Blood 30 — Discomfort

Ah, damn it!

Why won't this work at all!?

Everything I say keeps backfiring, doesn't it!?

"Apparently, there are other methods listed besides taking patience, but they don't recommend them."

Amidst frustration and irritation, Lars spoke with a relaxed tone.

Who do you think is making me go through this!?

Ugh, I'm furious.

Calm down, me.

I am a proud vampire.

I must not falter over something like this.

For now, I'll try to steady myself and read the method Lars mentioned.

"Acquiring the Perception skill and activating it can greatly increase Heretic Resistance proficiency. However, in that case, you must raise Heretic Resistance to the point of nullifying heresy before magic becomes unusable. Be cautious—magic failure may result in death. Honestly, not recommended."

"This won't work."

Lars frowns, puzzled—but this is absolutely unacceptable.

He could die, you know?

That master.

A being of such extraordinary nature, beyond all norms—saying such a thing could result in death?

If that master were at risk of dying, then methods that would kill ordinary people ninety-nine times out of a hundred would be the only possibility.

No doubt.

"True, losing access to magic would be inconvenient."

"The issue isn't that."

We don't know why magic would fail—but compared to the possibility of death, it's irrelevant.

Ah?

Such a phrase as "irrelevant" doesn't suit a lady's speech.

It sounds foolish. Lacks dignity entirely.

I shall refrain from using that expression henceforth.

"Could die...?"

The way you phrase it as “my lord might die” is only because that’s how my lord sees it. For us commoners, the moment we try the same method, we see our own deaths ahead.

Yes, during the training period, I experienced your master’s reckless tendencies far too often.

I might have died countless times if not for Ariel.

My lord lacks the perception typical of common people.

They come at you as if it's something anyone could do.

S-so. Then, that method is out of the question.

"Quite wise."

Flipping through the book again, the passage on increasing Heretic Resistance proficiency is not expanded further.

Then, acquiring proficiency through Heretic Magic seems most efficient after all.

Honestly, Master, I wish you wouldn't write such unnecessary things.

Heretic Resistance is ineffective. Detection is ineffective. Then, there is no choice but to use Heretic Magic.

Lars makes an expression of extreme displeasure at my words.

I dislike it too, but if it grants resistance, there is no better option.

Moreover, unfortunately, I possess Pain Nullification and Numbness Nullification.

No matter the attack, if I do not feel it, it is irrelevant.

You should do the same. I will acquire Heretic Magic—let us exchange spells.

Select Heretic Magic from the list and acquire it.

Skill points remain plentiful. It is safe to acquire.

Still, if the goal is to raise Lars’s Heretic Resistance, I could use my Charm instead. But if I am careless, I might end up casting it directly.

Incidentally, I checked whether I could acquire endurance as well, but my skill points are insufficient.

I examined other dominion skills, but only lust is obtainable.

Even that, consuming most of my remaining skill points.

Honestly, I have no intention of acquiring this.

The return is too low for the risk and expenditure.

"Then, let's begin."

"Are you really doing this?"

"What are you saying, as if it's obvious?"

Lars exhaled deeply in response to my words.

Then, we silently exchanged Heretic Magic.

Silence, because there was no room for speech.

Honestly, I underestimated it.

What we are using now is Heretic Magic Level 1: Discomfort.

As the name suggests, it induces discomfort in the target.

The effect is subtle—never used before—but this is truly unpleasant magic.

It is as if one hears the sound of fingernails scraping against a blackboard—unbearable discomfort.

Moreover, Pain Nullification and Numbness do not work at all.

From Lars’s expression, his face is pale, his skin raised in gooseflesh.

I am undoubtedly in a similar state.

A magic with questionable combat utility, but potentially capable of breaking morale if used.

A quietly malicious spell.

Perfect for harassment.

“Resistance increased?”

“Not yet.”

“I’ve reached Outer Path High Resistance Level 1.”

“Ah, congratulations.”

Brief exchange.

Then silence resumes.

What is this, some kind of punishment game?

It is a different kind of pain than being beaten by my master.

How is it possible for a man and woman to stand in silence, staring at each other in the same room, both faces pale?

Moreover, whether due to it being a Level 1 spell or Lars's weakened state, my resistance is rising slowly.

My original status was Outer Path Great Resistance Level 6—fairly high, which may have contributed.

Lars is currently weakened, his stats reduced.

Upon examination, maximum values remain unchanged, so recovery should occur eventually.

Apparently, he was affected by that black entity.

It was necessary to lift the rage status.

But this discomfort, given his weakened state—would normal exposure have caused madness?

Perhaps it's fortunate he's weakened.

I lack confidence in enduring any greater discomfort.

Ah?

I'm not actually weakened, am I?

I'm using magic normally, as myself.

"Sorry... I can't go on..."

Lars collapsed. The day's experience gain was forcibly terminated.