Overload.
This term refers to one thing in this world, a surplus of energy.
During each evolution, the grimoire grants a significant amount of energy to its host.
This amount varies between two to six times the usual energy in the host's body.
However, it happens that some tamers enter a state of surplus energy due to their bodies being unable to support this sudden surge of energy.
As a result, they enter this state.
Although rare, it is quite common for some people to be exposed to this phenomenon due to several factors that vary from one person to another.
Some people have very specific body constitutions that naturally attract spiritual energy.
Even if they manage to control this amount by casting spells to release the energy from their bodies, there is a good chance that they will expose themselves to this situation during an evolution.
Of course, many of these people take preventive measures before it is too late.
There are also special cases. When a person's body is weak, it will be difficult for them to support this sudden surge of power.
Therefore, this last case is non-existent with these monsters who are the Shadows—born with robust bodies.
However, Mystic's problem seems to come from elsewhere.
As soon as she entered the latter's tent, Rebecca Der Shadow understood the truth.
Between her confusion and disbelief, she remained in a trance for three to five seconds.
As Noha had specified, Mystic was in a bad way, convulsing constantly despite having lost consciousness because of the pain.
Her body was sweating and her clothes were soaked with sweat as the grimoire continued to float above her body with the pages turning wildly.
Half of her grimoire had already turned an iron gray color, while the other half continued to gradually but slowly change color.
"She..."
Nikolas was unable to finish his sentence as he stared at Mystic in amazement.
'How long? A week and two days. What's this speed of progression?'
His thoughts were at odds with his common sense as he was trying to differentiate illusion from reality.
Although the reality was unfolding before his eyes, he found it hard to believe that Mystic, having only contracted her grimoire for a week, could already reach level ten.
Monica looked at her brother with dark eyes and asked.
"Nikolas, didn't you say that this little girl had contracted her grimoire about a week ago?"
"...I don't know anymore."
Faced with this uncertain answer, Monica groaned in dissatisfaction.
The only one who seemed to take things as they were was Danzel.
"Rebecca, what are you waiting for to give her a hand?" He asked nonchalantly while frowning.
Rebecca, whose mind was overwhelmed, was strongly surprised to hear Danzel scold her.
"Yes, right away, sir."
With these words, she lightly hit the ground with her scepter and her grimoire shines at the same time above it.
Afterwards, a large golden portal manifested above her and an unexpected creature came out of the portal.
A disproportionately gigantic jellyfish floated above them.
Its body was completely transparent and bathed in a soft, pleasant, and warm white aura.
Rebecca Der Shadow is one of the rare extraordinary healers in this world.
Thanks to her guardian beast's unique and rare abilities, she holds an important position within the clan.
Upon its appearance, the jellyfish spat out a transparent water bubble similar to a huge soap bubble.
The bubble was then guided by Rebecca to Mystic's body.
Instead of bursting like any other ordinary bubble, it swallowed Mystic and brought her to the jellyfish.
As soon as she entered the bubble, Mystic's pained expression calmed down a bit.
However, other problems soon appeared in the next few seconds.
Mystic's powers are based on the Darkness element, an affinity that is not only powerful but also has many disadvantages.
However, Rebecca's abilities are based on the holy element, much like those of the Holylight clan.
As a result, Mystic's body and her grimoire immediately began to corrupt the water bubble, turning it into a diluted and dirty black.
"What's the problem?" Danzel was quick to find the situation strange when he saw Rebecca frown as her face paled.
It was as if she was indirectly affected by the antipode effects of her power.
"It's because of her element, she's the opposite of mine."
"I know that, but this situation has never happened with us before."
Danzel instantly replies after the obvious explanation from his sister's subordinate.
Like him and the other members of this clan, the main element they use is darkness.
Although their unique skills differ from person to person, they all come from the same root.
"That's not it, her element is purely based on darkness." She said with tired eyes—as if she had just lost all her stamina all at once.
She then looks at Monica as she urgently explains the matter. "I can't help her, her body nullifies the effects of my magic. She unconsciously considers it as an intrusion."
"..."
Monica frowns as she thinks.
'Is that why the old man asked me to take her with me?' She was addled as she thought about this.
She then asked.
"Rebecca, what are the chances she'll survive without outside help?"
Rebecca shakes her head as a veil of sadness shades her eyes.
"I don't know. Honestly, I don't even know how she managed to survive this long.
That overload of energy must have eaten away at her from the inside for several months, her survival is already a miracle in itself."
"Wait, what exactly do you mean? She didn't look like she was in pain when she was with us for...
Before Nikolas finished his sentence, Rebecca shook her head before interrupting him without being disrespectful.
"She must have hidden it. Normally, overload doesn't exceed the threshold of six times.
However, just with her current energy, I can say that she has exceeded her limits eight times.
If this continues, her body will give out."
"..." The three elders were speechless.
"It's a shame, to think that such a prodigy will die like this," Nikolas mumbled, losing all hope.
Overload has advantages and disadvantages.
Surviving means coming out stronger.
But death occurs in these cases.
Hearing Rebecca, a healer with unmatched talents, say such words couldn't mean much to them.
"If there is a miracle, she will survive," Rebecca added.
But even she knew that the miracle had a limit.
"Well, if she dies, it simply means that she wasn't worth it." The first to lose interest in Mystic's fate was none other than Nikolas.
These words made Rebecca frown.
She was the only one who found Nikolas' words harsh, the others had nonchalant and insensible expressions.
Of course, Rebecca who has spent several years in this clan knows how heartless these people could be.
The most ironic thing is that she knows that Nikolas would act like this even if Mystic was his own daughter.
The others soon left Mystic's tent, leaving her in her agony.
'These people... have no heart.' Rebecca retorted as a needle of sadness seems piercing her heart.
She hesitated several times. But in the end, she remained under Mystic's tent.
Although she could do nothing but watch, she did not leave her alone.
She held her hand and continued to try to circulate her energy through her body several times.
But the results were the same.
After two minutes, Noha returned to the tent.
However, Rebecca's expression made his heart beat like a war drum.
Overwhelmed by despair, he remained there, watching the scene without daring to approach them.
After leaving Mystic's tent, the three elders continued their meetings as if nothing had happened.
After half an hour, Rebecca returned.
From her expression, the others could guess the outcome.
"Nikolas, you will send a message to the old man to tell him the news," Danzel ordered.
"Understood."
His eyes then shift to Rebecca.
"Did you get rid of her body or you..."
-Tsk!
He stops when he sees Rebecca click her tongue.
"What is it?" He frowned as he asked in a sober tone.
Her eyes, red with anger and sorrow, looked at the three in front of her as she growled.
"You, tell me, what makes you human?"
"...Sigh, people are born and die, it's the cycle of life. As a soldier, you must know this and accept it." Although these words did not seem like it, Monica said them to give her some kind of spiritual comfort.
"I don't understand, no, I can't understand you, no matter how much time I spend with you, I will never understand you!"
"Fourth Elder, keep your subordinate on a leash, she is disrupting our strategic meeting." Danzel immediately retorted when he saw the madness in Rebecca's eyes.
What's the point of trying to talk to people who only respect the most basic laws of the world?
Will people who slaughtered their blood brothers over a mere succession story based on rumors care about the life of a child?
'These people, are demons living among humans. We must not only worry about the invaders but also those wild dogs before they go crazy and bite us.'
Perhaps due to her current emotions, Rebecca's eyes seemed to glow with a familiar glow to those present with her.
However, before she could go to the end of her madness,
-Thud!
She felt a hard blow on the back of her neck, knocking her unconscious instantly.
Danzel looked at Monica with dark eyes.
"Why did you stop me?"
"She is still useful; no way am I letting you kill her on a whim." She retorted with a smirk.
"...You know she is a spy?"
Monica showed a large smile on her face as her eyes turned bloody red.
"Of course, I know. But like I said, she is useful to us, both personally and professionally."
At this confident answer, Danzel didn't insist on it anymore.
He then looks at Nikolas. "What about your task?"
Nikolas, still wearing his impassive expression, nods. "The little one should be okay. My shadow demon informed me that he made her swallow the seed in time."
Just after he finished saying these words, his shadow rises behind him and stands next to him as if he has come back to life.
In his hand, there was a small black handbag that he held out to Nikolas.
Nikolas picks up the small handbag and gives it to Danzel.
"There are three evolution seeds in total, a gift from the patriarch."
Danzel briefly looks at Rebecca unconscious on the ground and smiles.
"...Well, in what honor?" He picked up the satchel and looked at its contents impatiently.
His pupils trembled slightly, unable to oppress his greed.
Although he didn't show what was in the bag, the pleasant and spiritual scent it gave off was rich and alluring for any of them.
"Our suspicions turned out to be correct, there is indeed a genitor in this forest."
"...!?" The two exclaimed in surprise.
--
Behind every legend, there is a grain of truth.
Behind every mutation, there is a secret.
This secret is not necessarily random or fate.
Behind every powerful clan, some secrets cannot be revealed to the general public, even if they are part of the family.
This clan is not only savage and brutal, but vicious as well.