Chapter 54 - Post-Ceremony and Mutation

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"Hah~.... So tired...."

I let out a long sigh while leaning on the sofa with my head face up in the Pheles mansion.

I felt quite tired because after my promotion ceremony was over, I had to deal with people congratulating me and also attend the banquet that was held and prepared after the ceremony.

And some of them invited me to visit their homes when I have a time and there were even some who said they wanted to introduce their daughter, niece, or even granddaughter to me.

Even though it's quite troublesome, I have to do it with smile and elegance to give a good impression.

Because after all they are nobles while I am also a noble even though I am just a beginner.

"Rey-sama, please."

I heard Sakuya-san's voice and after I looked, I saw her carrying a tray with some cold drinks that she had prepared since who knows when.

I sat up straight and then took the glass on the table.

"Thank you, Sakuya-san."

I said and smiled at Sakuya-san and then took a sip of the drink.

*glugglugglug*

While Sakuya-san smiled at me and then served the drinks to Scathach-sama, Kulshedra-san, Mephisto-jiisama, and also herself.

"Ahh~...."

I felt refreshed after finishing my drink.

And after the others also drank their drinks, Mephisto-jiisama asked me.

"Rey, may I see the items given to you?"

"Ah? Yes. Just a moment...."

I gave a small nod and then I took out a luxurious chest that looked like a small treasure chest containing scroll of certificates, a crown, and a box containing the Evil Pieces I got during the ceremony from my Storage Ring and placed them on the table.

"That ring really useful, isn't it...."

Mephisto-jiisama said while looking at the ring on my finger.

And somehow I felt like he looked a little envious and hopeful.

Well, that's not strange actually.

After all, Storage Ring indeed a very useful item.

"Uhh.... Do you want it too, Mephisto-jiisama? I happened still have some."

I offered to give a Storage Ring too to Mephisto-jiisama after realized he also wanted to have it.

While I was undergoing training previously, I summoned a few more Storage Rings for us and at the same time to practice the use of my Sacred Gear's first Balance Breaker.

My Sacred Gear, «Wishful Summoning of the Lost Records» aka «Serene Summoning» is a new Longinus Sacred Gear that allows its user to perform Summons.

The basic function or effect of «Serene Summoning» is that it is possible to summon unintelligent supernatural creatures (flora & fauna) or masterless objects.

Meanwhile, for the Balance Breaker, there are 2 functions/effects.

The first is Balance Breaker - «Cross Overtake Summoning» which allows to summon unintelligent creatures (flora & fauna) or masterless objects from other worlds which can only be used to summon 1 target once a month.

And the second is Balance Breaker EX - «Infinite Parallel Overwrite Summoning» which makes it possible to summon intelligent creatures/objects from other worlds and make contracts with them. But this Balance Breaker can only be used to summon 1 target once every 3-4 months.

And the Storage Ring is an item I got from using Balance Breaker - Cross Overtake Summoning.

"Oh? You still have it?"

Mephisto-jiisama asked looking a little enthusiastic.

"Nn. Nn."

I nodded slightly twice.

"Then I won't hold back."

Mephisto-jiisama said with a big smile.

Then I took out one of the Storage Rings I kept and gave it to Mephisto-jiisama.

"Here, Mephisto-jiisama.... You can drip your blood to the ring later to mark it as your possession."

"Mahahahaha. Thank you, Rey."

Mephisto-jiisama looked happy to get the ring and immediately put it on one of his fingers.

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After that, Mephisto-jiisama took out the certificate scroll and opened it.

And after looking at it for a moment, he gave a small nod, rolled it back up and placed it back into the chest.

As for the crown I got, he also just took it and looked at it for a while then put it down.

And then he took the small box containing the Evil Pieces and opened it.

And after seeing those 15 glassy black chess pieces, he seemed a little disappointed.

"No «Mutation», huh...."

What Mephisto-jiisama refers to is «Mutation Piece».

Mutation Pieces are Evil Pieces that experience mutations due to various factors.

It is said that Mutation Pieces are very rare. Only about a 10% chance does an Evil Piece have to undergo a mutation.

And apart from that, Mutation Pieces can also be used to reincarnate peerage candidates who would otherwise need more than one Evil Piece.... So if for example someone is expected to need 2 «Knight» pieces to be reincarnated as a Devil, if you use Mutation Piece you only need to use one.

"Well, that's okay.... After all, mutation means changing if there is a certain situation. Most people who have Mutation Pieces, the mutation occurs unexpectedly and at first it was just Normal Pieces."

Mephisto-jiisama said with a slight shake of his head.

"I see...."

I nodded slightly while holding my chin.

"It's also possible that Ajuka deliberately didn't give you any Mutation Pieces. Because for someone irregular like you, the possibility of Evil Pieces experiencing mutations should be greater than usual."

"Is that so?"

Mephisto-jiisama nodded slightly at my question.

"Aye.... On the other hand, not giving you any Mutation Piece in the first place can also save you some trouble."

"Hm? How could be?"

I asked with a slight tilt of my head in slight confusion and surprise.

Mephisto-jiisama then laughed.

"Mahahahaha! Of course it could! .... Don't tell me you forgot that Evil Pieces can also be exchanged, Rey? If people know that you have Mutation Piece, many will definitely be interested in making an exchange with you to get it. After all, Mutation Pieces very rare and special."

Mephisto-jiisama said while grinning slightly.

"R-Right."

Yes. By now I was quite conspicuous.

Just socializing at a banquet was already troublesome enough for me. So if many people knew that I had a Mutation Piece and especially if there were those who wanted to exchange it by force, it would clearly be troublesome. Because just the thought of me trying to gently reject them makes me smile stiffly. So it's better if I truly have Mutation Piece, it's better to keep it secret or just use it immediately.

"How about you try doing something to try to trigger a mutation, Rey?"

Mephisto-jiisama spoke again.

"How?"

I asked with a slight frown.

Mephisto-jiisama then slightly shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't know.... Maybe try covering it with your aura, burning it with your flame, or whatever."

"Hmm...."

I thought for a moment and then gave a small nod.

"Okay. I'll try."

Then, I channeled my aura and enveloped the fifteen Evil Pieces and then made them float above my right hand.

Then, I released a purple-black flame, my «Infinity Star Flame».

"Burn...."

I enveloped the fifteen pieces of Evil Pieces with my flames and burned them.

*cracklecrackle*

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The five of us kept quiet and observed the Evil Pieces covered in purple-black flame in my hand.

And after a while....

*crack*

"H-Huh?"

W-What happened!?

Why do cracks appear on my Evil Pieces!?

Will it break!?

Did I mess up!?

"M-Mephisto-jiisama, why are cracks appearing?"

I tried to ask calmly even though I was still nervous.

"A-Ah.... Sorry, Rey. I don't know either. I've never heard of a mutation like that before.... If only what's happening is indeed a mutation process.... Because as I know, if an Evil Piece undergoes a mutation, it usually only changes color."

Mephisto-jiisama answered looking a little worried too.

"Uhh.... It won't break, right?"

I asked with a little sweat on my forehead.

Mephisto-jiisama then shook his head.

"I don't know... Let's just observe first."

I frowned even more worried hearing Mephisto-jiisama's hesitant answer.

"...."

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