NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 23 - Encounter
Encounter
Isabella was smiling.
“Kyahah-“
Whether forced or instinctive.
She sat on the sofa in her dormitory room, tapping her feet excitedly.
Every time she did so, her sky-blue hair fluttered.
“……”
Because of this, the maid beside her was having trouble tying her hair.
But Isabella could hardly contain this exciting feeling.
The reason being that her plan to draw Arein into a duel had succeeded.
Arein, who would be in the room next to this dormitory right now. Would she know about the future that’s about to unfold?
“Hehe.”
Isabella picked up the ring to be used in the duel with her fingers and looked at it.
It had a subtle silver color.
Additionally, the chess piece Daim, who would serve as a witness, had been bought off.
All the groundwork was complete.
“Seta.”
“Yes, my lady.”
At Isabella’s words, Seta, who was tying her hair, bowed her head.
“And Harold.”
Isabella tapped Harold’s head with her foot.
“Y-Yes!”
He was prostrating himself so low he could almost stick to the floor, serving as Isabella’s footrest.
“You both did well.”
At Isabella’s halfhearted praise, they both spoke in unison.
“Thank you.”
“When this duel is over, I’ll personally look after you both.”
“Thank you. Thank you.”
As if these two had no pride, they expressed their gratitude repeatedly.
Isabella picked up a chocolate and unwrapped it.
A dark chocolate with deep flavor. It looked very appetizing.
“Yum.”
Swallow if sweet, spit if bitter…
That was her business philosophy.
The main source of income for House Izanek was based on profiting from the distribution of supplies between the recurring wars between the Empire and demon race.
War is profitable for third parties.
This was possible because House Izanek could understand the needs of both sides under the pretext of researching demons.
However, since the temporary peace treaty was signed, opportunities for business had been gradually disappearing.
So what should be done?
Simply put, start another war.
Even if not war, if they can at least create tension between both sides, they can exploit the frontier nobles who desperately try to protect their property.
Isabella rolls the chocolate between her teeth and tongue, letting it melt slowly.
“Mmm.”
On the surface, the Imperial Academy tries to maintain the appearance of a calm lake.
Isabella had decided to use this place even before enrollment.
And she chose Arein S. Asphodel, the demon race exchange student, as the sacrifice to create ripples.
Isabella’s plan is quite simple.
In a duel witnessed by various social classes, she will use Seta to kill her.
And then use Daim Patrick, who has nothing left to lose, to disguise it as an unfortunate accident.
Due to deeply rooted perceptions about demon race, humans are more despicable than one might think.
Even if it’s called an accident, would there be any demon who wouldn’t be enraged by the death of an Asphodel family daughter?
Isabella is also quite curious whether this will indeed become the kindling to start the fire.
“Hehehe.”
Just thinking about it makes her laugh.
Arein and her demon servant Lee Ha-yu. Their suspicious relationship.
And him, wanting to break the familiar bond without his master’s knowledge.
“Lee Ha-yu. You’re lucky… ah…”
Isabella let out a moan for a while, intoxicated by the excitement flowing through her entire body.
* * *
-Tap tap tap.
After the class on etiquette for sophisticated servants, I’m crossing through Lachesis Academy again today.
Because it’s the day of Arein’s hellishly far basic alchemy practice.
-Sparkle.
With each step I take, the pendant Floria gave me shines.
I’m glad I left it behind when I went to Arein’s room yesterday. If I had shown this, I would have had a hard time explaining.
“Phew.”
My shoulder still aches.
The spot where she fed was so swollen it was visible at a glance.
“But I went through with it…”
That night, Arein wasn’t her usual dignified self.
Probably because she wasn’t feeling well.
Moreover, thinking I had to be assertive, I did things I would never do normally.
By now, Arein must have noticed this.
‘I’ll be more careful today.’
The time for breaking the familiar bond is approaching anyway. If I can just maintain this relationship without any problems…
“Finally, I’ll see the light.”
My fists clench tightly.
According to Isabella’s note, the duel will be held next week.
She said it takes some time because observers need to come and proper formalities need to be arranged.
I’ve already met the conditions, so regardless of the duel’s outcome, Isabella will help me break the familiar bond.
Of course, if I lose the duel, Daim will use various tricks to try to expel me as per the bet, but at least I can break free from being a servant, right?
A reward more important than winning or losing awaits.
‘…Still, would it be better to win?’
As a farewell gift, I’m thinking of giving my all in the duel.
Though I wonder if anything will change even if I do my best, not giving it my all might look suspicious in its own way.
‘Once I’m freed from servitude, I’ll leave right away.’
If there’s one thing that really bothers me a little, it’s that it makes me reconsider whether what I’m doing is right.
Of course, I don’t feel any guilt towards the House of Asphodel.
But from their perspective, they’ll consider my actions as betrayal.
‘…Am I crazy?’
They’re just bats who’ve lived well enough for centuries without me anyway.
I must have gained enough composure to think like this.
I wonder who’s worried about whom.
“Remaining Seven Deadly Sins points.”
– – – – Status – – – –
Remaining Seven Deadly Sins points: 22
Strength: 10
Endurance (Mental Power): 10
Intelligence: 5
Magic Power: 10
Flexibility: 8
Luck: 1
– – – – End Status – – – –
After bloodsucking ended at 19 points, I gained 3 more points from gluttony. Therefore, I have a surplus of 22 points.
‘Where should I use them?’
Wouldn’t it be best to increase magic power and learn the next skill?
But there’s one stat that catches my eye.
[Flexibility: 8]
‘It’s bothering me….’
Just 2 points would make it 10.
Can’t resist those 2 points.
“Flexibility 2 points.”
[※Flexibility 8->10 complete.]
[Flexibility has risen to level 2]
[Blood consumption reduced by 10%]
[Blood magic proficiency has risen to level 2]
Hooh. The consumption reduction is really worthwhile.
‘What’s proficiency?’
[Blood magic up to apprentice rank will not fail. Incantations can be omitted]
‘Ah…’
While the elimination of blood magic failures is significant, not having to chant hot spells during the day is even better. I should have gotten this earlier.
[Remaining Seven Deadly Sins Points: 20]
20 points remaining.
‘Intelligence must increase the coefficient of magic-related skills, so is luck all that’s left?’
I can’t get a sense of what luck might do.
‘Oh well, might as well give it a try.’
Let’s have a taste while praying for the fate of the future without subordinates.
“Luck 9 points.”
[※Luck 1->10 Complete.]
[Luck has risen to level 2]
[The Goddess of Fortune gives you a faint smile]
[You can acquire a hidden skill among blood magic skills]
[※]
“Oh.”
I want to say that, but this is an untrustworthy game. Don’t jump to conclusions, check the precautions first.
-Ding
[※Precautions]
[This only applies when 30 seconds pass in the blood magic skill selection window and no skill is selected.]
“As expected.”
When I raise my magic power rank and receive a new blood magic skill list, I have to choose within 30 seconds.
That’s how I chose equivalent exchange.
So the hidden skill might appear only when taking the risk of randomization.
Typical wordplay from a trash game.
“Should I try it?”
I’m the protagonist of this game anyway. Having luck probably means I should give it a try, right?
“10 points to magic power.”
[※Magic Power 10->20 Complete.]
[Blood Magic-Beginner -> Blood Magic-Apprentice]
[Will advance to Skilled rank when Magic Power reaches 30 points]
[Random skills have been generated]
[※You can select one of the 3 generated random skills]
[※Unselected skills may reappear next time]
[※If no selection is made within 30 seconds, one will be randomly selected]
The popup messages I had already seen appear.
And.
-Ding
——————————-
[Blood Veil(Magic)-Active]
Creates a veil of blood using Blood that can be used both offensively and defensively.
[Blood Seal Kill(Physical)-Passive]
All spells are maximized when remaining Blood is 30 or below.
[Blood Sphere (Magic) – Active]
Launches a sphere-shaped strike using Blood. Good cost-effectiveness.
——————————-
‘So it’s here.’
I quickly scanned through the skills just in case.
Among these, the skill with the most synergy would probably be Blood Person Killer.
Because you can reduce blood through equivalent exchange, and when in Blood Person Killer state, spell maximization allows for stat boosting.
Plus, since I’ve already invested points in strength, it could affect physical coefficients too.
However, it’s a berserker style that’s most efficient when near death.
‘Doesn’t really suit me.’
On the other hand, Blood Curtain and Blood Sphere allow the use of magic.
While it might not be good for people to know I can use magic, it would be useful in emergency situations.
[Time remaining until selection complete: 15 seconds]
What should I do.
[Time remaining until selection complete: 13 seconds]
Alright, let’s leave it to fate.
.
.
.
[※Selection failed within 30 seconds, random selection will be made.]
“Please!”
[Hidden skill selection failed!]
[Random skill will be selected]
——————————-
[Blood Curtain (Magic) – Active] (new!)
Creates a curtain of blood using Blood that can be used both offensively and defensively.
Activation phrase: ‘Blood tempered by blood’
——————————-
This damn X game.
At this point, it’s clear the developer made this to mess with me.
Half-baked explanation. Half-baked starting conditions. Half-baked abilities.
And no luck on top of that.
Can’t help but curse at this point.
Anyway, while grumbling, I found myself at the supply room of the Transformation Chamber.
I sighed and pulled out Arein’s note from my chest.
“Sigh… Let’s see.”
———————-
Supply Room A-012
Nepenthes Powder: 1 small bottle
Feronica leaf: 1
Come without delay
———————-
The cool handwriting seems to suggest that Arein has returned to her original merciless self.
‘This is somewhat eerie, isn’t it?’
Not just the writing, but the supply room has such a different atmosphere that it’s hard to believe it’s the same transformation corridor.
Iron doors large enough for one person to enter are placed at wide intervals along the hallway.
.
.
.
“A-011, A-012…”
It wasn’t difficult to find what I was looking for.
“Is this it?”
Come to think of it, Arein didn’t give me a key.
I pulled the doorknob without hesitation.
-Clank.
Contrary to expectations, the door opened very easily.
As if pulling me in.
-Hisssssss-
‘What… is this?’
A thick fog fills the room completely.
-……
Through the haze, there’s someone there. Is it Arein?
“…Miss?”
Judging by the figure, it’s a woman sitting against the wall, with a silhouette wearing a hat.
-Whoosh
The fog gradually clears.
‘Ah.’
And what I encountered was…
The Imperial Princess.
The sixth-ranked Imperial Princess from the Imperial Palace whom I saw in the previous class…
Doll-like beautiful features with blonde hair. Even the mysterious aura symbolizing the imperial family.
But there was something different.
Her originally emerald-colored eyes were now crimson, and above that small face, massive horns like those of a sheep curved outward.
‘What is crazy?’
In this situation, ‘encounter’ would be more fitting than ‘meeting’.
This forgotten dreamlike feeling is the same emotion I felt when I first met Arein.
Um…
Why does the Empire’s princess have horns? Is this cosplay?
And they’re in the exact shape of the high-ranking Pandemonium demon’s horns that I saw just once in the past.
……
She was looking at me with a dreamy gaze.
As if she had been watching me for a long time.
“Um… this is Lady Arein’s storage room…”
She blinks in response to my words. Each time, her eyes glimmer crimson.
“……”
In this world, red eyes are… exclusive to demon-kind.
I could draw a conclusion.
The Imperial Princess is a demon.
And a high-ranking one at that.
And I…
-CRASH!
“Shit…”
This is different from Floria. That mist was entirely the princess’s mana.
And I had entered her unique barrier.
“I’m screwed.”
I sensed it.
That I was an uninvited guest.
And that today I was completely out of luck.
The only thought dominating my mind was that I needed to get out immediately.
Get out? Run away?
“Um… excuse me…”
-SWOOSH!
At that moment, something flew at me and struck.