“Please let me study dark magic instead! I know how to use nearly all kinds of magic or at least I’ve seen it—except for dark and holy magic, as I’ve never had the chance to look into them!”
Ah, so this is your true intention.
You pretend to speak casually, but the way you keep glancing around shows you’re incredibly nervous.
Indeed, dark and holy magic are somewhat special, maybe even strange.
Most magic varies widely in elemental affinity based on the individual’s innate talent, which cannot be created from nothing.
That doesn’t mean magic is entirely determined by talent. For instance, someone with a strong affinity for fire spirits can hone their fire magic through personal effort.
However, the limit of what one can achieve is determined from birth. If a person has only a slight affinity for fire spirits, no amount of hard work will let them surpass their innate talent in fire magic.
This applies at a racial level too; elves typically excel in wind magic, showing better affinity than average humans in other elements, while beastmen, perhaps due to their strong physicality, have zero affinity for any spirits, meaning they lack magical talent altogether.
However, dark and holy magic are a bit peculiar. There are only four known cases of individuals born with an innate affinity for these two types of magic across the entire Terra continent.
Those four cases correspond to the first through fourth progenitors of vampires—so yes, I’m talking about me.
The progenitor of vampires. While I take on the humanoid form, aside from this unique life form that is closer to life than a biological being, all current users of dark magic have acquired their skills through effort.
To put it simply, humans change into vampires, losing their affinities for other types of magic but gaining an affinity for dark magic.
In essence, dark magic can be said to borrow power from dark spirits, and the source of that power is the progenitor.
Holy magic is similarly influenced by something learned later.
Due to the strict secrecy maintained by the Luminous Kingdom, there’s still much uncertainty, but as it stands, there are no records of anyone being able to resonate with light spirits from birth, regardless of their race.
Only humans affiliated with the Luminous Church can wield holy magic!
Because of this, some speculate that light-type magic is less of an independent “type” and more like a “technique” dealing with similar magic concepts.
When measuring spirit affinity, it’s clear that light spirits do exist, so they can’t just be dismissed, yet there’s a conspiracy theory among some scholars that the Luminous Kingdom created the spirit measuring device and then manipulated its own technology to attach light spirits’ names to it.
Only the high-ups in the Luminous Kingdom know the truth. But one thing’s for sure: the talent for holy magic is not something one is born with.
“I’ve always been curious… To study dark magic, you need the help of a vampire, and to study holy magic, you’d need the help of the Luminous Church, right? But both sides would rush at an elf upon discovery, so how could you even have a conversation with them?”
Well, of course! One side would pounce like, “It’s food!” while the other would act like, “Sure is an expensive slave!” or “Dirty ear freaks!” and stab first!
“So that’s it.”
I’ll just bury the backhanded comment about how you rushed here in my heart for the time being. I might find some use for you right now.
Regardless, assuming Lavina, the elf completely obsessed with research, is real, it’s understandable that from her perspective, our presence might seem like a chance to make a good impression the moment she sees us.
If she’s a guest permitted by Bolton, she wouldn’t rush in recklessly; this would be a rare opportunity for conversation and negotiation to satiate her curiosity about dark magic.
If she missed this chance, she might not get another shot at chatting about vampires and magic.
In conclusion, Lavina’s genuine interest in research is essentially backed by Bolton, so the possibility of her hiding ulterior motives is significantly reduced.
Sure, if this wasn’t an unmerited favor, but rather her wanting something, I can understand that.
I decided to lower my guard regarding Lavina just a notch.
“Right. Actually, I’m a bit of a two-for-one deal, you know? If I don’t strike while the iron is hot, I can complete the blood supplement that myself and the dwarves have no need for, and not using it would feel wasteful—how about showing me some dark magic and making it a two-for-three deal?”
“Okay, got it, understood.”
Different from Bolton’s loud, boisterous voice— which turned out to be due to some tool— this was becoming unbearable, and I quickly cut Lavina off.
Lavina looked a bit disappointed but surprisingly nodded and stepped back.
“You don’t need to worry too much. A potion is a consistent product. Even if something is incomplete, it just means it hasn’t been tuned yet; once it’s properly tuned, the chances of its effects going awry at that point is nearly zero. For instance, even if this elf intends to play tricks on us with the blood supplement, we’ll know at the moment we receive it. I can tell that much right away.”
“That’s a bit much! It’s a very direct example!”
Lavina banged on her chest, asserting her innocence. If Stella spoke like that, it would be alright, right?
Wasn’t it Stella who figured out the identity of the magical poison that hit Plona too? So it means we probably won’t face unexpected harm from this blood supplement.
“Dark magic is no problem. Let’s go ahead and tune it.”
“Ooh, then when we go out for dinner next time, please capture at least three humans!”
“Three?”
“Two for comparison, one just as a spare! You never know while experimenting!”
Saying that with such a cheerful face was quite surreal.
Anyway, while it may be a bit annoying, it wasn’t a difficult request, so after exchanging quick glances with my companions, I nodded my agreement.
*
Before the platinum-haired elf could catch my tongue again, we made a quick exit.
Finding the house where we’d stay in the underground city wasn’t difficult. Just as Bolton had told us, right across from Lavina’s house, we spotted a blue door.
The indoor scenery was simple and tidy. Although it felt a bit lifeless due to the almost nonexistent furniture, from what I could tell at a glance, it didn’t seem too lacking for four to use.
However, it was a bit dull. Naturally, since it was empty before we arrived, the exterior looked nice, but the content was bare.
There was a kitchen, but no cooking utensils, and a wardrobe, albeit empty.
Now that I think about it, it’ll be necessary to ask how the residents have their meals here.
According to what I heard earlier, it seemed they do some farming and raise livestock here. Whether each owner manages their own or share in distribution will need to be known to solve Eleonora’s meal situation.
“It may be a small house, so it could be inconvenient, but it’s manageable. What are your plans for hunting?”
Stella was asking me about our future plans.
“Is this small? This house?”
…Come to think of it, she’s a noble, isn’t she? I was also taken aback by the sudden revelation, since I’d been so busy that I hadn’t had time to digest that shocking truth until now. Even now, it doesn’t really sink in well.
But considering the overwhelming strength she displayed even briefly, that status makes perfect sense.
“It would be best to go as quickly as possible. Still, we’ve been on the move non-stop, so how about resting tomorrow and going the day after?”
We need to find out where we’ll be hunting too. So maybe we can plan while resting tomorrow and head out the day after.
Actually, since the last time I ate was just four days ago, there’s no immediate need to solve my hunger right now, but for this hunting venture, Lavina requested some test subjects for the blood supplement trial and modification.
The efficacy of the blood supplement would significantly influence our future plans, so the sooner we can push it along, the better.
“Understood. I’ll go speak with Bolton briefly, so you relax. I’ll also ask about the dragonkin girl’s meals while I’m there.”
“Thanks, I appreciate it.”
As long as they have the will, even the capable maid should be able to carry out the tasks, so I lightly saw her off and returned to the living room, where I saw Eleonora removing her cloak and Plona blankly standing in the corner.
As I walked by, I gently patted Eleonora’s head twice and carefully spoke to Plona.
“Plona.”
“…Y-yes! Sister!”
Plona, previously staring off into space, suddenly focused her eyes on me.
This girl is in bad shape. She’s pretending to be fine, but it’s obvious she’s struggling because of thirst.
Since attacking the residents of the underground city is strictly forbidden by command, even if Plona reaches her limit, she won’t lash out at them. Still, there’s no reason to delay, as it would only prolong her suffering.
“In two days, we’ll go hunting. Are you ready for that?”
It’s a rite of passage for those who have become the progeny of a vampire.
If she’s not mentally prepared, it’s totally fine to postpone.
But Plona hesitated, then gave a small nod.
“Yes, I can.”
“If it gets too hard, there’s no need to force yourself.”
“…No, I can’t keep burdening you, sister.”
If that’s her decision, I can’t stop her, but can Plona really endure hunting humans?
It’s a question I can only find the answer to by experiencing it myself, but all I could do was pat her back comfortingly.
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