[Conditions Met: Title Section Unlocked]
[New Title Acquired: Beast Tamer]
[Effect: Increases chances of taming higher-level beasts by 5%.]
[New Title Acquired: Overlord]
[Effect: Enhances perception of "Overlord" ability; may lead to unexpected awakenings.]
[New Title Acquired: Demonica]
[Effect: Grants skill [Demonize]
[Skill Unlocked: Demonize]
Allows the user to convert other races into demons.
Johan laughed loudly, a wicked sound echoing through the room.
"Ha ha ha! Today is my lucky day!"
From the corner, a soft, barely audible voice whispered.
"Please… please don't do it again… I beg you…"
Claire couldn't even raise her head. Her body trembled with fear. He's a demon… through and through, she thought.
"Alright," Johan replied, still in a proud, satisfied tone. Then he closed his eyes to prepare for the next phase.
After hearing about slave contracts and higher realm artifacts from Lucy, he remembered that he could purchase slave collars from the system store. However, he also knew that collars could be betrayed or manipulated.
As his eyes closed, a spectral leopard appeared briefly in front of Claire, then vanished. Johan frowned.
"Hah… I guess it won't be that easy."
Turning to Lucy, who looked visibly shaken by his actions, he noticed a notification blink before him:
[Skill: Slave Master]
[Allows user to write a contract outlining terms between both parties.
Target must accept for it to take effect.]
[ Cost: 4,000 Points.]
"Why is it so cheap compared to something like Unlimited Void?" Johan asked.
Lucy replied, "Because it's not absolute. The target must agree voluntarily. If someone asked you to be a slave, would you say yes? The broad scope is what makes it inexpensive."
"Buy it," Johan commanded.
[New Skill Acquired: Slave Master]
After acquiring the skill, he quickly drafted a contract. Claire, seeing the fireball form in Johan's hand—hovering dangerously close to her—had no choice but to agree. Her transformation had restored her to peak condition, but she was still completely naked and powerless.
They returned to her room without a word. Johan could see that she had something to say.
"You may speak," he said coldly.
"There's… there's this writing in my vision. It says I'm now a demon…" Claire stammered.
"Lucy, did she get something like a system? Is it because she's now my slave?" Johan asked.
"Yes," Lucy replied. "When you gave her part of your essence, it formed a mini-system. Since I'm a part of you, and the treasure that created the system has now become part of your demonic essence, she gets a minor version of it. But hers won't be nearly as helpful. At most, it'll show basic stats and allow communication between you two. You control what opportunities she can or cannot access."
"Then I assume you know what ability I gave you," Johan said, half-truthfully, watching her squirm.
"Yes…" Claire whispered, her voice trembling, still unable to meet his gaze.
"Good. I'll be expecting results tomorrow. And don't even think of telling anyone we're demons. That's a command."
"Yes…" she muttered instinctively. Her voice surprised even her—it was as if her body was obeying without question. She had not even read the full contract she signed.
"Oh, and send someone—not your butler—to take me back to school," Johan added, casting a wary glance.
Thirty minutes later, Johan returned to the academy. He headed straight for his room, finally alone. He laid down, took a deep breath, and drifted off into sleep.
The next day, Johan woke up early, completed his morning routine, and got ready for class.
As he walked to the academy, he ran into Dave, which reminded him of the looming six-day deadline between them.
"I know you hate me," Johan said flatly, not even looking at him. "If you want to settle this with a duel, meet me in the woods where the Beast Tamers train. I'm ready."
Dave laughed internally, amused by Johan's brashness. Still thinking you're hot stuff, huh?
"Don't back out," Dave said, walking off smugly. "And don't sit there checking me out."
Johan entered the classroom. It was as chaotic as the day before. He found his seat and sat quietly, muttering under his breath:
[System Interface]
[Name: Johan Moby
[Age: 16]
[Level: 06]
[EXP: 0600 / 28000]
[Race: Human / Demon???]
[Bloodlines: Demon Deity Bloodline, Overlord Bloodline,???]
[Points Available: 30]
[Status]
[Strength: 85]
[Agility: 20]
[Speed: 18]
[Defense: 15]
[Mind: 15]
[Energy: 16]
[Main Skills:
Discerning EyesHell FlamesSoul AbsorberDemonizerUnlimited Void]
[Sub-Skills:
Heat ResistancePoison ResistanceFireballSlave MasterBeast Taming (Summon / Dismiss)]
[Slaves: Claire]
[System Level: 2]
The class continued its usual noisy chatter—until suddenly, the temperature in the room plummeted. Windows and doors iced over in seconds, turning the classroom into an ice cube.
"Now… keep quiet," a cold voice echoed through the frozen air, "or we'll be spending the entire lesson like this."
It was Miss Chloe—their new instructor.
"Since when did we get Elsa for a teacher?" one student joked aloud.
Another student, who seemed unaffected by the freezing cold, stood up with a smug look. Like Johan, he resisted the freezing effect, but for a different reason—he had a cold-elemental affinity.
The boy grinned and challenged the atmosphere. A second later, his smirk turned to horror as he was instantly frozen solid—encased in a block of ice.
"Anyone else want to test me?" Miss Chloe asked calmly as she walked past the silent class.
No one dared to respond.
"Good. That's better." She stepped to the front. "Today, we'll be discussing one of mankind's greatest creations—something that elevated epics to new heights."
She held up a glistening, white pearl. It looked like a simple jewel to most—but not to Johan.
[Discerning Eyes Activated]
[Item: Ability Pearl]
[Skill Stored: None]
[Description: A rare pearl forged from the cores of mountains, volcanoes, and other high-heat materials. It is capable of storing one skill from a dying Epic. When used, the pearl stores both the skill and the essence of the Epic's soul. Each person can absorb only one ability pearl in their lifetime.]
"This is an Ability Pearl," Miss Chloe explained. "It stores the essence and ability of a dying Epic. When death approaches, an Epic can willingly store one of their abilities inside this pearl. The next person to absorb it inherits that power."
She paused and looked around. "But be careful. You can only absorb one in your lifetime—so choose wisely."
A student raised his hand. "What happens if someone absorbs more than one?"
Miss Chloe's eyes darkened. "Each pearl holds a fragment of the original owner's soul. Absorbing more than one causes the souls to battle for dominance… and the host body is destroyed. The souls aren't sentient, but they act on instinct. They will consume you."
A heavy silence fell over the class.
"But..." she added, clenching her fists, "there was one person who succeeded in absorbing more than one. He became a legend—until he was killed by the Heathens."
Anger seeped into her tone. Unconsciously, she released another wave of cold, and Johan felt the hell flames within him react violently.
He gritted his teeth as waves of heat surged from his body, melting the floor around him slightly. He kept it under control, but barely.
Miss Chloe noticed. Her expression softened briefly as her eyes lingered on him.
"He was my teacher," she said at last. "And that's why I know so much about these pearls."
Then, as if remembering herself, she turned and addressed Johan directly. "Johan Moby. See me in my office after class."
With that, she placed the pearl gently back into its case and left the classroom.