_*]:min-w-0 !gap-3.5">Damien awoke the next morning with the system interface still hovering at the edge of his vision. For a brief moment, he wondered if the previous night had been another strange dream, but the translucent crimson dispy remained steady as he sat up in bed.
"System status," he whispered, testing whether vocal commands still worked.
System Status: Fully Operational Current Quest: System Familiarization (0/7 days completed) Objective: Survive one week without revealing system presence Reward: 100 EXP, Basic Skill Selection Failure Consequence: System Lockdown for 24 hours
The reminder of his quest sharpened Damien's focus. Lady Lilith had scheduled magical testing for today, which presented both opportunity and danger. Her examinations might help develop his abilities further using the Energy Perception skill he'd already discovered, but the greater scrutiny increased the risk of revealing his system.
As he prepared for the day, Damien experimented with the interface's settings, eventually finding an option beled "Passive Mode" that reduced the dispy to a minimal indicator at the corner of his vision. This would be crucial for maintaining the appearance of normalcy during Lady Lilith's tests.
The communication crystal on his desk chimed just as he finished dressing.
[Energy Perception activated]
With his newly quantified ability, Damien could see faint patterns flowing through the crystal as he touched it. The impression he received was more detailed than before—not just the location where Lady Lilith awaited him, but emotional undercurrents of excitement and impatience in the magical signature.
[Energy Perception experience increased: 47/100]
The training chamber Lady Lilith had prepared differed from her usual boratory. This room contained fewer analytical instruments and more practical magical tools—focusing crystals, energy conduits, and basic spell components arranged on a workbench.
"Good morning, Damien," Lady Lilith greeted him, her crimson eyes alight with scientific enthusiasm. "Did you complete the reading I assigned yesterday?"
"Yes, my dy," he replied with a respectful bow. "The principles of magical theory were... illuminating."
"Excellent. Then we shall begin with a practical assessment of your capabilities." She gestured toward a simple crystal sphere pced on a pedestal at the center of the room. "This is a standard magical conductor used for novice training. It will respond to directed magical energy without requiring specific spell formation."
As Lady Lilith expined the basic exercise—channeling energy into the crystal to make it glow—Damien's system silently analyzed the task.
[Tutorial Exercise Detected] Objective: Channel demonic energy into crystal Recommended Approach: Visualize energy flow from core to hands Difficulty: Basic (Suitable for current level)
The system's assessment gave Damien confidence, though he was careful to maintain an expression of appropriate uncertainty as Lady Lilith positioned him before the crystal.
"Pce your hands on either side, but do not touch the crystal directly," she instructed. "Feel the energy within your body—what we call demonic energy or DE. Visualize it flowing from your core, through your arms, and into the space around the crystal."
Damien followed her instructions, but also incorporated the system's recommended approach. As he concentrated, he could actually see the energy pathways within himself thanks to his Energy Perception ability, which the system had identified yesterday. Carefully, he directed a small amount of energy—measured as 25 Banes according to his status screen—toward the crystal.
Nothing happened at first. Lady Lilith made small adjustments to his posture and hand position, her touch clinical and impersonal.
"You're being too hesitant," she noted. "Many beginners fear their own power. Don't restrain the energy flow—let it move naturally while guiding its direction."
Damien adjusted his approach, allowing more energy to flow. The crystal began to glow faintly, emitting a reddish light that pulsed in rhythm with his heartbeat.
[Skill Created: Basic Energy Manipution] Through deliberate control of your demonic energy, you have developed the foundation for magical abilities. Current Level: 1 Experience: 5/100
The system notification appeared briefly before fading into passive mode. Damien kept his expression neutral despite his excitement at gaining a new skill.
"Good," Lady Lilith said, circling him with analytical interest. "The resonance pattern is unusual—note how the crystal pulses rather than maintaining steady illumination. This indicates your energy has multiple harmonic frequencies rather than a single dominant one, typical of mixed heritage."
For the next two hours, Lady Lilith guided Damien through increasingly complex energy channeling exercises. Each success earned him experience points for his new skill, and occasionally for his Energy Perception ability when he used it to better visualize the flow of power.
"Your progress is remarkable for a first session," Lady Lilith commented as they completed the final exercise. "Most novices require days to achieve the control you've demonstrated in hours."
"Thank you, my dy," Damien replied, careful to bance appropriate gratitude with the hesitance expected of his station. "The theory texts were very helpful."
Lady Lilith studied him with those penetrating crimson eyes. "Theory alone doesn't expin such aptitude. Your awakening has clearly enhanced your natural abilities beyond my initial projections." She made several notes on a crystal tablet. "Tomorrow we will begin actual spell formation rather than mere energy channeling."
After dismissing him for midday meal, Lady Lilith added, "You'll find additional texts in your quarters. Study them thoroughly—particurly the chapters on basic runic sequences."
Returning to his room, Damien found the promised books waiting on his desk. The moment the door closed behind him, he checked his system status.
[Basic Energy Manipution has reached Level 2] Skill proficiency increased through consistent practice Current Experience: 5/200
[Energy Perception has reached Level 2] Visual acuity of energy patterns enhanced Current Experience: 12/200
[Quest Progress Updated: System Familiarization] Days completed: 1/7 Note: Host has successfully utilized system during magical training without detection
The leveling of his skills came with noticeable improvements. His Energy Perception now allowed him to see magical patterns with greater crity and detail, while his Basic Energy Manipution granted more precise control over his power flow.
Damien spent the afternoon studying the new texts, using his enhanced Intelligence attribute to absorb the information efficiently. The system provided helpful annotations, highlighting connections between runic theory and practical applications that weren't explicitly stated in the books.
By evening, Damien had formuted a strategy for his first week with the system. He would use Lady Lilith's training to develop his basic magical abilities while maintaining the appearance of a talented but appropriately limited sve. The system would remain his secret advantage, allowing him to progress faster than anyone would expect.
As night fell, he experimented further with his new skills, practicing energy manipution with small objects in his room. The system tracked his progress, providing feedback when his technique could be improved and acknowledging successful innovations.
[Daily Task Created: Practice Energy Control] Objective: Spend at least 30 minutes daily refining energy manipution Reward: Skill Experience, Minor Attribute Improvement Chance Duration: Recurring
The appearance of this optional task confirmed what Damien had suspected—the system would generate opportunities for improvement beyond his interactions with Lady Lilith. This meant he could continue developing even during periods when he wasn't being actively trained.
Over the next five days, Damien settled into a productive routine. Mornings were spent in training sessions with Lady Lilith, who pushed him through increasingly complex magical exercises. Afternoons were dedicated to studying the theoretical texts she provided, while evenings allowed for private practice of his growing repertoire of skills.
Each day brought new system notifications as his abilities developed:
Day 3: [New Skill Acquired: Runic Comprehension] Your study of magical symbols has developed into an intuitive understanding of runic principles. Current Level: 1 Experience: 10/100
Day 4: [Basic Energy Manipution has reached Level 3] Energy efficiency improved by 15% Maximum control precision increased
Day 5: [Energy Perception has reached Level 3] Range increased from 3m to 5m Can now detect emotional imprints in magical signatures
Day 6: [New Skill Acquired: Minor Spell Formation] You can now structure your energy into simple spell patterns Current Level: 1 Experience: 15/100
Lady Lilith's interest grew with each successful demonstration of his abilities. "Your progress continues to exceed expectations," she remarked during their sixth training session. "Most novice practitioners require months to develop the control you've shown in less than a week."
"I find the principles align with how I naturally perceive energy, my dy," Damien replied, which was truthfully how the system had helped him understand magic—by quantifying and crifying what had previously been instinctive.
"Indeed. Your unusual blood properties appear to grant natural affinity for magical manipution." Lady Lilith observed as Damien completed a basic light spell, creating a small hovering orb of illumination. "Tomorrow's session will be special. I wish to test a theory regarding your compatibility with more advanced magical constructs."
That evening, as Damien practiced in the privacy of his quarters, he received a notification he had been anticipating:
[Quest Completion Imminent: System Familiarization] Days completed: 6/7 Final objectives will complete at midnight Prepare for reward distribution and new quest avaibility
The following morning—the seventh day since the system's activation—Damien awoke to multiple notifications:
[Quest Completed: System Familiarization] Objective: Survive one week without revealing system presence Rewards Granted: - 100 Experience Points - Basic Skill Selection Now Avaible
[Level Up!] You have reached Level 2 All attributes increased by +1 Skill point awarded: 1 New System Functions Unlocked
[New Quest Avaible: Hidden in Pin Sight] Objective: Maintain system secrecy while advancing magical training Duration: 14 days Reward: 200 EXP, Inventory Expansion Failure Consequence: System Restriction for 48 hours
His status screen now dispyed his improved attributes:
NAME: Damien (Formerly Kai Reynolds / Thrall 7249) TITLE: Reincarnated Soul, System Bearer RACE: Demon (Human Soul) CASTE: Sve (Thrall) LEVEL: 2 RANK: F
PRIMARY ATTRIBUTES: - STRENGTH: 6 (Physical power) - ENDURANCE: 5 (Stamina and durability) - AGILITY: 8 (Speed and reflexes) - INTELLIGENCE: 16 (Learning capacity and memory) - WILLPOWER: 21 (Mental fortitude) - PERCEPTION: 9 (Sensory abilities) - CHARISMA: 4 (Influence over others) - LUCK: ??? (Unknown parameter)
The improvements weren't dramatic, but Damien could feel the difference—his body was slightly stronger, his mind marginally sharper, his senses more acute. The system had delivered on its promise of advancement through experience gain.
The skill selection interface offered him three options:
Avaible Basic Skills (Choose One): 1. Enhanced Recovery: Improve healing rate by 20% 2. Magical Resistance: Reduce harmful magical effects by 15% 3. Energy Efficiency: Reduce energy cost of abilities by 10%
After careful consideration, Damien selected Energy Efficiency. In his current situation, being able to practice magic longer without exhaustion would provide the greatest immediate benefit. The skill was immediately added to his profile, with a notification confirming its activation.
Today's session with Lady Lilith would be crucial. She had hinted at some special test, and now he had new abilities to conceal. As he prepared to leave his quarters, Damien reviewed his strategy: show enough talent to maintain her interest without revealing his system-enhanced capabilities.
The communication crystal chimed, and Damien received not the usual impression of the training room but an image of Lady Lilith's private research boratory—a location he had visited only once before, during his initial examination. This suggested today's session would indeed be different from their regur training.
With his system safely in passive mode and his quest successfully completed, Damien left his quarters, ready to face whatever challenges Lady Lilith had prepared. The past week had transformed him from a confused sve with newly unlocked memories into a methodical practitioner with quantifiable skills and abilities.
The system was proving to be more valuable than he could have imagined—not just a tool for measurement but an active partner in his development. Whatever the entity that had reincarnated him had intended, the system was now his advantage in navigating this harsh demon world.
As he walked through the corridors of Bloodfang Manor toward his next challenge, Damien allowed himself a small, careful smile. His first quest was complete, but his journey was just beginning. Level by level, skill by skill, he would build himself into something this world had never seen before—a human soul with demon powers, enhanced by a system that broke all the normal rules.
Lady Lilith was waiting when he arrived at the boratory, her expression showing the contained excitement of a researcher on the verge of a significant breakthrough. Several other robed figures—assistants or observers—stood at various monitoring stations around the room.
"Ah, Damien. Right on time." Lady Lilith gestured toward the central ptform. "Today, we test the true extent of your compatibility."
At the center of the ptform sat an ornate crystal vessel containing swirling crimson liquid—blood infused with magical properties. Surrounding it were runic circles of increasing complexity, creating a ritual array that Damien's Runic Comprehension skill immediately identified as far more advanced than anything he had studied so far.
"What we will attempt today," Lady Lilith expined, "is not a full Blood Bond—that would be premature. Rather, a compatibility assessment using a diluted sample of noble blood to measure your response to higher-caste magical patterns."
Damien's system fshed a warning in his peripheral vision:
[Caution: Blood Magic Ritual Detected] Potential for system detection during blood interaction Recommended: Minimize system activity during procedure
As Lady Lilith directed him to take his position at the center of the ritual array, Damien mentally commanded his system to enter dormant mode—the deepest passive state avaible. The interface faded almost completely, leaving only the faintest indicator that it was still present.
"This procedure may cause some discomfort," Lady Lilith warned as she activated the outer ring of runes. "If the sensation becomes overwhelming, inform me immediately."
As the ritual began and the diluted blood rose from its container to swirl around him, Damien faced the culmination of his first quest—not just surviving a week with his system secret, but proving himself worthy of Lady Lilith's continued interest while maintaining control of his own destiny.
Whatever challenges came next, he would face them with his new abilities, his human perspective, and his growing understanding of both himself and this world. The system had given him a framework for advancement that defied the rigid limitations of demon society's caste structure.
One level at a time, one skill at a time, he would build the power he needed to forge his own path.
