Circe's POV
Why is the world so unfair?
"You're doing good work and I hope you'll continue to grow," Merlin praised us for our accomplishments outside the manor in the kingdom over the past few months.
We carried out minor missions as recommended by Merlin. This allowed us to gain combat experience and also evolve.
The problem is that despite Merlin's excellent advice, my evolution is just too slow compared to the others.
"Circe?" Merlin's voice suddenly rang out next to me, startling me out of my thoughts.
"Uh... yes, yes," I replied a bit flustered, but quickly regained control.
Merlin just smiled kindly before motioning for me to sit down. I noticed we were alone now.
The others must have left while I was lost in thought or they simply wanted to leave us alone for a while.
"Tell me Circe, why have you seemed worried lately?" Merlin directly asked about the source of my concerns.
He's always been this frank and sincere, which is why Viviane adores him and honestly, so do I.
"I'm worried about being a burden... I..." Without realizing it, I poured out all my worries.
I expressed my fears, frustrations, doubts and everything buried in my heart.
"Circe... you're not a burden. I know your talent isn't the best among the three of you, but you undoubtedly have the strongest will to improve... that's enough for me."
I could feel he was sincere. He's not lying and it's not really Merlin's style to lie.
I've known him for almost a year now and he's always been honest with us, people rejected by society and our loved ones.
"I'll do my best not to disappoint you again, young master," I bowed slightly but Merlin stopped me.
"I've told you several times, no formal acts in private," he held me back before sighing and muttering something about me and Viviane being similar.
"I also know you can catch up to those two monsters. I have faith in your willpower and hard work, but if you feel like you're about to crack... come see me and we'll look for a solution together." Despite his small size, Merlin patted me on the head with a reassuring smile.
"I..." I simply nodded and quickly left the room.
"Stupid Circe, the young master is still a child, you can't have those kinds of thoughts about him."
As Circe walked away down the hallway, Viviane emerged from a nearby shadow like a ghost.
Her presence was minuscule and few acolytes could have sensed her, including those of rank 3.
"I really hope you can control those impure thoughts, Circe," Viviane muttered, looking in the direction Circe had taken seconds ago.
Her eyes currently held a hostility that Grimm had only seen Viviane have against powerful magical creatures.
...
Merlin's POV
"I knew this would happen, it was inevitable." Before me was a letter from Kroft.
He explained that there are currently the beginnings of a war between black and white magus. This seems to be caused by the discovery of a large pocket dimension full of resources.
Kroft mentions that he won't be able to visit me for a long period.
"Viviane and Grimm could potentially benefit from this war," were my honest thoughts.
They've almost reached the peak of rank 3 acolyte recently. They just need an advanced meditation technique and they'll be official magi at the tender age of 14.
They've evolved faster than Willow for several reasons. The first is that they're in the magus world, so the world law helps them greatly to benefit from my knowledge.
The second reason is simple: due to the efficient exploitation of the meager resources they have thanks to my knowledge of a being almost of rank 7.
If I were on the central continent, I think it would be possible for me to get them to rank 1 magus in just a few months, and I'm not exaggerating.
"Only Circe isn't ready for this war. I'll have to accelerate my plans for her."
I smiled as I walked towards a servant to contact Bradley to bring me more resources, specifically slaves.
While waiting for his arrival after these errands for me, I headed to a seemingly dilapidated house at the other end of town.
Inside, I entered the basement. It was a technologically advanced laboratory.
I use technology to compensate for my lack of spiritual energy and current weakness. I don't want to depend entirely on my dear students.
Bradley and the others aren't allowed to enter here and I'm not sure if my traps can defeat an official magus because of the versatility of their spells, but I'm confident in preventing an average official magus from entering here.
The reason for this situation is the low technological evolution of the southern continent. I had to create a lot of things from Earth in this place and use magic crystals to recreate some tools from my old laboratory.
"Thanks to you, I'll probably be ready to face that man soon." In front of me were several bipedal or quadrupedal creatures.
They all emanated energy comparable to rank 1 and 2 acolytes. They were all captured thanks to Viviane and Grimm.
These creatures weren't captured randomly or to be used as sacrifices. They are all distant descendants of dragons.
*Grrr* Growls.
"You should be grateful that I can bring the red dragon bloodline back to this world. It should logically be an honor for you to give your lives for this cause." I smiled slightly at them before heading to a microscope to study the bloodline of these creatures.
(Image)
My goal is to try to extract the bloodline of the powerful dragon that is their ancestor, the red dragon.
I want to try to take the draconic path to reach the top thanks to "The Mystic Power of the Dragon King".
It's an advanced meditation technique that I wanted to pass on to Grimm at first, but I decided to keep it for myself.
The red dragon is a creature at the top of rank 5, its bloodline is much more powerful than that of Leylin Farlier.
The only problem is that the meditation technique of "The Mystic Power of the Dragon King" isn't really a technique for warlocks but for dragons themselves.
I'm currently studying how to be reborn as a dragon. If I succeed in my mutation or "rebirth" correctly, then I will no longer be human but a humanoid dragon.
"I've already lost my humanity long ago and I'm confident I'll find the rest of the meditation technique of 'The Mystic Power of the Dragon King'."
It was a risky gamble I was currently making, but I know it's necessary.
I don't want to risk my life on the path of bloodline, it's Circe who will fulfill the prophecy, not me or Leylin, and I will devour her like Bill Cipher when the time comes after the completion of her usefulness.
I just have to make sure she's cooperative at the time of her sacrifice.
"I'm sure she won't refuse to become one for eternity with her dear Merlin."
...
Evy Blight's POV
Since my encounter with the shadow alongside Belos, I haven't stopped training and studying.
It's been almost 5 years since that incident. My influence has continued to grow in the human worlds and I've taken the initiative to open private universities all over the world.
I wanted to find possible talents and raise magus .
Father never mentioned the idea of creating a magus society, but I find it would be more effective to have subordinates everywhere.
For the moment , no one qualified has been recruited.
"You're almost born." I was currently in the demon world.
I wanted to force progression, and for that, I wanted to transform a titan's soul into a spirit beast.
At first, I was reluctant about the idea.
"I have no choice, my path as a branded swordsman is like a dead end and the crystal mask meditation technique is too weak to be used." I could only sigh at this situation.
It seems that father wanted me to find my path to strength. I should do something morally unacceptable to many people but, it's necessary from my point of view.
"You must grow quickly, so that I can evolve in turn." I left the laboratory leaving a titan egg floating in a tank.
If the being between the human and demon worlds can give father a good fight, then the soul of a mature titan will be perfect to become a rank 6 or even 7 spirit beast master.
"You'll be proud of me when you wake up, dad."