Black Solstice-Chapter 24: Demon’s Doctrine of Mystics [1]

I left the Student Service Center and felt strangely satisfied.

After analyzing my spiritual and physical attributes, Tyris had concluded that the Mage Division of Combat Training would suit me far better.

My body was naturally weak since I was human, but my spiritual power was a whole different story.

Apparently, it was potent enough to break the ten attribute testers, something no devil, regardless of rank, had ever managed before.

Was this one of those situations where the spirit was strong but the body was weak?

I held my chin thoughtfully.

According to reports, Inquisitors were said to be capable of going toe-to-toe with the Devil Lords. The advantage humans had over devils was the power bestowed upon them by the Gods of Machine, not their spirit power.

Did this mean my reishi was comparable to that of the 72 Pillars?

It was definitely an interesting line of thought.

Besides, I had only survived because I had instinctively used reishi to protect my body from Dagon’s heartfelt punch.

If not for that, I would have died for sure.

At the very least, it seemed I won’t be completely outmatched by devils. But...

My brows knitted together.

After her careful analysis, Tyris had assigned me a single occupation:

White Magician.

It was an auxiliary role granted to individuals with exceptional aptitude for healing and support.

Of course, that didn’t mean my talent for other forms of sorcery was completely worthless.

Tyris had explained that I should be able to learn and use Sorcery just fine, but my affinity for healing arts would be far greater.

In other words, it would become my primary area of expertise.

"Well, that’s fine and all. As long as I keep my schedule, I should be fine."

"Boo!"

"Gyaa–!"

With a startled scream, I flinched and jumped back like a frightened cat. Only a familiar face entered my view.

Seraphis grinned mischievously.

"What were you thinking about so intensely? You were even muttering to yourself out here."

"Damn woman, don’t scare me like that! Are you trying to give me a heart attack!?"

"It’s your fault for spacing out in the open. You’re practically asking someone to give you a good fright!"

I straightened my posture and looked at the oddly cheerful vampire.

Her appearance had returned to normal—from silvery-white hair back to deep blood-red, from ghostly pale skin to smooth porcelain, and her eyes had lost their crimson glow, settling once again into their usual green.

There wasn’t a single trace of the other "Sera" who had appeared that day.

"Hmm..."

Noticing my silent stare, Seraphis gave me a look.

"What?"

I chuckled.

"Nothing. Just thought you look cuter today."

She flushed a little.

"Ah~ you think so? Wait... w-what? You’re messing with me, aren’t you!?"

"What do you mean? I’m completely honest."

Before she could say anything, I tilted my head and asked,

"You sure look energetic. Aren’t you supposed to be resting in your dorm?"

"Don’t look down on me. Vampires have good recovery speed and stamina, so I’m as good as new!"

"I see..."

"By the way, did I say something strange?"

"Sorry, what?"

Seraphis scratched her cheek, looking a little bashful, then clarified:

"I’m asking if the other ’Sera’ said something to you when I used my demon transformation."

"That’s why I said what. Why are you asking me? I don’t understand this arrangement of yours, but you two are individual personalities in the same body, right? So shouldn’t you know what each other is doing?"

"It isn’t that simple."

She paused, lingering for a moment before gesturing toward her pendant as she continued her explanation.

"Like I said before, this pendant is a magical item that seals my demonic powers until times of emergency or when my life is threatened. But in the scenario where the seal is released, the other Sera awakens and I take her place."

"So you exchange places?"

"Guess you could say that. Although the release is only temporary, I become sealed while the other Sera controls our body. Just like her, I can see and feel everything she is doing when she is active, but everything is hazy and blurry, so I might miss certain details. It’s like trying to remember a fleeting dream."

Okay, let me get this straight.

There were two personalities of "Sera" which can classified as the Outer Sera and the Inner Sera.

Outer Sera was the default state and lacked her true power as a vampire. Then there was the Inner Sera who carried her real power but was sealed away.

If the Inner Sera awakened, the Outer Sera would take her place.

And if the Outer Sera awakened, the Inner Sera returned to her sealed state.

So it was a switch-switch situation. Only one personality could control the body.

Hold on.

If that was the case, then whoever was sealed would have to watch the other party control their body like an outsider, unable to influence anything they did or stop them from doing something they did not want to do.

...Damnit.

Just thinking about it was giving me a headache.

In the first place, multiple personality disorder was a complicated topic back on Earth. But this wasn’t even that. This was something far more supernatural and troublesome.

A sealed vampire persona with access to true power, waking up only when the situation demanded it. And the outer one, the Sera in front of me, forced to watch everything like a blurry dream.

That sounded... horrifying.

"It really isn’t simple at all."

Seraphis let out a weak laugh.

"Yeah... I figured it would be confusing."

I exhaled.

"That’s one way to put it. So the inner version of you... did she say anything strange? I don’t really know but did she try to bite me? I think she did."

Seraphis blinked rapidly.

"W-wait, did she!?"

"No. I’m asking you."

"Oh." She cleared her throat, embarrassed. "Well... she isn’t dangerous. Probably. She just has a different personality. She’s... more direct."

"Direct, huh."

Direct was a polite way to describe the woman who defeated a Great Devil using a roundhouse kick.

Instead of backing down, she stood her ground like an unshakable statue and was the more arrogant devil.

She was, indeed, a true vampire.

"Anyway, if she spoke to you, I won’t know the details unless you tell me. I just get glimpses."

"So you want me to fill in the blanks?"

"Exactly."

I crossed my arms, trying to pull out the memory of that incident. "She didn’t say much. We just talked for a bit before I lost consciousness but I can’t seem to remember what we talked about. Honestly, it was vague."

"I see. So it can’t be helped."

Seraphis went quiet, seemingly thinking about something that only she knew anything about.

I frowned.

It felt like she wanted to ask me something for some reason.

Just what was she thinking?

Finally, she said:

"Hey."

"Yes?"

"Back then... did you mean what you said?"

What I said?

Did I tell her something? Really, what did she mean?

Ah!

I suddenly remembered.

A memory resurfaced. Back when we were dealing with the perverted Dagon, I had whispered something to her.

I thought I was going to die so I said some simple to her.

Basically, I said...

"Of course, I meant everything I said back then."

Upon hearing those words, Seraphis lowered her head with a quiet "I see." Her shoulders trembled.

They trembled, they truly trembled and then trembled even more.

When she finally raised her head, her expression was downright scary.

I even took a step back.

Her eyes were practically filled with hearts, and drool spilled from the corners of her lips like a broken fountain.

"Are you sure? Are you really sure? Can I suck your ridiculously sweet, irresistible blood without restraint!? How miraculous! Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to control my lust!"

That alone seemed enough to send her motivation skyrocketing. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

Even so...

"Goddamn it! Don’t say things that could cause misunderstandings! And stop looking at me like I’m your personal supper!"

I grumbled and spat those words out, but the feral Seraphis ignored me completely, closed the distance, then playfully sank her fangs into my neck.

This was the beginning of my not-so-ordinary life.