"Hmm, so this is how they work."
I'm currently looking at myself in the mirror while wearing the monocle I looted from the cult.
Apparently, it shows someone's potential for Mana Root.
Allow me to explain!
Mana root is where one stores their mana in their body from the surroundings. Basically, it's like your Max MP in your classic RPG.
Almost everyone in this world has mana roots, though the size is different for each. Somehow my mana capacity is hella massive. Well, I kinda know the reason though.
There are three ways that you could expand your mana roots: First, force yourself into the state of mana exhaustion over and over again, which I've been doing since the moment I could walk, secretly, of course.
I mean, I almost died dozens of times, but the result makes it worth it.
The second is to get into a death-or-alive situation, a fight to the death will force your mana roots to expand and make them stronger so the vessel higher chance to survive.
I've been killing bandits and bunches of criminals since I was five, so that's that.
And Third, is by consuming outside things. For example, consider the Blood of Transformation that Santiago drank.
Which I planned to abuse the moment I got some of that, there are so many experiments I want to run with the blood.
But, for now, I have to figure out how to fool this Monocle. The me that I see in the mirror has so much Mana surrounding my body, though this Monocle is pretty uncommon, I just can't risk it.
I already have two ways in mind.
The first one is to learn 'Mist of Falsification' which is a 4th-tier illusion that hides the user's strength from even the trained eyes, but it's still not yet proven the spell will work against the monocle.
The second way is to change my mana root completely.
This monocle, called 'The Monocle of Truth' granted the user ability to see someone's mana root potential, and only the mana root.
Other than mana root, the monocles couldn't detect it. Now I just need to figure out a way to change my root structure completely.
How would I do that?
I'm planning to destroy my root and recreate it with other things, like demonic blood.
The demonic blood of transformation will forcefully expand the mana root of the consumers. If I consume the blood excessively, my mana root will be destroyed, and I will rebuild it in an instant using the demonic energy from the blood.
If I failed, I would die, but I just have to go for it.
The question is, How the fuck am I supposed to get the blood? I hope the research file I sent to my dad could help me with it.
The story of the book only started when the protagonist's village got attacked by the Demonic Cult and his power increased tremendously with the blessing of the goddess Athena, and then time-jumped to the Academy, which will happen 7 years from now. So I legit don't know what's going on before that.
"Huft... For now, I guess I need to visit the orphanage and explain this monocle to the twin. Also, I'll definitely need to learn more spells."
The fight with Santiago makes me realize something: that I'm just a frog in a well. If Santiago wanted to, he could kill me in an instant. The only reason I won was that he needed to hold back his strength so he did not end up killing me so he could use me as material to create Abyss.
For example, he did not use his Wind Magic in his Demonic Form since that thing would cut me in half. I don't know if I could block his Wind Blade in his Demonification Form with my current strength.
I'll become stronger, I have to visit the black market and buy that damn illusion spellbook and finally become a damn illusionist. And if somehow the 5 million I got from the bandit camp isn't enough and the spellbook falls into another hand, I just need to follow who dares and take it by force, which is a brilliant plan.
There are so many things to do for an eight-year-old, this world is cruel.
Well, for now, let's see Ethan and Emma. My first two tool-, I mean subordinates.
◆
"Wait for long?"
I stand on the orphanage rooftop under the night sky with my Phantom persona, looking all cool and mysterious.
This feels great, to be honest.
Now, do reply with some cool-sounding dialogue, my tools!
"Finn, we've waited according to your instructions."
"Finn, is there anything we can do?"
Call me Phantom, damn it. Don't ruin the atmosphere like that.
"Emma, how is your condition since that night?"
"Umm... I still have trouble sleeping, but I have to work even harder!"
I narrowed my eyes and analyzed her face, how easily her eyebag could be seen told everything, but since she decided to play it tough, I shall respect her decision and play along.
"It is good that you have the resolve. For now, I will explain why those cultists are targeting both of you."
There is a slight quiver in her eyes. She looks so pale that even hearing the word "Cultist" makes her remember that night.
"Take a look at this."
I threw the monocle, and Ethan caught it.
"That thing right there is called the 'Monocle of Truth' Wear it, you'll understand."
"...? Kghh-"
He winces and shakes. Ethan closes his eyes, covering them with both of his arms. As Emma reaches her hand to her brother's shoulder.
"Onii-chan, are you okay?"
"Pretty bright, eh? First time seeing Mana?"
"What's happening?"
Ethan slowly opened his eyes, still confused about the situation.
"Now that you have taken a look at me, how about turning your eyes to your sister?"
Taking a slight peek, worried because of the light, Ethan makes a puzzled face while staring at Emma.
"Don't worry so much, the difference in mana between me and her is sky and earth."
What Ethan sees surrounding me was a blue light so bright it almost blinds him. But the light surrounding Emma is much, much dimmer.
"How about you try too, Emma?"
Her chest tightens, and she hesitates a little bit. But, she has decided to be useful and not slow down the person who has saved her.
"Just be careful, don't stare at me for too long."
Ethan gives his sister the monocle.
She looked at me with narrowed eyes before shaking and lowering her head.
"Now compare it to your brother."
It doesn't take long for Emma to make the same puzzled expression as Ethan did.
"Though it might look dim, that much mana is incredibly strong for a kid your age."
"E-emm, W-what is this Mana?"
Slowly taking off the monocle and giving it to me, Emma tilts her head.
"To explain it the way you could understand, it's basically a magical energy that surrounds this world."
After a brief explanation of how mana and mana root work, Ethan asks me a question.
"But, what does this amount to in terms of the cultist objectives?"
"It's because both of your mana roots have so much potential in them."
"Potential?"
"While it doesn't look like that when compared to mine, I'm merely an exception. For kids your age, the amount of mana that you both could store inside your Mana Pool is very, very high."
"W-which means?"
"Hmm?"
Emma looks at me with her pupil brightening, she's surprisingly taking quite an interest in this topic.
"Which means you both are very talented individuals in terms of magical capabilities."
"Magic!!"
Emma raised her voice slightly, I was taken aback by her eagerness. This is the first time I saw Emma with this much spirit.
"A-ah sorry."
Taken back to reality, Emma couldn't help but lower her eyes, her cheeks started to blush heavily.
"Sorry, Finn. Emma has always dreamed to become a magician, though because of our situation, she has never had the chance to truly learn any of about Magic."
"Onii-chan!"
Emma stomps her small feet and makes a cute pout, she looks like one of those chipmunks right now.
"Well, that's good to hear. Since you have the talent to wield magic,"
"R-really?"
"I can assure you that."
Upon hearing this statement, Emma smiles from ear to ear.
"So, the cultist objectives are to kidnap a bunch of children with Mana Root potential?"
The word 'Cultist' once again makes Emma falter, but she quickly covers it up with a forced smile.
"Yes and no. While it's true the cultists kidnapped children with potential, their true outlook lies beyond that. It was to create Abyss."
Ethan takes a step back and gulps. Now that he knows how Abyss was created, thinking that is how he and his sister could've ended gives him a shiver.
"So children with big mana roots became a great material to create those things?"
"Yes, since you already read from the book, you must've known how terrifying those beasts are."
"So they collect children like us..."
"Yes."
"And the Abyss all this time that got defeated by the Knights was."
"Children."
The two faces become pale, especially Emma's.
Even though she had already resolved herself, she was still overtaken by the truth. How many other innumerable children like her have fallen victim?
"What should we do?"
"For now, I want the both of you to learn magic under my direction."
"...Could we do anything against them? Even the Knights struggled against the Cult."
"I understand you're still unconvinced. But, hear me out."
Ethan and Emma are waiting for my answer.
"My original mana root before was above average at most, maybe even lower than you both."
"...?"
"W-what? There's no way. I mean, when we take a look at you...
"There's a way to expand your mana root, a way that few know."
"...?"
I take a couple of Mana crystals from my shadow pocket and give them to the twin.
"This is?"
"Focus, try to imagine the mana inside your root is in your command."
Soon as I said that, the stone in Ethan's hand turned pitch black, and Emma turned bright golden.
"Black and Gold, Darkness and Light."
So Ethan got a pitch-black, huh? Not bad, even though both of them could only use one element, but that makes them easier to control since they don't need to share their Mana Root with other elements.
"So I got darkness, just like you."
"Not really. My main element was water, and darkness was my second."
"...? But-"
"I use water when I am undercover, and darkness when I operate."
"Really? So, you even better in Water Magic?"
"I'm not bad at it, but since my fighting style depends more on trickery, I'm focusing myself on darkness magic secretly. Also, darkness magic is really hard to see when you're fighting at night. It's just the best possible technique for me."
I just chose Darkness because it's cool, but I don't think I need to say that to him.
"T-then, mine is light-"
As if waiting for my approval, Emma asks me worriedly. Did I somehow become someone she admires?
Either way, it feels good when others think highly of me.
"Light, huh? Since I've never touched that magic before, I can't give you much help with it. But I know the light attribute is seen pretty strongly around the world."
It's the protagonist's attribute after all.
Though darkness is indeed my friend, it's not like I hate light. After all, Light and Shadow are two sides of the same coin.
Actually, the opposite of Light and Shadow between Emma and Ethan makes it even cooler.
So I will not neglect Emma in her training just because she got Light!
"I-I see! I will work hard!"
"But still, we never learned magic before."
"It's fine. I'll return at this hour tomorrow to give you both a basic spellbook for learning."
Though Tier 1 and 2 of magic spells don't require a spellbook to learn, that only applies if you have a tutor. Which I, as a noble, have. It is possible to learn one without a spellbook or tutor, but one needs a really deep understanding of magic itself. So Ethan and Emma, who are very inexperienced could never do that.
"Now, I want you both to calm yourself mentally and keep laying low. Make sure absolutely no one else knows about this."
"If that's what you want."
Having nothing else to say, I was ready to cast Shadowstep and teleport away menacingly before Emma called me.
"Finn, wait!"
I turn around and look at Emma, who is fidgeting nervously.
"Hm, Is there anything else?"
She looks up as if she's scared she will bother me with what she says.
"Again, thank you... for everything."
This girl is really sweet, I can't believe I had the nerve to consider deleting her a couple chapters ago.
*SLAP*
I slapped myself with new determination. I must protect this creature named Emma from harm, and there is nothing that you can do to stop me.
"...?"
"W-why are you slapping yourself? Are you okay?"
"Don't worry, I just steeled my heart to not make the same mistake again."
"M-mistake?"
"Anyway, you're welcome."
Realizing I'm not angry at her, Emma beams with a gaze full of hope.
"I'll work hard to meet your expectations!"
"Fumu, that's the spirit. However, don't force yourself too hard or you'll make your brother worry if you fall sick."
"Okay! I'll work hard to not fall sick!
It looks like Emma is the type that will get better the more compliments she gets, I'll remember that.
Anyhow, I'm glad her face looks way better than before.
"Also, call me Phantom when I was in this form. It would be bad if my real name got leaked after all."
"O-okay! Phantom!"
Ooh, that's the first time I've heard someone call me that. This delights me, you're already doing a good job, Emma.
As I vanished into the dark for real this time, I started thinking of a cool code name for them both. After all, they'll be my precious tools—I mean, subordinates in the future.