The Whispered Gift: Shadows of Enchantment

Ddraig's laughter gradually subsided, leaving behind an air of seriousness that echoed within the fiery abyss. His fiery eyes met mine, his expression a mixture of caution and resolve. "Observed? By whom?" I questioned, my voice tinged with a mixture of surprise and concern.

My mind raced like lightning, attempting to explore all the possible outcomes. 'Was I discovered? But that shouldn't be possible. No one can perceive my cultivation technique. Could it be my breath that gave me away? They must have followed me from the flight. But then, why haven't they taken any action? Or is this the first time they're discovering me here, planning their move carefully?'

~Whoa, whoa, cool down, partner. It's not us,~Ddraig's response carried a depth of meaning that stirred my curiosity. ~Something else is being observed, something behind us.~

I remained seated, holding still. ~It appears to be an owl, but it's not an ordinary one—it's a familiar of someone,~.

"A powerful magic user?" I asked.

To which he replied, ~No, rather a very weak one. But that shouldn't be possible. They wouldn't be able to summon or contract an observation owl. It requires precise control to share senses and maintain a remote connection.~ This revelation surprised me.

Curiosity swelled within me, driving me to wonder who could be behind this mysterious observation. A mystic arts user? A mage? A sorcerer? an entity capable of using magic? The possibilities were vast, yet uncertain.

Putting my musings aside, I inquired, "If it's not us, what is it watching?"

Ddraig responded, ~The tree behind us, the one we're currently sitting under and leaning against.~

"The tree?" My thoughts spun once again, caught in a web of confusion. Why would someone watch a tree? What significance did this particular tree hold? Could this be a deliberate misdirection, so that we could drop our guard? And, most baffling of all, who the f**k watches a tree in the middle of the night?

Ddraig suggested it was safe to move now, as the observer has flown away. However, his lingering words warn of caution, igniting a sense of vigilance within me. There was something peculiar about this magic user, something that didn't sit right with Ddraig—a sentiment I shared wholeheartedly. In a world where danger often lurked in the shadows, it was wise to tread carefully.

"We should step up our game from tomorrow," I declared with a solemn expression. "There are always wild cards, unexpected variables that come our way." The words carried a weight of experience and the understanding that strength was a necessity in a realm where vulnerability could be one's downfall.

As I contemplated my next moves, I recalled an old saying: --Weakness is a sin; it is a crime against life. Let not your weakness hold you back; do not let fear clip your wings. But with all the strength that is in you, soar up, and rise against the currents of adversity. It is in the overcoming of difficulties that strength is developed.-- Swami Vivekananda

The morning dawned, I woke up freshened up, and had my breakfast. I started walking toward the peculiar yet normal-looking tree, which attracted a weird magic user to spy on it at night. I took a glance at it and sat under it, as I believe if there is something strange enough to attract other strange people, then it must have a significant value, or it may be a heavenly treasure waiting for that one lucky guy to claim. how do become lucky, you ask? well it is simply being at the right place at the right time to grab that single opportunity or something along these lines said a guy named Ego.

As I made myself comfortable under the cool shade, I opened the system interface with a mental command, 'system' I said in my mind.

------------------------------

[NAME : GREY]

[AGE : 5 YEARS]

[TITLE : VOID DISCIPLE]

[RACE : HUMAN(ASCENDENT) / DRAGON]

[CULTIVATION : QI-REFINING]

[POWER LEVEL : LOW-CLASS DEVIL(PEAK)]

[SOUL STRENGHT : B+ GRADE]

[MAGIC POWER : D-CLASS]

[MANA POOL: B CLASS]

[LEGACY : DEVIL EMPEROR]

[BLOODLINE : RED DRAGON EMPEROR]

[NEXUS POINTS : 1000]

[PASSIVE : STATUS EFFECT CONVERSION]

[STATUS : NORMAL]

[WORLD : DRACONIC DEUS]

[SKILLS : NONE]

<ITEMS>

<THE LIBRARY OF REALITIES>

<DIMENSIONAL TRAVEL>

------------------------------

'Its time i check out this library',i thought. with that i pressed <THE LIBRARY OF REALITIES>. Then a series of messages popped up.

[OPENING THE LIBRARY...]

[SCANING MEMORIES...]

[UPDATING THE BOOKS...]

[NOTICE : ALL THE BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY BELONGING TO DIFFERENT KNOWN UNIVERSES HAVE BEEN UNLOCKED AND UPDATED WITH HOST'S CURRENT KNOWLEDGE]

With that I entered, a large library filled with bookshelves in a huge rows each with many books. spread till the eyes could see. Infront of me was a digital screen asking me to enter the name of the world I wish to read. I entered <DRACONIC DEUS> and A book in red and green colored pattern of cover came to me. I pressed <READ> option on the book and vast amount of information came to me, most of which are the knowledge I had at the time of being on Earth. But there was something interesting that caught my eye, It was stated that the current world id re-forged in order to reincarnate me without breaking the reality. This was achieved through process of in-complete convergence.

Meaning when this world was forged, many items and artifacts of different worlds were brought into this to balance it off on multiversal scale. Fortunately only the items and artifacts arrived not the characters. This brought a whole new stuff in

the dangerous world of DxD, but those that came were limited and are rarely be recognizable by the people of this world, I hope. It also means many artifacts which are of low strength in their original world are now given a total power boost from the start due to them being in a high level world governed by magic with max power cap to be very high compared to their worlds.

I need to collect as many of them as possible to get an additional edge on others. And when I closed the book a message appeared.

[HOST PLEASE INTERACT AND EXPLORE THE WORLDS TO UPDATE THE BOOKS IN LIBRARY]

After which i exited the library. Only to be greeted with a prompt again, but this time it was asking something new and unexpected.

[CONGRATULATIONS!! <SHOP> HAS UNLOCKED]

[DRACONIC DEUS BOOK UNLOCKED AND READ...]

[DO YOU WANT TO RE-CALIBRATE THE SYSTEM INTERFACE WITH THE CURRENT WORLD?]

<YES / NO>

Well, yes. Yes I want to re-calibrate and i pressed <YES>.

And then the interface appeared with new scaling of power.

------------------------------

[NAME : GREY]

[AGE : 5 YEARS]

[TITLE : VOID DISCIPLE]

[RACE : HUMAN(ASCENDENT) / DRAGON]

[CULTIVATION : QI-REFINING]

[TRUE POWER : LOW-CLASS DEVIL(PEAK)]

[SOUL STRENGHT : B+ GRADE]

[LEGACY : DEVIL EMPEROR]

[BLOODLINE : RED DRAGON EMPEROR]

[NEXUS POINTS : 1000]

[PASSIVE : STATUS EFFECT CONVERSION]

[STATUS : NORMAL]

[WORLD : DRACONIC DEUS]

[SKILLS : NONE]

<ITEMS>

<SHOP>

<THE LIBRARY OF REALITIES>

<DIMENSIONAL TRAVEL>

------------------------------

'Hmm, so now the magic pool and mana are no longer displayed, but my total strength in both magic and physical are adjusted to the DxD power scaling, calling it my True Power' not bad, simple to compare.

Now that everything is done, Its time I get my own army. My eyes and ears in shadows. I quickly rushed to my bedroom-dormitory, after ensuring no one else is with me. I open system and took out a mask with a distinct Japanese design. It is giving off a evil-vibe along with a powerful aura. It was the Oni mask, where Rairakku the oni general is imprisoned in.

'Should I wear it, I mean I could face the corruption of the Oni general in this but if I could get the control of the shadow khan: ninja khan specifically, It could provide a huge boost to my strength by having an army of undying and immortal shadows ,and it could really be helpful especially with the whole tree gazing owl thing happening' I pondered.

With a deep breath, I put the mask on. Then immediately i heard a bunch of notifications.

[ONI MASK OF SHADOWKHAN : NINJA KHAN DETECTED...]

[WARNING!! MASK CORRUPTION TARGETING HOST]

[NOTICE : BLACK HEART RESONATING WITH MASK'S SHADOW POWERS]

[NOTICE : SOUL WARMING LOTUS RESPONDING TO MASK'S CORRUPTION]

[BLACK HEART ATTEMPTING TO OVERRIDE THE MASK...PROCESS SUCCESSFULL]

[SOUL WARMING LOTUS SUPRESSING THE WILL AND SOUL OF ONI GENERAL RAIRAKKU...SUPPRESSION SUCCESSFUL]

[SOUL WARMING LOTUS ABSORBING THE SOUL OF ONI GENERAL...ABSORBTION SUCCESSFULL]

As the final message appeared, the mask slipped from my face, bereft of its ominous aura. No longer a source of dread, it became an ordinary mask, altered by my actions. When I concentrated on the mana in me, I could feel that it became dense.

Observing the shadow within the room, a profound connection arose, my gaze fixated on a deeper, darker presence lurking within the depths. With a thought's flicker, a Shadow Khan emerged, bowing before me, awaiting orders. Promptly, I instructed it to return.

And thus commenced my training regimen. Cultivation filled mornings, Ddraig and I honed combat prowess during afternoons, and the midnight hours saw me training with the Shadow Khan, refining both their skills and mine. Days advanced, and I dispatched a shadow ninja to tail the enigmatic owl, intent on gleaning information

The shadow successfully tracked the owl and brought back the information of this weird magic user. This individual resided within a remote cottage, approximately eight miles distant.

I spent next 2 days to devise a plan of approach and i also had time to learn to walk in the shadows and blend with shadows. Equipped with these skills, I harnessed shadows, cloaking my form, assuming the guise of an 18- or 19-year-old.

Almost half a year transpired, marked by growth in combat prowess and a Qi-Condensation breakthrough. True Power now rested at Mid-Class Devil (Low). Now its time find out this mysterious midnight tree watcher.

------------------------------

[NAME : GREY]

[AGE : 5 YEARS]

[TITLE : VOID DISCIPLE]

[RACE : HUMAN(ASCENDENT) / DRAGON]

[CULTIVATION : QI-CONDENSATION]

[TRUE POWER : MID-CLASS DEVIL(LOW)]

[SOUL STRENGHT : B+ GRADE]

[LEGACY : DEVIL EMPEROR]

[BLOODLINE : RED DRAGON EMPEROR]

[NEXUS POINTS : 1000]

[PASSIVE : STATUS EFFECT CONVERSION]

[STATUS : NORMAL]

[WORLD : DRACONIC DEUS]

[SKILLS : SHADOW WALK ; SHADOW BLEND]

[SHADOWKHAN : NINJA KHAN--MID-CLASS DEVIL(MID) ]

<ITEMS>

<SHOP>

<THE LIBRARY OF REALITIES>

<DIMENSIONAL TRAVEL>

------------------------------

Cloaked in [SHADOW BLEND], I altered my physicality to resemble that of a teenager. An ethereal shroud of darkness enshrouded me, eyes aglow in deep violet. With determination, I ventured towards the cottage at night when i know that the magic user would be busy controlling their familiar.

With my shadow Ninjas surrounding the cottage in the darkness, they were not visible at all.

I stepped inside by moving through shadows, the interior revealed a surprising tale—a tale of organized chaos that mirrored the mind of a seeker driven by passion. The main chamber, though compact, was a mosaic of magic-related paraphernalia. Books, with spines bearing the weight of knowledge, lay strewn across tables, stacked in haphazard piles, and nestled within crevices. Each tome represented an avenue of exploration, a portal to realms yet uncharted.

Tables and workbenches displayed various magical artifacts in different stages of disarray—crystals emanating faint glimmers of energy, vials containing vivid liquids that danced with hues unknown, and intricate runes etched onto parchment. Unfinished spells and alchemical experiments adorned every available surface, revealing the fervent endeavor that resided within these walls.

The air bore a faint aura, a mingling scent of ancient parchment, candle wax, and the indefinable essence of magic itself. Dust motes danced in the warm sunlight that filtered through the windows, casting an ethereal glow upon the room's chaotic beauty.

The walls were full of depictions—depictions of symbols, mythical creatures, and sigils from a myriad of magical traditions. These images painted a portrait of a mind that sought unity in diversity, weaving together the threads of various practices into a single point.

In the center of the cottage, there was a cozy armchair next to a fireplace. The flames in the fireplace showed that person had been studying alone. Close by, there was a cauldron used for alchemy, occasionally bubbling with the potential for change.

In the midst of neat chaos, a small dining table held basic food, recognizing the need to eat even during magical studies. The room emanated an atmosphere of both reverence and restlessness—a space where knowledge was pursued with an insatiable hunger.

Cloaked in shadows, I approach the figure before me, my ethereal form casting a mysterious aura. "Who are you? Why were you observing the tree?" I inquire with a steady tone.

Startled, the person turns toward me, their expression a mix of surprise and wariness. "Oh, I didn't expect anyone to be here," they respond, their voice tinged with a hint of fear. "I'm Arya Mystvale. And you are?" They introduce themselves cautiously.

I remain enshrouded in darkness, my violet eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. "Names are transient, often carried away by the winds of change. You may call me Eclipse," I reply, my voice carrying an air of mystery.

Arya eyes me curiously, clearly intrigued yet cautious. "Eclipse," he repeats, as if testing the name on his lips. "What brings you to this place?"

With a subtle movement, I lower my shroud slightly, allowing a glimpse of my form. "A convergence of curiosity and fate," I answer cryptically. "But tell me, Arya Mystvale, what compelled you to observe this tree, delving into the patterns of its mana veins?"

Arya's expression shifts from suspicion to a mixture of awe and intrigue. "The mana veins of this tree," he begins, "hold a unique resonance, a flow that caught my attention. I'm Arya, a seeker of unconventional magical paths, and this tree seemed to hum with untapped potential."

I nod, understanding his perspective. "Untapped potential indeed," I murmur. "But your methods are unconventional as well. To harness negative emotions to fuel a magic circle for summoning magic—that's a path rarely tread."

Arya's gaze holds determination. "Conventional methods breed conventional results. I believe in pushing boundaries, exploring the uncharted territories of magic. It's not without risks, of course."

"Risks are the companions of innovation," I remark, a glint of approval in my violet eyes. "Your approach resembles Cursed Energy, a concept from another realm I've encountered. However, such power can be unpredictable, even dangerous."

Arya's expression shifts to a mix of surprise and eagerness. "Cursed Energy? You've experienced other realms?" He seems both amazed and intrigued by the concept.

I give a nod of affirmation. "Indeed, my journeys have taken me through diverse dimensions, where magic wears many faces. Your experiment may hold the potential to tap into something vast and unexplored. But tread carefully, for power unchecked can lead to chaos."

Arya's gaze intensifies as he processes my words. "I've sensed it too, the untamed energy that resides within. Thank you, Eclipse, for your insight. But what of you? What brings a traveler of realms to this place?"

In response, I raise my hand slightly, palm open. Within my grasp materializes a dark, leather-bound tome with intricate runes etched upon its cover, which i have brought from the <SHOP> now. "This is for you, Arya Mystvale," I say, my voice carrying a weight of significance. "It is called the 'Dark Scripture,' a forbidden grimoire. Within its pages, you will find knowledge of spells that counteract and disrupt magical effects. Use it wisely."

Arya's eyes widen with awe as he gazes at the tome. "The Dark Scripture?" he whispers in disbelief.

I give a small nod. "Indeed, a fragment of that expansive multiverse. May it aid you in your quest for unconventional magic."

Arya reaches out, hesitantly taking the grimoire with reverence. "Thank you, Eclipse. I won't forget this generosity."

With a final enigmatic smile, I gradually withdraw into the shadows, my form dissolving like mist. "Until our stars align once more," I say, my voice carrying through the air, a whisper that fades into the night.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

[NAME : GREY]

[AGE : 5 YEARS]

[TITLE : VOID DISCIPLE]

[RACE : HUMAN(ASCENDENT) / DRAGON]

[CULTIVATION : QI-CONDENSATION]

[TRUE POWER : MID-CLASS DEVIL(LOW)]

[SOUL STRENGHT : B+ GRADE]

[LEGACY : DEVIL EMPEROR]

[BLOODLINE : RED DRAGON EMPEROR]

[NEXUS POINTS : 700]

[PASSIVE : STATUS EFFECT CONVERSION]

[STATUS : NORMAL]

[WORLD : DRACONIC DEUS]

[SKILLS : SHADOW WALK ; SHADOW BLEND]

[SHADOWKHAN : NINJA KHAN--MID-CLASS DEVIL(MID) ]

<ITEMS>

<SHOP>

<THE LIBRARY OF REALITIES>

<DIMENSIONAL TRAVEL>

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x