"Come," Chysis said, leading us through the grand entrance hall while still picking glitter from her hair. "We'll practice with the magic circle in the courtyard. It's safer there if something goes wrong."
Something goes wrong? That's reassuring.* I followed them through corridors lined with portraits that seemed to watch us pass, their painted eyes tracking our movement with unnerving realism.
Runeas walked beside me, her earlier mischief replaced by genuine curiosity. "So you're really still human? Even after bonding with the Evil Pieces?"
"Yes. As far as I can tell," I replied, though I was still processing the changes myself.w The new sensations were subtle but constant—like having an extra sense that I was still learning to interpret, and it was most likely because of Incursio achieving the evolved form.
"Fascinating," she mused. "I've never seen that before. Chysis told me once, the pieces works with devils only. But you..." She stopped and studied me with eyes that suddenly seemed far older than her apparent age. "You're an anomaly."
An anomaly. Great. As if I didn't have enough problems.*
The courtyard was spacious, with intricate magical circles already carved into the stone floor. Chysis moved to the center and gestured for me to join her.
"Before you attempt to reincarnate anyone," she began, her tone becoming instructional, "you need to understand how to properly channel your power through the circle. The process requires precise control—too little energy and the transformation fails, too much and..."
"Too much and what?" I asked when she trailed off.
"Well, let's just say we'd rather not find out," Runeas chimed in cheerfully. "Though I bet it would be spectacular to watch."
Chysis shot her a warning glare. "The point is, precision is crucial. Take a good look at the paper and channel your mana to shape it as a structure of it. And then again pour mana, just enough to activate the circle, nothing more."
I studied the paper Ajuka had given me, examining the intricate design. "So I need to recreate this pattern with my own mana?"
"Exactly," Chysis nodded. "The paper is just a template. You'll need to construct the actual circle using your magical energy and maintain it throughout the reincarnation process. It requires both precision and sustained power."
I focused my mana, slowly tracing the complex pattern in the stone courtyard. Silver light followed my movements, each line and symbol taking shape as I carefully replicated the design. The moment the final connection was made, the entire circle blazed to life with brilliant energy.
Holy shit.* The power flowing through my constructed circle was incredible—I could feel it responding to my energy, amplifying and focusing it in ways I didn't fully understand. It was like conducting an orchestra where every instrument was made of pure magical force.
"Impressive," Chysis said approvingly. "Your control has significantly got better since we met last time. I didn't expect it to be done in your first attempt. Your mana control is exceptional."
"What happens if I mess up the pattern?" I asked, carefully maintaining the complex structure.
"Well, the person you're trying to reincarnate might end up with extra limbs," Runeas said cheerfully. "Or missing some. Really depends on which symbols you get wrong."
Note to self: triple-check every line and symbol.*
I practiced for the better part of an hour, learning to construct the circle faster and more efficiently. Each attempt became smoother, the pattern flowing more naturally from my mana. By the end, I could create and maintain the complete circle without breaking concentration.
As we finished the training session, I noticed Runeas had been unusually quiet for the past few minutes. *That's not a good sign with her.*
"Excellent progress," Chysis said as I dissolved my final practice circle. "You should be ready to perform your first reincarnation when you return."
I was about to respond when my enhanced senses picked up something—a faint magical signature above us, barely detectable but definitely there. *Oh, you've got to be kidding me.*
"Runeas," I said casually, not looking up, "planning another bucket drop?"
She blinked innocently. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Really?" I raised my hand and fired a small burst of water bullet straight up. There was a surprised yelp, followed by the crash of something heavy hitting the balcony above. A moment later, what looked like purple paint began dripping from the edge of the roof.
"How did you—" Runeas started, her mouth hanging open.
"You can't trick me twice" I said with a smirk. "One of the perks of my charm, apparently."
Chysis looked between us with growing exasperation. "Runeas, were you seriously about to ruin our perfect glowy skin again?"
"It was just a purple paint!" Runeas protested, as if that made it better. "It would have looked cool on you!"
"After I just spent an hour getting the glitter out of my hair?" Chysis's deadpanned.
Runeas had the decency to look sheepish. "I may have... miscalculated the timing."
I couldn't help but laugh. Despite everything—the threats, the politics, the looming danger—there was something refreshing about dealing with simple mischief instead of life-or-death situations.
"Next time, try to be more creative," I told her. "Predictable pranks are not fun, don't you agree?"
Her eyes lit up with challenge. "Oh, now you've done it. No one calls my pranks predictable and gets away with it."
What have I gotten myself into?*
The Evil Pieces are finally to be put in use. I felt the potential in them. But am I ready for what comes next?*
I was back in my room just as my phone buzzed with a text message. For a moment, my heart stopped—had Elene already made good on her threat?
But it was just Asia: "Dinner's ready! Valerie made your favorite curry."
Right. Normal life still exists, even when supernatural politics are trying to kill me.* I smiled despite everything. At least some things remained constant.
I headed downstairs, where the warm smell of curry and the sound of familiar voices reminded me what I was fighting to protect. Valerie looked up as I entered, her face lighting up with a smile that made all the political maneuvering worth it.
Cao Cao was someone to be vary of. The Khaos Brigade may come for me. But I'm not the same person who first arrived in this world.* I touched the pieces through my pocket, feeling their weight on me, as I glanced at girls *And soon, neither will they be.*
As we ate dinner together, I couldn't shake the feeling that this might be one of the last normal moments we'd have for a while.
The storm was coming, and all I could do was prepare for it as best I could.