OHNIR – Chapter 104
Chapter 104: Change
When the final exams ended and the long-awaited vacation arrived, Musen chose to stay at the academy almost without hesitation.
Compared to the always noisy and bustling orphanage, he preferred to stay alone on the empty campus—even if it meant only speaking to the air, it was still better than being bullied or bothered by certain people.
He poured all his time into reading and studying.
The book Tina had given him contained not only theories on the essence of magic but also a significant number of practical techniques for its application.
The author was clearly a person of genuine skill—Musen had even made a point to check the author’s name, only to be disappointed by the simple initials K.L.—and after a thorough reading and digestion of its contents, even someone who had just awakened their magic could likely perform a few tricks.
If one were a bit smarter and had a more solid foundation, they could easily surpass their peers in the application of magic by several levels.
And Musen was, without a doubt, a brilliant person.
His magical talent was nearly on par with Kelusta’s, and his learning ability could rival Gloria’s... Had he not been abandoned in the Nobili Kingdom, his low birth a constant hindrance, he should have been a leader among his peers, shining brilliantly from the very top.
Instead, he was a hidden gem, covered in dust, forced to endure endless bullying before finally getting a chance to turn his life around—a chance fraught with hardship and obstacles.
Among the natural magics, Wind magic was the most flexible. While it lacked the sheer offensive power of lightning, fire, or ice, and wasn't as support-oriented as wood, water, or earth, it possessed a unique characteristic that others struggled to match: versatility.
Wind magic could be used for powerful attacks, but it could also serve as excellent support.
A skilled wind mage could transform the invisible wind into a tool for scouting or a means of leverage. They could also create wind blades capable of slicing an enemy to ribbons, wind walls to defend against attacks, and even summon massive, irresistible storms.
—The power of nature was always beyond imagination.
Ever since obtaining the book by a stroke of luck, Musen had been relentlessly absorbing its knowledge. He had contemplated both its theories and practical methods to the point of complete mastery.
Quantitative change leads to qualitative change. All he needed now was an opportunity to fully apply what he had learned... and the empty Holy Light Magic Academy during the vacation provided the perfect training ground.
Thus, when Kelusta returned to the academy, rubbing her lower back, she happened to spot Musen practicing magic on her way to the tower.
The black-haired boy stood amidst a flurry of countless petals, his hand raised, his expression calm and cold. As faint white lights flashed from his fingertips, the leaves began to rustle incessantly. Even the hem of Kelusta’s distant skirt was billowed into folded, flower-like buds.
Yet the boy creating such a grand spectacle remained perfectly composed, as if he had merely conjured a breeze with a casual wave of his hand, showing no sign of strain.
The brown-haired girl stood watching for a long time. Only when he finally lowered his arm and the wind gradually subsided did she walk closer, cup her hands around her mouth like a megaphone, and shout, “Little Student Musen—”
The black-haired boy started, turning his head to look directly into a pair of brilliant golden eyes, sweeter than honey.
He silently watched Kelusta approach, his heart heavy with a thousand unspoken words, a lump in his throat making it difficult to speak.
But just as Musen composed himself, ready to voice the many doubts swirling in his mind, the brown-haired girl suddenly glanced around, then looked back at him with what appeared to be a terribly tragic expression.
“Brave warrior,” Kelusta said, “do you think that when Professor Lysa returns to the academy, she’ll swear to kill the student who stayed behind and ruined her flowerbeds?”
Musen: “...”
The suspect in this ruthless floral destruction stood amidst the fallen petals, speechless for a moment before saying drily, “Perhaps... she won’t?”
Kelusta nodded with a mixture of respect and admiration, her voice full of sympathy. “Alright, child, I admire your courage. If, by some chance, you should unfortunately die a hero’s death... I will absolutely never forget you! You can rest assured!”
Musen: “...”
Her words left him feeling anything but reassured; he was now slightly afraid she would go and report him to the professor herself.
After conferring for a moment, the two finally settled on the brilliant excuse that “it got cold and all the flowers froze to death” to clear his name. Only then did Kelusta’s expression turn serious. She adjusted her posture to one befitting official business and said solemnly, “I’m sure you’ve heard many rumors about me, and you must have many questions you want me to answer.”
“Heir to the Amirium family, the intended fiancée of the eldest daughter of the Silentdis... these identities sound completely unrelated to the commoner girl, Kelusta Breviou, from before. Like a complete stranger who shares nothing but a name, right?”
“...”
Her words having hit the mark, Musen pressed his lips together, lowered his head dejectedly, and sighed. “Yes.”
“You never told me any of this,” the black-haired boy said softly. “I thought that, whether out of sympathy or pity... compared to everyone else, I was at least a little bit different in your eyes.”
His words were rather pitiful—and paired with his aggrieved, puppy-like expression, he looked utterly adorable.
Kelusta was taken aback for a moment, her expression involuntarily softening. She gave him a somewhat helpless smile but said, “No, you’re wrong.”
Musen raised his eyes to stare at her and said in a low voice, “So that’s how it is—”
But before the sound of his words could fade, Kelusta, her face wreathed in smiles, cut off his disappointed sigh.
“What I mean is, you’re more than just ‘a little bit’ different in my eyes,” the brown-haired girl said, taking half a step forward to pat his shoulder. A profound, mysterious smile touched her lips.
“In fact, Little Student Musen... I have already made a formal request to my grandmother, Duchess Isabella Amirium—I’ve asked for you to be added to the family register, to be formally adopted, and to be granted management rights over half of the Amirium family’s assets... as my only younger brother.”
The moment her words fell, Musen stumbled back a step, his eyes wide with disbelief. His eyes, as pure and clear as black crystals, now shone brightly, filled with such unconcealed shock it was as if he hadn’t understood her at all.
“Wh-what did you say...?”
“You’ve grown taller, but has your hearing regressed?” Kelusta raised an eyebrow, her tone light. “I said, if you agree, I will ask my grandmother to submit an adoption application to the royal court, allowing you to legally become the young master of the Amirium family—”
“I will give you a surname,” Kelusta said, her eyes curving into a smile that was both warm and solemn. “Mr. Musen Amirium... I think that sounds rather nice, don’t you?”
Musen felt this was perhaps the most wonderful news he had heard in his entire life.
So, when Kelusta tentatively mentioned her plan for him to go to the Demon Realm, the black-haired boy immediately looked up. A slight, genuine smile touched his lips as he said firmly, “Even if you hadn’t made me your brother, I would still help you accomplish everything you want to do.”
“When you weren’t a noble, you still had a wonderful family,” Musen said. “So... Kelusta, you probably can’t understand what your actions truly mean to me.”
It was as if a dark, moss-covered room had suddenly been graced by a ray of sunlight, its warmth and dryness spilling over his cold, stiff body, causing a vibrant sunflower to bloom in the depths of his heart.
“You saved me before, and now you’re willing to give me a home.”
For the first time, Musen gave a wide, genuine smile.
The boy, who had been lonely for so many years, looked at her, his dark eyes filled not only with gentleness and affection but also with an undeniable determination. He spoke with the utmost seriousness, “I once swore to the gods that I would do anything to fulfill your wishes... Even if it means traveling to the Continent Edge to become a pawn planted among the demons, I would do so gladly, Sister.”
Kelusta was stunned for a moment, then smiled gratefully, feeling her heart fill with a current of warmth.
She had always admired Musen and had treated him like a younger brother. The decision to make him a member of the Amirium family wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment impulse; the idea had vaguely taken shape back when she and Musen had truly gotten to know each other.
One of the most regrettable things in the world is seeing a pearl cast into darkness—talent gone to waste. Now that she had the power to change his life, Kelusta couldn’t bear to let this child continue on his lonely and difficult path.
She was, in a sense, viewing Musen’s life from a god’s perspective, which naturally made her feel even more heartache over his suffering.
If, at the beginning, Kelusta had approached him purely with the intention of using him, seeing him only as an important pawn... now, she genuinely hoped that Musen could return to the Demon Realm and use his own abilities to reclaim the status and honor that should have been his.
—Even without finding information about it in the original game’s plot, she could guess effortlessly: a demon infant bearing a magical inheritance would never be abandoned without reason.
It must have been deliberate.
Therefore, this trip to the Continent Edge—aside from fulfilling the threefold mission requirements from Kelusta, the Goddess of Deceit, and the Demon King—was also an opportunity for Musen to discover the truth of his own origins.
She wanted to give this child, before he threw himself into danger, a safe harbor to hold in his heart—a home that would be waiting for his triumphant return.
Under the black-haired boy’s earnest gaze, Kelusta raised her hand and gently stroked the top of his head. “Alright,” she said softly.
“Remember to complete your mission quickly... The Amirium family and I will be waiting for you to come back soon.”
After spending the better part of a day completing the necessary adoption procedures, Kelusta had intended to take Musen to meet Isabella, but the black-haired boy flatly refused.
“When I return, I’ll go and... ahem, formally meet... Grandmother.”
Musen seemed unaccustomed to this title, one that had never before existed in his life. He paused before continuing in a low voice, “This trip to the Demon Realm, while not necessarily a suicide mission, is certainly fraught with peril. I don’t want to make Her Grace worry. It’s better if we don’t meet at all; it will spare her the anxiety.”
Kelusta opened her mouth, but knowing she couldn’t sway his stubborn nature, she helplessly abandoned the idea.
And so, they set off for the Silentdis estate to meet directly with Gloria, who was already waiting for them.
“So soon?”
After the butler led them into a room, the silver-haired girl sitting in an armchair immediately stood up. She looked at the new brother and sister with some surprise and a hint of confusion.
“Because Musen wants to set off as soon as possible,” Kelusta answered succinctly.
Hearing this, Gloria paused, her gaze toward Musen now holding unconcealed admiration. “A gentleman of great courage,” she remarked. “This way, then.”
She turned slightly to the side, making a courteous gesture, and led the pair into what appeared to be a very secluded room.
Upon entering the room, Kelusta immediately saw the large, familiar magic mirror placed in the center—it was the very one she and Gloria had discovered in the library when they first met.
The patterns on the frame were as dazzlingly complex as ever, like wildly climbing vines. Musen stared at them for a moment, then suddenly frowned, raised a hand to grab Kelusta’s sleeve, and said urgently, “This mirror—”
“Lux!”
At the same time, Kelusta raised her voice, shouting with a mixture of horror and worry at Gloria, who had suddenly produced a small knife and slashed it fiercely across her own wrist. “What are you doing!”
“Letting blood.”
Gloria turned her head, gave her a reassuring smile, and said calmly, “‘Think of the one you wish to see, and splash a sufficient amount of blood onto the magic mirror to meet them... The blood will be held by the master of the main mirror.’ That is the meaning of the words carved on the mirror.”
Musen sighed, released Kelusta’s sleeve, and fell silent as well.
“How much blood is enough?” Kelusta asked, her brow furrowed and her voice tense. “If it’s not enough, then I’ll do it too—”
“There’s no need.” Gloria exhaled, casually sprinkled some hemostatic potion on the wound, and said calmly, “This is enough.”
She picked up the porcelain bowl, which was half-full of fresh blood, and threw its contents at the mirror.
The scarlet liquid stained the clean surface of the mirror, but it vanished without a trace before it could even drip. Ripples spread across the mirror’s surface, like a stone dropped into a calm lake, blurring Gloria’s expressionless reflection.
After a dozen or so breaths, all three of them heard a deep voice emanate from the mirror.
“...Good afternoon, Miss Emissary.”
As the voice faded, the ripples on the mirror’s surface subsided. A cold face appeared within it, belonging to a man dressed in a black robe and holding a scepter. He met Gloria’s gaze with calm authority.
He was the current Demon King.
“Good afternoon, Your Majesty.” Gloria bowed to him politely. “I have brought you the candidate to be sent to the Demon Realm—Musen.”
The black-haired boy raised his eyes, took a step forward, and calmly regarded the Demon King seated within the mirror.
“Mm, I’ll remember him.”
Unlike Musen’s steady gaze, the Demon King merely glanced at the boy with disinterest before looking away and addressing Gloria again. “I trust you will keep your promise and not forget the conditions we previously discussed.”
With no one knowing the truth behind the Dark Goddess’s suicide during the age of the gods, the Demon King couldn’t be certain that the Goddess of Deceit was Talebris’s enemy, even though the goddess he worshipped had ultimately killed Persedoro.
After all, they had once belonged to the same dark faction.
Therefore, he had always been extremely cautious, maintaining a reasonably polite attitude toward Gloria and her request for cooperation from the very beginning.
On the one hand, he was being mindful of the relationships between the gods; on the other, the terms she proposed were simply too tempting—a chance to return to the center of the continent, something the demons had dreamed of for countless years.
Any Demon King who heard such a promise would likely choose to take the risk without hesitation.
So, even if it meant bringing in a human of unknown caliber... it was a price he was willing to pay.
With this in mind, the Demon King subtly swept his gaze over Musen again—but this more careful inspection unexpectedly caused his guard to lower slightly.
A black-haired, black-eyed Unclean One?
This candidate was interesting.
As the Demon King, he was all too aware of humanity’s terrible discrimination and prejudice. Seeing this human’s gloomy disposition and unhealthy complexion, he figured the boy must have suffered a great deal because of it.
In that case, if he played his cards right, perhaps he could even turn the boy to his own side and use him to spy on the Goddess of Deceit’s faction...
The Demon King’s mind raced with a thousand thoughts, but it was only a fleeting moment. After a brief, veiled exchange with Gloria, he decisively set a time to send for Musen, promising to treat him with all due courtesy and without the slightest neglect.
After Gloria smiled and bid him farewell, he waved a hand without hesitation, and his image vanished from the magic mirror without a trace.
After waiting quietly for a moment to ensure the Demon King was truly gone, Gloria’s smile faded. She turned and gave Kelusta a slight nod. “It is done. I will go arrange for personnel and have someone pack some other things for Musen.”
Kelusta nodded, watching Gloria’s retreating figure disappear. Suddenly, Musen, who was standing beside her, gripped her arm.
She froze for a moment, turning to look at the black-haired boy’s solemn face, and began to worry that he might be emotionally unstable from the pressure.
After all, he was going to the Continent Edge...
Kelusta was hesitating, wondering if she should say something—but before she could think of any comforting words, Musen spoke first, his voice steady. “What do I need to do?”
“...”
She hadn’t expected him to adapt so well.
Kelusta inwardly let out a sigh of relief. Her gaze softened as she looked at the determined black-haired boy before her. “I know this might put a great deal of pressure on you, Musen... but I hope you will do your best, and I believe you will ultimately succeed.”
Musen pressed his lips together, looking directly into her eyes. His gaze held not a hint of retreat or hesitation, only endless determination and fortitude.
Kelusta closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
“Listen carefully. I only have two requirements for you—”
“First, act with caution. You must obey my instructions, or Gloria’s.”
Musen nodded without hesitation.
“And second...”
Kelusta exhaled the breath she had been holding, pressed her lips together, and lowered her voice.
“I want you to do everything in your power... to become the Demon King.”
As the final words left her lips, Musen’s eyes flew wide. The black-haired boy stared blankly at his sister, his fingertips tightening on her arm until it was almost painful.
But Kelusta’s expression didn’t change in the slightest.
“I know you can do it, Musen,” she said with a smile, her voice as soft and low as a feather. “I believe in you.”
“Because you are a miracle.”
Author's Notes
The text on the magic mirror was briefly mentioned in Chapter 12.
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