Chapter 3

After receiving the emblem of darkness, I returned to my room in the palace.

When I closed the door to the overly large room, I couldn't help but exclaim,

"Everyone is gone, to a remarkable extent...!"

The noble children of my age, who were with me until this morning, had all gone to be near my younger brother, Louis.

However, this was the same even before the reset.

But this time, the butler and maids complained of feeling unwell and disappeared to the infirmary. Previously, they would have been kind today and taken a break from the next day...

"Maybe my smile backfired..."

This country has many devout people.

Serving someone who would eventually become a demon must have been a real shock to them.

Still, whether the butler and maids are gone today or tomorrow, it's the same.

"No, perhaps it's even better this way..."

I can immediately try out dark magic.

If I use it in a place where people can see, it might cause unnecessary misunderstandings. It's better when I'm alone.

"First of all – Light, shine, purify, Shine"

A ball of light was released from my palm.

This light orb floating in the room is a light created by holy attribute magic. It is also a mass of holy attribute magic power.

Against the holy, darkness is at a disadvantage. Generally, it is said that dark magic needs twice the magic power to cancel out holy magic.

First, I'll try to cast dark magic with this light as the target.

"But, I don't even know the incantation for dark magic..."

Regarding the handling of dark magic, it is completely unknown in this country. Naturally, the incantation is also unknown.

However, the basics are the same for all attributes: converting magic power into a spherical shape.

"Like a Fireball – whoa!?"

When I tried to make a small black mist appear at my fingertips, a mist as large as a person's head appeared in my palm.

The mist kept absorbing magic power from the surroundings and grew larger.

At first, I was worried that I might turn into a demon.

But it was different.

Simply put, an enormous amount of magic power was gathering in my hand.

When using magic, people convert the magic power in the air into attributes like holy or fire. The amount that can be converted is greatly influenced by the emblem.

In my case, because I have the emblem of darkness, this much magic power is being converted into the dark attribute.

Anyway, I need to stop this.

Otherwise, the room will be erased by the mist – that's how much magic power it has.

I strongly imagined dispersing the magic power.

Then, the black mist disappeared instantly.

"...Phew. I managed to dispel it."

Five times, no, ten times the magic power from before the reset gathered.

If I hadn't held back, even more would have gathered.

"...I need to be careful when handling it. And I should learn the incantation to make it more stable... huh?"

I listened carefully, and a familiar voice echoed from somewhere.

"–Why!? Why can't I take over this brat's body! Why me!?"

I deliberately spoke aloud.

"Unfortunately, it seems I won't become a demon."

"Wh-What? Can you hear me!?"

"Yes, I can hear you."

"For a lowly human to converse with me, you deserve to die ten thousand times! Hand over your body to me right now!!"

"No way. What's in it for me?"

"Damn! For a mere human to reject this beautiful me! Open up!! Open up!!"

I couldn't help but cover my ears.

"Shut up... I don't even know how to open it – oh. I can't hear it anymore."

It would be troublesome if this kept shouting at me, but fortunately, I can block the sound by concentrating.

I will master this dark magic.

There's no way I'm letting a demon take over my body.

"Anyway, since the confirmation is done, I'll continue my research... First of all"

I'll go to the palace library.

I immediately left the room, full of determination.