"Ars Goetia? 72 Pillars? Now that you bring it up, it's all coming back to me." Levi's face bore a look of realization. "No wonder the name 'Paimon' felt familiar. I remember playing a game with a guide named Paimon, and I also watched an anime with a demon character named Paimon."
"So, I did some research and discovered that both the game and the anime draw inspiration from the same sources you just mentioned. It all happened quite a while ago, which is probably why it didn't stick in my memory much."
"Additionally, if I recall correctly, the 72 Pillars are supposed to be a group comprised of seventy-two demons, each possessing unique powers, realms, and their own legions, right? However, earlier you mentioned 'Paimon' as a clan. Is there a discrepancy in the source material I consulted?" Levi asked.
"Hmm, as you've surmised, the information recorded in the source can be considered somewhat outdated. To elaborate, the original seventy-two demons, in fact, have mostly perished a long time ago," Eleanor said with a lost-in-thought expression.
"Perished?" Levi's heart couldn't help but grow cold. Even though he didn't know them or what they were capable of, being recorded and having their stories told suggested that they were formidable figures, almost god-like.
So, what led to their eventual demise?
"Those fortunate enough to establish a clan, much like my ancestor, before their demise, had the privilege of passing on their titles and bloodline to their descendants. Conversely, those less fortunate faced the extinction of both titles and bloodlines—a permanent death." Eleanor continues to explain.
"At the moment, there might be only about 40 clans established out of the presumed 72 Clans."
"Was there a great war that took place back then?" Levi couldn't help but ask.
"There was, but you shouldn't concern yourself with that now. Focus on the present," Eleanor said dismissively.
"That's how it is," Levi said with an understanding look on his face. "So, your clan, Paimon, how big is it? Is it comparable to a large clan in the real world?"
"Pretty big," Eleanor nodded nonchalantly.
"Do all the members of the Paimon Clan have pink hair like you?" Levi asked curiously.
"No," Eleanor answered succinctly.
Levi nodded as he fell into contemplation before seemingly catching on to something. "Eris refers to you as 'young miss.' Are you like the princess or the direct successor of the Paimon Clan?"
Eleanor merely glanced at him before shaking her head silently.
Levi paused. He had sensed something was amiss earlier, but now he was starting to grasp the source of his unease.
It was Eleanor's lack of response!
From the looks of it, she doesn't like talking about her family?
Why? Does she have a strained relationship with her family? Or is it just her natural response to things she doesn't find much interest in?
Levi was curious, but he also knew his limits.
'Forget it, continuing with this topic would be too awkward.' Levi was interested in learning more, but if Eleanor wasn't willing to share, then he had no choice but to change the subject.
"So, what does my awakened bloodline have to do with your identity, Miss Eleanor?" Levi asked with confusion evident in his expression when a thought crossed his mind.
'Hmm?! Why does this scene feel so familiar... Oh, right! Doesn't this sound like one of those legendary plots where the protagonist is suddenly chosen to inherit an amazing bloodline after accidentally helping a random old man?
However, in my case, that random old man happens to be Eleanor. And the protagonist? Well, that's me! It's just that I can't recall when I supposedly rescued Eleanor or helped her in any way. Anyway, if this follows the typical scenario, does it mean the bloodline running through my body right now is the Paimon bloodline, one of the 72 Pillars?'
"Though I'm not quite sure what's going on in that mind of yours, trust me, you're hugely mistaken." Eleanor felt the need to clarify after catching Levi's unusual expression.
"Eh?" Was my expression that obvious?
"Are you thinking that since I was the one who transformed you, you'd naturally awaken the bloodline of Paimon just like mine?" Eleanor said lazily.
'Fuck! Is she a mind reader? How did she nail my thoughts so accurately?' Levi was startled.
"Sorry, but your wish is impossible," Eleanor shook her head, as if struck by a sudden idea, her eyes landing on Eris who was disciplining the ghoul outside the garden. "Hmm, you play games a lot, right?"
"Yeah, I do," Levi nodded, silently confused about the sudden jump of the topic.
Eleanor nodded knowingly. "So, you're familiar with things like a Reform Stone, or something along those lines, aren't you? It's an item primarily used to upgrade ordinary rank equipment to legendary status."
"In a way, my blood functions similarly to that of a Reform Stone."
Seeing Levi's perplexed expression, Eleanor continued with a cough. "Let's just say that initially, your bloodline was destined to only grant you the power to control a small fire, just enough to light a cigarette."
"However, if I add my blood in the process, not only will your bloodline gain the power to control a massive fire that could burn down houses, but you'll also have the chance to unlock the power of greater fire, capable of burning down continents."
"That's the difference between having a random demon perform the ritual for you and a high-ranking demon like me. The distinction lies in this cheat-like method that involves my bloodlines. A random demon might not necessarily have the quality to enhance your bloodline potency, but mine does!"
Levi took a few moments to process her words before responding. "So, the performer's bloodline serves more like an enhancement or a boost to the subject of the ritual, rather than a direct sharing of bloodlines?"
"Yeah, that's pretty much the gist of it. That's why I said your bloodline couldn't be in poor condition. It might not be as high or strong as mine, but it shouldn't be too shabby either due to my blood intervenes." Eleanor confirmed.
"So, was Eris' bloodline also enhanced just like mine?" Levi asked.
"Eris and you are different cases. Eris was a naturally born demon, her bloodline power and potency already fixed since birth. In your case, you're a demon born from a ritual. So naturally, I could make a few alterations to your transformation," Eleanor explained.
"So, do you understand now?"
"I understand, but that leads me back to my first question. How? And why did you choose to transform me into a demon?" Levi asked curiously.
"For that, we'll need to trace back to what happened last night. You should remember things before the ritual happened, but perhaps, because of that wretched malevolent spirit possession, your mind received a tremendous shock, causing a bit of amnesia on your part."
"It might sting a bit, but bear with it," Saying that, Eleanor placed both her slender forefingers and pressed them against Levi's temple.
Suddenly, a jolting sensation struck his head, and his whole body felt electrified.
It was a painful process, but he couldn't scream, almost as if his mouth were tightly sealed.
But it was just as Eleanor said. Those memories that were initially blurry slowly became more vivid.
In a minute, all the blurry memories finally recovered.
...
"How is it? Do you finally have your question answered?" Eleanor asked as soon as she withdrew her fingers.
Levi's face was pale, but he still answered her question. "Yeah, I guess? It's just that I never thought my first experience with death would be because I was curious about whether sex in the empty classroom during the night are actually a thing. Did I leave my brain behind last night?"