I checked that the door to the Student Council President’s Office and the door to the lab were firmly locked, then began the experiment.“Phew.”When I opened the sealed glass bottle, the aura emitted by the Dark Magic Stone inside shimmered before my eyes.Before I feed Kavelthar, let’s try a few experiments using this demonic energy.First is removing the Ring of Derode and accepting the demonic energy completely.It’s the combat style I used in the fight against Demer, who had turned into a demonkin—one that’s based on the overwhelming power derived from the Half-Human, Half-Demon bloodline.As I inhaled the rising demonic energy, a tingling sensation came with the demonic aura flooding into my lungs.“Kh.”Ting-[Resonance has reached 100%. A specific event occurs.]In an instant, resonance reached one hundred percent, and a change surged through me as if every cell in my body were being overturned.Creak-A powerful energy filled my whole body.A sense of omnipotence as if I could do anything, and a sensation like the violence within me was awakening.It became difficult to continue rational thought, and it felt as though my emotions were drying cold.Overwhelming strength and speed that overpowered demonkin, and even chantless magic unaffected by mana.I couldn’t maintain this state for long, but for a short time it could unleash tremendous power.It displayed an overwhelming majesty that didn’t fit the in-game balance.I grabbed an iron ingot that happened to be next to me and clenched it tightly in my hand.Creak-The iron ingot warped like a sponge—if I exaggerate a little.At this level, it would require at least a Strength stat of 80 or higher.Feeling the blood vessels in my eyes engorge and my vision redden, I sensed that it would be dangerous to maintain this state any longer.Tremble-With a trembling hand, I picked up the Ring of Derode and put it back on my ring finger.Swoooosh—With a sensation like the space was whirling, the Ring of Derode sucked in the demonic energy that filled the lab like a vortex.Having absorbed what felt like an excessive amount of demonic energy, the Ring of Derode somehow looked shinier than before.It wasn’t written in the system description, but there might be hidden functions such as durability recovering upon contact with demonic energy, or the item’s grade temporarily rising.Considering that its durability drops upon contact with holy power, it’s a reasonable guess.“Huff, huff.”With the ring back on, I exhaled rough breaths and slowly evened my breathing.The first method I just used—a combat method that awakens the Half-Human, Half-Demon bloodline—is a last resort to be used only in life-or-death crises.If someone were to witness such a scene, I’d be taken straight to a religious tribunal and crucified under the judgment of the Papal Office.Perhaps Elena would preside over that judgment herself.Unless it’s truly an emergency, it’s right not to use it.Second is the method I used against the huge demonkin called Demper.Squeeze-I put on Milia’s Mana Gloves, which I had taken off.The feel of the leather fitting snugly into my grip was distinctive.Earlier, simply by breathing with the ring off, I could absorb demonic energy.But in a state like now, with the ring on, I need the power of these gloves that absorb mana.With the gloves on, I brought the lab rat I had brought in into contact with the Dark Magic Stone.Squeak squeak—!Upon contact with the Dark Magic Stone, the thing immediately began to change. Its fur turned black and its body grew larger. Its pupils also became blood-red.I grabbed the Dark Rat that had demonized in an instant with the gloves.The Dark Rat went limp due to the gloves’ stunning effect, and along with that, the demonic energy flowed into me from it.With the Ring of Derode on, there wasn’t the same violent transformation as before, but as soon as I absorbed the demonic energy into my body, the veins on my forearm began to stand out.Unlike when I accepted it fully, a slight rejection response appeared.And this response was exactly what I wanted.I used the demonic energy that was still wandering around the mana hole, not yet fully absorbed, to cast a spell.“Mana Chain.”The spell I cast was the 2nd-circle spell Mana Chain—the chain of mana I often used.Under the suppression of the incantation, the demonic aura circling the mana hole transformed into the form of a magic circle.And then—Shrrrr-It became a sturdy chain of mana and was fired into the air.Thunk-The chain of mana embedded itself into one wall of the lab just like that.To pierce a mana-coated wall like tofu—just as I expected, the power was considerable.It also makes sense that Fire Bolt instantly blew off that thug’s head before.Since it’s magic implemented using demonic energy, which is harder to handle than mana, it exerts an even more domineering and ferocious power.‘I get the rough feel of it.’This method is extremely useful, but there’s one big drawback: the timing is hard to match.First, there’s a big risk in absorbing demonic energy by making contact with the opponent at all, and then before the demonic energy is completely absorbed into the body, you have to match the timing to complete the incantation and fire.I’ll likely need an artifact or item that can compensate for this series of processes.‘Lastly, the third.’Unlike the previous two styles, the last combat style is a thoroughly ordinary battle method.The previous two methods are a kind of trick limited to targets that possess “demonic energy.”Because it must avoid others’ eyes, it’s an extremely restricted method.In the end, I must raise the raw combat power Loen possesses and lay the foundation to operate as a mage without constraints.‘…Right now, my combat style is completely hybrid.’I boost physical abilities with all sorts of items and potions, and fight opponents with magic stored in crystal balls or scrolls.This is closer to how a neighborhood thug or a second-rate mercenary fights than a mage.This is unavoidable to some extent due to the nature of the “Alchemist” class, but there are ways to compensate for it.A homunculus transmuted to fight in my stead. Or—‘Engraving a transmutation array using a medium.’I silently looked at the gloves on my hands.Combat mages don’t usually use magic bare-handed.To use mana efficiently and implement magic, they carry a separate combat staff.And for me, an alchemist, the “Azoth Sword” will take that place instead of a staff.An Azoth Sword engraved with a transmutation array is as good as the symbol of an alchemist.‘Up to now I’ve somehow muddled through direct combat, but if I keep going like this, a dangerous time will come sooner or later.’The level of enemies is gradually rising, and the competition season is approaching, so I also need to cultivate practical combat ability accordingly.Therefore, I should start getting magical clothing to protect my body and an Azoth Sword to use in combat.Although there is a restriction that, to engrave a transmutation array and produce an Azoth Sword imbued with one’s personal mana attributes, one must reach [Intermediate Alchemy].‘My alchemy level is almost full anyway.’I’ve made plenty of money; it seems about time to begin full-scale alchemy development.I can’t fight with improvisation forever.‘First, I’ll have to procure mercury in large quantities.’Mercury, gold, copper, and other catalysts essential to alchemy are basic.And I also need to identify Loen’s unique magical attribute property and procure materials suitable to it.It’ll cost quite a bit, but producing my own unique weapon is that valuable.Click-Having finished the experiment, I briefly removed the Ring of Derode and absorbed the demonic energy remaining in the lab into my body.As for the rest, I ran the ventilator and the magic purifier to flush it outside.What remained was the handling of the Dark Magic Stone.Its size had shrunk a bit due to the experiment I had just performed, but for now I fed it to Kavelthar.It eagerly accepted what it was given, which was endearing.I had just finished the experiment and was clearing the fragments of the broken wall when it happened.“Is, is it here?”“Try knocking. He might not be inside.”From outside the Student Council President’s Office came the sound of chatter.“W-wait. Let me take a deep breath.”“What do you need a deep breath for~ I’ll knock.”Knock knock-I sensed who the owners of those voices were and stepped out of the lab.***Student Council reception room.Clink-clink—After I slid the tea I had brewed myself to each of them, I leaned back on the sofa in a haughty posture.“What brings you this far?”The three who visited the Student Council.They were the three elves who had received my help some time ago. Kiriel. Silpiet, Rina Lun.The three sat demurely on the sofa opposite me, their hands placed on their knees.Instead of the fidgeting Kiriel, Silpiet spoke first.“W-we came to express our thanks, Sir Loen.”“Thanks, you say.”“Yes, I heard that during the demonkin attack incident a few days ago, you saved me and Rina… and President Kiriel.”Since Silpiet had been unconscious, she hadn’t seen me directly, but it seemed she had heard the situation from Kiriel.I spoke the truth about that day.“I didn’t particularly save you. I only stalled for a moment, and then the guards who arrived afterward drove them away.”Of course, I didn’t reveal that those “guards” were the Chairman.“We know. But it’s also true that the guards arrived while you were buying time, Sir Loen. So we came to convey our thanks and to show a small token of sincerity.”At Silpiet’s gaze, Rina Lun placed the bundle she had brought on the table.“This is our elves’ unique recovery medicine. Use it when you need it~”When the bundle was untied, a leaf-woven box appeared, and inside were cyan pills carefully packaged.‘That’s the elves’ recovery medicine, [Blessing of the Forest].’It’s an item comparable to a top-grade health potion, one that can only be made by combining a specific recipe.It falls short of an elixir, but it’s quite a rare item.Since it’s also given to benefactors as a gift in thanks like now, if I carry it around separately, I can enjoy the additional effect of easing other elves’ wariness.“It looks valuable. I’ll put it to good use.”Nodding, I carefully put away the bundle Rina Lun handed me.“If you ever need anything later, contact us anytime~ We’ll help as much as we can.”“All right.”Silpiet and Rina Lun, Kiriel’s aides.They were the children of elder-level figures within elven society, so I would likely have cause to seek their help later.“But…”I turned my gaze from Silpiet and Rina Lun and fixed it on Kiriel, who sat between them with her head bowed low.“Does the High Elf over there not have a mouth? Did you leave it to your aides?”“Ugh.”Kiriel flinched as if I had struck a nerve.I deliberately crossed my legs arrogantly and began to pressure Kiriel.“You must have something to say to me? Let’s hear it.”Since Kiriel kept picking fights and pestering me, I needed to gently press down on that snub nose of hers.Now was the perfect opportunity.No matter how hostile Kiriel was to me, she couldn’t behave high-handedly in a situation where she owed me her life.What’s more, I was the benefactor who had helped her precious friends.When I stared at her steadily, Kiriel pricked up her ears and stared holes into the floor.“Th-tha…”“Tha?”“Tha…”Stammering slowly, Kiriel suddenly shouted and slammed her forehead onto the table.Thud-“Thank you! For saving us!”Kiriel’s voice rang robustly through the Student Council President’s Office.The brass horn tube quivered and the cupboard shook.“Ow…”Perhaps she had slammed her forehead harder than she meant to; Kiriel rubbed at her brow.I looked at her in silence.The trace of a wound remained at Kiriel’s fingertips.It was a wound from when her friends were at risk of dying to demonkin, and she had been powerlessly clawing at the ground.The image of her wiping her tears and telling them to stop still lingered vividly in my mind.Even though she’s a bit of a nuisance, she’s hard to hate.And seeing how she honestly expressed her thanks to me, perhaps because she’s good-natured at heart, she at least has the minimum amount of conscience.With this, I hoped she wouldn’t be slippery with me going forward and that we could maintain a good relationship.I accepted her thanks.“Good. I accept your thanks. But this isn’t something to end with mere words. In the sense of repaying the favor, there’s something I want you to do in particular.”“W-what is it? It’s not something weird, is it?”Kiriel startled and scooted away from me.“It’s not something weird, but you might not find it pleasant.”I took a small wooden box from my bosom and set it on the table.Click-A jewel box containing the Stone of Truth.Tapping it lightly with my fingers, I spoke.“I need a craftsman to set this. And I want your elder sister to set it herself. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

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