I stood in the the Pine Household's garden. Trying to attempt get a better grasp of my fighting style.
So… what were my strengths?
In order to figure out my capabilities, it was best to use whatever I had in my arsenal at the moment.
Which was why I tried out the three Magic Circles I was able to use: One Technique, Two Attributes.
The first one was the Heavenly Constellation Sword Magic Circle. The real name of my 'Sword Circle'.
It had one ability: 'Hack'.
But wasn't it time to demonstrate what it could do.
My eyes looked over the complicated magical circuitry on the Magic and reached out to grasp it.
Moving it with my will along with my hand.
There were a few trees in the garden to practice on currently. The silver Sword Circle placed onto it.
'Imbue…' I willed the Magic to take effect, and a loud banging sound shook the tree violently.
When the dust settled, one could make out a dent in the tree in the shape of regular sword thrust.
The effect was exactly how I envisioned it to be.
It didn't take any more testing for me to realise that this 'Hack' effect could take shape however I liked.
Whether it be cutting or stabbing, so long as it was a 'Heavy Blow', the properties could shift easily.
Direction and depth were within my control range.
But this wasn't all.
It wouldn't live up to being a Technique-based Magic Circle using the Heavenly Constellation swordsmanship if this was all. Nothing about it would be special if that was all it had going for it.
Attribute Circles usually stopped at only being able to 'Imbue' their effects. Activating it upon touch.
But Technique-based Magic Circles had more variations the higher their grade and quality.
I reached out towards the ground in front of the tree and grabbed a branch, then tried my next experiment. Rather than imbuing the effect onto the branch, the next Sword Circle fused into it.
'Enchant…' It was a sort of enhancement that burdened an object by ingraining Magic onto it.
The moment I pushed the Sword Circle into the branch, the firmness of the wood deteriorated.
Making it more fragile…
The branch was used to strike the tree, and another similar 'bang' resounded upon being hit.
The Sword Circle effect, 'Hack', made another deep cut on the side of the tree. The same as my stroke.
Although the control lowered and the branch snapped straight after, 'Enchant' was a good skill.
It was able to implant Mana into objects so they could be used as mediums to apply it on others.
Of course, that's only if the object could house my Sword Circle in the first place. It was a bearable condition. Not as bad as it could be. For that, I'd decided to call this effect a simple name: 'Slash'.
It was time to move onto the next method.
There were two variations left.
I picked up another branch and used 'Reinforce' to sharpen its edge, then hit the tree with it again.
The branch snapped again, but there wasn't much damage done to the tree despite having broken it.
I realised the difference.
'The branch was sharper, but that was it.' I thought while looking closer at the small cut on the tree.
This wasn't to say that Sharpening objects was useless. It just had a different use that attacking.
And was arguably more useful than the former two.
Which wasn't something I could say for the last variation. Which was to manifest the effect itself.
Or rather, the sword behind the 'Hack' effect.
I tried to use 'Manifest', but all I got was only being able to barely maintain the image of a spirit blade.
An astral sword of Mana.
It felt like the Sword Circle didn't have the strength to maintain this variation, which I needed to master.
This was the limit of my Sword Circles.
I'd felt like I could probably manifest around three or more of them at once. A good start for me.
Which was when I moved onto the 'Attribute Circle' I found I was able to use. All from my Toxic Blade.
It felt ironic that despite how useful 'Insightful Savant' and 'Blood Nurturer' was, they didn't have any inherent affinity to give me. Only Toxic Blade seemed to have quite a few Attributes to give me.
'Evil', 'Sin', 'Blood', and 'Death'.
The latter two likely due to the Gift called 'Dhampir Blade', as it made Ghouls and Vampires originally.
Maybe because of how my Gift and new racial characteristics as an Incubus resonated, I was able to delve deep and understand what exactly was the difference between its 'Original' and 'Sin' State.
The Original State of Evil Magic was just that: It was what people imagined 'vile things' to be.
Corruptive, damaging, ruining, polluting…
Anything that could be attributed to 'Evil' WAS the Attribute of Evil. It had deep poisonous properties.
Which was why it had the imbued effect: 'Taint'.
On the other hand, 'Sin States' varied depending on what Sin was being the focus of the change.
Wrath was like fire. It burnt and destroyed whatever it wanted, but also halted progress.
But mine was different.
As an incarnation of sex, it was obvious that my Sin State was also that. The 'Lust State' of pleasures.
Purely physical and deprave.
It was likely why the Lust State of Evil Magic was practically a replica of the Yang Attribute of Mana.
With it, I could use the same ability as Sophia Hildegard. Able to 'Tremor' and break bodies.
Of course, this was influenced by kinky imaginations. Used for more 'intimate' activities.
Still, its original use to break up bodies was there.
If only I was good enough to figure out how to use my Death Attribute or Blood Attribute, but that was only a dream at this point. 'Insightful Savant' wasn't all-powerful, even that had limitations.
Unable to go beyond a certain point.
Moreover, it wasn't like I'd hit my limit yet. There was still something I'd been thinking of using.
I crossed my arms and started to hype myself up for what was coming, only to notice a presence.
Clarissa seemed to be watching.
"What were you working on?" I stopped my actions and turned to ask her. Her reaction was sweet.
She seemed to be getting more intimate lately…
Especially with how she walked into my personal space, put her arm around my waist in a 'manly' way, and spoke to me softly. There wasn't any need to speak to loudly when she'd got this close to me.
I didn't push her away.
"A surprise… Anyway, how have you been lately? I see you're getting the hang on things?" Clarissa was being weird. Treating me like a woman she was seducing by sneaking some ass stroking action.
Was this considered sexual harassment?
I'm pretty sure no one would believe me if I said a woman was violating my rear with her hands.
Phew… Good thing 'Insightful Savant' was helping me control myself to not get turned on by all this.
A girl was touching me…! Ah~ What do I do~?!
Ahem…
"I was about to awaken the true powers of an Incubus King." These words made her eyes brighten somewhat. She seemed interested in seeing how it was done. A look I could understand.
"How do you do it?" Clarissa lifted me higher into her eye level, which made my heart start gasping.
Fuck, I couldn't ignore it.
"Let go." At my outwardly cold words, the girl let go of me and lifted her hands as if saying she's guilty.
But I didn't pursue it. Instead, continuing:
"Anyway, I'll show you myself." I said while crossing my arms again, then let a rush of adrenaline flow in.
Hyping my mind and heightening my senses.
"…ARGH!" A short roar resounded from my mouth.
A surge of energy I had only ever felt from the Evil and Lust Attribute Magic Circles flowed from my horns and into the rest of me. It made me feel like I was originally a husk. Lifeless as a demonic entity.
Now, I felt truly alive.
Mana… Had originally seemed intangible despite being part of my body, now had an innate affinity.
Like it was an appendage.
When my true form as an Incubus King became more defined, so did a few vein of blood vessels to my arm. My right hand became flooded with enough Evil Mana that it became more powerful.
Hmmm… What should I name this? Evil Arm?
No, too simple. Since it was the embodiment of pagan and satanic beliefs, I'll call it 'Pagan Hand'.
My sense for magic sharpened to the point I could clearly sense my new specialty in terms of magic.
But I wasn't sure if I should be happy.
Putting the information together made it like this:
[Name: Adam Graham
Spirit Horns: Pagan Hand
• Innate Skill: ???
Lust Demon: Incubus King
• Class Skill: Sex Prodigy
• Class Skill: ???
Magic Specialty (Sensual Touch)
Evil Mana: ???]
It was a messy compilation of data, but it was enough to get the sense of what this was about.
Such a thing made sense. An Incubus King's specialty SHOULD consist of lustful abilities.
The powers flowing through my veins would also be dyed with Evil Mana. Making me an evil entity.
But didn't that make me more susceptible to exorcism? It looked like I'd have to live in fear.
Hoping judgement wouldn't pass on my sinful self.
"Why don't you give it a try too?" I turned around to look at Clarissa, who was looking wide-eyed.
"Ummm… How?" Since Clarissa didn't have my perspective, it was hard for her to grasp what I did.
"Your horns should be filled with 'Evil Mana'. Try to circulate it through your entire body." This simple instruction from me allowed her to understand my actions. She also stood still and let it circulate.
Like a baby breathing its first breath.
She too awakened completely as a Demon, and I could sense similar amounts of Evil Mana from her.
The only thing awkward was the difference.
I'm not sure if it was because of her being a Succubus Queen or random chance, but it looked like she didn't gain a 'Pagan Hand'. Instead, the demonic energy focused entirely on her left eye.
The moment she was done transforming herself, I started to curiously ask about these differences:
"What's your magic specialty?"
"I think it's something like… 'Ocular Charm'?" The mercenary girl closed her eye while rubbing it.
Yeah… The feeling was different now, wasn't it?
We decided to exchange more information and techniques at that point. I taught her 'Sword Circles', but she still kept quiet about the surprise from earlier. Only making me more curious about it.
I'd expected her to put up some formalities and refuse to learn, but she was eager about learning.
Making the atmosphere lighter.
It was the first time I'd felt comfortable with someone other than my family. She was so clear.
A woman with no formalities.
However, if I was to nitpick, then I'd say that was what put me off with her. Her greed was too clear.
She wasn't trying to seduce me because she liked me. Everything was for reviving her fallen family.
While I was teaching her the Technique Circle and we exchanged more information, I talked about it:
"Even if you had money, would you be able to revive your family?" My words made her halt.
She looked up at me.
"Even if you had power, would you be able to threaten the world? Do evil?" Clarissa retorted.
I couldn't reply to that so easily.
"I'm trying my best here." (Adam)
"And so am I. It wasn't like I asked for those bastards to ruin my sister and home." (Clarissa)
"Me too…" (Adam)
"I wasn't trying to mess with you. It's hard to say you would be able to do anything alone." (Clarissa)
"Even with you here?" (Adam)
"Even with me here. Yeah." (Clarissa)
"Then I need to find more allies. Evil ones. Those I hope die a painful death and can do evil." (Adam)
"You're planning on using criminals?" (Clarissa)
"Pretty much." (Adam)
"Doesn't seem like a bad plan at all… but it isn't like petty thieves will be useful." She rolled her eyes.
It was at that point I decided to make some plans to get useful pawns. Looking for them online.
Alive criminals sentenced for life sentences for serial killings, murders, abuse, and even rape.
Getting the worst of scum on my side.
The plan was coming together. After that, all I'd need to do was to close my eyes to look around.
See how the dominos fell.