Chapter 43: The shadow next to this man

POV of Evy Blight (daughter of Leylin Blight)

It's been 4 years since father has been unconscious and sealed in the basement of our "base" as he often calls it.

He left me in full control with some instructions to follow after his forced departure, which I must accomplish at all costs, according to his own words.

The first, but also the simplest, is to continue increasing the influence and power of the companies he established in the human world.

It's incredibly easy given my overall abilities and knowledge of oracle magic. Father's companies specialize in pharmaceutical and medical products, they're not at risk for now.

I'm even qualified in the human world as a doctor, and father made sure to increase our influence in the healthcare sector. He mentioned that "he who controls the people's health controls the people".

The second is to monitor any student who might possess a certain level of intelligence in various universities and academic institutions.

For now, no one has caught my attention apart from those marked as off-limits by father.

The third is to monitor the being between the realms, otherwise called "titan" by the inhabitants of the Boiling Isles. I once asked father if he was stronger than him.

His answer was: "The fight would be tough in my current state, but I would win". As expected from my father, there are few beings who can rival him.

The fourth thing father asked me, but also the most frustrating, is to absolutely avoid interacting with or intervening in the activities of an individual named Belos.

At first, I didn't care, but after a few years with my strength stagnating and activities on Earth quickly becoming boring, I decided to go inspect this man named Belos. I don't understand why father wants me to avoid him, but I think I can handle him if necessary, given the magic emanating from him.

...

"This man is completely mad." That's all I could say as a conclusion after my investigation on him and the political situation of the Boiling Isles that I had ignored until now.

I often think humans are stupid because of various psychological manipulations they undergo through newspapers and other corrupt politicians.

Today, I realize that witches might be even more so.

This man named Belos has managed to convince them to 'voluntarily' weaken their magic and he poses as the spokesperson of the Titan.

I also noticed that the magic emanating from him isn't his own but that of the Titan. He used glyphs tattooed on his body to directly access the Titan's power.

It was clever on his part, but he did it amateurishly. I can see that these glyphs are slowly ruining the energy of his very soul.

Fortunately, father was able to do something similar without negatively affecting my soul and mind with runes. I should study the effect of glyphs if I arrange them similarly to my runes on a person.

Despite his amateur use of glyphs and runes, this man was still able to use them to seal the witches' magic path and force them to use only one.

"This doesn't just seal the rest of their magic path, this thing is made to steal these people's magic later on."

It seems that these "runes" are just waiting for a celestial or cosmic event to have enough elements to be activated to their full potential.

I decided to have a conversation with this man. I know father will be angry with me, but I'm also a witch and I can't let a future genocide prepare itself in front of me.

"Who are you?"

I say these words in front of a strange silhouette wandering next to Belos' apartments. I thought only the Titan could be a problem for me, but...

"You can see me?"

(Image)

This voice was childish and I can tell that its owner is young thanks to this element, but there's something wrong here.

'He is dangerous.'

That was my honest thought after probing the origin of this voice. This being emanates a power close to that of the Titan.

No, he has the potential to be more powerful and he is more powerful than the current half-dead Titan.

I decided to move away and ignore the screams of the silhouette pleading for me to stay. This could be a ruse from this man.

I'm starting to understand why father forbade me from meddling in this man's affairs, he has the protection of a dangerous entity.

"But why hasn't father eliminated this thing?"

There are several possibilities that come to mind, such as the scale of the fight that could easily destroy the entire island, and I doubt this creature would easily let itself be dragged into another dimension to fight.

Another probability is that father is keeping it for me to deal with their case later, precisely when I'll be strong enough.

"That's the most likely, father has always appreciated seeing me evolve and test my limits."

I returned to the base after erasing all traces of my adventure in Belos' castle.

I must prepare, the soul projection of this creature has already given me an idea of the strength I must achieve to rival it.

...

POV of Merlin

"Merlin, I have a question for you," Kroft asks while eating the food brought by the servants.

"I'm listening, father."

I simply replied following etiquette while continuing to eat. Behind me, there were 3 individuals dressed similarly to butlers, despite their sex.

Viviane, Circe and Grimm. They're all orphans I took in 6 months ago.

(Image)

They're all currently at the rank of knight. I was able to make them break through thanks to special hallucinogens I obtained by asking Kroft.

It wasn't really an expensive product since Leylin Farlier was able to come into contact with it when he was a simple rank 2 acolyte next to his academy.

I'm just waiting for them to reach their physical limit to push them to the rank of grand knight. They're almost ready for that.

"Why are you so generous with them?" Kroft asks, looking towards my "friends".

"I consider them all as my precious friends," I replied nonchalantly while looking him straight in the eyes.

I could hear gasps behind me, these people remind me of "Hunter" in "The Owl House".

There was a silence for a moment before Kroft sighed and simply nodded. It seems he doesn't believe me.

It's natural, a magus isn't an ordinary human. At each stage of their evolution, they move away from their mortality and their intelligence undergoes massive changes.

The stupidest magus in this world could potentially rival a remarkable genius on Earth. That's the minimum if you deserve to bear the title of magus, a seeker of truth.

"So be it, I'll also consider them as your precious 'friends'," after answering me, Kroft finished eating and inquired about my situation.

"I'm doing well, I've started following Mr. Bradley's training with my friends to improve my physique and I've finished all the books available in the manor and the city."

I was honest with Kroft, I'm not hiding my potential. For a rank 1 magus like him, it's a pride to have a capable heir.

"Oh really? We'll test that after dinner."

The rest of the dinner went like this, Kroft spent his time probing me and offering me various things that should logically please a child of my age.

Of course, I accepted. Being a genius doesn't necessarily mean being mature.

After the meal, I was questioned on various subjects in alchemy and history about the south continent.

"You have indeed retained your lessons well. Now that your friends are no longer here, you can tell me the truth about them."

We were currently in Kroft's office at the manor, it's a place I never enter without permission because of his instructions.

I'm not stupid enough to enter a workplace belonging to an official Magus.

"I want them to become magi who can help me later to become an elder of the Leslie family."

I wasn't completely honest, but to become the leader of this small organization that will be my support for the future, I should start with the position of elder.

I don't think Kroft will be able to see through this half-truth.

"You're really naive despite your genius."

Kroft just sighed and looked at me as if I reminded him of a certain person.

"Becoming a magus depends on talent but also a lot of luck. And are you really sure they'll always follow you once they become magus?"

He looked me straight in the eyes while explaining all this to me. It seems my father wants to test me before giving a verdict.

"I trust them and I'm sure I can keep them in line, father. I just need them to be able to study in the city and not in the Leslie family or The Abyssal Bone Forest Academy."

Kroft looked at me for a few minutes before raising his hand. I could feel that the elemental particles were agitated for a moment before returning to normal.

He must have used a spell to seal the area to prevent curious people from listening or checking if I'm lying, but he didn't cast anything on me directly.

"You seem to have stumbled upon the legacy of an ancient magus for such assurance in your words."

He paused before getting up and coming towards me to pat my head.

"You're my pride, Merlin. You've never disappointed me yet, so don't rush for power or glory."

Once he finished expressing himself, Kroft headed towards the door but stopped before crossing it.

"I'll test their talent and elemental affinity and I'll even go as far as giving them an elemental meditation method tomorrow, but you'll manage for the resources."

After saying these words, he left.

"Alright father, I accept the challenge."

It seems that Kroft won't take my subordinates as students and he seems to conclude that I'm aware of the location of a legacy.

This is indeed the most logical answer to the situation. Kroft can't think that I'm literally the legacy of a powerful magus.