Chapter 173: The Flame’s Special Function…?

[Black Flame Manipulation]

I used the flames to instantly propel myself away, escaping before she could slam into the spot where I’d been just a moment ago.

BANG!

[Black Threnody]

[Requiem]

I detonated the ground where she stood, riding the explosion’s momentum to hurl myself backward while summoning pillars that crashed down on her position, each impact triggering another blast.

There was no way she could get out of that unscathed.

And…

I was right.

But also… very wrong.

“Nice try, Cael.”

She appeared behind me, her burned skin healing from the demonic magic coursing through her.

Right… she was a high-level succubus now. Me? I was just a normal human with a very unusual attunement.

Being this weak again… it was thrilling in its own, very disappointing way. Though I’m sure that was only because I was fighting her—if it were anyone else, I’d definitely be more pissed.

“Was that the only compliment you can give me?”

“Tell me, are mental attacks okay?” she purred in my ear, not waiting for my answer as her hands slid around to cup my cheeks from behind.

[Euphoria Bloom]

My entire body tensed as a familiar surge of lust flooded through me—and without the eye to grant me resistance to demonic energy, I had nothing to blunt it.

It hit me. Hard.

[Black Sun]

A torrent of flames burst from my entire body, turning into makeshift thrusters that hurled me to the far side of the arena again. By the time I landed, I was flushed and struggling just to stay on my feet.

“T-That’s unfair.”

I laughed weakly.

“Gotta be ready for anything~,” she replied, tilting her head as she feigned innocence.

“Y-Yeah.”

I laughed, forcing myself to my feet on trembling legs as I tried to focus, doing my best to control the flow of demonic magic. A hard task, considering I barely had any demonic energy left.

But…

That didn’t mean all my experience went to waste.

[Special Condition Achieved…]

[Black Flames Evolution]

The moment I shifted the demonic energy from my mind to my hands, the system’s notification rang in my head.

I didn’t have time to process it. Evelina lunged back into the fight, hurling a massive chunk of rubble at me. I thrust out my arm, and it disintegrated into ash before it could reach me.

Fizzle!

Well… I’d just have to figure out what this evolution meant in the middle of combat.

This time, I charged, teleporting behind her with [Dark Step].

Of course, that didn’t catch her off guard. She immediately mirrored me, teleporting behind my back the moment I appeared behind her. She was clearly toying with me, but…

[Evolution Information Transplanted]

Oh?

I grinned. This was new.

[The Flames Have Absorbed A Foreign Element]

[Fusing]

[Malignant Flame (Black Flame Subtype)]

Information flooded my mind. It felt like using chaos magic—just like when I first received Beelzebub’s ring—but this time, it was easier.

Like I was meant to use it.

And with a new attunement, of course, came new spells.

[Cruel Chains]

Chains tore out from my spine—six in total, each one wreathed in dark flame. Two of them shot forward and grabbed Evelina by the wrists.

“H-Huh!?”

Evelina teleported away before the other chains could reach her, reappearing behind me as she tried to kick me in the head.

My chains reacted on their own, snapping around her legs. It was like a [Light Guardian], but far more raw and vicious.

[Black Sun]

I pressed my hand against Evelina’s chest, unleashing a powerful wave of flame that surged across her body. I carefully tuned it so it wouldn’t actually hurt her. I wasn’t going that far—I just wanted to put on a spectacle while I won.

THUD!

Evelina dropped to her knees, panting, a wide smile on her face from the thrill of almost being killed.

“W-What was that?”

She looked up at me, eyes wide, as the chains continued to writhe and slither behind my back.

“I-I don’t know…” I chuckled, grabbing one of the chains as I inspected its metal.

“Y-You’re so unfair sometimes, y’know? Where do you even get these random powers? That came out of nowhere…”

Evelina laughed, clearly exasperated that I kept ending up with the strangest magic out of everyone she knew. First, my unique dark magic with Kevin, then my unique purple magic, then my sudden access to divine magic, and now this twisted flame and these new… chains.

She had no idea where in the world I was getting any of it.

“I don’t really know the answer myself.”

Evelina narrowed her eyes, her tail brushing against the scorched fabric of my pants as she read my mind. I was telling the truth.

“You really are interesting…” Evelina tried to stand, feeling strange from the surge of heat still flowing through her body.

It didn’t hurt, but it definitely felt… off.

“That was fun~.”

Evelina stumbled, and I caught her in my arms as she shifted back into her human form, laughing. I could tell her body was starting to strain.

This was her first time fully fighting with her new body, after all. I couldn’t blame her. And while her recovery magic was more advanced than just [Dark Recovery], it still wasn’t as good as light magic.

“Should we take a break?”

“You kidding? You promised me a reward, remember?” Evelina pouted playfully.

Yeah… she was definitely getting used to being less “villainy” around me, and I really liked it. It was nice seeing that side of her come out bit by bit. Maybe I’ll even get to see her act as cute as she did back when she was flustered in the emperor’s tomb.

Her usual tactful nature was wonderful, but her cute side had its own charm.

“I didn’t forget.”

“Good. Now bring me to my room. I need to wash up.”

She gestured at her burned, ruined tunic and pants. The only reason they hadn’t completely disintegrated was because of her magic.

But she couldn’t exactly keep pushing herself like this. Eventually, it was going to wear her down.

“As you wish.”

“Wait.”

“Hm?”

“Carry me there. And before you ask, no, I couldn’t care less if my servants see me. They know better than to interfere.” Evelina smirked. “I’m not asking, if you’re wondering.”

“Okay, Your Majesty…”

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