Chapter 24: A Fragment of Jie Luo’s Soul
Super-tier magic, the pinnacle of human magical power in the Heavenly Continent.
Mages had their weaknesses: their frail bodies, their lengthy casting times for higher-level spells…
But even with their shortcomings, everyone acknowledged their destructive potential.
A high-level mage could wipe out entire squads with a single spell.
Super-tier magic, capable of obliterating entire towns, was the ultimate expression of magical might.
But mastering such power was incredibly difficult.
The incantations for Super-tier spells were closely guarded secrets, passed down through generations of mages, their value exceeding even the most precious of artifacts.
Even those with exceptional talent, without the right connections, the right lineage, would never gain access to these coveted spells.
The number of Super-tier spells known to the Heavenly Continent was minuscule.
The royal family possessed three. The Holy See and the Church of the Earth Mother Goddess, five. The Thirteen Sages, two. And Athena, the Great Mage of the Hero Squad, had inherited one from her master.
These numbers alone highlighted the rarity and value of Super-tier magic.
These spells were rarely shared, their knowledge jealously guarded. Candice, without the right background, the right connections, had no hope of learning one, unless she managed to create her own.
And the difficulty of creating a Super-tier spell…
She had never imagined that Horus would bestow such a gift upon her. Not only the incantation, but also detailed instructions on its execution, the subtle nuances of its power, the potential dangers of its misuse.
Super-tier magic was a force to be reckoned with, its power capable of both creation and destruction.
Candice gasped, her vision blurring, her mind struggling to comprehend the magnitude of his gift.
“This… This is for me?” she asked, her voice trembling with a mixture of awe and disbelief.
“Of course,” Qin Chu replied, his tone nonchalant, as if bestowing Super-tier spells was an everyday occurrence. He shamelessly blamed his earlier lapse in control on her, capitalizing on her self-recrimination. “I did, after all, drain some of your magic.”
“Compensation is in order.”
“Besides, I, Horus, reward those who serve me well. Consider this a token of my appreciation.”
“But be warned, Candice,” he added, his voice taking on a more serious tone. “Attempting to cast Meteor Shower of Heavenly Fire with your current level of power would be suicide.”
“However, studying it, understanding its intricacies, will greatly benefit your magical development.”
Candice hung on his every word, committing his advice to memory. This was wisdom from a true master, a gift beyond measure.
The great Horus, she thought, her admiration growing. He truly was an extraordinary being.
The value of this spell far outweighed the minuscule amount of magic he had drained from her. In fact, she wouldn’t mind if he took a little more, if it meant receiving more of his… guidance.
Her initial fear had transformed into a profound respect, bordering on reverence.
Years of servitude to the Demons had brought her nothing but insults and abuse. But with Horus, she felt valued, respected.
Overwhelmed by emotion, she knelt before him, bowing her head.
“Thank you, Lord Horus,” she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude. “I pledge my unwavering loyalty to you. I will never betray you.”
Her vow, however, failed to impress Qin Chu. He had heard similar promises before, their sincerity as fleeting as the morning mist.
He had saved their world, saved countless lives.
They had showered him with gratitude, pledged their eternal loyalty.
And then they had betrayed him.
He didn’t need her loyalty. He needed a tool, a weapon to be wielded against his enemies.
“Write down every Low and Intermediate level spell you know,” he commanded, his voice regaining its usual coldness.
Low and Intermediate level spells?
What did he need those for?
Surely, someone who could casually bestow Super-tier magic wouldn’t be interested in such… basic spells?
He couldn’t possibly be learning them himself, could he?
No, that was absurd. He must have another use for them.
“And prepare a list,” he added, his gaze fixed on her.
…
After receiving the requested information, Qin Chu vanished from the tavern, leaving Candice alone with the Demon’s remains.
She stared at the withered corpse, her resolve solidifying.
She had severed her ties with the Demons.
There would be consequences, a reckoning for her betrayal.
Her life would be difficult, dangerous.
But she had no regrets.
She didn’t know if Horus would truly protect her, if he saw her as anything more than a tool to be used and discarded. But she had made her choice, and she would stand by it.
…
Qin Chu landed on a lamppost, his bat form dissolving as he shifted back to his human guise.
The Phantom Demon’s mark, no longer a threat, had been erased.
With his increased magical power and a certain Dark Witch’s assistance, removing the mark had been a trivial matter.
Shaye Nigulas, as usual, perched on his shoulder, her bare legs dangling, her silver hair flowing in the wind, her crimson eyes mirroring his gaze as they surveyed the estate below.
“You gave her a Super-tier spell?” she asked, her voice laced with amusement. “How generous of you. Have you fallen for her, perhaps?”
“She’s not bad,” he admitted, his lips curving into a slight smile. “But she’s no match for you.”
Qin Chu chuckled. “I don’t trust loyalty, Shaye. Not anymore. Transactions, however, are much more reliable. If you want someone to work for you, you have to offer them something of value.”
“Besides, Meteor Shower of Heavenly Fire is the weakest of my Super-tier spells. It’s of little consequence.”
Qin Chu had a natural talent for magic. In his previous life, he had bypassed the lower levels, diving straight into the complexities of High-tier magic, his innate power more than sufficient to handle the strain.
He had mastered more Super-tier spells than were officially known to the Heavenly Continent, most of them his own creations. In battle, he rarely bothered with anything less.
Ironically, he struggled with Low and Intermediate level magic, their incantations unfamiliar, their power too… basic. Creating new spells at those levels required a level of finesse he hadn’t bothered to cultivate.
Devouring Matras had boosted his Mana, Strength, Stamina, and Agility, even increasing his level slightly.
He had requested the spell lists from Candice to expand his arsenal, to acquire a few… surprises for his former comrades, his so-called mentors.
“You could have learned those spells from me, you know,” Shaye said, her voice tinged with a hint of annoyance. “I know quite a few.”
“The Dark Witch’s spells are… a bit too… conspicuous for my current needs,” he replied, his voice carefully neutral. “I might be planning a few… unpleasantries, but I’d rather not be branded a ‘dark’ Hero.”
Shaye pouted, her cheeks puffing out.
Silence descended upon them as they observed the estate below.
The grounds, illuminated by dozens of magical lamps, were as bright as day, every shadow, every movement, clearly visible.
Armed guards, spaced every ten meters, patrolled the perimeter.
Qin Chu memorized their positions, their routines.
Several carriages, their occupants clearly nobles eager to curry favor with the Hero, had already arrived, their passengers waiting for an opportunity to present their invitations.
To them, the Hero’s ability to combat the Demons was secondary. They saw him as a source of power, a stepping stone to greater wealth and influence.
A lone figure, her emerald green hair flowing behind her, her face alight with hope, approached the estate.
Angelica.
She had safely escaped the Church, her meager belongings clutched tightly in her hands.
As he had predicted, Pope Augustus, despite Loseweisse’s hatred for the maid, wouldn’t allow her to be harmed, not now, not under his roof.
Of all his enemies, Augustus was the most perplexing. They had interacted more than the Emperor and the High Priestess combined, and Qin Chu sensed that the Pope wanted something from him, something beyond mere obedience, something… more.
Angelica reached the gate, her path immediately blocked by a throng of eager nobles.
They all knew she was the Hero’s personal maid, his confidante.
Invitations, their edges gilded, their contents flowery and obsequious, were thrust into her hands.
Qin Chu watched her fumble with the stack of invitations, a smile tugging at his lips.
This was good. Let Angelica handle these vultures. It would save him a lot of trouble.
“Your plan is… rather devious,” Shaye said, breaking the silence. “Using the Demons to eliminate the Hero Squad. Quite cunning.”
“You’re becoming more Demon-like by the day. I’m impressed.”
“But is Benson truly your only target?” she asked, her voice taking on a more serious tone.
She had remained silent during his conversation with Candice, but she wasn’t fooled by his act.
“Of course not,” Qin Chu replied, his smile widening. “Benson deserves to die, but his Ability… that’s the real prize.”
“False Absolute Defense.”
“If the opportunity arises, I’d like to add it to my collection.”
“Is that all?” Shaye asked, her gaze fixed on him.
“If I recall correctly, Benson’s route will take him through…”
“The Storm Witch’s territory.”
“Where…”
“A fragment of Jie Luo’s soul resides.”
