Floating in the seemingly endless darkness, where solitude reigned supreme, Devon ended up giving up against this place's rules without resisting even a little bit.
Unlike his last visit which seemed like a dream, this time, he could feel the overwhelming power of this dark and infinite space hold him.
-What is this place?
-The book... did that damn grimoire eat me up!?
-How did I survive?
-Did I even survive?
While his mind lacked clarity, all the fear and loneliness he felt faded the second his companion showed him the light in this darkness.
[As a guardian/soul beast, the host cannot resist certain divine authorities, not yet.]
'...What kind?'
[...]
For the second time, the system didn't answer Devon.
Although Devon found its secrecy suspicious, he didn't think much about it.
'...So, where am I exactly?'
Aside from the blue holographic screen and the white texts, Devon couldn't see, or sense anything else around him.
It was both miserable and unsettling for him, causing him to lose his composure.
Whether it was gravity, air, or his other senses, he seemed to be deprived of all of these things now.
Even so, he could see and read the white texts on the blue background that floated in front of him.
[Current location: Inner world of the host master's grimoire.]
[Each grimoire has a miniature world that can house the owner's summons; the higher the rank of the grimoire, the larger and wider its inner world will be.]
The system's response made him remember the words he had read on the second page of the grimoire earlier on the lake.
'The space that houses the pets contracted by the grimoire master—the Pets Garden, one of the three competent of this lass's grimoire.
If that's true, then why is it so lonely and dark? Anyway, can we even call that space a garden?
Even I, who am endowed with intellect, manage to keep my mind as best I can. Without the presence of the system, I don't think I'll be able to stay in this darkness for long.
But where does this darkness come from?
Are all grimoires like this?
[The inner world is personified in the image of its master's heart.]
'...How is this possible? Such a naive and innocent girl can't have such a dark heart..., right?'
Remembering Mystic's twisted expression just before he was dragged in there, he doubted his claims.
To assert himself, he had to first make sure.
However, as he stared into the darkness which alike infinitely as far as his eyes could see, Devon's pupils quivered with uncertainty.
It was still hard for him to believe that such a space could be the embodiment of a 16-year-old girl's emotions.
Aside from loneliness and emptiness, there was nothing else.
'I'm already pissed at the fact that I've to spend the next years on the side of a such measly girl... how can I be reassured now that she turned out to be cunning and...' He stops, thinking about it in darkness with puzzled eyes.
It was an act, after all; the naive and innocent personality that Mystic had shown him to be rather.
In the end, he shakes his head to get rid of those things that have nothing to bring him.
'As long as she's not crazy, it's still better than being naive.' He then concludes.
...Although he is at a loss for words, he no longer feels sorry for himself.
Afterwards, he focuses on the most important.
'Since I have time, I might as well spend it wisely.'
He looks at his current evolution points, then, sneers viciously at the numbers in front of him.
'I must have looked like an idiot picking up rocks near a gold mine.'
His bones were itching with excitement as he hurriedly asked his system. 'Sys Nim, show me what stats I can improve with my current points.'
[You can only increase your statistics, or level up your unique skill.]
Devon's moves stiffened as his excitation faded away.
'Wait, early, you told me I can level up with 10 evolution points in my asset, why do you wipe it now?'
[After each evolution, the evolution points required for the next upgrade will be increased.]
'...' After this direct answer, Devon didn't know what to say anymore.
'...TSS, let's forget that.'
He contemplates his statistics for a long time before making a decision.
'Maybe I should look into my skill?' He thinks for a second.
This idea didn't come to him on a whim.
After much thought, he understood one crucial thing.
Since his basic stats automatically increase by five after each level-up, this side won't be urgent.
Especially considering the presence of the percentage bar of his experience points that also allows him to progress without the help of his evolution points, it would be best to let his stats increase at the same rate as his level.
At least, for now.
To sum up, the system wasn't wrong in saying that he would gain more by killing living fellows.
In addition to guaranteeing him experience points, it also allows him to obtain evolution points—two birds with one stone.
'That said, the only two things that my Xps cannot improve are my skills and my innate talent.'
[Innate talent(Level 01). To increase this one's level, you need 200,000 evolution points.]
Before he even asked, the system showed him these texts.
WTF!? - His jaw nearly dropped when he saw so many zeros after the two.
'Seems that this innate talent is my most powerful asset. But it seems these figures are somehow out of my reach, even shortly.' Although he was curious about it, he didn't think too much about it.
'As for my Energy blast, when I used it, all my spiritual energy was siphoned into the spell. It's a powerful skill, but the fact that I can only use it once is a hefty burden in a battle.'
[Do you want to use 5 evolution points to increase your skill 'DARK ENERGY' level?]
'Of course, it's a YES!'
Right after he agreed, the same strange scene occurred as when he leveled up. But out of his entire body, it was only the red core in his chest that glowed with a red beam.
Unexpectedly, Devon suddenly shuddered from the slight pain that seemed to prick his soul.
It wasn't powerful, it felt more like he was being pricked by a needle.
'...Is that all?' He thought to himself before glancing at the improvements of his skill in question.
[Congrats! Your skill 'Dark Energy' has leveled up!]
[Skills: Dark Energy(Lvl02]. In addition to keeping the same effects, its energy consumption has been halved.]
'Goodness! That's exactly what I was looking forward to the most.'
Now, instead of once, he could cast this destructive attack twice in a row before running out of spiritual energy.
'How many evolution points do I have left?'
Although he already knew the answer, his excitement made him think less.
[Evolution points: 20.]
'Oh well, why not?'
[Do you want to use 15 evolution points to increase your skill 'ENERGY BLAST' level?]
'S-shit! Why has the cost suddenly tripled? That's a scam!'
Unfortunately, he couldn't bargain with his system.
Being the only seller, the system wasn't charitable enough to lower its prices, Devon could tell just by noticing its chronic silences.
'Pfft, since throwing a tantrum won't do me any good, I might as well go along with it.'
With his inward agreement, the system proceeded as usual.
Except, the light was brighter than the previous one and the pain, was a little fiercer.
'...'
After a moment of waiting, pretending to hold his breath even though he couldn't, Devon waited for the next notification like a child waiting under the fireplace on Christmas Eve.
[Congrats! Your skill 'Dark Energy' has leveled up!]
[Skills: Dark Energy(Lvl03)]. The host can manipulate his spiritual energy and condense it into the desired basic weapon form. The energy consumption and effectiveness remain constant, but it's important to note that more complex forms require greater spiritual energy will be used.]
The more Devon read, the more puzzled his expression became.
The words were simple to understand, but it was vague in his mind.
'This is different from the first time. Earlier, I knew exactly what to do to trigger my skill, but this time, I can't figure out what's true from what's false in my thoughts.'
He remains thoughtful, but still nothing.
In the end, he takes action.
'Pfff~ whatever.'
He held out his hand, manifesting the black sphere without any problem.
Even though it was still dark, he could sense the shape and size of the misty black sphere floating above his palm.
'What do I do now? Should I focus on a particular weapon first or...!'
His words got stuck in his mind as he felt the shape of the sphere condense into a smaller size similar to a ping-pong ball.
'Ah, get it!' While exclaiming, he seized the small black orb which immediately transformed into a one-and-a-half meter-long black sword.
The form was still imperfect, but it was enough for Devon to have a general idea of how his skill worked.
With a determined mind whose glow manifested down his pupils, Devon began an experimentation session to learn to better master his skill.
He reshaped his energy to create a nine-foot spear that he then changed into a shield and so on.
Being immersed in his fuss, the pressure and discomfort he felt being alone turned into a positive.
Without Mystic's presence, he could focus better on these matters, almost forgetting his reality.
The points needed to trigger his skill, the duration of his spell, etc., he paid attention to every detail and took note of the results.
To perform better in a battle, it was necessary to better know the strengths and especially, the weaknesses of the only skill he currently had.
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