Castle of Black Iron - Chapter 8: Mental Arithmetic by Abacus

Magic. It is a product of neither legends nor fairy tales, but instead has become a technology of reality since a time unknown to people. Supernatural power became a technology systematized through magic, while magic became a technical skill. A “Supernatural Power User” became a “Magic Technician”. Magic Technicians (in short, Magicians) are nurtured through Magic High Schools and Universities. This is a story about: A defective elder brother and low achiever. A perfect, flawless younger sister and high achiever. After both siblings entered a Magic High School, The stage of daily turbulence was unveiled —.

The height of his career, and it all came crashing down for Scotty. Due to a reactor incident, he dies, and transmigrates to the world of DxD with a Fusion system! As well as a couple more gifts from the Goddess.“I've never had a girlfriend, but now that I'm here, that's probably going to change whether I want it to or not.”***Chapters are LONG! So don't get scared off by the lack of them!***This will be a slow-burn to power and romance. My goal is to make scenes and characters come alive. So don't expect immediate gratification or a super quick rise to power.Updates will not be consistent, but I'll try to get them out when I can.If you want to donate anything, feel free. But I never expect anything for something that I enjoy as a [email protected]/RassenReaper

Lilac has lived a life of suffering. From being forced to disguise himself as a girl to survive, to being labeled cursed after failing to awaken his heavenly gifts that everyone else could, he is shunned by all.To add salt to his wound, before he turns 18, his father vanishes, and his uncle seizes the throne that should've rightfully been Lilac's as the eldest son. Before Lilac could successfully flee, he is caught and traded to the monsters beyond the kingdom—beasts so feared that no one who sees them returns.But instead of death, Lilac is claimed by Sloan.Born cursed, Sloan is a prince of the Enwulves, an extinct hybrid wolf species. Even though he is a prince, he has lived life as an outcast due to his curse that causes him to forcibly transform every full moon, thus losing his humanity. His life has been mapped out for him, but when he finds Lilac—battered, freezing, and terrified—something shifts. For the first time, his rage stills. It was just a glimpse, a scent, a tiny whimper of fright.And that was it.Humans are meant to be slaves. Enwulves are forbidden from claiming them. Keeping Lilac means war.But Sloan has never followed rules, and Lilac has never belonged—until now.~~~ | ~~~“Are you afraid of me, little human?” Sloan husked out, cold lips grazing my bleeding fingers before his lips parted slightly to release hot breath over them. I trembled, rooted in the spot with fright and unable to breathe.Was this a trick question? Of course I’m afraid of him! Everyone is! Who wouldn’t be? Slaves are never supposed to be in his presence, except they suddenly desire a quick demise. Am I supposed to respond honestly or lie?When cold lips closed around my finger, I gasped in shock, a rush of fright and dread engulfing me. He was gonna bite off my finger right now, wasn’t he? Just because my stupid brain couldn’t come up with a response? The rumors said he was a heartless psychopath, but I didn’t think it was actually true!However, a hot tongue swiped over my fingertips and I sucked in a sharp breath, exhaling shakily while my chest expanded and my brain tried to figure out what was happening, and why my fingers weren't bitten off yet— or why I’m still breathing in his presence.Next, cold, long fingers wrapped around my wrist and my hand was being tugged upward, then a nose was digging into my pulse point, and I almost fainted when cold lips dragged over the sensitive skin there. The sound of a deep inhale filled up my ear next.“Fuck. You smell so good.”Oh heavens.This was worse than I thought.Instead of killing me, was he planning to… eat me… literally???! What the fuck?

Life is a clash of desires, of wants, of musts…What is good?What is evil?Is one who saves his sister in place of hundreds, evil?Is another who sacrifices his sister to save hundreds, good?Life is no idealistic fairytale.Unique, it so easily gives and takes opportunities.For me? Life had taken one, and given another— two lives.This was no longer earth.On Sanctum, the ‘Wheel of Fortune’ decides how we start, but not where we go.As I woke, I knew not who I was, where I was, nor where I came from… Even my name eluded me… Yet I did not care.I knew my purpose.To find her...To find the strength to protect her...To build a reputation she would embrace, as the hero she'd always envisioned...On the 22 floating islands of the Arcane, knowledge is one’s most powerful weapon, and at the same time, greatest vulnerability. The web of lies and deception spread far in this world, some even woven and hidden by the very gods. The abyssal mysteries— those who near them get swallowed within the endless fogs that speak tales of Sanctum’s inevitable doom.For the sake of the world, I envision. This won’t do…Dearest Nina…___Dearest Joseph…********THERE WILL BE ABSOLUTELY NO HAREM IN THIS NOVEL!!I actively despise it as it slows down the story for no reason and serves NO purpose other than self insert fantasy slop.If you're here for diabolical activities that make sense, a smart MC who isn't naive for the sake of plot, where everything has meaning, leads to things without downtime and empty chapters, a story not about just an OP MC self insert fantasy, character development and morality, a mysterious world and plot twists, you've come to the right place.AUTHOR NOTE:Hey, It's Drip again. You may know me from my work on The Great Demon SystemThe first few chapters will be on earth, then it will transition into fantasy after where things will really pick up (before chapter 10). The MC will be very unique in the way he interacts and develops, things aren't always as they seem on the surface, so I hope you look forward to it :))As is common with my novels, my MC is NOT a morally ideal person, but it all has meaning so be prepared, or excited!I've been really busy with university work lately and have been cooking this novel up. I feel like it'll be something special.5 Chapters a day until around chapter 50, then I'll post daily