After the contract was established.
Yujin took a moment to explain Princess Elysia’s current condition.
“Your Highness, your body has essentially reached a point of no return.”
“What do you mean…”
“Your physical form is almost entirely transforming into a demon. And there’s no going back.”
When Elysia momentarily wore an expression of despair upon hearing those words, Yujin knew he’d never forget it.
Of course, he didn’t forget to quickly add his next statement either.
“While we can’t restore your body, we can maintain your human consciousness. The help I mentioned refers to assisting in preserving that consciousness. So there’s no need to despair too much.”
“But… even so, if my body becomes a demon, the Holy Church will surely want me executed.”
“I naturally plan to provide assistance regarding that matter as well. Besides, isn’t the empire protecting Princess Your Highness? There’s no immediate need to worry about it right now.”
When Yujin reassured her casually, she seemed somewhat calmed but still couldn’t help asking again.
“…Really, has my body truly become that of a demon?”
“In practical terms, yes. While you’re not quite a full Transcendent, your body is closer to a demon’s.”
“Is there… absolutely no way to reverse it?”
“No. At least based on what I know, there’s no method to turn someone who’s already become a Transcendent back into a regular human.”
Knowing how cruel giving false hope could be, Yujin stated this with certainty.
When his parents were dying, how painful it was to cling to hope after believing the doctor’s promises.
Yujin had no intention of instilling such false hope.
“…But, didn’t you say my demonic mana was sealed? If we just keep it like this…”
“For now, there won’t be any major issues. However, sealing is only a temporary solution. We’ve forcibly suppressed and shoved your mana into a corner.”
Even as the princess made one last desperate inquiry, Yujin shook his head and replied.
“Your Highness’s body has already become akin to a demon’s, and this mana is a force similar to the origin of demons. Living while suppressing this force might cause your body to weaken gradually… and if the seal on your mana doesn’t break, you could fall into an eternal slumber.”
“…”
“Also, think of mana like waste building up in your body. The more you suppress the urge to release it, the higher the probability of negative effects on your body. You might not feel it yet since you’ve only been suppressing it for a short time and your previous state wasn’t good, but eventually, it could harm you.”
Yujin’s words from yesterday to Professor Reina weren’t entirely baseless. Though Yujin didn’t know exactly what adverse effects would arise from suppressing demonic mana for long periods, he had a vague sense that it wouldn’t be good.
“…”
“Princess Your Highness, if you can’t endure it, please let me know now. If you don’t need my help to maintain your self-awareness, I’ll cancel the contract.”
“…No. It’s not something I can back out of now. Moreover, my family never gave up hope. I can’t give up first.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“So, what is this method you mentioned? About maintaining my self-awareness…”
When Elysia asked, Yujin responded lightly, as if talking about what he had for lunch.
“It’s simple. Once Princess Your Highness fully transforms into a complete demon, that’s it.”
“…Huh?”
For a moment, she didn’t understand and repeated the question. Transform into what?
“I guess I didn’t explain enough. As it stands, Your Highness is practically no different from a demon. Do you understand that?”
“That… Yes.”
She hesitated for a moment before nodding her head.
“The purpose of the Seed of the Demon is to transform its host into a complete demon. If Your Highness becomes a demon, the seed will have no reason to continue corroding you. Instead, it’s highly likely to become the central mechanism controlling the Demon’s Magic.”
“But…”
“Princess Your Highness, as I said, your body is already closer to a demon than a human. Turning it back is nearly impossible for me.”
“…”
“To survive while maintaining your self-awareness, Your Highness must undergo full transformation as you are now. That’s why I’m here to assist you.”
“How… How exactly?”
“I’ll help Princess Your Highness control the Demon’s Magic.”
Demon’s Magic.
That’s what Yujin promised to help her control—what was currently sealed inside her.
“At the point where you can control the Demon’s Magic by your own will, the corruption will stop, and the powers and abilities of a demon will belong entirely to you. Of course, this is no different from becoming a demon itself.”
“…”
“Let me ask again. This is Your Highness’s choice, and I won’t force either option. Will you survive as a demon or die as a human?”
“I…”
Elysia trembled her lips for a moment, then bowed her head deeply and spoke.
“…I am human.”
“I see you that way too.”
“Even if my body turns into a demon’s and my soul rots away, that fact won’t change. So…”
She looked up again and declared.
“I… will survive as a human. Even if I become a demon, I believe defining myself is my responsibility.”
“…I see. Your Highness’s decision is clear.”
The declaration that she would survive even by transforming into a demon but would not forget she was human reminded Yujin of himself right after becoming a Dragon, making him chuckle faintly.
“In that case, it’s fine. Let’s leave it at that for now.”
“In that case…”
“For now, rest. After all, this is something to take the long view on.”
Saying that, Yujin stood up from his seat.
“Isn’t there another ‘you’ in the hallucinations Your Highness sees?”
“!”
At that question, Elysia’s eyes widened in surprise.
“How did you…”
“Haha, if we’re going to nitpick, shouldn’t we start with how I noticed a demon parasite from the first glance?”
“…”
“Well, anyway, that’s probably the Demon’s Ego. It’s the awakened new ego created by the evil or weakness within Princess Your Highness, catalyzed by the Seed of the Demon. Currently, the control over the Demon’s Magic likely rests with that ego.”
Having said that, Yujin looked at the flower pinned to Elysia’s right eye.
“You need to grow strong enough to overcome that ego and gain control over the Demon’s Magic… Also, adapting to or taming the Demon’s Magic requires work, so it’s not something we can resolve all at once. As I mentioned earlier, this is something to take the long view on. So, let’s call it a day here. I also have personal matters to attend to.”
“…”
“Enjoy the rare peace today. The ‘treatment’ will begin afterward. President?”
“…Alright. Then, Princess Elysia, I’ll take my leave.”
Poof!
With those words, the president teleported out of the room, leaving Yujin and her behind.
And alone, Elysia…
“…Phew.”
Collapsed onto the sofa, staring at the ceiling.
“…A demon…”
Soon, extending her arms upward, she looked at her hands, shaking her head and placing both hands on her chest.
“No, I’m human…”
“…I’m not sure if this is really the right thing.”
Meanwhile, the president, having slipped out of the girls’ dormitory, muttered slightly troubled.
“About turning the princess into a demon, right?”
“…Yes. No matter how you look at it, is it really right to live on as a demon? I just don’t know.”
“It’s her choice. If that’s the case, we should respect it. I’m simply doing my best according to the contract.”
“…May I ask one more question?”
“Go ahead.”
Yujin readily allowed the question, prompting the president to speak.
“Of course, Mr. Yujin isn’t obligated to help the princess for free, but was there a particular reason for entering such a contract? There doesn’t seem to be anything the princess needs from you…”
“Haha, the answer lies in what you just said.”
“Huh?”
“Didn’t you say helping for free isn’t necessary? I feel the same way. Helping others purely out of goodwill only gets you self-satisfaction at best.”
“…”
“If we were to help for free, would the princess trust us? Even if she did, wouldn’t she treat our goodwill as a right? How would we know how that goodwill might come back around?”
“That’s true, but…”
“Of course, I understand your doubt isn’t about that. You might think offering just one request in exchange for helping the princess seems excessive, given there’s nothing I apparently need from her.”
“…Yes. Though it may be presumptuous, that’s correct.”
“Why do you think that?”
“…Huh?”
“If the princess accepts the contract, she will inevitably transform into a demon. In other words, she will become a Transcendent. Why do you think I wouldn’t need anything from her?”
“!”
Seeing the president’s reaction, Yujin smiled faintly and continued.
“That’s right. Of course, one could argue that completely enslaving her as a slave would be better, but there’s no real need for that, is there? One request is sufficient.”
“…”
“Does that answer your question?”
“…Yes, I admit my insight was shallow.”
“You don’t need to say that. After all, it’s understandable not to believe easily when the princess suddenly becomes a Transcendent.”
“That… Yes. It seems that thought was lurking beneath my mind.”
The president nodded, acknowledging Yujin’s words. Yujin spoke.
“In that case, our little Q&A session is done… Now, I should introduce myself to the professors.”
Saying that, as Yujin turned to look at the president, the president responded.
“For a week after the exams end… which is today, there are no lectures scheduled at the academy. So, I’ve already gathered all the professors.”
“Quick work. When did you summon them?”
“Before you came to fill out the paperwork, I left a message through the crystal ball to the professors.”
“Oh, I see. Understood. Still, despite no lectures, the students seem quite active.”
“Even without lectures, most students remain within the academy.”
“Hmm, I see.”
After exchanging some casual conversation, the president and Yujin headed toward the conference room where the professors were gathering.
On the other hand, in the professors’ meeting room.
“Did you hear that?”
“About the new professor for Magic Studies being the author of that Space-Time Magic paper?”
“Yes. The president clearly mentioned it.”
“Is that true?”
“I just checked the message this morning. How would I know?”
“Wow… If it’s true, it’s really astonishing.”
“I went to check yesterday too, and he looked incredibly young. Maybe he’s a Great Mage on par with the president…”
“Tch, even if he is, how could he compare to the president…”
“Not necessarily. Did you not hear the news yet? The Guildmaster of the Mage Association was swiftly subdued by the author of that paper last night.”
“What? What do you mean…”
“It’s true. The news spread quickly this morning after last night’s events.”
“Wow…”
Murmurs filled the room.
Many professors were gathered, discussing animatedly. It felt eerily familiar, reminiscent of last night’s lecture hall at the Mage Association.
Among the professors, Reina Sahart, the young female professor, caught everyone’s attention with her distinct presence. Her gaze darkened.
‘Since they’ve arranged this introduction, does that mean the president ultimately couldn’t find any evidence… But something might happen to Princess Your Highness. We need to find a treatment as soon as possible.’
Feeling slightly anxious, she quietly bit her lip when…
“You don’t look so good, Reina.”
“…Rynne.”
Turning her head, Reina saw a woman with ash-gray hair and piercing blue eyes looking at her lazily.
“If you’re exhausted from overwork, shall I make you some medicine?”
“…No, it’s not that. Thank you for your concern.”
Rynne Eneria, the Alchemy Professor at the Academy and an old friend of Reina’s, gently asked with her soft voice, to which Reina shook her head and replied.
“…You definitely don’t seem unwell. Is there another reason?”
“…It’s…”
Reina hesitated for a moment, then turned to look at Rynne beside her.
Her slightly lethargic, unreadable expression made Reina pause in thought.
Should she tell her? About meeting the Dark Sorcerer who tried to manipulate the princess last night?
And that the new professor the president plans to introduce today is that very person?
Whether Rynne would believe her aside, would revealing this fact ensure her safety? Reina couldn’t help but ponder.
While observing her silently, Rynne gently spoke.
“…Whatever it is, you don’t have to bear it alone. Feel free to talk whenever you want.”
“…”
Upon seeing her gentle smile, Reina hesitated, opening and closing her mouth several times before speaking.
“Well, actually…”
“I apologize for being late.”
Just then, the president’s voice rang out.
Both Reina and Rynne had no choice but to turn their attention to the source.
The large door to the conference room opened, and two people entered.
“My apologies for being late due to some matters. Please forgive me kindly.”
“It’s fine, President.”
As President Ines, with her fiery red hair, spoke, an elderly professor waved off the apology. Other professors nodded in agreement.
After all, it wasn’t significantly late, and most professors held a basic level of respect for Great Mages, who were among the most powerful mortals, regardless of power structures.
“Thank you.”
“Now, President, who’s that over there…”
“Ahh, yes. Time for introductions.”
One professor glanced at Yujin, prompting the president to nod and continue.
“This is Professor Han Yujin, newly appointed as a professor here. Perhaps most Magic Studies professors already know him.”
“Wow…”
“Could it really be…”
“He’s indeed young. I wanted to attend his lecture too…”
“Quiet, everyone. Professor Yujin, please step forward and introduce yourself.”
As the professors murmured upon seeing Yujin, the president quieted them down.
Then, he motioned for Yujin to step forward.
Reina watched him with a serious gaze.
Smiling, Yujin began.
“Esteemed senior professors of the Academy, it’s an honor to meet all of you. My name is Han Yujin. As many of you might know, I am indeed the author of the paper on Space-Time Magic.”
Murmurs rippled through the room. Although they had been forewarned, hearing the confirmation directly from him created a unique sensation.
“Calm down, everyone.”
At the president’s single command, the room fell silent, showcasing her authority. Yujin continued.
“Thank you, President. Let’s proceed with the introduction.”
Looking around the room, Yujin smiled and continued.
“Suddenly, I have a dream.”
And thus, as they say, a sudden story began.
“…”
And Professor Reina couldn’t help but feel an odd sense of foreboding as she listened to his words.
