As the morning descended on houses of the Stero town, their rooftop’s bells chimed pleasantly. The bells had a strange round shape and were made of black bronze. They swung by themselves when the sun shone on them, without wind or pulling ropes. In the tradition of Death religion that mostly covered Northern Lumovas, the people would hang a bell on top of their houses, which they believed was to chase away the death-bringer spirits who came at midnight. A house’s bell would always ring in the morning to announce that the dangerous night had passed, otherwise, it would be a bad omen to the house’s owner. The house’s owner then had to seek the Death’s priest if they woke up alive in the next morning.

Most town dwellers woke up to prepare for a new day of work. Nothing special seemed to happen around the simple town, and their loads of work looked boring as usual. The sleepy people yawned while they ran the business in the chilling weather.

Only one bookstore at the end of the road found a trace of burglary. One of their window’s lockers had fallen off! As the owner was anxiously checking their loss, they discovered that only one notebook and one pen were gone, along with a few newspapers from yesterday. A gold coin was placed on the clerk’s counter, perhaps they were left there by an ‘overtime’ buyer in a rush.

No town’s security guard had spotted anyone suspicious yesterday, though.

In the pine wood next to the town, there was a fox-headed man dressed in a fine suit sitting on a fallen tree trunk. It was tapping its feet on the ground, while its nine fleecy tails were hugging its body. The wood was cold and humid, so the fox-headed man was doing whatever it could to generate heat.

“It’s strange. The fox attendant’s body was like a dense block of clay. It has no blood, no inner organs and its skin includes fur and clothes. I felt numb when we had just left the castle, but now I’m feeling cold, hungry and weary. Shouldn’t this body not have such a reaction?” – Eithne thought.

The longer the fox attendant stayed outside the castle, the more it became like a real living creature. Despite having no blood and organs, this body attracted mosquitoes, giving Eithne’s natural bodily responses like dizziness and tiredness.

“I thought that I could avoid eating or resting in this body, that would save me much hassle.”

Eithne speculated that it was the work of the Order. The Order ruled above all laws, including the Laws of Nature. Clearly, the natural law of fox attendant’s body was changing rapidly.

“Anyway, where was I … Ah yes, the mana users.”

Eithne returned to her notebook, which was placed on her lap for easier writing. She was trying to write out everything she knew about this world, starting from the category system of mana users.

- ‘There are two classes of mana users: weapon wielder and mages. Weapon wielders mainly practice assaulting techniques, while mages are versatile. There are many types of mages – depending on which area that they focus on: attacker mages, healer/medical mages, spirit mages, shape-shifting mages… The potential of magic is unlimited. It’s controversial to debate which class is better, because the pros and cons on each side have equally cancelled each other. Mages need more time and mana to cast spells, while weapon users are faster, but they cannot teleport or shape-shift, and so on… Both of the classes are capable of using the most basic elemental magic such as casting fire, water, wind. The performances of different classes might be different.

Nonetheless, most mana users will join religious organizations, because only Gods can bestow them more strength, by controlling and injecting Chaos elements.’

The fox titled its head in a few seconds, then it added a note.

- ‘Note: I would like to describe ‘the power bestowment’ as ‘mutation provoking’, due to the body and soul’s evolution after Chaos absorption.

In my own experience, my body had undergone a failed mutation. It had turned into an abominable monster and only my head was saved. Thankfully, my soul successfully evolved, so my senses and magic capability improved a lot.

I’m unsure how to describe the process of mutation. My soul was forcefully separated from my body when Chaos invaded, so I had no control over my body during mutation. It was likely the reason why my body failed to evolve…

I became stronger in soul, but without a proper vessel, I’m just an undead ghost.’

“This note is going to be my silly personal journal.” – Eithne smiled at the thought. “If I’m going to die, I will bury it in a very dangerous place so that people will think it was a cursed book of black magic.”

She continued to scribble on the paper. She was trying her best to keep her handwriting neat, but the poor sitting place’s condition was not helping.

- ‘Many mana users refuse to join a religion, mostly mages. They cannot advance their innate talent – unable to perform stronger spells above their levels. Thus, they form alliances, create tools to enhance their overall power, such as the Lumovas Royal Mage faction. Like magic engineers, they create wonderful magic mediums like staffs, wands, rings and convenient tools like magic messenger, shock absorber, magic shields, magic cannons…

To determine the core strength of a creature (without outer tools’ assistance), we rely on the mana influences of that creature. Mana influence indicates the density of mana waves that were emanated from the creature’s body. Most mana users could sense their opponent’s mana waves, unless the opponent has a hiding skill like Aubrey Moros.’

“Hm… What else...”

Eithne tapped her foot on the ground while thinking.

- ‘The difference between the mana users’ classes gradually disappears when they advance to a certain level. Learning from the mysterious castle’s wall and observation, I discover that my current level can establish a domain – a ground that creates beneficial conditions for myself – though it can betray me if the opponent also gains advantage in such conditions.’

A normal person can only create one domain. However, I’m capable of having two domains. I suspect it’s a result of the Primordial Serpent occupying half of my soul. I have a domain related to the Primordial Serpent’s power and my own domain.

Lacking concrete knowledge, I can only use the scale of the War temple to conclude that a high-grade priest can start producing a domain of their own. Having the domain, the techniques that we use to fight have exceeded normal elemental magic. I rarely use earth elemental magic after my domain awakens.’

Eithne recalled the battle with the Vice High Priestess of the War temple. Aubrey Moros’s domain was like a dreamy painting of the radiant dawn. While Eithne’s first domain resembled a dark, cold and silent underground enclosure, her other domain appeared to be a bizarre comic page.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

- ‘We are approaching the magic of concepts. The concept of emptiness, desperation and silence, and the concept of locking living creatures inside the impressive imagery of comics.

Weapon users like me can also use a wide-ranged attack like mages if I’m in my domain. I believe Aubrey could teleport in her domain as well. On this level, having a sword or a wand is just a formalism, a mental anchor to boost our confidence and style our fight, because our magic has gone beyond the logical and physical norms. What we actually need is a medium to enhance our magic efficiency, in any form.

The most evident gap in power is the boundary between mortals and demi-gods.

From my humble knowledge, demi-gods can live longer than normal people at least one hundred years. I’m uncertain about the exact amount of Chaos we need to absorb.’

“If I can reach demi-god level, then I can tear through space and no longer need teleportation magic.”

Eithne smiled dryly.

“But currently, I still need to buy tickets to use the teleportation gate.”

Priestess Eithne Noceur was originally a weapon user. There were many battle mages in the temple as well, like the leader of the Wrath faction who frequently went on vacation to treat his high blood pressure.

Eithne just wrote any pieces of information she knew in the notebook.

“The next problem is restoring my body. I intend to restore my body from my head. However, if I dunk my head in a pool of healing potion or monster’s core dust, will a newly perfect body grow from it, or just a random chunk of flesh is going to appear?”

There had been no successful cases in which healing potion or monster’s core dust revised the dead. All they could do was to boost the growth of tissues from the damaged organ. In Eithne’s case, she was more convinced that only the flesh from her cut-off neck was restored. Who knew it could even grow long enough to turn her into a human-headed serpent?

“There’s no other clue…”

Eithne was temporarily discouraged, but she forced herself to focus again.

“On top of everything, I need to eliminate the Primordial Serpent’s corruption from my head first. Big fox, any idea?”

Eithne asked the fox attendant.

“But seriously, you need a name. I can’t call you ‘fox’ forever. Do you have a name in mind?”

“Eak? Eak eak eak. (Name? I have no name.)”

“Hm… Oliver? Arthur? Emma? Kristine? Daniel? Eleanor? Anna? Elsa? Olaf?”

“Eak… I don’t know…”

Eithne picked up a newspaper she bought yesterday. Opening a random page, Eithne saw an article:

‘BARTY LIKES TO PARTY.

Count Bartholomew expressed that his mansion was specially designed for overnight parties. ‘My name is Bartholomew de August, but ladies, you can call my intimate name - Barty.’ – said the count.’

Below the article attached an image of the count swiping his hair backward.

Eithne’s mouth curved up.

“How about Barty?”

“Eek…”

The fox attendant expressed its suspicion, but it eventually agreed to let Eithne call it Barty until it could find a better name.

“Ok Barty, please give me some advice to erase the Primordial Serpent’s corruption.”

Eithne said. She silently suppressed her smile when she recalled the article’s title.

“The most effective way is to use a strong purifying power to eradicate The Serpent’s hexes…” - said Barty.

Eithne sighed.

“Then I guess there’s nothing I can do now… I have to find Raphael anyway. I will make him fulfill his promise of giving me a safe hideout.”

Of course, only a safe hideout was promised. Raphael could still sell out her information, so Eithne had to prepare for that. She could imagine that Demir Noceur would wait for her outside of that ‘safe hideout’, once she stepped outside the promised area…

Eithne clicked her tongue.

She picked up a newspaper in boredom.

“Let’s see what’s happening with the world currently. Hm, the oversea empire of Quenaz is pushing for a monopoly on sea routes, but the neighboring kingdoms of Lumovas are opposing that. I remember Raphael has his part in this mess… Heh, I wonder if the guy has succeeded in punching a hole on the Quenaz’s ship yet.”

“If my memory is correct, a Quenaz prince will propose courtship with Noori in the future plot.”

Eithne passed to the next article.

“The Royal Mage Faction is testing a system that records every citizen’s identification. Only identified citizens can enter the Lumovas capital in the future… Ah, it is going to be harder for me to go around. I’ve lost my identification card.”

“The Imperial Prince went missing with the Young Duke of Solinue and Young Lady of Gynren Count… I know this, Rigel is still hiding in the Death temple with his friends.”

The rest of the news were just miscellaneous everyday stories, so Eithne switched to the next newspaper – The Angel’s Letter – the newspaper was dedicated for religion’s information only.

“The next Saint of War has been chosen by the God… Oh my! This punk has already become a Saint while I was away?”

Eithne opened her eyes wide in surprise. She stared at the name ‘Hesata Ragnar’ on the paper.

“How fast… It’s good for him. After all these years of hard work, he is finally acknowledged.”

Eithne lightly nodded a few times in reminiscence of the past. The original priestess had never cared about the election of the War Saint. Thus, Eithne, who absorbed her personality, also did not ask much about Hesata’s personal work.

“Hm… I don’t remember Hesata Ragnar being mentioned in the story plot. I hope he will be okay in the future, not ending up like the original ‘Eithne Noceur’.”

She then moved on to the next article.

“The Saint and other priests of Peace are coming to the Northern Lumovas to assist the Death temple in the battle against monsters. Oh! They will be visiting the Stero town in this week!?”

“Jackpot!”

Eithne swung her fist. She did not need to go far to look for Raphael.

“Hehe…” – She rubbed her palms evilly. The nine fox tails wiggled in excitement.

Surely, she must prepare a surprise. Raphael Ascian partly contributed to her death, did he not?

“Just wait…”

Eithne imagined a few scenes in her head. She would think hard about how to make Raphael pay.

She turned to the last page of the newspaper.

“Fuck…”

‘~ We offer our sincere condolences to the passing of Priestess Eithne Noceur. ~

Her funeral will be held on 20 December, Year Daneva 24, at the War temple’s main hall. All of her friends and family are invited to this memorial service.’

“…”

Eithne pulled her fox’s whiskers. She was unsure how to react to this.

“Right… I’m already dead to the world. I should get used to this. How nice of them to hold me a funeral. But if they are not serving tiramisu, I’m not coming, hehe.”

Eithne laughed. She threw the newspapers behind her head.

“Oh well. Let’s just wait until Raphael comes. In the meantime, I will go shopping with Barty.”

She saw many interesting things in the advertisement section of the news. There were boozes, hot food and handmade soaps which Eithne seriously thought she must keep some of them with her for sanitizing purposes, and peculiar handcrafted decorations of Death religion that triggered her curiosity. Eithne decided to go check them out in Stero town.

“Barty, we should find a way to buy food. I’m hungry…”

“Me too… Fix your head quickly.”