What is the magic of replenishment?
This was the most common method of restoring magic power on the mysterious side.
Although there were many ways to recover magic, the most efficient was through fluid exchange.
"Okay, have you been reading some… unhealthy publications without telling me?"
Rias leaned lazily on the table, her cheeks flushed, yet her beautiful eyes fixed on Arashi, shining with a strange light.
"What are you thinking? This was your suggestion," Arashi replied righteously.
Here it was, right at your doorstep — yet you let it slide? Who's looking down on whom?
Still, he had to admit that the magic replenishment was excellent. Most of his depleted mana had already been restored.
"Ara ara… have I disturbed you?"
At that moment, a tall, beautiful girl with waist-length hair tied into a ponytail appeared near the library entrance. She exuded the calm and refined temperament of a Yamato Nadeshiko.
Even by looks alone, she and Rias each had their own merits.
"Akeno, why are you here?"
Rias stiffened slightly. It was her first kiss, and although Akeno Himejima was watching, she still felt a twinge of shyness.
"Hasn't it been long enough, standing outside?"
Her gaze shifted between the two of them. Himejima Akeno narrowed her eyes, a faint, inexplicable smile playing on her lips.
"If she wants to watch, let her watch. I still need a bit more mana to fully recover," Arashi said, approaching Rias again.
" Rias buchou, did you give these things to Arashi?"
Watching this, Himejima Akeno could no longer restrain herself.
What was going on? When did Arashi become so shameless?
She didn't mind waiting, but being served public displays of affection like this was unpleasant.
"Ahem, there is indeed something important to do," Rias said with a dry cough, regaining her graceful demeanor.
She stretched out her hand, and a lavender magic circle flared before vanishing. In her hand, a chess set appeared.
"Devil's chess piece?"
Arashi's eyes lit up.
This was developed by Beelzebub, one of the four current demon lords, to enhance demons' combat abilities and increase their numbers — a technology capable of transforming other living beings into demons.
"From now on, this demon chess set is yours."
"Understood."
Arashi didn't hesitate and put it away immediately.
Rias smiled, warning him, "Each set has a limited number of pieces, so be careful when choosing your followers. It's best if they are from special races or possess divine artifacts."
After explaining, Rias took Himejima Akeno out of the library.
"A dependent?" Arashi muttered, picking up a demon chess piece but not dwelling on it.
If it had been before, he would have used the chess pieces to reincarnate as many powerful followers as possible.
But now, the most urgent task was his own strength.
With a thought, a virtual panel appeared.
[Hint: Origin +10]
Looking at the prompt, Arashi paused, then noticed the barely perceptible mysterious pattern on the demon chess piece.
"I see… this is how to obtain Origin Points."
What was Origin? It could be considered one of the foundations of the world. Everything — even knowledge — was part of Origin.
"No wonder I had so many Origin Points at the beginning. It must be from all that I've seen and heard over the years."
Arashi picked a book from the shelf and began reading. Ten lines in, and upon finishing the book, a hint appeared:
[Origin +1]
He frowned thoughtfully. "It seems the amount of Origin Points earned isn't static. More extraordinary items grant more points."
Putting the book away, Arashi summoned a magic circle in the air. Books rustled and fell onto the table one by one.
These were all rare books from the underworld. Their contents varied, but each was invaluable — carefully selected by Rias to help him grow stronger.
Until now, Arashi had focused mostly on thunder magic, along with a few practical spells, ignoring all other magic books.
He picked one at random and began flipping through it.
[Hint: Origin +3][Hint: Origin +5]
Before finishing one book, prompts continued appearing.
"Sure enough, I guessed right," Arashi murmured, eyes shining as he turned pages faster.
Fortunately, as a demon, his memory far surpassed that of humans.
Soon, a book was finished. Arashi didn't hesitate to pick up another.
With each completed book, more Origin Points accumulated. He also discovered an important fact: merely observing something, without fully understanding it, could still grant experience — unconsciously.
Time passed unnoticed.
Arashi finally set a book down, exhausted eyes rubbing as he summoned the virtual panel.
[Arashi Hayata][Occupation: Origin Magician][Magic: Thunder Magic L41 (+)][Origin: 1815 points]
He focused and began adding points with determination.
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
Lights flashed continuously on the panel. Magic surged through his body, and the area around him seemed to have become a thunderfield. Lightning crackled everywhere.
Finally, the glow faded.
[Arashi Hayata][Occupation: Origin Magician][Magic: Thunder Magic L60 (+)][Origin: 1182 points]
Arashi looked closely and noticed a new prompt:
[Ding! Thunder Magic has been upgraded to Level 60. Do you want to spend 1000 Essence Points to complete the job change?]