Fitran opened a giant door that creaked slowly, revealing a world filled with wonder—a magnificent library. As he stepped inside, he was immediately greeted by a breathtaking sight: billions of books neatly arranged on towering shelves, rising like an infinite tower of knowledge. The soft light from the hanging lamps illuminated this vast library, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere, as if each book were telling its own story, waiting to be read and explored further.

  "At last, my shadow back," Fitran said, his eyes filled with hope as he noticed his right hand suddenly shining with a golden light. "It seems I no longer need to worry about Rinoa," he added, feeling a weight lift from his heart.

  "Doppelg?nger Magic, Shadow Reflection," sighed a captivating demon woman, her voice as smooth as silk, as she stepped forward to greet Fitran with a mysteriously enchanting smile. Her eyes sparkled like polished obsidian, reflecting the flickering light around them, and an aura of swirling shadow energy surrounded the tips of her fingers, indicating the power she possessed.

  Within the shadows lies a terrifying power—Doppelg?nger magic, which creates a perfect replica of its owner. These shadows not only mimic physical appearances but can also fight and act beyond the will of their creator. Legends suggest that the use of this magic can lead to shadow reflections becoming independent entities with their own goals and wills, causing the sorcerer to lose control and making it difficult to distinguish the original from the imitation, much like the complex effects on human relationships.

  "I have recorded new notes," said Mammon, as he meticulously wrote in an old-framed book, its cream-colored pages slightly yellowed at the edges. He slipped a silver-tipped pen between his fingers, as if waiting to unveil the secrets of an unseen world. "You can create more than one shadow," he continued, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm, as if exploring the limitless possibilities born from the power of magic.

  The magic of Mammon possesses the ability to absorb anything new—be it knowledge, untapped magic, or forgotten history. Its ethereal energy flows like an unbroken river, exploring every possible corner and creating bridges between what exists and what can potentially be born.

  "I was surprised when someone suddenly appeared in this library," Mammon said, his voice echoing softly among the neatly arranged bookshelves. "Who would have thought, this once-famous Paladin has now turned to thievery," he continued, his eyes sparkling with irony at the seemingly impossible situation.

  "I came here to make a proposal," Fitran stated, his voice calm yet filled with tension.

  "A proposal," Mammon repeated, a humorous laughter resonating among the grand bookshelves.

  "But you are truly enigmatic; I cannot read your thoughts, your actions, or even the power that you possess," Mammon went on, his expression reflecting deep confusion. "This is rather insulting to me as the guardian of this forbidden library."

  "No more books should be added to this library," said Mammon, gracefully flying between the towering shelves as he gently returned the recently revised book to the 110th floor. The gentle breeze created by his wings stirred the neatly arranged pages, creating a soft melody that blended with the silence of the dust-laden room filled with history.

  "This is related to the magic you wish to develop," Fitran said, his voice echoing in the quiet space. "The magic I'm referring to is zombification," he continued, trying to capture Mammon's attention with an urgent tone.

  "What?," Mammon replied, his tone reflecting profound disappointment.

  "The knowledge of zombiefication should have been completed," Mammon said, gripping a black book that lay on the 30th floor, wiping away the dust that clung to its cover.

  "You don't even know its name. Every magic should have a name," Fitran replied seriously, his eyes sparkling with knowledge. "You can trust me; I can't lie here. If you want, I can explain it right now," Fitran continued, his voice becoming more assertive and confident.

  "Consider it as a proposal for a contract," Fitran said, attempting to entice Mammon.

  "Then explain," Mammon stated, "If you are lying here, I will kill you." Mammon added.

  In the forbidden library, there existed an indescribable wonder. Each time someone narrated a new tale, a mysterious book would suddenly appear before the storyteller, its pages lightly trembling as if welcoming the story that was being birthed. However, if anyone dared to lie, the atmosphere would change dramatically. In an instant, the book would not appear; instead, one that contained the truth would emerge, exposing falsehoods and providing accurate explanations.

  "Alright, I will begin," Fitran said resolutely, his eyes gleaming with hope, as if ready to reveal the secrets hidden within his mind.

  One of the lost magics is zombification, a dark sorcery that possesses the power to physically transform the dead into the living. Those trapped in this state are referred to as zombies, becoming mindless slaves who obey every command of the caster. The creator of this magic is Vlad, a prince from one of the kingdoms on Earth. Haunted by his curiosity about immortality, Vlad pondered, “What is the purpose of living in this world if time is the separator?” This obsession led him to commit horrific acts: brutally murdering everyone around him by stabbing them from the anus to their mouths, then drying the corpses under the sun. He collected the blood that flowed and soaked the earth to perform his dark resurrection ritual.

  In the midst of that darkness, Vlad studied the fundamentals of the human resurrection process, and it was then that he earned the title of necromancer. A necromancer is a term for a dark sorcerer capable of communicating with the spirits of the dead trapped in a catastrope. Consumed by hatred, wrath, and vengeance, Vlad easily summoned them back to the world. The spirits would be confined within the corpses he had pierced, reliving their lost lives. Amazingly, Vlad succeeded in his first attempt, creating a creature from the darkness.

  The army of zombies he created consists of several tiers, each with unique and terrifying characteristics. The first tier, known as the Revenant, features zombies that are nothing but skeletal remains, adorned with armor that was once magnificent and equipped with sharp swords. The remnants of flesh seem to narrate the anger and vengeance burning in their souls, particularly directed at the blue-blooded class that oppressed them during their lives.

  The second-tier zombies, called Nachzehrer, exhibit characteristics more akin to wild beasts. They crawl with daggers, unable to stand upright, appearing obsessed only with devouring all living beings in their path. In life, these creatures were known for their gluttony, desiring not only wealth but also women and food. Referred to as brain eaters, they first consume the brains of their prey, and with each bite, they slowly absorb the traits and memories of the individuals they have devoured. The more malevolent the nature of their victims, the stronger and faster these zombies become. Peace has vanished, and only darkness envelops them as they hunt in the silence of the night.

  Level three zombies, Strigoi, are creatures that arise from the souls of unmarried men or women. Once reborn as zombies, they relentlessly seek out living beings, both animals and humans, to engage in physical contact. This process causes their victims to become infected with the virus and suffer the same fate. Despite their transformation, Strigoi still bear a resemblance to normal humans, adding an aura of mystery and sadness to their existence.

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  Level four zombies, Gjenganger, are souls that have spent their entire lives enduring suffering and are trapped by pain, forced to lie in bed. However, upon rising as zombies, they do more than merely languish in their misery—they begin to spread dangerous infectious diseases to all living creatures they encounter, creating a domino effect of death everywhere.

  Level five zombies, Draugr, originate from the souls of nobles whose lives were filled with jealousy and hatred toward other nobility due to competition for wealth, women, and fame. This burning ambition led them to engage in theft from the common people, symbolizing class disparity. Once reanimated as zombies, Draugr not only resemble Nachzehrer but also possess the ability to wield magic, threatening and destroying everything in their path with newfound arrogance, reflecting the social injustices that have persisted throughout history.

  Level six zombies are terrifying spirits that possess other human bodies. As a result, they appear to behave like the insane, being compelled to commit suicide, murder children, and even cause the death of unborn babies in the womb of pregnant women. This type of zombie has many names across different cultures, such as Vetala, Jiang Shi, or Pontianak, each carrying a distinct essence of darkness and unique cultural significance.

  The seventh-level zombie, known as Gashadokuro, shares characteristics with the Revenant but is terrifyingly larger, measuring up to 15 times the size of a typical Revenant. Its towering shadow is crowned, earning it the title of skeleton king. Armed with the shimmering Honjo Masamune, Gashadokuro becomes an unimaginable symbol of terror.

  The eighth-level zombie is the strongest ever created by Vlad, named Izanami. Once a remarkably beautiful princess, she was cursed and shunned by everyone, including her husband, Izanagi. Brutally, Izanagi abandoned her and sealed her within a catastrophe. However, when the seal was eventually broken, the malevolent spirit took her body as a vessel for Izanami, transforming the being into something even more powerful and fearsome than before.

  In a ferocious assault, Vlad and his army of zombies swept across the entire land of Earth with devastating speed and force. In a short span of time, within a single day, nearly half of all Earth’s nations crumbled into horrific destruction. Feeling the impending threat, the remnants of Earth’s nations were forced to grasp at hope and seek assistance from the Gamma nation. At that time, Earth was amidst a revolution; an era when humans began to exploit the riches of the Earth’s mines. The Gamma nation, fueled by a resurgence of fighting spirit, swiftly agreed to the plea for help. Led by their mighty queen, they launched a direct assault on Vlad's center of power, located in the dark land of Transylvania.

  The raging war left behind extensive devastation, yet ultimately, the Gamma nation emerged victorious, triumphant against all odds. Amidst the chaos, Vlad managed to escape alongside Izanami, hiding away in a remote and safe location, shielded from prying eyes. They waited for the right moment to arrive, regardless of how long it would take—be it one year, ten years, hundreds of years, thousands of years, or even millions of years. Vlad himself was an immortal being, akin to a living corpse, known to all as Dracula, the legendary figure waiting for the opportunity to return.

  Nine years have passed since the fall of the Gamma nation, and in the silence of time, Vlad finally decided to emerge from his hiding place. Nearly 400 years have gone by since his humiliating defeat at the hands of the Gamma. As he stepped out, the sight that greeted him was vastly different from what he had known during his reign. Now, the ruins of the once-magnificent city were shrouded in shadows of sorrow and despair. He knew that acting recklessly at this moment would only lead to his downfall once again.

  To execute his plan, Vlad disguised himself as a handsome widower, hoping to seduce a queen of significant influence. With his charm, he successfully captured the queen's heart, gaining control over everything within the realm. Together with Izanami, they recreated a terrifying army of zombies, ready to wreak havoc on a world that had rejected him.

  However, the darkness surrounding Vlad's presence did not go unnoticed. Sensing the malevolent aura that threatened them, Queen Iris ordered the entire Gaia nation to wage war against Vlad. Under the command of Hector Alfrenzo, with the highest command held by the young paladin, Fitran Fate, they prepared to confront the rising evil.

  A tremendous war raged in Castlevania, the last stronghold of Vlad. In the midst of the battlefield, drenched in blood, he stood alone, surrounded by a towering army of a thousand troops. The only one left to confront him was Fitran Fate, after Hector Alfrenzo was killed in the brutal combat. With fierce courage, Fitran faced the final battle against Vlad. Drawing his shining Excaliburn sword, he plunged it into Vlad's heart, fully aware that despite Vlad's reputation as an immortal, he could be vanquished without vital organs such as his heart or brain.

  News of Fitran Fate's triumph over Vlad the Dracula spread swiftly across the world, heralding the dawn of a new legend that would be remembered forever. A few months after the war concluded, Fitran held a grand celebration at his castle, where all guests were required to wear magnificent and mysterious masks. Amid the revelry and the shimmering lights, his gaze fell upon a beautiful woman who sat alone, isolated in the crowd. Enchanted by her beauty, Fitran approached her with steady and confident steps,

  “Would you care to dance with me?” he asked gently, his voice enveloping the magical stillness of the night.

  As Fitran returned to the mysterious forbidden library, the atmosphere around him was filled with a profound magical aura. A beautiful pen, crafted from phoenix feathers and shimmering with vibrant colors in the dim light, continued to write magical words on a floating blank book. These words glided forth as if guided by an unseen gentle hand, dancing around Fitran and weaving a tapestry of stories waiting to be revealed, as if all the knowledge and power of the world were interconnected by an invisible fine thread.

  "I think telling the tale of the masquerade party is a rather unpleasant idea, like rotten cheese in the midst of a celebration. So, let’s save that story for another time!" Fitran remarked.

  "Fitran!" Mammon exclaimed joyfully, his voice echoing throughout the forbidden library, as if breaking the silence that enveloped the place and awakening various books and secrets that had long been buried.

  "I never expected to gain knowledge about the lost magic," Mammon said with sparkling eyes, as if the light of a thousand stars shone within him. "This is far more impressive than a thousand fictional novels by Jacob," he continued, his voice ringing with unparalleled enthusiasm, as if the secrets of the world that were once buried were now wide open before him.

  Lost Magic refers to ancient magic that has long been extinguished due to its immense power and danger. It is recorded in invaluable ancient manuscripts that have been carefully passed down through generations. Time Magic allows for the manipulation of time, but its risks could potentially obliterate reality as a whole. Creation Magic can generate something from nothing, yet it is difficult to control and carries fatal risks. True Dark Magic erases all traces of existence brutally, rendering it unremembered by anyone. Spirit Magic can control souls, but it is so perilous that it was decided to be eradicated for the safety of wizards and other beings. Absolute Transformation Magic permanently alters the form of something, and its harsh use led to its extinction, serving as a reminder of the consequences one must bear.

  "No wonder Elbert's creations are so weak," Mammon said, his voice filled with despair while his eyes hinted at unspoken anger. "It turns out all the secrets of his formula are in Vlad-Chan's hands. Why did he never tell me about this?" His face was frowned, as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders, his heart trembling between anger and deep frustration.

  "After Vlad-Chan's departure, all the knowledge and wealth of information that man possessed passed into Fitran's hands," Mammon continued, emphasizing each word, "Fitran is truly greedy, as if he seeks to hold the entire world in his gluttonous grasp."

  Fitran let out a thin, cynical laugh, reflecting both satisfaction and the insatiable greed within him.

  "Then, will you accept me?" Fitran offered.

  "I agree," Mammon replied immediately.

  "What are your wishes regarding the contract?" Mammon asked, continuing the conversation.

  "I want you to release all your contracts with others without exception. You will belong to me alone," Fitran said greedily.

  Mammon laughed, a resonating, demonic sound that revealed his dark side through a wide smile showcasing his sharp teeth.

  "This is the second time I have met someone like you, aside from my master," Mammon declared, his eyes shimmering with curiosity and challenge.

  "Fine, I will cancel all my contracts with others and will follow you until I am truly bored," he continued with a tone of confidence, even though deep down, he knew that Fitran would never allow him to feel boredom.

  With the cancellation of all contracts, they lost the guarantee of safety that Mammon, a being renowned for his terrifying powers, provided.

  "I don't need someone useless," Mammon said with certainty, his cold voice reverberating like thunder that shattered the silence.

  In this situation, Fitran could easily execute his plan to eliminate Elbert, as if he were merely pursuing his prey in a hunting game that had already been won before it even began.