Chapter 20 - Promotion

After a long and detailed conversation between Seraphine and Damian in his private chamber, Seraphine explained the intricacies of the power contained within the crimson crystal. She provided him with instructions on how to harness that power, but the method was far from pleasant.

The most effective way for Damian to absorb the power was to swallow the entire crystal, akin to taking a medicine. In the original story, Damian had resorted to devouring an entire demonic heart in his desperate pursuit of power. However, now he only needed to ingest the crystal, though its size still posed a challenge. Damian hesitated, his expression revealing his reluctance.

Seraphine, understanding the importance of this step, gently urged Damian to proceed. She assured him that the discomfort would be temporary and that the benefits would outweigh the initial unease. With some persuasion, Damian finally took a deep breath and swallowed the crystal, albeit with a noticeable look of discomfort.

Almost immediately, a surge of energy coursed through Damian's body. The pure demonic energy replaced the void left by his inability to manipulate mana. To Seraphine's relief, Damian remained composed and retained his sanity, a stark contrast to the tragic outcome depicted in the original story.

As the power of the crystal integrated with Damian's being, he felt a newfound strength and clarity of mind. The demonic energy seemed to suit him perfectly, enhancing his abilities without consuming his sanity. Damian's eyes shimmered with a mix of awe and gratitude as he realized the magnitude of the transformation he had undergone.

Seraphine watched him with a mix of pride and admiration. Her guidance had not only saved him from the devastating fate that awaited him in the original narrative but had also allowed him to harness his potential in a controlled and balanced manner.

"Seraphine, this is incredible!" Damian exclaimed with a mix of excitement and awe. His body radiated with the pure essence of demonic energy, rivaling that of the most powerful mages in their world. The transformation was beyond his wildest dreams.

Seraphine beamed with pride, her clapping hands reflecting her satisfaction. "Young master, you are now fully empowered with this remarkable energy. Congratulations." However, she quickly added a word of caution. "But remember, you must be discreet about your newfound power. Revealing it too openly might invite opposition and attempts to restrain you."

Seraphine's reminder was crucial. In the original story, the unleashed demonic power had led to catastrophic consequences, leaving a trail of destruction in Damian's wake. She was determined to prevent history from repeating itself and protect Damian from the perils of uncontrolled strength.

Damian nodded, understanding the weight of Seraphine's words. A smile graced his face as he replied, "Don't worry, Seraphine. I will only reveal a fraction of my power to the public, enough to showcase my capabilities without inciting fear or retaliation."

Just as Damian finished speaking, he rang the bell on his table, summoning Marcus, the trusted butler, into the room. Marcus entered promptly, his eyes filled with relief upon seeing Seraphine's fully recovered state.

"Marcus, I want Seraphine's room to be relocated as close to mine as possible. Ensure that she is provided with everything she needs," Damian commanded, his voice filled with authority and consideration. Marcus bowed respectfully, acknowledging the order and promising to fulfill it diligently.

"Does this mean..." Seraphine's voice trailed off, her disbelief evident. The magnitude of this achievement held great significance for Damian.

"From now on, Seraphine, you don't have to work as a maid anymore," Damian declared, his tone filled with certainty. "I want you to be my advisor and stay close to me. Can you do that?"

Seraphine was taken aback by the offer. It was a tremendous leap, from being a mere slave to becoming Damian's advisor. A smile gradually spread across her face as she realized the depth of trust and appreciation he had for her. She reached out and took his extended hand, their fingers intertwining.

"Young master, I am truly grateful," Seraphine replied, her voice filled with sincerity. "I promise to stay by your side and assist you in any way I can."

Damian couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth and affection towards Seraphine. Her genuine smile and unwavering loyalty touched his heart, causing his cheeks to redden slightly. He attempted to hide his bashfulness by using his free hand to cover his face, but his ears betrayed him, turning a shade of crimson.

"How cute..." Seraphine couldn't help but think to herself, finding Damian's flustered reaction endearing.

"Young master, our Seraphine truly brings out the best in you," Alice chimed in, adding a touch of playfulness to the conversation.

With her newfound privileges, Seraphine's duties have changed significantly. She is now a personal advisor to the young master, placing her in a position of authority and respect. This means that she no longer has to perform physically demanding tasks, as she is granted the privileges of a high-ranking servant.

Not long after discussing with Damian, Marcus led Seraphine down a long hallway to her brand-new quarters. Seraphine's room was much larger and more luxurious than the other servant rooms. It featured a large, comfortable bed, a writing desk, and a large window that faced the estate's gardens.

"Congratulations, Seraphine. Now you can enjoy your new room," Marcus said, gesturing to the sumptuous space. "You deserve it after all the hard work you've put in."

Marcus's expression showed that he was content with Seraphine's promotion. He is happy that Seraphine's ability is finally recognized by the young master.

As Seraphine walked through the spacious and opulently furnished chamber, she couldn't contain her excitement. It was a far cry from the modest servant quarters she had been accustomed to. The room seemed to have been designed for esteemed guests, and now it belonged solely to her.

She rested on her massive queen-sized bed, her mind at ease. The blankets felt soft and warm against her skin. She looked at the beautiful ceiling decor and felt a sense of warmth wash over her.

"This bed is really comfortable," she said out loud, the warmth of the comforter enveloping her in warmth and luxury. "It feels like I've become a noble daughter now."

Alice, hearing Seraphine's words, couldn't help but let out a small chuckle.

"Now, now, don't get too excited. We still have to prepare for tomorrow's work too," she said lightly, reminding Seraphine of her responsibilities.

Seraphine smirked. "I know, I know. Can't you just let me enjoy this a little bit?" she teased, her eyes closing as she soaked in the bliss of finally reaching her goal.

With her new privileges, Seraphine felt a sense of relief wash over her. She had reached her goal of not being killed or disdained by the young master.

However, it seems that the other servants were not pleased with her promotion. It appeared that their dislike for her was driven by feelings of jealousy and a desire to compete. However, Seraphine was unaware of their ill will and did not know that they had started making plans against her.