Descending Into A Novel

The lights in the stadium darkened, plunging everyone inside—seated or standing into darkness.

The only lights were from the stars above, only giving the barest illumination of silhouettes. Any attendee trying to use their own light quickly found that it wasn’t functioning. Flashlights refused to light and glow sticks remained dull.

Judging by the mana in the air, Raymond could tell that there was definitely some sort of magic at work here.

Zachary would soon obtain a skill called absorb light, something he figured was similar to the current magic that was being used.

With nearly two hundred thousand attendees, the stadium was anything but silent even at its most quietest. The whispers of so many people gathering made it hard to even talk to someone next to you.

Except for them of course, the walls were soundproofed just enough to block out the majority of noises that wasn’t music from the band. Simply by blocking out sounds from every direction except the front.

Because that would just be stupid.

At least Ellen looked invested into what was going on, shuffling until she was at the edge of her seat. Her hands already holding glow sticks from who knows where—waiting in anticipation.

"...is something supposed to happen?"

It had already been several minutes now, the two of them still waiting for whatever was supposed to happen next.

She turned and glared at him, "This is the most imp-

BANG!

While she was in the middle of scolding him. A burst of light flew up into the sky, a firework exploding into a myriad of colors. Followed by another, then another. Each time, painting the sky into a different color.

At the same time, spotlights activated. Illuminating the stage and revealing seven people, dressed in fancy expensive looking suits.

With each firework, more spotlights turned on. Gradually lighting up the entire stage in pulses synced with the fireworks.

Another volley of fireworks went up, screaming as they flew into the sky before bursting in rapid succession. Each one louder and brighter then the one before it.

Combining together with the remnant fireworks, the lights briefly formed an image of a single quill and wing, the logo of the band.

Raymond found it rather tacky, but who was he to judge? He wasn’t exactly the target audience here after all.

The audience was going wild at the appearance—hands shooting up, people screaming in unison. So clearly it was working.

Ellen felt her heart sink, just because she was scolding Raymond she had missed their opening!

She mentally reminded herself to punish him later.

Unaware of the thoughts that was right next to him. Raymond quietly rubbed his chin as he stared at the band members. With flawless skin and well built bodies that made them stand out in crowds. Dressed in fancy suits, with minimal makeup and neatly styled hair. Their facial features alone was enough to catch anyone’s attention.

Even he had to admit that they were pretty good looking. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

If Thomas was a 1, he supposed each member would be a 0.8 or a 0.9. Which was already extremely impressive given that Thomas was an angel, each birth was special for angels—they were each born to be walking perfection after all.

Whereas they were just regular humans, completely unawakened individuals who could barely even sense mana and thus not even utilize it in any way. They didn’t have the enhancing effects of mana like awakened. Where the stronger an individual was, the more mana shaped their body into the individual’s ideal self. Their skin would become better, their muscles and bones more defined, their entire body would undergo change to become better. This effect worked on anyone that utilized mana frequently although it was most prominent for warriors who tempered their bodies with mana.

Taken Ellen as an example, who worried about her weight.

It was hard for an awakened to even gain weight. Unless they had an intent to increase their body weight, and specifically trained for it. Their body would remain mostly the same.

That was how despite Ellen’s strength, her arms could still remain as soft as marshmallows, her palms as fair as a fairy and free from any callouses and her skin as clear as could be.

Raymond himself as the Perfect Human could perfectly control his body down to the very cells.

He could cause his hair to stop growing, control his hormones, speed up or slow down his metabolism, and even cut off any signals from his pain receptors.

In short, people who were attractive before mana would become even more attractive after. All while still looking recognizable enough.

And Raymond took all of this to the extreme as a perfect human.

Just for reference, Raymond (the real one, not his current young appearance) would be a 1.1!

Being that close to him was already very respectable, not everyone could be like him after all.

Just remembering his true appearance was already enough to put a smile on his face and a tear fall from his eye, only a few more months were left before he could finally get rid of this damn morph ring!

No longer would he remain in second place! His rightful position as number one would soon be his!

Ellen, mistaking his smile for one of gloating—immediately amped up the punishment she had already planned.

He yawned, the music was pretty good as well he supposed. As someone who played often. Looking at the background musicians, Raymond could tell they were the real deal, having actual skill.

Take the drummer for instance, many people assumed the drums were one of the easiest instruments, and it was definitely one of the easier ones. But mastery of any instrument was difficult regardless of how easy it was to pick up.

His timing was impeccable, each strike perfectly hitting with just the right amount of force necessary but most importantly—his limb independence was amazing, each limb performing a different rhythm.

It was like writing two different essays at once, while using your feet to paint two different paintinfs at the same time. Raymond could do so easily but comparing him, an Archmage to a regular human was just unfair.

The other background musicians were also equally as impressive. None of them falling behind the others in terms of skill.

As for the actual main members of the group...

Raymond didn’t know much about dancing, what he did know was ballroom dancing and waltz due to his background as a prince, which compared to the current style of dance they were displaying. Was wildly different in just about every way, shape and form.

For starters, ballroom dancing and waltz was performed with a partner. Typically at a much slower and controlled pace, technique and form was much more important here.

Compared to this intense...unconventional style. It reminded Raymond of the more tribal dances from the beastkins.

Looking to his left, Ellen was enjoying it. A bit too much maybe.

’How old is she again..?’

As the music and dancing gradually slowed down to a crawl. A spotlight shined on the two of them, bright enough to illuminate them to the whole stadium without blinding them.

The lead singer, a handsome man with slicked backed hair. Grabbed his microphone, pointing in their direction.

"Before we begin our next song. First of all, we would like to express our thanks to the Grace Family of New Rayan!"

So that was it.

The tour originally didn’t include New Rayan as a destination, but they ended up performing here for a simple reason.

Rayez threw a lot of money at them.

Like a lot of money.

Enough to get them to add an extra destination to their tour and perform at New Rayan. The amount of money he threw at them had to be in the millions at the very least.

However much it was, it was enough to fully fund and cover all the operating costs as well as pay the members extra to perform in New Rayan.

Money was truly powerful, even if Raymond was an SS-rank he doubted he could have done the same thing without money.

Since Rayez was funding the entire concert, getting VIP tickets for him and Ellen was naturally a breeze. It was why there was no one else in the VIP box with them either as well. He had reserved the entire space for them only.

"Please give your thanks to Ellen Grace! Who so graciously decided to attend today!"

Raymond frowned, with so many attendees today. The number of people looking at them wasn’t a low number at all.

Especially with Ellen’s current outfit...

Without any hesitation, he raised his hand. Immediately casting a spell to hide them and their appearance.

He was just looking out for her, he told himself.

Surely Ellen would appreciate it.

***

"Sir, Ellen Grace and Raymond Vance are both attending this concert. Should we switch our targets to them instead?"

The moment he heard that suggestion, he raised an arm and slapped him across the face.

"Are you crazy? Think about it, these unawakened humans are useless and weak. They serve zero purpose outside of looking good. But those two? Attacking them is basically putting a death sentence on our heads!"

Dammit, they were here to make money! Not kill themselves!

"We stick to the original plan, do not involve those two no matter what!"

Kidnapping the main leader of a boy group? Sure they were valuable but that was it, they weren’t that precious in the grand scheme of things.

But two scions of a Family that were almost guaranteed to become S or SS-ranks? That was different. Especially Raymond Vance, he might as well have been the most valuable human alive right now.

The one who was slapped bowed his head, "Yes sir."

The others in the room bowed to him as well. The glint of several weapons could be seen as they did so.

"Remember, we only need to get Leo! If you can, get one or two more but that’s it! Do not compromise the plan for any stupid reason!"

He put a hand to his face, letting out a sigh.

Dammit, he still owed that favor to Ellen for helping him with that traitor in his organization. He couldn’t exactly involve her in this kidnapping!