[Beep! Leylin Farlier: Grand Knight. Rank 1 Warlock. Bloodline: Giant Kemoyin Serpent. Summon—Black Horrall Snake, Seated Lupin Wolf. Strength: 18.8, Agility: 15.8, Vitality: 17.3, Spiritual Force: 51.3, Magical Power: 51. Elemental essence conversion: Darkness: 39%. Wind: 8%. Status: Healthy.]
After exiting Andre Town Leylin had devoured the souls of his three magi summons, increasing his strength a bit further.
The path to his next breakthrough as a Warlock felt tantalizingly close. Unlike other magi, Leylin wasn't weighed down by the usual gnawing doubt and worry that accompanied such ambitions.
Advancing as a Warlock required two pillars: a high-grade meditation technique and a pure bloodline. Leylin had both in spades. The Kemoyin's Pupil, a meditation technique perfectly attuned to his Giant Kemoyin Serpent bloodline, was his greatest asset.
Every day, as he sank into the meditative trance, he could feel his spiritual force swelling, a steady tide rising within him. It was a sensation both grounding and exhilarating, like standing on the edge of a precipice, knowing the fall would only make him stronger.
The bloodline itself, purified from the ancient Giant Kemoyin Serpent, was a marvel—a creature whose mature form could rival a rank 4 Morning Star Magus.
Yet, resources were the lifeblood of progress, and high-grade meditation techniques demanded the rarest of them. Some ingredients, relics of ancient times, had long vanished from the world, their names surviving only in dusty tomes.
Leylin's soulbound devourer powers gave him an edge, a predatory boost that let him absorb strength from others, but even that wasn't enough to sate his hunger for advancement.
His fourth-grade soul aptitude, while not the highest, was bolstered by his unique soul attribute, accelerating his elemental essence conversion at a pace that would make most Magi envious.
The darkness crystals, however, were another matter. His supply was dwindling faster than he'd like, each shimmering shard consumed in his relentless meditation. But wealth was no issue—not after his haul from Dylan Gardens, a fortune worth millions of magic crystals.
The resources for his ascent to rank 2 Warlock were well within reach.
The door to his chamber creaked open, pulling Leylin from his thoughts. Lancey and Anna stepped inside, their movements precise yet tinged with deference.
They bowed deeply, the air around them heavy with respect for their master. Leylin's gaze flicked over them, his sharp eyes assessing their worth in an instant.
"Anna," he said, his voice calm but laced with an undercurrent of authority that made her stiffen. "You'll be managing the villa from now on. Hire some servants if needed—just consult that old guy Paul for recruitment. He's got a knack for getting things done."
Anna's eyes widened slightly, she didn't think that even now Leylin would give such a responsibility to her despite her low strength.
"Yes, sir," she replied, her voice soft but steady, though Leylin could hear the faint tremor of someone eager to prove themselves.
His gaze lingered on her, he summoned her stats from A. I. Chip interface.
[Beep! Anna. Preparatory knight Strength: 1.8. Agility: 1.9. Vitality: 1.8. Status: Healthy.]
His lips pressed into a thin line, a spark of dissatisfaction flaring in his chest. She was loyal, yes, but loyalty alone wouldn't suffice.
"Anna," he continued, his tone sharpening just enough to make her flinch. "Your strength is… lacking. Far too weak for what I expect." His words were measured, but they cut like a blade. "I've made significant progress with Dexter and Greem—my research on Saint Knights is nearly complete. If you can't even reach the level of a Great Knight, I'll be… disappointed." The word hung in the air, heavy with unspoken consequences.
Anna's face paled, her hands trembling slightly as she clasped them together. Fear flickered in her eyes, not just of failure but of losing her place at Leylin's side.
"I-I'll work harder, sir," she stammered, her voice thick with determination and a desperate need to please.
"I swear it."
Leylin's expression didn't soften, but he gave a curt nod, satisfied for now. He turned to Lancey, whose posture was rigid, her eyes fixed on him with a mix of awe and readiness.
"Lancey," he said, his tone shifting to something more businesslike but still carrying that commanding edge. "I'm entrusting you with some potion formulas. I don't have time to brew them myself, and since you've shown some aptitude in potion-making, I expect you to hone that talent. You'll be brewing the potions needed for the knights."
Lancey's breath hitched, a spark of excitement lighting her eyes. "I'll do my best, sir," she said, her voice steady but warm with gratitude for the opportunity. To be trusted with such a task was no small thing for a slave like her, and she felt the weight of it settle on her shoulders like a mantle.
"Good," Leylin said, his gaze piercing as he studied her. "For now, come with me. We're heading to the market area. After that, I'll be tied up with my indoor research, so you'll act as my representative. Get things done efficiently, and I'll reward you appropriately."
Lancey's heart swelled with joy, though she kept her expression composed. "To serve you is my honor, sir," she said, her voice soft but fervent, as if the words were a vow.
---
The streets of Nightless City buzzed with energy, a vibrant tapestry of sights and sounds that assaulted the senses. The Light Magi region was the beating heart of commerce on the South Coast, and Nightless City was its crown jewel. Shops lined the avenues, their signs proclaiming exotic wares: "Old Gelling's Medicine Store," "Cape of Good Hope Refined Gold Goods," "Mythical Creature Trading Store." The air was thick with the scent of herbs, molten metal, and the faint, electric hum of magic.
Leylin strode through the chaos with purpose, his dark cloak billowing slightly in the warm breeze. Lancey followed close behind, her eyes darting from one shop to another, a mix of curiosity and determination flickering across her face.
The trade plaza loomed ahead, a sprawling open space dominated by eighteen towering pillars, each as thick as a human skull. The stone gleamed faintly, etched with runes that pulsed with latent energy.
Magi milled about, some pressing their hands to the pillars, their eyes closed in communion with the arcane interface. Others emerged from the interaction with a newfound sense of direction, hurrying off toward specific shops or out of the market entirely.
"We've reached the trade plaza," Lancey said, her voice tinged with awe. Her eyes sparkled with expectation, as if the plaza held secrets she was eager to uncover.
Leylin glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "I brought you here to get acquainted with the system," he said, like a teacher addressing a promising student. "Familiarize yourself with the basic information of the Light Magi region. You'll need to know how things work if you're to represent me."
"Okay, master," Lancey replied, her voice bright with resolve. She squared her shoulders, determined to prove herself worthy of his trust.
The plaza was sparsely populated, and Leylin's turn at the pillar came quickly. He took a deep breath, the air cool against his skin, and stepped forward. His palms pressed against the rough stone, and a jolt of icy spiritual force surged from the pillar, burrowing into his forehead.
His skin prickled, a faint tension pulling at his nerves as dark rays flickered across his vision. The sensation was invasive, almost oppressive, but Leylin welcomed it, his mind sharp and focused.
"Data transmission interface detected, awaiting permission to enter," a mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
"Allow it," Leylin commanded.
A flood of information poured into his consciousness, coalescing into the image of a massive, leather-bound tome. His spiritual force brushed against it, flipping to the first page. A catalog unfolded before him: "Material Types," "Finished Goods Types," "Knowledge Types," "Potion Types." The sheer breadth of it was staggering, a treasure trove of arcane secrets. Leylin hesitated for only a moment before delving into the "Knowledge Types" section.
A silver light flashed, and a cascade of sub-clauses appeared: "High Level Dwarf Enchanting Studies," "Comprehensive Details for Flame Runes," "Soul Research Data." The names were tantalizing, some so obscure they felt like whispers from another era. Yet, as expected, there was no trace of high-level meditation techniques or Magus advancement data. The absence was deliberate, a reminder of the Light Magi's penchant for guarding their most precious secrets.
He shifted his focus to the "Material Types" section. A dizzying array of resources materialized: blue-gold stone, bayern flower, essence of wilted tree, heart of light blue lizard. Some were familiar, others utterly alien, accompanied by vivid depictions that seemed to pulse with life.
Leylin's mind zeroed in on his immediate need. "Search—crystallized Darkness energy particles," he commanded.
The data shifted, narrowing to two sparse entries. One offered crystallized Darkness particles in exchange for an egg of a Fire Ingesting Bird, listing other tradeable items like wood spirit and Firestone.
The other was a shop listing, offering the crystals outright. The shop was the better option—the witch who ran it was his key to the Ancient Spirit Sect, and Twilight Zone. Her obsession with soul-related knowledge played perfectly into his hands.
If he could secure her crystals, his essence conversion would leap forward, pushing him closer to a semi-converted state and accelerating his bloodline transition.
He sent a quick reply to the shop's listing, and a new message appeared: *Elm Street #231*. The address burned itself into his memory. He tossed a high-grade magic crystal into the pillar's interface, the faint clink of it disappearing into the stone a small price to pay for such valuable information.
Turning, he saw Lancey finishing her own interaction with the pillar, her face alight with curiosity. He handed her a small, leather-bound book—his compiled research on soul and spirit, a treasure that would make the old witch's eyes light up—and a heavy bag of magic crystals. "Take this and buy the darkness crystals from the shopkeeper at this address," he said, Leylin tapped Lancey head and sent the address directly into her consciousness. "Make it quick."
"Okay, sir," Lancey said, clutching the book and bag tightly.
"Hmm," Leylin replied with a nonchalant nod, already turning to explore the market for other materials. His mind was elsewhere, calculating the next steps in his research, there is far too many things to pick from he wanted to see if he can find anything interesting.
Lancey, meanwhile, followed the address to a narrow alley, the clamor of the market fading behind her. The shop was tucked away, almost hidden, its dim interior barely visible through grimy windows. She pushed open the door, the bell above jingling faintly.
The air inside was musty, heavy with the scent of preservatives and decay. Glass jars lined the shelves, filled with organs and tissues floating in yellow liquid. Some resembled human embryos, their forms twisted and eerie. Lancey's stomach churned, but she steeled herself. As a Magus, she was no stranger to such sights, and she refused to let them shake her.
"What do you want?" a raspy voice called from the shadows. An old witch emerged from behind the counter, her tall pointed hat casting a jagged shadow. Her face was a map of wrinkles, her hooked nose sharp as a blade. Her eyes, glowing with an unsettling green fire, fixed on Lancey with predatory interest.
"I was looking at the trading board," Lancey said, her voice steady despite the witch's gaze. "Are you selling crystallized Darkness particles?"
The witch's lips curled into a crooked smile, her eyes narrowing. "Whoa! Look what I found—a Magus for someone with a taste for Darkness energy particles." She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "No… you don't seem like someone who majors in darkness elements. Are you running errands, girl?"
Lancey's eyes turned cold, she knows that if she wants to represent Leylin, she must have an indisputable attitude which wouldn't be taken advantage of by others.
She looked deep into the old witch eyes and held her ground, clutching Leylin's book tighter. She could feel the weight of her master's expectations pressing down on her, and she wasn't about to fail him. Not now, not ever.
"That's none of your business old witch...As a dark magus you should know when to mind your business."
"Ouh? I like the coldness in your eyes little girl, tell me what do you want?"
....
Leylin sat cross legged, the spell formations on the ground emitted black lights, as many darkness crystals lost their luster, the light was engulfing the entire basement.
Wrapped in darkness, Leylin was in a serene and comfortable state with his Giant Kemoyin Serpent Bloodline resonating with the darkness.
Only the constant notifications from the A.I Chip could be heard.
[A large amount of essential substances are entering the Host's body, confirmed to be Dark energy particles, absorption in progress…]
[Host absorption rate greatly enhanced under the effect of the Darkness rites, crystal utilisation increased!] [Absorption complete! Host's elemental essence conversion greatly increased, currently 68%.]
*Di!*
A crisp tone sounded in the centre of the formation. Following which, the black light converged into the shadow of a figure at the centre.
"Huff… Finally Semi-converted."
Leylin gradually opened his eyes, and a flash of black light streaked past his eyes.
'A. I. Chip recalculate the time till transition.'
[Beep! Based on analysis of the Host's DNA, the Giant Kemoyin Serpent's bloodline is getting stronger, and will soon undergo a transition. Estimated time: 7 Months.]
"That time has decreased by half than before. Good... Very good."