I fled the scene and found my way past judgmental stares of the adult humans. Excuse me, pardon me, don’t look at me. I ducked and found myself at the entrance of the kitchen. Some ladies were murmuring anongst themselves, but made no attempt to hide their glares.
“Is that a new servant?” One in a yellow dress scoffed.
“Why is she dressed in that?” Another one in a blue dress asked her friend. “Ew…”
I cared not, because the scent of something delicious was pulling me inside. I knocked with a free hand, balancing the tray perfectly with the other. No one answered, so it was my time to enter anyways! Out of the way! I’m here to deliver this forgotten tray of tea! Top priority!
Upon entering, a lot of men stood gawking at me. They were wearing white and also had on funny hats, however, they did not strike me as members of that religious group of the Light I’ve yet to investigate. One of the men bent his hands on his knees and greeted me with a smile. Oh, was that warmth? He seemed to be the only one who did not judge me.
“Ah, Lady Charlotte, welcome home,” he said with a big smile.
— Fredrick, level 11
— Class: Human Chef [Uncommon]
Debuff: Terrified
I see. My buffs still applied to various, weaker individuals. A pity this man was only level 11, but the class Chef did not sound useful in combat. Despite this, he could be the source of the true strength in this whole place! I regarded him for a moment, piercing through his façade. He was worried that I would punish him and his comrades for some reason, but I ultimately decided to proceed with the current plan: Return this tea and get back to my room!
“A servant left this unattended,” I lifted the tea tray to give to him. “So I am here to return it.”
I doubted I could punish anyone with what little reputation I had here. The man wiped sweat off his brow and looked at the tray after a moment of silence. The tea pot itself was larger than my chest, but I held it up effortlessly.
“Of course, how wonderfully generous of you to stop by here, Lady Charlotte,” he took it and nearly shoved it in another gawking Chef’s hands. I turned away without a second thought, but the smell of something wonderful pulled my nose back. “That’s tonight’s dinner! Oh, I surely hope you get to attend!”
Oh? What’s the occasion? By his wording, I assumed I was not invited. Shame marked his face along with the Terrified debuff when I turned back to face him. If all of the people were distracted by whatever event was happening, I could infiltrate more spots!
“I see,” I still kept my voice quiet, but he still could hear me. I’m not shy, I swear! I was fidgeting with my Bag of Holding! “Keep up the good work.”
Go, Spiders, spy on this kitchen and dining hall! I yanked it open subtly, but no Messenger Spiders crawled out. Eh? They already escaped!?
Well, I sighed as I exited. I am sure they have many places to hide wherever they were. It does cut on time needed to explore the mansion so I can escape back to my room and plan out my next move! Especially with a handy Skill that I acquired through my Spider Queen Title, Queen’s Eyes! Using that will allow me to see through the Messenger Spiders! I peeked around for Elaine, but thanks to the Goddess Geer’Sha and Wisdom, she was not around.
I skipped down my dusty and dark hallway to my room. Who’s the lucky one now? I opened the door and as soon as I closed it a loud boom echoed inside my room, scaring me. Oh, Geer’Sha! What was that, I cowered. Another boom made me jump, and a loud pattering sound reverberated through the room. At the corner of my eye, I noticed the clean floor I used a spell on began to get splotches of wetness on it.
Oh, it was a rainstorm.
I peered outside the single window of my room. Attor’s head glowed in the reflection. I had to stand on him to close it, so he decided to go into Spirit form. Water pounded against the glass. Could this liquid be from the Ocean Realm? I wondered.
“It seems to be a natural occurrence in this Realm,” the dragon floated through the window and sniffed the rain. “It’s somewhat common at the beginning of the Age.”
“Perhaps portals bring this rain from the heavens?” I idly thought. Natural, how does water float up that high anyways without anyone noticing before it spills back down? I stopped myself from scoffing in disbelief over such a concept. “Well, I was supposed to explore outside but for some reason this rain makes me feel demotivated.”
The sky was a slate of grey with a bumpy surface, like bubbles frozen after rising to the surface of my cauldron. Maybe I should try to ask the Stars for more information. On second thought, they gave me frightening news that came true the last time I consulted them so I definitely shouldn’t bother them for now!
There was something new for me to try. It was actually old and it turned out I had been using it ever since that level up. A boom flashed the room as I stood, and I would like to say it added to my mighty presence! Behold, Attor! Witness my Skill: Metamorphosis!
— Skill: Metamorphosis activated.
Forms
— Crow
— Cat (Black)
— Original Form (Human: Charlotte)
— Human Girl (Human: Girl)
— Demon Form (Warning: Incomplete)
I see, I checked the menu’s various forms. It seemed my Demon Form was accessible, but in an incomplete state. Regardless, I missed my old body. This one was too small! Go, Demon Form! As soon as I selected the form, my right arm began to glow white. Only my arm? I watched the light intensify, as talons began to form and tough scales appeared in my arm’s place. This is…!
I lifted my arm and looked at it as the light faded. The limb itself was jet black, covered in tough scales and spikes, and weighty. This truly was my arm! Something wet splashed on it. A tear? One’s body could not be replaced so easily— Skill or no Skill. The arm was disproportionate and I missed my old form a lot, but I swore I shall get it back! I punched with it and the shockwave sent air slashing at the wall. It certainly was not as strong as the real deal since the whole side of this manor would crumble if it was, but I guessed that was possibly for the better after all. Attor’s head floated next to my arm as he inspected it.
“This does look more mighty than your current form,” he commented. “But it is just an illusion.”
“Okay,” I shook the Skill off and my Human arm returned. “Behold my next magnificent form! Hiya!”
— Skill: Metamorphosis activated.
My world began to shrink as light covered my whole body and for some reason, I wanted to squawk. Attor was the first thing I saw after the magic faded and he was huge! Have you always been so big? I bobbed as I walked unnaturally, deciding to hop instead so I can inspect him faster. I had wings instead of hands, which aided in my mobility. This was the Crow form!
“This form of yours isn’t so mighty,” Attor sighed as green fog began to form the rest of his body. “And for some reason, it makes me very hungry.”
“Don’t look at me like that!” I cawed. “If you eat me I’ll die and then you will too, you old man! L-Let’s see, if I manually flap both of them together…”
“I know that,” he scoffed. “But we can always test it.”
“I-I’ll use another food spell, I promise!” I squawked. “Just let me…”
I waggled my arms as I tried to get used to the movement, but I felt silly even if they were wings. I could fly back in my old form, but I avoided doing so since the Demon Realm had a dangerous sky and I also had my arms with me. Here, I could not grab anything! How do birds get anything done without hands or arms? As I began to flap faster, my feet lifted off the ground. I was doing it! Attor, I’m flying! With this form, I shall be able to escape and explore the town undetected! I launched forward, but like the broom I went too fast! Oh, Goddess! The momentum shook my belly and I lost control, spiraling down to the floor again into the wall.
“Ow,” I said monotonously since the pain did not actually affect me. It appeared even in this form I retained my Status, but I noticed Attor pacing restlessly back and forth along the bedside to the walls. “What are you doing?”
“Hmm,” he grumbled. “This place just doesn’t seem like home. It is not comfortable.”
“Perhaps I could get a Spider to make a big bed for you?” I flew straight into the ceiling when I tried to land on top of the bed frame’s canopy. Attor rolled his eyes as I flopped down to the floor from the crow form into my other human form. “I am now… Uh… Hannah! How do I look?”
“Hannah? Not as tasty,” he sighed. Eh? I heard that name was common! I checked myself in the mirror. This disguise merely changed my hair color into brown and eyes into blue. Everything else looked similar to Charlotte. Too similar or maybe I assumed all humans look the same, I squeezed my cheek and felt pain. Ach! It was real enough! I reverted back into my original form. There had to be a way to altar the form some more. Attor spoke up again after finally settling down on the spot he trampled over repeatedly. “I mean, it simply is not as quaint like the tower. It’s empty.”
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
“Well, every new place won’t feel like home, Attor,” I attempted to stay positive as I looked at our room. It was bare and clean, but had no decorations or extra furniture like the other rooms of this place. “We just haven’t filled it with ‘us’ or good memories yet to give it a reason to call this place home.”
“I don’t think that would help,” he grumbled, settling his head on the ground to snooze.
“Perhaps I could send you back there to assist Blanche,” I muttered. “There’s nothing really happening here.”
“It’s too bright here,” Attor continued, ignoring my suggestion. “The magic you used to clean this room, it’s too sterile… almost like—“
A chime interrupted us. I looked at him oddly, but he was looking up at something.
— Wisdom’s Intervention activated. Light Element has been fully developed and integrated into the Forbidden Skill. View Status for new additions.
“Whoa!” I exclaimed. “Did you mean to time that so perfectly? What do you mean, ‘new additions,’ Wisdom?”
“I think you’re supposed to open your Status,” Attor stared at the screen floating above us.
“Why can’t she just explain—“ A sudden pain surged through the core of my chest. What is this? An attack? I fell on Attor for support. My Health was not draining and no debuffs hit my vision, so why did I suddenly feel so different?
— Wisdom’s Intervention activated. Developing new Element. Warning: Additional fulfillments required. Information is currently not available. Attempts to develop new Element will occur in three days.
I breathed heavily. I’m happy for you that you’re creating an element that’s specifically designed to destroy me from the inside. It seems great and all, Wisdom, but thankfully it was paused! I pushed off Attor and got on my feet, patting the core of my chest where it hurt the most. Are you trying to murder me, Wisdom? The silence hovered over the both of us as the notification’s window vanished into nothingness. Being quiet means you’re guilty! I glared upwards, but only saw the ceiling as another boom launched across the sky. Still, Light magic?
“Isn’t that weird, Attor?” I asked. “I’m not really a human, or whatever.”
Attor shrugged. I forgot he wasn’t one either! We both were not aware of the rules of who gets what element, but as far as Wisdom’s research has gone we were certain that the Light Element was a blessing from a Goddess. Oh. I understood where it was coming from. The Sleeping Goddess must have upgraded in the dungeon, since Wisdom seemed too far away to even make contact with me. Still! With this new element came many new opportunities, I grinned and cracked my knuckles. Let’s see it!
— Wisdom’s Intervention activated. Query: Light Element results are here. The Element contains Spells and Skills. Associated Spells with the Light tag in the can also be used via the Forbidden Skill. Example: Spick and Span. See Skills for newly acquired Light Skills?
“Of course, Wisdom!” I beamed in anticipation over the next window. “Show me the Light! Haha!”
I could almost hear Wisdom groaning at my pun, but Attor huffed an unamused ball of smoke in her stead. Come on!
Skills
— Light [Epic] [Light Element] [Rank F]: Unleashes a Small Light elemental beam. Uses Mana to activate.
— Portals [Epic] [Light Element] [Rank F]: Opens two Small Portal gates in an open space. Uses a major amount of both Mana and Stamina to activate.
— Spick and Span [Legendary] [Light Element] [Rank D]: Convert the Spell Spick and Span into a Skill. Cleans target area at a moderate cost of Stamina.
— Healing Hands [Uncommon] [Light Element] [Rank F]: Rest hands upon a target and deliver a small bump of health and regeneration in exchange for Mana.
— Flower Burst [Epic] [Light Element] [Rank F]: Conjures flowers sculpted from the user’s heart, mind and magic in a targeted zone.
Passive Skills
— Cleansing [Epic]: Cleanses sicknesses, diseases and Status effects quicker than usual.
Well, the list was modest but it sure packed a punch! I think! If I am reading this correctly, it says here that I have access to Portals! This is extremely powerful on its own, is it not? And it’s a Skill? I pondered over the implication of Portals being Skills. That would have to mean multiple powerful Church members have that Skill leveled sky high in order to invade an entirely new Realm. And what about the teleportation room? There were too many questions, but I knew where the answers were! It’s time to test the Skills out!
“Skill: Portal!” I instinctively held out my hands and as I did nothing happened! I just look like a fool with my arms outstretched like this! I felt Attor’s judgemental stare at me as I remained in that pose. Maybe it’s delayed? Gah! Don’t look at me! A chime played in my head.
— Wisdom’s Intervention activated. Target locations must be selected via Mage Craft. System User “Charlotte” does not possess the required Skill.
Mage Craft? Eh? I thought I was a Witch! Have I not been using magic already? Why could I not shove this Skill into a Spellpage? Also that wasn’t in the description! More false advertising! Before I could throw a fit, Wisdom chimed at me again. A new lengthy Status alerted me on the specifics of this so called Mage Craft.
— Mage Craft: In order to possess the necessary requirements for using Elemental Magic Skills, one needs this Skill and the following items:
1. A Mana Pool
2. A Class that supports Magic. (Witch)
3. A connection to a God class entity. (Blessing of Geer’Sha)
Interesting, I supposed that was another thing to thank the Sleeping Goddess within my Dungeon for. A sadness swelled within me, subtle and cautiously. Why did I not have a blessing from Wisdom? I stared up at the ceiling, but snapped out of it when the Status window continued.
Magic invocation is achieved by the following process after the System User interfaces with Mage Craft.....
“Hey, Attor,” I started to feel like my head was going to explode as the window kept expanding as more information poured out, even through the floor. “What does any of this even mean!?”
“Hmm,” Attor stepped closer and caused the floor to creak, but craned his head to read the Status. “I suppose it’s time to finally be your Familiar. Here.”
Eh? You’ve always been here for me, I pouted. Attor’s eyes glowed as he faded to his Spirit form.
— Wisdom’s Intervention activated. Familiar “Attor” has granted System User the Skill: Mage Craft [Rare] and the Passive Skill: Mage Sight [Rare] as per the Familiar’s Contract.
— Extra Skill: Mage Link [Epic] obtained. [Source: Skill: Mage Craft and Passive Skill: Mage Sight]
Eh? It was that easy? I asked him with my mind. He floated down to meet me at my eye level.
“Now, activate it,” Attor urged me. “See the world as I do.”
His eyes changed from a glassy jade to a haunting red, making me wonder how mine would change colors. From my Doom’s perspective, she saw mine as purple. I did not know why, but I felt the anticipation wrap along my skin. I took a deep breath. To new sights and new feelings! Skill: Mage Link!
A brilliant flash struck my vision temporarily, like a wave, and I was suddenly able to see thousands of glowing, tiny symbols cascading from the heavens all around me in a swirl of new colors. I knew I was still in my room, but everything seemed revealed to me.
”What do you see?” Attor’s voice came through the swirls of colorful letters and symbols.
“These symbols… It’s Mana!” I gasped. Moving my hand through the floating symbols. Even the motion sent a prismatic shade following where I stopped my fingertips. The runes twisted and bent all around my skin, while some floated through my wrist. Attor’s Spirit Form was levitating near me, observing the same symbols, and even he was completely enveloped in those tiny symbols. Only his eyes glowed differently as red jewels. “It’s beautiful and it’s all around us.”
”Those are runes,” he explained. “They make up mana, which creates all things in this Realm. You too, have mana flowing throughout your very being. With your own runes and magic, you can create magic.”
How interesting, I thought to myself. When I used magic in the Demon Realm it required a sacrifice of some kind. Mainly, my own blood. Ah, these runes had links to whatever they attached to. The walls of wooden runes, which formed in groups that became matrices of mana. It was a truly terrifying and beautiful thing to know this was all around us.
“Go on, try a Light Skill now,” Attor urged. I could tell why. I felt my head feeling dizzy, so I scrolled through the Skill list while the multicolored tapestry was still visible. I could not be in this state forever. Can humans see magic this way? I looked at the symbols and noticed they seemed to match what the Status window had. There was no use worrying about what humans can do, only what I can do!
“Skill: Light!” I felt something in me drain and heat gather in my hand. Symbols started flowing down the veins of my wrist. Well, I was familiar with this feeling! I could use my hand like a wand! Ha! The mana was flowing much quicker, so I gripped my hand to keep the flow from escaping.
“Fill the rune circle, then release it,” Attor’s voice came through my concentration.
I did not realize my eyes were shut as I was clenching the disobedient mana within my fist. As I opened my eyes, I saw dull light elemental symbols floating in a leaf pattern before me. They were not glowing yet! I let the mana flow from my hand and soon the symbols and the circle felt like it was going to blow! Uh oh, I forced my hand to point the energy somewhere before a small blinding light pierced the symbols. Something jolted from me and my vision was blurry. That was my mana pool draining, wasn’t it? I grinned, despite feeling woozy. A chime played in my head and suddenly the world restored to normal.
— Skill: Light used.
“Attor, did you see that? I cast my first spell! Ha!” I cheered. Attor snorted.
“You should see what you did,” he had a hint of smugness in his voice.
“I what!?” I looked around me, before noticing a ray of sunshine lancing through a small hole in the rundown wall. No, it was grey outside. The ray was created by me! Haha! A much louder boom sounded through out the room, shaking me out of my cackling. I noticed the hole was much bigger than I thought the ray would make. Attor sighed when he noticed I was unimpressed by it. “Hmm, I created larger wreckage with the broom…”
Still, its aperture was singed from the ray; It was slightly bigger than a small shield. A bitter chuckle escaped out of my mouth as the magic faded. The Light Element was so strong! A shame I had to become such a weak creature to use it! Humans have all the luck, don’t they?
As a former Demon Queen, I had no ability to use these skills. I had to rely on such savage means and true physical feats to unite my former Realm, and yet now I can just use these lazy things! As soon as I master these matrices, I shall soon—
My stomach began to growl and a droplet of rain struck my forehead. I shall find food and feed this body meat to get even stronger, that’s what I’ll do!