After leveling Genichi up, Demeter handed him his newly updated Status.
The parchment was densely covered in fresh data, but when Genichi's eyes fell on the very last line, the newly awakened Skill, he finally understood why Demeter had been so shocked just now.
[Schrift]
Bestowal: By dripping blood into wine, the soul of whoever drinks the blood wine will be engraved with a Schrift. Through that Schrift, the user can bestow magic or Skills. The recipient will gain the corresponding power, while the giver does not lose the magic or Skill that was bestowed.
Retrieval: The user may reclaim any bestowed Status, magic, or Skill at any time. Once reclaimed, the recipient will die, no matter where they are or how far away they may be.
The instant he saw this Skill, Genichi thought of Yhwach's soul-sharing, Schrift engraving, and soul retrieval, in other words, Auswählen.
That King of the Quincies had created his Sternritter through exactly that method, then reclaimed the power of those knights through Auswählen so that he could revive himself and become even stronger.
The abilities were somewhat similar, but not exactly the same.
Yhwach's power focused more on distributing and retrieving soul fragments themselves, while Genichi's Schrift bestowed his own power: abilities, magic, and Skills, all things he already possessed.
This had to be the gift Bleach Genichi left behind for him.
That unlucky mixed-blood Quincy had encountered Auswählen before he ever had the chance to truly grow, but Quincy blood, or rather Yhwach's power, had undeniably existed within him.
The essence of that power was dominion over souls.
At that thought, Genichi suddenly realized something.
He might be able to use this ability to build subordinates on a massive scale.
And he would never have to worry about betrayal.
The moment anyone harbored disloyalty, Genichi could simply take back the power he had granted, and that person would die the instant the strength was stripped away.
That kind of restraint was firmer than any contract, and more effective than any oath.
More importantly, this ability had no numerical limit.
In theory, he could bestow power endlessly, as long as his soul was strong enough to support that distribution.
Demeter quietly watched him, her godly eyes reflecting his figure.
She did not urge him. She did not press him. She simply waited in silence.
Ever since Genichi had joined this Familia, she had watched him force himself to become stronger.
That near-manic obsession, that attitude of paying any price no matter the cost, made her heart ache for him, but it also made her curious.
What exactly was driving this boy to pursue power so desperately?
"Demeter, do you still want to know why I'm so obsessed with becoming stronger?"
Genichi raised his head and looked directly into her eyes.
"I do."
Demeter nodded, her tone gentle but firm. "But if you don't want to say it, I won't ask again."
That answer made Genichi pause.
After being in this world for so long, Demeter really had never forced anything on him.
The only time she had pressed him at all was when she asked why he was so desperate to grow stronger.
She had given him a place to stay, given him her Falna, given him the chance to grow, and had never asked for anything in return.
Even when she had confessed her feelings to him before, he had only postponed it by saying, "Wait until I reach Level 5."
And still she had waited without complaint, supporting him through every one of his adventures.
Was a goddess like that worthy of trust?
Genichi asked himself that question in silence.
The answer was yes.
If there was anyone in this world who truly treated him well without asking anything in return, it was Demeter.
"I can tell you."
Genichi spoke slowly, his tone solemn. "But on one condition. You have to drink the blood wine."
That was his bottom line.
Schrift had only just awakened, and he still did not understand all the mysteries of the Skill. But there was one thing he was certain of: once she drank the blood wine, some kind of connection would form between them.
That connection would be both a restraint and a protection.
If he truly wanted to trust Demeter, if he truly wanted to tell her all his secrets, then he needed a guarantee. Not a guarantee that Demeter would never betray him, but a guarantee that even if she learned the truth, she would not come to harm simply because she knew too much.
After all, what he was about to reveal concerned the life and death of countless other versions of himself.
Any one of those secrets, if learned by a god, could produce consequences beyond prediction.
And the restraint of the blood wine could ensure Demeter's safety, or at least, if some irresistible force ever sought to harm her, Genichi could reclaim the power he had granted and spare her a more painful death.
It was a cruel thought, perhaps, but it was the best way he could think of to protect her.
Demeter looked at the cup Genichi offered her.
Inside it was a clear liquor, with several drops of crimson blood slowly spreading through it like blooming red lotuses.
She knew what it meant.
If she drank this cup, the relationship between her and Genichi would no longer be just that of goddess and child. That connection would become deeper, firmer, and more dangerous.
But she did not hesitate.
"All right."
Demeter accepted the cup and met Genichi's gaze.
There was not the slightest trace of hesitation or fear in those divine eyes. There was only openness and trust.
Genichi let his blood drip into the wine, then brought it to Demeter's lips.
Demeter drank the blood wine without hesitation.
The moment the liquid slid down her throat, Demeter felt a strange power stir within her.
The sensation was unfamiliar and yet somehow familiar at the same time, as if a part of Genichi's soul had melted into her body.
At the same time, Genichi also felt a wondrous connection.
Gentle, yet unwavering.
That was the emotion he felt from Demeter.
Sensing the bond that had now been established between them, Genichi let out a quiet breath of relief.
The connection was even gentler than he had imagined. There was no sense of oppressive coercion at all. It simply linked their souls together.
Now that the bond had been formed, there was no longer any need to hide the truth.
Genichi raised a hand. With a thought, he bestowed King of Shadows upon Demeter.
It was currently his strongest concealment magic, and one of his most important life-saving methods.
The reason he gave that magic to Demeter was simple: if she ever encountered danger, she would at least have the means to protect herself.
"This is...?"
Demeter's eyes widened in surprise.
"King of Shadows."
Genichi explained, "If you run into danger, this magic can save your life."
Demeter was silent for a moment, then a soft smile appeared on her face.
She understood what Genichi meant.
This was both a gift and a form of protection.
"Then now..."
Demeter raised her head and looked at Genichi with a gentle gaze. "Can you tell me why you're willing to pay any price to become stronger?"
Genichi drew a deep breath and slowly began to speak.
"Demeter, do you believe in parallel worlds?"
Demeter was startled for a moment, then nodded. "As a goddess, I've seen many unbelievable things. The theory of parallel worlds is something that has also been discussed in the heavens."
"That makes this easier to explain."
Genichi's gaze turned deep and distant.
"I'm not from this world."
Those words crashed into Demeter's heart like thunder. Her eyes widened as she stared at Genichi in disbelief.
"I come from another world, a normal one with no gods, no magic, and no Dungeon."
Genichi continued, "But during my transmigration, my soul shattered into countless fragments and scattered across the heavens and myriad worlds."
"Each fragment traveled to a different world and became another me."
Demeter listened quietly without interrupting him.
"And every so often, all of those versions of me are forcibly summoned into a special soul-space."
Genichi's voice grew lower. "There, we are forced to kill each other. The winner can plunder everything from the loser: power, memories, abilities, even their entire life."
"So when you suddenly disappeared before, it was because you were summoned into that arena?"
Realization dawned on Demeter's face.
Genichi nodded. "That's what happened just now."
"What happened to the other you?"
"He died."
Genichi did not hide it. "I killed him with my own hands."
Demeter fell silent for a moment, then gently took hold of his hand.
"That wasn't your fault."
Her voice was soft. "Those were the rules of survival. You had no choice."
Genichi looked at the hand Demeter had wrapped around his, and a complicated emotion rose in his chest.
This was the first time he had ever told anyone this secret.
Before now, he had never mentioned the arena to anyone. Not even Rias knew about it.
(End of Chapter)
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