I found myself lay on my bedroom, slowly regaining my senses. I tried to move my legs, but they felt unresponsive. I looked around, and it all came back to me—the encounter with Lilith, the pact, and the pendant he now clutched in his hand. It wasn't a dream; it was real.
As I look beside me, I noticed my stepmother, Amelia, sleeping in a chair nearby. She looked exhausted. I feel guilty for causing her worry. Suddenly, Amelia opens her eyes to see him awake.
"Zach! You're finally awake. You've been unconscious for three days," Amelia said, concern evident in her voice.
"Three days?" I was surprised. I hadn't realized so much time had passed.
"Yes, you've been sleeping like a log," Amelia chuckled softly. "Elara came by every day to check on you. She just left about an hour ago and will be back tomorrow."
"Thanks, Amelia," I replied, grateful for Elara's care. I didn't want her to worry too much about him.
Amelia's gaze fell upon the pendant in his hand, and she asked, "What's that you're holding, Zach? It looks quite extraordinary."
I hesitated for a moment. I know couldn't reveal the truth to her. "It's just a little trinket I found in the cave. Nothing special, really."
Amelia nodded, not pressing any further. "Well, if it's important to you, I won't pry. Just make sure to take care of yourself."
I nodded, appreciating her understanding. I knew that I shouldn't share the truth about Lilith and the powers I had gained, at least for now. The thought of anyone else finding out about it was unsettling.
In my mind, Lilith's alluring voice once again. "Good, you've managed to keep it a secret. Now, let's get down to business, my dear Zach. Now follow my instruction Zach. touch her forehead with your forefinger."
I did what she tells me to do. Then I can feel a surge of power flow through my hand into Amelia's mind. Her eyes glazed over, and a trance-like state washed over her. It was as if Lilith's presence had consumed her consciousness.
Amelia said in a monotone voice. "I will prepare dinner in the kitchen and return when it's ready." Then she left the room leaving him alone.
"What did you do?" I ask Lilith. I don't believe what are happening. I'm hypnotizing my mom. well, technically it's Lilith who hypnotizes her.
"Nothing Zach, it would wear off in an hour. Now, Zach, I want you to create a rectangular form with your two forefingers and two thumbs," Lilith instructed.
I followed Lilith's instructions cautiously. I formed the rectangular shape with my fingers, unsure of what would happen next. Suddenly, a translucent paper shown before me, displaying various information. It showed my HP, Mana, level, and class. On the right side of the screen, there was a tree-like structure, like a skill tree.
[Zachary Alderwood]
Level: 1
HP: 100/100
MP: 100/100
Race: Human
Class: Black Mage
Status: Normal
"What is this?" I asked, my voice tinged with awe and curiosity.
Lilith's alluring voice echoed in my mind, "This is the manifestation of my power, Zach. It will help you track and manage your progress. As you grow stronger, you'll unlock new abilities and skills. But remember, I can only grant you these powers gradually because you can't hold all of my power yet."
I nodded, trying to absorb the information. This was incredible. she knows that this will be efficient enough for me. but what is black mage. I never heard of them, is it something that beyond this world?
"Lilith, is it only me who can see this layer?"
"Yes, but some other people with high level can see it too and it is not unique as there is some artefacts and items that can display the same thing too. however, it is a very useful magic." Lilith answer it with a lightly voice.
In my curiosity, I touch the tree at the right side of the screen and then a skill tree shown in front of me. many skills box is still unseen as something like a black fog blocking my view. however, there is two skill that it is unlocked right now.
[Skill Tree]
[Normalization] Mana cost: 30
this skill grants me a rule that someone should follow. however, it's needed to bypass the target logic and only works with target that is in the same level or below than me.
[Mind Corruption] Mana cost: 30
this skill grants me power over the target. but this must be used progressively until the corruption is 100%. this skill only works with target that is in below level than me.
"If you want to be stronger, you should train your body and your powers," Lilith continued. "let use your mother as a subject of your training. corrupt her and make she is yours."
"Wait, why my mom?" I ask her, but she didn't give an answer to me.
Before I knew it, Amelia returned to the room with dinner. Her eyes were clear now, and she seemed completely unaware of what had transpired. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt, knowing that I had influenced her mind.
However, she looks very beautiful, and her body curves is so tempting. her straight black hair falls gracefully past her shoulders. she helps me to eat my dinner carefully. oh my, Lilith is right, I want her to be mine.
Dinner passed without incident, and once Amelia want left the room, I hold her hand and says some spell to my stepmom. "[Normalization]"
later she become blank again.
"Mom, I want you to show me your panties."
"But Zach-"
"You love me right mom? and I'm your family so it's okay to show to me."
she looks like thinking, but her hand put the plate at the table and start to pull up her dress and show her pink panties. it's very sweet and I want to put my things there, but I should not push my luck now.
"Now mom, I want you to show your love toward me by kissing me when I wake up and when I want to go to sleep. are you okay with that?" I asked.
"That kind of pervert but it suits you." she gives me smile as she continues "but I think it would not give a harm to this family. but please, keep this a secret."
she then kisses me in my lips. Then she takes her plate and go.
As the night fall, I open my status screen.
[Zachary Alderwood]
Level: 2
HP: 110/110
MP: 40/110
Race: Human
Class: Black Mage
Status: Normal
It's little bit shocking that my level is gained in just one spell. well maybe because it is low level it still easy to level up myself. However, I can't hold my eyes wide. the accident I get still make me weak.
The next morning, I feel something soft touch my lips. when I open my eyes, I can see Amelia is kissing me. "You are wake up honey" her voice come out as she moves her head back. I "You have visitor in front of the house, but since you can't walk yet, maybe I should let her come in."
she goes out just like that. and after some second another beauty come to my room.
She is Elara, her bright smile lighting up the room. Little did she know the changes that had occurred within me. I couldn't reveal my newfound abilities to her or anyone else yet. This was my secret to bear, and with Lilith's guidance, I was determined to use it to change my fate and conquer the world.