Contrary to my expectation that Akashi would unleash a string of curses or click his tongue as if he’d suffered a setback, he suddenly told me I had passed the first stage.
Curious about what this first stage entailed, I asked, and Akashi, pressing his forehead as if exasperated, readily answered my question.
“It’s about resolve. The determination to use any means necessary. I already know how spineless you are, to the point of tedium. By my standards, commanding a mere slave mark is basic stuff, but by yours, it’s likely a method you’d never have used.”
So that was it. His words felt trivial. It was both amusing and irritating to see him nitpicking at someone he was eventually going to teach anyway.
“Then is that it? Come on, just start teaching me already…”
“Whoa, whoa, why so rushed? Though dark magic might seem easy, it’s just as difficult and intricate as regular magic. There’s a process, so please wait.”
Akashi said he intended to teach me everything without further prompting, asking me to wait a moment while he assessed my current knowledge with a single question.
“Do you know exactly what dark magic is? Nonsense or gibberish, anything goes—just speak up. That way, I’ll know where to begin.”
What exactly is dark magic? I thought about Akashi’s question for a moment. What makes regular magic different from dark magic? It didn’t take long to figure out.
“…It uses life force or souls to wield greater power, forbidden forms of magic. Right?”
“Magic that uses life force includes vampires’ blood magic and the rituals of barbarian tribal shamans. Manipulating or interfering with souls is the specialty of necromancers. And when it comes to sheer power, there’s not much difference between banned and legal magic on average. But yes, you’re correct—it’s forbidden.”
Necromancy, or “necromency,” is banned in some countries for doctrinal reasons but surprisingly isn’t prohibited by the Mage’s Guild because it can be useful for uncovering truths in murder cases or exploring dangerous areas.
Though its reputation is tarnished, honestly, how could people who deal with dead bodies expect good treatment? They don’t even provide proper funerals; they exploit the dead.
“…Dark magic, put simply, is bartering with those above.”
“With ‘those above’… you mean gods? Hey, Akashi, keep talking like that and you might get struck down for blasphemy!”
“Haha, them picking a fight with me? That’s laughable. They don’t respond to deals. I’m talking about other gods—not the fancy ones enshrined in temples but outsiders, evil gods, forgotten gods. That sort.”
Akashi continued his explanation of dark magic, speaking blasphemous words that could invite divine retribution. Mostly, it involves sacrificing life force or souls, though there are entities that offer magical power in return. However, most require offerings of souls, life force, or sacrifices.
As I listened, one peculiar point came to mind.
“Hey, Akashi. If outside gods and evil gods are complete beings who don’t need worship, why do they bother responding to human requests?”
“Good question. Most of them have twisted personalities and can’t resist the suffering of mortals. Not all, of course. That’s why they value things like an artist’s fingers, a bard’s tongue, or a newborn baby’s heart so highly. To them, such things are essentially trash. But the actions people take to obtain them—the resulting suffering of mortals—that’s what they prize. In exchange for providing them with their desired enjoyment, they’re willing to pay the price.”
It was horrifying. Even though I had decided to delve into this, I almost wanted to back out after hearing something so grotesque. Communicating with outside gods or evil gods was ominous enough, but the fact that most were sadists?
“…Disgusting.”
“Yeah, disgusting indeed. The more you learn about dark magic, the more your disdain for those above will grow. Now, here’s step two. You need to choose a god to entertain…or trade with. Before that, though, why do you want to learn dark magic?”
“…That’s…”
For Alterra. Just as I was about to say that, Akashi cut me off.
“Don’t give me that clichéd nonsense about doing it for someone else. If your motivation is altruistic, I won’t teach you. Even if it means biting my tongue and erasing all my memories, I mean it. So, tell me your desire. The primal urge hidden behind your noble-sounding intentions.”
That…
It’s definitely for Alterra.
Why care for Alterra? Because I don’t want her to get hurt. Why don’t I want her to get hurt? Because I like her.
…No, it’s more than liking. I love her.
I want her.
I wish she belonged to me. I don’t want to miss a single word or glance from her. I want it all. Wanting to protect her is merely a prettier packaging of this crude desire.
“…Because I want Alterra.”
“Say it louder. Let the whole world hear your voice!”
“I want Alterra! Her body! Her heart! I want her to belong to me entirely!!!”
“Hah, possessiveness born from love! Boring as a yawn! Still… yeah. I know some guys who go crazy over that. Here’s a list. Choose whichever strikes your fancy.”
Akashi handed me a book he’d been holding and told me to pick anyone. He added that they were all similar, so it wouldn’t matter much who I chose.
As I flipped through the pages, one name caught my eye.
“…Fujihilm, Burning Valley… Tiger Goddess…? What’s a Tiger Goddess?”
Most illustrations in the book depicted deities or symbols that were either incomprehensible or chaotic.
But the Tiger Goddess stood out—an entity with white hair streaked with black, bearing the seal of a tiger.
Akashi pressed his forehead as if realizing his mistake and told me to skip that one. Naturally, that made me more curious.
“To be honest, I advise against dealing with her. For starters, she requires a soul as a basic summoning fee, and she’s incredibly moody. Even if you offer your soul, she might not show up if she’s in a bad mood. When she does appear, she often gets irritated and complains about being disturbed unnecessarily. She’s generous when she gives, but that happens once a year—if at all.”
Better to pass on this one. Following Akashi’s advice, I skipped the Tiger Goddess and eventually chose another deity to trade with.
“I’ll go with… Beautiful Demon.”
“Beautiful Demon? Fine choice. She’s pretty agreeable. Loves a good love story, so she’s practically fainting over it. No special requirements for summoning her either. Just recite the spell here and come back after showing off a bit.”
Before I took a deep breath and began the incantation, another curiosity struck me, and I asked Akashi.
“…So, which god do you trade with? Even if others pay the price, there must be someone giving you power, right?”
“Oh, that? The Wingless Omnipotent. Now, I’ve told you enough. Time to chant that spell.”
The Wingless Omnipotent?
Isn’t that the name Mari used when she was extracted? My doubts lingered only briefly, as Akashi’s urging pushed me to utter what sounded like either a scream or a wail.
My vision went dark momentarily, and I felt as if I were floating in serene darkness. As I wandered aimlessly through the pitch-black void, I noticed something golden glowing distantly.
Approaching the golden mass, I realized it was a statue of a woman that seemed eerily menacing. The lower half appeared melted, as if half-collapsed, and the statue addressed me.
-“Rare to have visitors here. What are you? Why have you come to my realm seeking something?”
I was about to say I had come for power, but a premonition stopped me. Since the question was about what I sought…
“…I have come here seeking love.”
-“Every mortal who comes to see me repeats the same old desires: power, fame, wealth. But you are different. Tell me then. Does the person you love…love you back?”
I pictured Alterra. The way she treated me casually as a friend, occasionally teasing me. Knowing I was male but seemingly thinking nothing more of it.
“…No.”
-“Hmm. Hmm hmm. Then do you wish for me to mess with the mind of the woman you love, making her fall in love with you?”
“That is my responsibility. Breaking through her emotional barriers and imprinting myself within her heart is entirely my task. However, I need strength to accomplish this. Beautiful Demon, I humbly beseech you to grant me your power. Whatever the cost may be.”
-“Ah… Such boldness and rudeness haven’t been seen in ages. The cost… Very well. No matter what happens, do not abandon that love. If you uphold this and offer me your soul and sacrifices, I shall bestow power upon you. Now, return. I hope you bring me a delightful story someday.”
The golden statue floated upward, filling the dark expanse with its radiant light. Then my vision went dark again…
When I opened my eyes, a sinister-looking golden heart tattoo adorned my palm.
