"On my side?"
The Silver Star Duchess had left, but her final words echoed in Reyn's mind.
Clearly, her offer to choose sides implied more than simple loyalty. Given her power and position, her worthy opponent—the "other side"—could only be another Holy Soul Mage.
"As I thought," Reyn concluded mentally, "there's infighting within the High Council."
He had suspected this when Viola told him about disputes between various philosophical schools of magic.
And if the Silver Star Duchess spoke of it so openly, she believed he had the potential to grow into a figure significant enough to join this game of thrones among Holy Soul Mages.
"She thinks too highly of me, doesn't she?" Reyn couldn't believe it himself.
In over two thousand years of the Empire's history, fewer than twenty Holy Soul Mages had appeared, including those who had passed on. On average—less than one per century.
He was just a beginner-level mage, yet the duchess already saw him as a future Holy Soul Mage!
So her gift—"Song of the Azure Sky"—wasn't just thanks or a reward, but a sort of angelic investment in his future?
Reyn glanced at Viola and saw the same astonishment on her face.
She too had grasped the deep meaning of the duchess's last words. After a moment's thought, Viola said in bewilderment:
"The duchess has always been infallible at judging people. But I don't understand why she didn't offer you to become her student?"
"Maybe I'm not suited for it," Reyn was surprised himself.
Taking students was a common way to build ties in the mage world. If both sides agreed, teacher and student didn't have to belong to the same magic school. Teachers usually passed on not specific spells, but casting techniques and general magical knowledge.
For example, among the Silver Star Duchess's students were an elementalist from the Law Seals School, a battle mage like Magister Griffiths, and even an elven sorcerer. The duchess herself belonged to the Soul Lords School and was the High Council's only All-Souls Mage.
No one would refuse an offer to become a Holy Soul Mage's student. Reyn certainly would have been thrilled.
Alas, the Silver Star Duchess seemed to have no such intentions.
Viola looked disappointed, but Reyn took it more calmly—such things couldn't be forced. His gaze fell on "Song of the Azure Sky" in his hands, and his eyes lit with genuine excitement.
An epic magical sword! A weapon countless spellcasters dreamed of now belonged to him!
He gripped the hilt, feeling the powerful energy emanating from the blade.
Viola couldn't hide her admiration either. After admiring the sword for a moment, she smiled:
"Reyn, want to test it in the shop's training hall?"
The Violet House sold various magical goods, including weapons. The ground floor had a spacious training hall where customers could test purchased gear.
"Great idea."
Reyn followed her downstairs to the training hall.
He raised his hand to cast Dragon Strength Art on himself and already felt the difference mid-cast. As the spell formed, "Song of the Azure Sky"'s energy merged with his spiritual power, harmonizing perfectly and activating his spiritual elements. The spell instantly rose one circle, its power surging sharply.
A clear phantom dragon head descended on Reyn, covering his body in a layer of scaly skin. At the same time, he felt immense strength flood his veins.
His Dragon Strength Art was originally second circle, but with "Song of the Azure Sky," it rose to third!
Reyn carefully attuned to the sensations. Third-circle Dragon Strength Art boosted his physical strength by about ten thousand pounds sterling—nearly three times more than the second-circle spell. Normally, the gain from a third-circle spell wasn't so dramatic, but Reyn's own colossal strength amplified the boost to astonishing levels.
Reyn no longer knew the limit of his current power. His seventh-level strength had long surpassed all imaginable human limits. For training, he used massive iron blocks; even the heaviest at ten thousand pounds sterling lifted easily. Now, under third-circle Dragon Strength Art, his strength, by Reyn's calculations, should reach fifty thousand pounds sterling!
However, advancing strength to seventh level and Steel Body to third had seemingly reduced his speed. Thanks to Will of Truth, his mind reacted lightning-fast, but his body—like cast metal, incredibly tough and strong—had lost agility. A imbalance, like a barrel with one short stave.
"In the future, I must integrate speed-boosting elements. Can't let this become my weakness," Reyn decided mentally.
He then tested further, firing Reynbow Ray forward.
This spell also rose to third circle via "Song of the Azure Sky." Its range extended to an impressive twelve meters, the beam thickened, and it gained a new effect: burning. Not ordinary flame, but secret fire—a translucent blue-violet blaze enveloping the target, extremely hard to extinguish. Without sufficient magical protection, it could burn a victim alive.
Reyn was thrilled. Finally, he had a truly powerful offensive spell.
He experimented a bit longer, getting used to "Song of the Azure Sky"'s enchantments. Spells enhanced by the sword cost the same spiritual power as before, but casting time increased slightly. Heighten spell only affected spells he cast himself; those activated via Rune Book or other enchanted items weren't boosted.
As for twin spell, Reyn triggered it only once after over ten attempts at Reynbow Ray. When it happened, the beam became incredibly thick and long, like two spells merged, its power utterly terrifying.
"This is a critical hit!"
Reyn initially burned to master the technique but quickly realized its difficulty.
Twin spell was a pinnacle of metamagic. It demanded perfect understanding of the spell, ideal control over magic formation from spiritual power and its principles. Achieving such mastery required long research and deliberate spell refinement. The slightest error could cause casting failure or backlash.
Usually, mages just used spiritual power to activate secret elements. They didn't delve into spell formation subtleties or fine energy control—like driving an automatic car: it goes, fine. Such casting lacked finesse.
True aces and pros preferred manual.
In magic too: various metamagic techniques—twin spell, quickened spell, empowered spell, maximized spell, delayed blast, timer, instant cast, silent cast, extend range, deflect, reflect, counterspell… Each had unique uses and was incredibly hard to master.
Strong casters mastered at least two or three. Each required profound grasp of spell principles.
The biggest challenge: metamagic wasn't universal. For example, quickened spell shortened casting time. To apply it to Fireball, a mage had to study that spell deeply, gradually reducing cast time. This took prolonged training, countless reps, and experiments to hone the skill, raise success rate, and achieve results.
But for another spell, the same deep study anew. Even if a spell rose circles and formation changed, re-study was needed, though easier than first time.
Time and energy are limited, so mastering metamagic for every spell is impossible. Most casters specialized in a few chosen spells. This underpinned Module School philosophy: better fewer, but better—master one spell perfectly, applying myriad metamagics to maximize potential.
Reyn mastered none yet. He'd only skimmed Reynbow Ray via "Research on Beam Spells," no time for deep study, so no techniques. Not even simplest: empowered spell.
Still, possessing legendary element Will of Truth should greatly ease future metamagic mastery. Magical research would come easier than for other mages.
Pondering this, Reyn fully grasped "Song of the Azure Sky"'s capabilities.
Viola, briefly away, returned to the training hall with black leather scabbards.
"The shop sells scabbards; these fit perfectly."
Reyn took them. Made from tough skin of some magical beast, simple-looking, inexpensive, perfect size for "Song of the Azure Sky."
He sheathed the sword. A side hook securely attached to his dragonhide belt. "Song of the Azure Sky"'s blade wasn't long; hanging at his waist, it didn't hinder movement.
"Heh-heh, not bad…"
Reyn patted the scabbard contentedly. Only the azure hilt showed; no one would guess it was epic gear. With a robe, he'd look like any ordinary caster.
He admired his prize a bit more, then remembered the main thing.
"Does the shop still have Soul Devouring Essence? I need one dose."
"You're doing the soul transformation ritual today?" Viola couldn't hide worry. "Isn't it too rushed? Maybe wait a few days until your soul's in peak condition?"
"No need; I'm at my peak now," Reyn shook his head.
His energy reserve fully recovered yesterday. Though he spent some testing, it'd replenish fast. Reyn was ready for soul transformation anytime and couldn't wait.
Seeing his resolve, Viola stopped persuading and ordered ritual prep. Prep was just mixing Soul Devouring Essence.
Reyn had undergone soul transformation once before. Now, with Bloody Soul Curse lifted, no mental protection scroll or aids needed. Just the rune table for transformation.
Essence prepared quickly. Recipe same for every transformation, even legendary level.
Reyn entered the room and lay on the rune table.
This time, Viola conducted it herself—no one else trusted. She strapped his hands and feet. Taking the syringe, she looked at lying Reyn seriously; she seemed more nervous than if doing it herself.
Reyn was utterly calm.
"Begin," he smiled.
Viola nodded, inserted the needle into his neck, and slowly injected a third of the essence.
The potion acted instantly. Icy cold struck his brain, tearing his soul with indescribable agony.
"Ugh…" Reyn groaned dully, clenched teeth, deep breath.
He'd pre-opened his phone interface, found the music player, played a track. Smooth melody filled his mind. Pain quickly ebbed, Reyn's face relaxed, breathing evened.
Viola had seen his prior transformation, so not too surprised, but watched intently, ready for surprises.
Time passed; injected dose nearly fully absorbed. This transformation much faster than first.
Reyn opened eyes.
"Continue," he said.
Viola injected another third—ten gills. Soon Reyn asked to continue; she injected the last.
Viola stood by the rune table, watching utterly relaxed Reyn, unsure how much envy in her heart. She remembered transformation ritual agony well, but Reyn's handling had nothing in common with others' struggles and screams—it was wholly different. Recalling losing control during her last transformation before Reyn, she still felt slight embarrassment.
Over half an hour passed.
Reyn opened eyes, said quietly:
"Done. You can unstrap me."
She hastily unbuckled. Reyn sat up, showing no discomfort, like after a short nap—no sweat.
Viola astonished. Clearly, another perfect soul transformation!
Noting Reyn's slightly distant gaze, Viola knew he assessed post-transformation changes, didn't want to disturb, quietly left.
Reyn moved to nearby sofa, waited silently.
As ritual ended and soul transformed, phone rebooted as expected.
Despite temporary loss of mutated phone, Reyn hadn't weakened. Prior integrated demonic souls and elements remained—protection, strength, spells—all functioned normally like any battle mage's, even stronger than pre-ritual. But no familiar phone aid felt very strange.
After some wait, a small red flower appeared—boot screen.
Reboot took about fifteen minutes.
Familiar phantom interface unfolded. Reyn eagerly studied, noting changes immediately.
Instead of three energy circles, now one, like after first soul transformation, symbolizing current level but higher rank. Filled just over twenty divisions. Meaning prior full reserve now one-fifth new max.
Reyn stood, approached room wall mirror, activated Eye of the Soul.
In mind: mighty soul, volume nearly fivefold larger, far sturdier. Center: sturdy World Tree, at least threefold taller. Three branches, seven leaves emitted golden glow.
Advancing beginner to intermediate mage brought far greater soul growth than normal superhumans. Usually, doubling spiritual power post-transformation excellent. Reyn knew—this perfect transformation effect.
Soul boost also affected some elements. Checking, Reyn found Dragon Strength Art and Reynbow Ray progress over half scale! Steel Body and The Force, already high-level, barely changed.
Nevertheless, Reyn was very pleased. He wasn't aiming for his elements to level up during the ritual itself—in the end, he could enhance them by absorbing souls. Far more important to him was learning whether the mutated phone had gained new functions.
To his mild disappointment, no new icons appeared this time. However, several existing ones seemed to have changed slightly.