As Elric floated in the sky, he pondered.
‘I’m lacking. There’s a limit to how much I can develop.’
Unlike Mephisto, who was astounded by Elric’s talent, Elric was gradually becoming aware of his own limitations.
‘It’s true that Spirit Magic is amazing… but it’s not for me.’
More precisely, it wouldn’t be right for those who have learned the ‘Systematic Magic Studies’ in the academy.
Visualizing an image was an immensely challenging task.
Because the ‘system’ created for easily understanding and acquiring the field of magic was constraining one’s imagination.
‘The progress I’ve made so far is merely my suppressed growth exploding all at once.’
He needed some other stimuli to fill the lack in his imagination.
However, there were two absolute necessities he lacked for any new growth.
A master.
And real combat experience.
‘With the achievements I’ve made now, if I return to the academy, each faculty member would want to be my advisor… but they won’t do.’
He needed a ‘mentor’ who would genuinely care for him and guide him on the right path of magic.
In that respect, all the faculty of the academy were useless.
‘If I were under their guidance, they’d just steal all my secrets.’
They might even dissect him in the name of researching magic, and I’d be lucky if that didn’t happen.
‘Their levels are too low. At least a Sage level… or perhaps a Lord from The Hexview.’
Someone with the integrity to fiercely guard his secrets and provide emotional support.
Deep knowledge to ponder and guide him in Draconic magic, which was still considered ‘mysticism’ in the existing academic world.
And the political stature to protect him in case of any incident.
Would there be someone who met all these conditions?
No one came to mind.
Even if there were, he had no connection to them.
‘If only my grandfather were here now…! No, even if one of my uncles who passed away with my father was…’
Elric could now deeply feel how important a ‘prestigious family’ and ‘renowned lineage’ were.
Of course, since he couldn’t wish for such things, he was in deep thought.
And then he realized it.
‘Uh…?’
He looked at the Demon King, Mephisto, who was looking at him with hateful eyes.
‘Wait. Why didn’t I think of this before? Isn’t Mephisto the most suitable to be my master?’
Elric felt a momentary regret.
With Mephisto’s stature, superior insight, and knowledge, he would be perfect.
Additionally, aside from his character, ensuring secrecy was possible.
The problem was whether he would willingly help, given how much he despised Elric…
Nevertheless, deciding to take a chance, he asked if Mephisto would teach him some magic.
『What would this King gain by doing so?』
Contrary to expecting an outright refusal, his lack of reaction was more puzzling than pleasant.
‘Does this old man have some hidden agenda?’
Having lived as a fallen noble and faced a long period of starvation, Elric naturally developed quick wits.
Thanks to that, he could instantly spot something suspicious about Mephisto.
‘Maybe I should pretend to overlook it for now.’
First, he had to figure out what Mephisto’s scheme was.
“You’ve not only stolen the body and magic of the King, but also the ‘True Name’. And yet, you ask for my help? Are you out of your mind?”
‘True Name?’
Elric was momentarily puzzled by the unfamiliar term, but he responded without showing any emotion.
“I’ve heard that black magic often employs the spirits of the dead. And in alchemy, there’s something called Homunculus, which, when perfected, allows for the creation of an artificial life.”
“So?”
“I’ll create a vessel for you.”
“A vessel? Ha! You think you, a mere human, can create a container fit for the King?”
“Well, that’s why you have to make me strong enough, right?”
The deeper Elric delved into magic, the more beneficial it would become for both of them.
However, Mephisto chuckled mockingly, crossing his arms.
“Still, it’s not enough.”
“Then propose a deal. Since I haven’t made any progress, there’s nothing you can do either, right?”
“Hmm.”
Mephisto pretended to ponder, then laughed coldly.
“As expected, I don’t like it. Why should I willingly hand over all that I’ve accumulated? Propose something else. Perhaps if you serve under me, maybe then.”
In reality, Mephisto had already decided to teach Elric magic. Resisting Elric was just a form of psychological retaliation. He wanted to give Elric a hard time and get some satisfaction from it.
Thus, he resisted, intending to gradually offer knowledge to Elric.
‘By learning bits and pieces from the King, he’ll become stronger quickly…! Then, hypnosis and suggestions will naturally follow. He won’t even realize that he’s setting a trap for himself. Hehe…’
Mephisto planned to embed the ‘Curse Seal’ subtly into his teachings, using black magic to slowly drag Elric into the darkness. At first, Elric wouldn’t notice it, but eventually, his soul would be claimed by Mephisto.
‘I can’t just absorb him now. It’s better to make his soul ripe before I take it in the future.’
It seemed like a flawless plan.
‘Come on, kneel and beg to be my disciple, you naive fool!’
In addition, there was a part of him that took pleasure in having his lifelong nemesis beneath him.
But then,
“Ah, damn it. This isn’t working.”
——————
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“Hmm?”
Expecting a desperate plea, Mephisto heard Elric curse instead. For a moment, Mephisto thought he was hearing things.
“Stop acting so valuable. Listen, old man, there’s a limit to haggling. If you keep acting like this, we’ll get nowhere.”
Annoyed, Elric spat on the ground. Mephisto, caught off guard, realized the situation too late, and his face reddened in embarrassment.
“You little…!”
“【Silence】“
“Ugh… Ugh!”
“Oh. It works well on you, doesn’t it?”
While Elric was delighted to see his spell working on the demon, Mephisto, who was unable to speak, he made frustrated noises.
“【Act Cute】“
“Er-er! Eeeer!”
Though Mephisto tried to resist, he found himself involuntarily following Elric’s command, tilting his head and making a squeaky noise.
“Kyu?”
Witnessing the muscular young man’s clumsy display of affection, Elric momentarily wished he could gouge out his own eyes.
“…Ugh. Why did I even ask? Tsk!”
『Euh, euh, euh! Euh, euh, euh! Euh!』
Mephisto clamored as if questioning what was happening.
Of course, he couldn’t speak, so his face just turned beet red.
“I can’t hear anything since I’m studying here alone by by myself.”
『Euh, euh, euh!』
“Well, let’s keep it this way until you change your mind.”
Elric grinned maliciously.
Then, the ‘Mephisto Silence’ began.
“When you change your mind, please write down the Spirit Magic you know here. I’ll review the content and then release you.”
『Euh, euh! Euh!』
Elric placed a notebook and pen in front of Mephisto and focused on his personal training.
Even if Mephisto was like a ghost and invisible to others, he still had basic physical power, enough to move a pen.
As a result, Mephisto had to endure a silent period where he couldn’t speak at all.
Of course, to him, who had endured being sealed for over a millennium, this kind of silence might not seem significant.
But once one tastes freedom, they tend to seek more of it.
This was true for Mephisto, too.
Having tasted freedom after so long, the thought of being submerged in silence again was driving him insane.
Bang! Bang, bang, bang!
Every time Elric unleashed the 2nd circle ‘Fireball’ on the ground, rage surged within Mephisto.
But he had the pride of a Demon King. He tried to resist, thinking he shouldn’t succumb to such threats from a mere human.
However, after about five days of this…
『Euh, euh, euh! Euh, euh, euh!』
Unable to hold back, he quickly scribbled something on the notebook for a long time.
Then, he hastily passed the notebook over to Elric.
『Euh, euh!』
“What is this? Oh…?”
Elric began to read with a skeptical expression, but soon, his eyes widened in surprise.
It was a detailed introduction to the basics of Spirit Magic.
It contained knowledge not taught in the academy or in the family’s library.
It was old knowledge that had been long lost.
Snap!
Elric, impressed, released Mephisto from his silence as promised.
『Damn you, you little…!』
“【Silence】“
But Elric immediately silenced Mephisto again.
“You really have a foul mouth, and you don’t seem to learn. Elaborate on this more, and I’ll release you again.”
『Euh, euh, euh!』
Two days later, Mephisto was once again scribbling in the notebook.
『Euh, euh! Damn it…!』
“What? You have a complaint?”
『…No, of course not.』
Mephisto had to swallow his rising anger.
His pride was hurt, but what could he do? Fist is mightier than the law.
“The amount you wrote today is less than yesterday’s?”
『You didn’t specify how much to write…!』
“【Silence again】“
『Euh, euh! Euh! Euh, euh!』
“You really don’t understand the basics of negotiation. Always write 1.5 times more than the previous day. It’s the rule.”
Who made that rule?!
“If you follow, I’ll release you for the day. Deal?”
『Euh, euh, euh!』
“What? You’ll do it? Great! Now we’re getting somewhere.”
『Euh, euh, euh!』
All Mephisto wanted was to jump out of his spot.
Now, he even dared to challenge the terms!
The problem was that he had no choice but to accept them.
A human who intimidated a Demon King.
‘Damn it! If this kid’s around, even Satan would be out of a job!’
Only then did Mephisto realize he had bitten off more than he could chew.
