213 Continued: Vampire Child Rearing Project

Timeline resets.

During the stay in the city, I decided to have the Vampire Child practice magic.

I could have used Skill Points, but having myself struggled with tight Skill Point management, I preferred to conserve them whenever possible.

Bad, I’m becoming miserly.

Well, it doesn’t matter.

Thus, I opted for the Vampire Child to learn by observation.

The chosen attribute was Darkness.

According to the Demon King’s assessment, the Vampire Child’s elemental affinities ranked as follows: strong in Ice, Water, Darkness; weak in Light, Fire, Thunder.

Ideally, I would have had the child train in Ice or Water magic, but unfortunately, I cannot cast either Ice or Water magic myself.

The reason is that, severed from the system, the magic I can use now differs slightly from the magic of this world.

In fact, the magic I currently employ is the orthodox form—system magic is the deviation.

System magic incorporates attributes, an aberrant element.

A water-based spell, which should simply produce water, instead gains an附加 attribute of water.

And through the system's defensive calculation, the opponent's weak attribute is assessed, causing damage output to fluctuate.

While within the system, I was highly vulnerable to fire.

Now, that weakness no longer exists.

My vulnerability was not to fire itself, but specifically to fire attribute.

Generally, between a water orb and a fire orb, the fire orb would inflict greater damage.

Yet in this world, both inflict identical damage.

Something’s off about that, don’t you think?

At least water dealing damage on impact makes sense. But what about darkness or light? What’s the point of that?

They shouldn’t produce physical damage. Not logically.

This is the effect of an added attribute.

For elements like fire, which already deal high base damage, attributes adjust the damage output.

For low-damage elements like water or earth, attributes raise the baseline and regulate the amount.

For abstract elements like darkness or light—things with no physical form—attributes grant them form and add damage.

Each is applied accordingly.

D made this system needlessly complex.

It’s designed to exaggerate strengths and weaknesses. But honestly, this isn’t necessary for the system’s core function. This is just D’s plaything.

There are scattered game-like mechanics throughout, but attributes are the clearest example.

The part I can’t replicate with magic is this concept of attributes.

This is a system-dependent ability. As I cannot benefit from the system, I cannot use it.

The only exception is darkness. Other magic may resemble it, but the substance remains entirely different—rendering it ineffective.

I could teach it, but that likely would not lead to skill acquisition.

Calling it "system-external magic" sounds appealing, but as long as one remains within the system, it only becomes degraded skill magic.

Attributes are diminished accordingly.

Thus, I have decided to grant you the ability to use darkness magic, which remains identical to system-internal magic.

Why is darkness magic the exception? Because this magic exists naturally outside the system as well.

As wielded by the Demon God D.

Ah, yes.

He claims to be the worst Demon God, after all.

So, being able to use darkness magic is not surprising.

In fact, the "Divine Fundamentals Course" received upon divinization explicitly listed D as the god of darkness.

Yes.

Thus, dark magic is his specialty—originally coded into the system from the start.

Therefore, even when the system is inaccessible, the same magic remains usable.

If the same spell is observed, the skill can eventually be acquired.

That is the case.

The Vampire Child's affinity for darkness was fortunate.

For now, I'll attempt teaching dark magic, then assess other attributes based on the results.

Meanwhile, while I and the Demon Lord patrol the city, I summoned a fragment to instruct her in magic.

Conclusion.

No signs of progress at all.

Hm?

Did I do it wrong?

That's odd.

I learned it that way—there's no reason she shouldn't be able to.

Hmm.

No, it's only been one day.

Considering it, I began with magical aptitude already present. Perhaps I never truly grasped magic use on a sensory level.

In that case, patience is required. Long-term perspective.

No urgency. Let it continue as is.

S, o, m, e, t, h, i, n, g,!

Food, food!

Alcohol, alcohol!

The Demon King's cooking is delicious.

Not for nothing has he lived so long.

Skill is professional level. Materials are high quality—money is no object.

There is no way this could be bad!

Another blissful moment has arrived!

I'm eating!

"Ah, Shiro's already drunk."

"Shouldn't we stop her?"

"Useless to stop. She'll keep going."

Some outside voice is complaining, but I feel wonderful right now. I'll overlook it. Food is good. Alcohol flows easily. Success! I'm happy! Yay, me!

"Um, the young lady is being licked, isn't she?"

"Think of it as necessary expense. I've already made up my mind. I won't touch Shiro when he's drunk."

"That's problematic. I'll need you to stop him if things get out of hand."

"Uh, I don't think I can stop Shiro, really?"

Softly, gently.

Ah, I want to bite down, but Mauo will get angry—better not.

Fine, I'll endure it.

I'm being strong!

"Yes, yes. The young lady has fallen asleep. Let go of her hand, please."

"Mmm."

This is mine, but if you insist... I suppose I have no choice.

"Then I'll take her to bed."

"Please do."

Mmm.

Don't make that stinky face.

Alcohol must be enjoyed, not just drunk.

"Drink."

"Wha—?"

"Drink it!"

She thrusts the bottle directly into her mouth and pours the sake down.

What a delightful sight you are, guest.

Go on, keep going—just like that!

“Blah!?!”

Ah, you spilled it.

Waste of good sake.

“W-What are you talking about?”

“Don’t make that face! You’re not even trying!”

He flicked the bottle hard, spilling the liquid across the floor.

“Just because you’re a little drunk doesn’t mean you have to act like this. Pathetic.”

I’ll tell you all about the years after you turned into a cloud—endlessly.

You don’t even realize how much you’ve been favored just by being human!

I won’t let you rest until you fully understand that!

Good morning.

Wait…

Isn’t it already past noon?

Ugh, overslept again?

Then it’s “good afternoon,” isn’t it?

“Good morning.”

A surprisingly bright greeting echoed.

Turning around, Mela stood there, her smile dazzlingly bright.

Huh?

Did she always act like this?

“Thank you so much for yesterday. I finally feel free.”

Yesterday?

Something happened, right?

"The important thing is not what one becomes, but what one does. What I must do is clear. Until yesterday, I was too concerned with what I had become, and my resolve wavered."

Um...

I can't keep up with this conversation.

"From now on, I will decide my resolve. I will accept being a vampire. I will protect the young lady."

Ah, yes.

Then I wish you luck.

Huh?

What else should I say to this?