ALL NOVEL Chapter 37
After the contract was established.
Yujin took a moment to explain Elysia’s current condition to her.
“Your Highness, your body has already reached a point of no return.”
“What do you mean…?”
“It means that your body is almost completely transforming into that of a Demon. And this is irreversible.”
When she heard this, Elysia’s expression briefly fell into despair, something Yujin would never forget.
Of course, he didn’t forget to quickly add the next part.
“While the body cannot be reversed, your sense of self as a human can be maintained. The help I mentioned is also about helping you maintain that sense of self. So there’s no need to despair too much.”
“But… even so, if my body becomes that of a Demon, the Mana Church will surely want to execute me.”
“Regarding that, of course, I plan to help with that as well. Moreover, the Empire is also protecting you, Your Highness. I don’t think you need to worry about that right now.”
As Yujin reassured her, she seemed to calm down somewhat, but Elysia still didn’t forget to ask again.
“…Really, has my body truly become that of a Demon?”
“Practically, yes. Although it’s more like a half-baked Transcendent, your body has become closer to that of a Demon.”
“Is there no way… to reverse it…?”
“None. At least, as far as I know, there is no way to revert a Transcendent back into a human.”
Yujin was firm in his statement, knowing how cruel it would be to give false hope.
When his parents were dying, he had held onto hope because the doctor said they could be saved, only to fall into despair when they ultimately passed. He knew how painful that was.
Yujin had no intention of instilling such false hope.
“…But… didn’t you say you sealed my demonic energy? If I can just maintain this state…”
“Actually, there shouldn’t be any immediate problems. But Your Highness, a seal is only a temporary measure. It’s forcibly suppressing the demonic energy and locking it away in a corner.”
Though the Princess asked as if making a last-ditch effort, Yujin shook his head.
“Your Highness’s body has already become close to that of a Demon, and demonic energy is akin to the source of a Demon’s power. If you continue to suppress this power and live as if it doesn’t exist, your body, deprived of its source, will gradually weaken… and you may eventually fall into an eternal slumber unless the seal on your demonic energy is released.”
“……”
“Additionally, demonic energy is like waste accumulating in the body. The longer you suppress it, the higher the chance it will have a negative impact on your body. It hasn’t been long since it was suppressed, and your previous state was worse, so you might not feel it yet… but eventually, it could harm your body.”
What Yujin had said to Professor Reina the other day wasn’t entirely baseless. In truth, even Yujin didn’t know what kind of negative effects prolonged suppression of demonic energy might have. He only vaguely knew that it wouldn’t be good.
“……”
“Your Highness, if it becomes unbearable, please tell me now. If you don’t need my help to maintain your sense of self, I will also nullify the contract.”
“…No. That’s not it.”
After a moment, she shook her head and spoke.
“I can’t back out now. Besides, my family hasn’t given up hope. So I can’t be the one to give up first.”
“I see. Understood.”
“So, what is this method you mentioned? The one that can help me maintain my sense of self…?”
When Elysia asked about it, Yujin replied in a light tone, as if discussing what to have for lunch.
“It’s simple. Your Highness just needs to fully transform into a Demon.”
“…What?”
For a moment, she didn’t understand what he was saying. Transform into… what?
“It seems my explanation was insufficient. Currently, Your Highness is practically no different from a Demon. Do you understand this?”
“That’s… yes.”
She hesitated for a moment before nodding in response.
“The purpose of the Seed of the Demon is to transform its host into a complete Demon. If Your Highness becomes a Demon, the Seed of the Demon will no longer have a reason to continue its corruption. In fact, it’s highly likely to become a central organ that allows you to control your demonic energy.”
“But…”
“Your Highness, as I mentioned, your body is already closer to that of a demon than a human. Reversing this is nearly impossible, even for me.”
“……”
“If you wish to survive while maintaining your sense of self, Your Highness must undergo metamorphosis into a demon in your current mental state. That is why I am here to assist you.”
“How… how do you mean?”
“I will help Your Highness gain control over the Demon’s Magic.”
The Demon’s Magic.
Yujin explained that he would help her control the power currently sealed within her body.
“Once you can control the Demon’s Magic at will, the erosion will cease, and the demon’s authority and power will fully become yours. Of course, this means you will essentially become a demon yourself.”
“……”
“I will ask again. This is Your Highness’s choice, and I will not force either option upon you. I will respect whatever decision you make. Will you choose to survive as a demon? Or will you die as a human?”
“I…”
Elysia’s lips trembled for a moment before she lowered her head and spoke.
“…I am human.”
“I also believe that to be true.”
“Even if my body becomes that of a demon, even if my soul rots to its core, that fact will not change. So…”
She raised her head again and continued.
“I will survive as a human. Even if I become a demon, I believe it is I who will define myself.”
“…I see. I understand Your Highness’s choice.”
Her words—that she would survive even as a demon but never forget her humanity—made Yujin chuckle, reminded of himself when he had just become a dragon.
“Very well. Let’s proceed with that understanding.”
“Then…”
“For now, rest. This will be a long journey.”
With that, Yujin stood up.
“Your Highness, do you see another version of yourself in your hallucinations?”
“!”
Elysia’s eyes widened in surprise at the question.
“How did you…?”
“Haha, if we’re going there, shouldn’t we start with how I recognized the demon’s presence in you at first glance?”
“……”
“Well, anyway, that’s the demon’s ego. The seed of the demon has awakened a new self within you, born from your inner darkness and weaknesses. That self currently holds control over the Demon’s Magic.”
Yujin glanced at the flower blooming in Elysia’s right eye.
“You’ll need to overcome that self and grow strong enough to seize control of the magic. Adapting to and taming the magic will take time, so this isn’t something we can resolve immediately. As I said, it’s a long-term process. So, let’s end here for today. I have personal matters to attend to as well.”
“……”
“Enjoy the rare peace you’ve found today. The ‘treatment’ will begin after this. President?”
“…Right. Then, Princess Elysia, I’ll take my leave now.”
*Poof!*
With those words, the President and Yujin left the room using spatial movement.
Left alone, Elysia…
“…Sigh.”
…collapsed onto the sofa and stared at the ceiling.
“…A demon…”
She stretched her arm upward, gazing at her hand, then shook her head and clasped both hands over her chest.
“No, I am human…”
***
“…I’m not sure if this is truly the right path.”
Meanwhile, the President, who had just left the women’s dormitory, muttered with a slightly troubled expression. Yujin responded.
“Are you referring to transforming Her Highness into a demon?”
“…Yes. I don’t know if it’s right for her to survive even if it means becoming a demon… I can’t understand it.”
“It’s her choice. We must respect it. I will simply do my best to fulfill our contract.”
“…May I ask one more question about that?”
“Go ahead.”
When Yujin readily agreed, the President spoke.
“Of course, I don’t expect you to help Her Highness for free… but was there a particular reason you made such a contract? Is there something you…”
“…I thought you might need something…”
“Haha, it seems there’s an answer to what you said.”
“Huh?”
“Didn’t you say it yourself? That you don’t have to help for free. I’m the same. Helping others for free like charity only gives you self-satisfaction at best.”
“……”
“If I said I’d help for free, would Her Highness the Princess have believed me? Even if she did, wouldn’t she have taken my kindness as a right? How can you know how a favor without a price will turn out?”
“That’s true, but…”
“Of course, I know your doubts, President, aren’t about that. You might think that there’s nothing I could want from Her Highness in exchange for a contract where I simply ask for one favor.”
“…Yes. It may be presumptuous, but that’s correct.”
“Why do you think that?”
“…Huh?”
“Since Her Highness the Princess has accepted the contract, she will eventually transform into a demon. In other words, she will also become a Transcendent. Why do you think I would have nothing to gain from her?”
“!”
Seeing the President’s reaction, Yujin smiles faintly and continues.
“That’s how it is. Of course, you might ask why not just put a collar on her and make her a slave so she can never rebel… but there’s no reason to go that far, is there? I’m satisfied with just one favor.”
“……”
“Did that answer your question?”
“…Yes, I was short-sighted.”
“There’s no need to say that. It’s natural to be skeptical when Her Highness suddenly becomes a Transcendent.”
“That’s… true. I think that thought was lurking in the back of my mind.”
The President nodded, agreeing with Yujin’s words. Yujin then spoke.
“Well, the Q&A is over… I should probably introduce myself to the professors soon.”
As Yujin turned to look at the President, the President spoke.
“After the exam, for a week… that is, until today, there are no lectures being held at the Academy. So, I’ve already called all the professors…”
“That’s quick. When did you summon them?”
“I left a message for the professors using a communication orb before you came to fill out the paperwork.”
“I see… Alright. By the way, it seems like the students are quite active even though there are no lectures.”
“Even without lectures, most students live within the Academy.”
“Hmm, I see.”
After such a conversation, the President and Yujin headed to the conference room where the professors were gathered.
***
Meanwhile, in the professors’ conference room.
“Did you hear that?”
“About the new Magic Studies professor being the author of that spacetime magic thesis?”
“Yes. The President clearly said so.”
“Is that true?”
“I just checked the message this morning, how would I know?”
“Huh… If it’s true, that’s really amazing.”
“I saw him yesterday too, he looked very young. Maybe he’s a Great Mage who’s reached a level similar to the President…”
“Come on, even if he is, to be on par with the President…”
“No, really. Haven’t you heard the news yet? The head of the Mage Association was instantly subdued by the author of that thesis?”
“What? What are you…”
“It’s true. It happened just last night, and the news spread like wildfire this morning.”
“Huh…”
The room buzzed with chatter.
Many professors were gathered, discussing. The scene felt somewhat déjà vu.
It felt similar to what happened at the Mage Association’s lecture hall last night. Among the professors, a particularly noticeable young female professor, Reina Sahart, lowered her eyes.
‘Seeing how this introduction is being set up, it seems the President couldn’t find any evidence… But something might happen to Her Highness the Princess. I need to find a cure as soon as possible…’
Feeling slightly anxious, she bit her lip subtly when…
“You look a bit off, Reina.”
“…Lynne.”
Reina turned to see a woman with ash-gray hair and calm blue eyes looking at her with a languid expression.
“If you’re tired from overwork lately, should I make you some medicine?”
“…No, it’s not that. Thanks for your concern.”
“Whoa.”
Lynne Enheria, the Alchemy Professor at the Academy.
As she asked in her soft voice, Reina shook her head and replied.
“…It doesn’t seem like I’m physically unwell. So, is there another reason?”
“…That is…”
Reina hesitated for a moment, then turned to look at Lynne beside her.
Her expression was unreadable, a bit listless and blank.
Seeing her like that, Reina felt conflicted.
Should she tell her? That she met a Dark Sorcerer yesterday who was trying to mess with the Princess?
And that the new professor the President is introducing today is that very person?
Whether Lynne would believe her or not, was it even safe to tell her? Reina couldn’t help but agonize over it.
Lynne, who had been quietly watching her, spoke up in her usual gentle tone.
“…I don’t know what’s going on, but you don’t have to carry it alone. You can tell me anytime.”
“……”
Seeing Lynne’s faint smile, Reina hesitated, opening and closing her mouth repeatedly, before finally speaking.
“Well, actually…”
“Sorry for being late.”
Just then, the President’s voice rang out.
In the end, Reina and Lynne had to turn their attention to the door, forgetting their conversation.
The wide meeting room door opened, and two people entered.
“I got caught up with something and ended up being late. Please forgive me.”
“It’s alright, President.”
As the fiery red-haired woman, President Ines, spoke, an elderly professor shook his head and replied. The other professors nodded in agreement.
After all, it wasn’t a big delay, and respect for the Great Mage, who was among the most powerful mortals, was something most professors had ingrained in them. Regardless of power dynamics.
“Well, thank you.”
“By the way, President, is that…”
“Ah, yes. I should introduce him now.”
As one professor looked in Yujin’s direction, the President nodded and spoke.
“This is Professor Han Yujin, newly appointed as a professor. Most of the Magic Studies professors might already know him.”
“Wow…”
“Is that really him…”
“Truly as young as they say. I wanted to attend his lecture too…”
“Quiet. Professor Yujin, please come forward and introduce yourself.”
As the professors murmured while looking at Yujin, the President calmly silenced them.
Then, she motioned for Yujin to step forward.
Reina watched him with a sinking feeling in her chest.
Soon, Yujin smiled and began to speak.
“Honored to meet all the senior professors of the Academy. I am Han Yujin. Many of you might know me as the author of the thesis on Space-Time Magic.”
Murmurs filled the room.
The room buzzed with excitement. Even though they had heard rumors, hearing it directly from him was a different experience.
“Let’s not make a fuss.”
At the President’s sharp remark, the room quieted down. It was a moment that showed the President’s authority. Yujin continued.
“Thank you, President. Now, let me continue my introduction.”
Yujin looked around the room and smiled as he went on.
“Suddenly, but I have a dream.”
And with that, an unexpected story began.
“……”
Listening to his words, Professor Reina couldn’t help but feel an odd sense of foreboding.