Chapter 14 | The Assassin Is Enchanted
My power surged into Dia.
First, I gave her Rapid Recovery and Limitless Growth. They were the S-Rank and B-Rank skills I’d chosen during my reincarnation. They would allow Dia to overcome the confines of the average human.
Giving her the ability to increase her mana capacity was especially important. The notion of her possessing a mana capacity on par with mine was infinitely reassuring. She’d be able to use spells that previously demanded too much mana for her, and her capability to fight for extended periods would grow tremendously, too.
I could only give her two more skills. For her third, I selected Multi-Chant. Being able to cast more spells was an obvious boon. Quick Chant, which becomes usable after exploring the depths of Multi-Chant, was handy as well.
The final skill I gave to Dia was Possibility Egg. It could become any other B-Rank to S-Rank skill based on how the wielder lived their life. With luck, it would become something she could employ to great effect.
It was clear to me after giving her Possibility Egg that Dia’s vessel was filled to capacity. She couldn’t receive any more skills, so the process was complete.
Dia wrapped her arms around herself and collapsed.
“Amazing, I feel Lugh’s body heat coursing through me.”
Her cheeks flushed, and she sighed heavily. Something about this felt suggestive.
“You have now become my knight, Dia. You have gained the skills Rapid Recovery, Limitless Growth, Multi-Chant, and Possibility Egg. Take this as a congratulatory gift.” I held out a small bag.
“Hmm, what’s this?”
“It’s a bunch of Fahr Stones.”
“I can see that now!”
“That is the secret behind my mana capacity. Mana capacity and rapid mana discharge increase the more you use your magical power. From now on, your mana will recover at more than one hundred times the rate of a normal person’s. I want you to carry this bag around and pour magical energy into the Fahr Stones at all times,” I instructed.
“…You’ve been doing that all this time?”
“Yeah, ever since I was a little kid. Once you get used to it, it’s possible to continue doing so even when sleeping. One time, I nearly died by oversleeping and accidentally continuing to fill a Fahr Stone that was at its critical point, almost causing an explosion in my room.”
“That’s terrifying!” exclaimed Dia.
She wasn’t wrong. I’d only awoken in time because the Fahr Stone made a noise signifying that it was going to explode. If I hadn’t thrown it out the window immediately, the entire estate would have been blown to smithereens.
“After that incident, I came up with a countermeasure. This one is fine to use while sleeping.”
I produced a huge chunk of rock from the Leather Crane Bag.
“Is that a Fahr Stone?! It’s bigger than you are!” Dia cried in evident disbelief.
“That’s right. You know how I can produce Fahr Stones with magic now? This is a revised version. I made it larger, and its mana capacity has been doubled. There’s no danger of it bursting while you’re asleep. You can rest easy while using this.”
Developing that new kind of Fahr Stone had been quite a difficult journey. I’d only completed work on it a few days ago. With it, I’d no longer have to waste the mana I discharged while unconscious.
“You know, when I was serving as your instructor, you nearly blew up the estate with a regular Fahr Stone,” recalled Dia.
“Yeah, I did.”
“This is dozens of times bigger than that one, and it can store twice as much mana, so what would happen if it exploded?”
“I wonder. I’ve been too scared to test it. It could take out the entire domain. Should I have the time, I’ll try it out on a deserted island.”
There was the uninhabited isle I’d purchased to test Gungnir. The range of the explosion would be too expansive to try anywhere near human settlements.
“I’d be way too scared to sleep with that thing next to me!” Dia actually seemed a little angry. My giant Fahr Stone wasn’t without its risks. I’d have to be careful, too.
“Anyway, if you have time, pour some mana into the stone for me,” I said.
“Sure, no problem.”
Eager to test her new skills, she started pouring magical power into the large rock right away.
“Wow, my mana recovers as soon as I use it. I need to use a lot of it for spells as powerful as Cannon Strike. I’ll have to experiment with Multi-Chant later. Personally, though, I would’ve rather had Spell Weaver.”
“I can just write down formulas for you.”
Truthfully, I’d waffled between giving her Possibility Egg or Spell Weaver, but because she didn’t need the latter so long as I was around, I went with the former.
“That’s it for Dia. You’re next, Tarte. Come here.”
“Y-yes, my lord. I’m nervous.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be gentle.”
“Okay!”
Tarte’s expression hardened, and she squeezed my hand tightly.
“Haaah, haaah… My lord, I…can’t take any more…,” Tarte managed, panting heavily.
“It’s okay. I’ve already finished.”
She looked more disheveled after the ordeal than Dia. Her eyes were damp, and she wobbled on her feet. When she leaned on me, I caught her in my arms and realized her body was abnormally warm.
I gave Tarte Rapid Recovery, Limitless Growth, Beastification, and Possibility Egg.
Beastification was another skill I’d received from Epona. When activated, it transformed the user into a half-beast and bestowed them with overpowering strength and speed, making it an ideal S-Rank skill for someone who specialized in close combat. That matched Tarte perfectly.
“You now have Rapid Recovery, Limitless Growth, Beastification, and Possibility Egg. Like Dia, you should form a habit of pouring mana into Fahr Stones,” I explained.
“Yes, my lord. Beastification sounds scary,” Tarte answered, now looking a little more stable.
“Maybe, but it’s undeniably strong. Go ahead and try it out. You should already have my power.”
“O-okay. Ah, sorry, th-that was improper of me,” Tarte said, and she hastily separated herself from me.
In her panic, though, she pushed away too hard and fell on her backside. I helped her up.
“Do you understand how to use Beastification?”
“Y-yes, somehow. Hyahhh!” Tarte shouted adorably.
The skill began to transform Tarte into an animal—at least, in a sense. I’d expected her to gain some bestial qualities, but the results were still surprising.
Dia looked at Tarte and burst out laughing. “Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha! Tarte, what is that supposed to be? I thought you’d be down on all fours and roaring at us.”
“So this is Beastification…I guess,” I commented.
“U-um, what happened? My bottom and head feel a little heavy…”
I produced a mirror from my Leather Crane Bag and passed it to Tarte. Immediately, she flushed red, and tears formed in the corners of her eyes.
“Wha—?! Did something go wrong?!” she shrieked.
“No, this suits you really well,” I answered.
“You look so cute!” added Dia.
Usually, the user’s muscles swelled, and they’d grow fangs and fur and display animalistic traits.
But in Tarte’s case…
“I only grew fox ears and a tail!”
That’s right. She now sported red fox ears tipped with black fur and a fluffy tail that ended in white hair.
The big fluffy tail had pushed down her underwear and lifted up her skirt, but she was too distracted to notice.
I’ll have to make clothes that compensate for the new appendage later. I’m fine with this view myself, but I don’t want anyone else seeing her like this.
“I think you look lovely. This look really suits you!” Dia complimented.
Tarte remained unconvinced. “Aww, I’m not sure about this.”
“You seem to have activated Beastification successfully, so how about testing your new power?” I suggested.
“Yes, my lord. My hearing has improved a lot. I can sense the presence of other living things more strongly than before, and my nose is more sensitive as well.”
“All characteristics of foxes. Next, try jumping gently.”
“Okay!”
Tarte leaped several meters.
“Huuuuh? Why did I go this far?”
She managed to land neatly despite her panic, making almost no sound as she did so. Beasts often killed by taking advantage of their soft and springy joints.
Tarte’s physical abilities had clearly increased substantially. Foxes were naturally strong jumpers. Her endurance and speed had likely been bolstered, too.
The effects of Beastification differed based on the animal the transformation was based on. Foxes lacked brawn, but Tarte’s swiftness, leg strength, leaping ability, flexibility, sense of hearing and smell, and perception were all greater than they had been. These traits were perfect for Tarte’s fighting style.
Admittedly, her adorable appearance was also a plus. I wanted to stroke her tail. That could wait until another day, though.
“You two are now my knights. I look forward to your service,” I stated.
“Yeah, you can count on me.”
“This appearance is a little embarrassing, but I’ll do my best.”
The ever-reliable Dia and Tarte had instantly become even stronger. Dia could provide powerful support from the rearguard using Multi-Chant while Tarte maintained control on the front lines with her Beastification.
Their mana capacities would only increase with time, too. With any luck, Possibility Egg would give them both yet another jump in might. When we engaged demons, I would be busy forming the field needed to kill them, so Dia and Tarte would have to fight. Any extra power they could get was going to be helpful.
I couldn’t afford to slack off, either. I wanted my Possibility Egg to hatch, too, after all.
“?!”
Suddenly, I detected an intense, predatory gaze. I turned to find Tarte looking at me. The sensation was gone now.
“What is it, my lord?” she inquired.
“Don’t worry. It’s nothing.”
Tarte herself seemed unchanged, if a little feverish. My nose caught a sweet scent emanating from somewhere. I felt as though if I lost my focus, I’d be drawn to it like a bee to a flower.
What in the world was that presence I felt?
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