truly have to do this?"
I reached out and patted her back, trying to ease her worry. "My talent for magic surprised even your Master. Have a little faith in me."
"But the danger... No, I apologize. Master, I will bring it immediately."
She bowed and hurried out. Evangeline watched her go, a nostalgic look on her face.
"She's certainly grown fond of you. You've influenced her more than I expected."
"You think so? She spends all her time with you. If anything, I'd say she's picking up her best traits from her Master."
We chatted for a few more minutes until Chachamaru returned, carrying a wooden box about fifty centimeters long. It was wrapped in heavy binding spells; I could feel the mana radiating from it even from across the room.
"Good. Set it on the floor."
Chachamaru obeyed. Evangeline whispered a command under her breath, and the visible pressure of the seal evaporated like mist.
"The seal is broken. Axel, open it."
I reached out and lifted the lid. Inside lay a single, ancient-looking scroll. Even unrolled, the mana it leaked was suffocating.
"What is this?"
"Something I made a long time ago. This scroll contains the essence required to initiate the Magic of Darkness. I had a more refined version once... but some muscle-bound idiot made off with it. For your purposes, this is the best tool available."
"A 'refined' version? Does that mean this one is a failure?"
Evangeline shook her head. "No. The effect is the same. But this one is a prototype—it's a one-time use item. The other one could be used repeatedly. Think of this as the raw, unpolished version of the ritual."
"But the result is the same?"
"I guarantee it."
"Then it's all I need."
I reached for the scroll. Just as my fingers brushed the parchment, Evangeline spoke one last time.
"Axel. Are you... truly ready for this?"
"Yeah."
"Axel-san... I wish you the best of luck," Chachamaru whispered.
"Thanks."
I gripped the scroll and unfurled it.
"Wait... nothing's happen—!?"
Before I could finish the thought, a torrent of pure, unadulterated shadow erupted from the parchment. It wasn't just magic; it was the abyss itself. It lunged forward, swallowing me whole.
Status Report
Name: Axel Almar
Level: 38 PP: 625
Melee: 262 Ranged: 282
Skill: 272 Defense: 272
Evade: 302 Hit: 322
SP: 462
Ace Bonus: SP Boost (Consumes SP to enhance Slime performance)
Spirit Commands:
Accel (SP 4) | Effort (SP 8) | Focus (SP 16)
Direct Hit (SP 30) | Awaken (SP 32) | Love (SP 48)
Skills:
EXP Up
SP Boost (SP Up Lv.9, SP Regen, Concentration)
Psychokinesis Lv.10
Attacker
Gunfight Lv.9 | In-fight Lv.9
Morale Limit Break
Geass (Grey)
Magic (Fire, Shadow, Summoning)
???
???
Total Kills: 376
-------------------------
If you enjoy this story, you can read + 70 advanced chapters on Patreon!
Webnovel will keep getting 1 new chapter every day but Patreon readers can stay far ahead.
Maybe it's not a big deal now… maybe it will be later.
[email protected]/Greyhounds
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"