The Wielder of Death Magic

1126 Ancient Gifts

“Are you my master?”

“Makina,” the enigmatic stare went over her appearance once again, ‘-she’s tall, long legs and a thin waist. She can retract her wings voluntarily – it’s good. Her mana capacity is something to be praised, she’s on par with lower-tier gods. The curse remains the inability to kill gods without the proper weapon else, abilities. Her eyes are small and almond-shaped, almost like in a perpetual squint – small rounded nose and small pink lips. Now that I think of it, she feels more like a teenager than I’d expect. Braided hair ending behind her ears, long blond hair falling down her back, she will do.”

“Hello?” she waved, her palm inches from Igna’s nose, “-someone in there?”

“Makina, kneel for me.”

Her expression shifted from caution to perplexed, “-why should I?”

“…”

“It’ll get my knees dirty.”

“The floor I clean, I can assure you so.”

“Fine,” she sighed and knelt, “-this better?”

.....

“Good,” he leaned and horned onto her forehead, “-the third eye of revelation. One of the Ancient Gifts.”

“Yes, it was bestowed by my creator.”

‘… the ancient gifts,’ he gestured, she nodded, got to her feet, meandered to a couch, and dropped with a loud echo, ‘-ancient gifts. I never thought they would come up. It’s ancient… they’re the abilities used by heroes of the war in the war between gods and demons, the first battle. It can be said – the combat arts generated from said conflict, and there, evolved through the bloodlines of said heroes – gods, demons, angels, regardless of race, those who took part did, in fact, attain powers to kill the immortals. War, is the ultimate catalyst of evolution. Ancient Gifts can be categorized into three types. The information flows willingly from Mantia,’ a somber grin surfaced, ‘-an ability Igna never really used save during moments of crisis. He wasn’t, without being disrespectful, qualified to utilize the powers so carefully crafted and horned. Got to give him props, the man did evolve our powers – a body that will never attain godhood is a blessing. He didn’t see the truth behind the fa?ade,’ he took up a cigarette and puffed, ‘-the three gifts – Earned, Crafted, and Bestowed. Depending on the type, a limit is placed upon the ability, as such, by referring to the Ancient Gifts, reference is drawn upon; skills, magic, weapons, items, and all that may encompass an entity’s way of fight. Earns, as the name suggests, are earned during battle and training. They’re more battle focused – for example, the Destruction Arts Gophy utilizes, was born from carnage itself. My ability to search information from Mantia, using the whole of Origin’s knowledge, well, such an ability can be classified as Earned but is not exactly an Ancient Gift, the potency is, frankly, lacking. The limitation placed on Earnt is the inability to choose how the gift manifests. Consider it the lottery, gambling at its finest. Next, Crafted. Simple and effective – crafted weapons, armor, and even magical spells, such as incantations made in the spur of the moment. One example of Crafted is Athena’s shield – I know how terrifying one of those can be. Contrary to Earned, Crafted are flexible – doesn’t’ really have a weakness save the inventor’s lack of imagination. It’s a double-edged sword, too powerful the caster dies, too weak, the caster yet dies. Lastly, Bestowed, which is perhaps, the better of the two – with a limitation of single-focus. Whatever is inherited from the previous wielder is limited – though, the gift can be evolved for future generations. It’s limiting but condensed. Inherited Gifts, if I were to name one, would be the Death Element,’ he perused the texts at lightning speed, ‘-ancient gifts are uncommon. Aces kept for the worse outcome. Worse, those gifts are unnamed and secretive, there’s no real way to distinguish a normal ability from an ancient gift. Even the most mundane fire spell could be an ancient gift…’ he locked onto Makina, who confidently browsed books on an elevated shelf, ‘-the Third Eye of Revelation, classified under Bestowed. It’s the only ancient art I know,’ he casually puffed, ‘-because it was I who originated the ability. More specifically, it was Alfred. Like the Hands of the Lamented – his power lay in how he so easily distinguished his enemy and adjusted his power. Makina, she’s a vessel for the gift,’ a haunted thought crossed, ‘-I could take the power for myself. Doing so would make me whole again. There’s no use building my entourage if they’re going to get in my way. Makina’s not special, so I would have thought before Igna’s whole spiel about empathy and compassion. I can, rather, I might – but,’ he sighed and faced the ceiling, ‘-I won’t. Bestowed can only be inherited under the wielder’s express permission. And I doubt she’s aware of her talents.’

“Master, are you going to kill me for the Eye of Revelation?” her morose face suddenly appeared from behind the chair, *cough,* smoke splashed onto her face, she nonchalantly backed away, giving space for Staxius to straighten the posture, “-you want me to kill you?” he inquired over his shoulder, “-Makina?”

“No,” she returned with an even greater carelessness if that were even possible.

He made no remark and simply sat facing the door, ‘-someone approaches,’ the detection web of mana threads rang, like a spider sensing prey in her trap.

“PROFESSOR IGNA HAGGARD!” the door barged open, “-by order of King Leviathan, you are to come to Meoa Cathedral,” Memphe proclaims with a hint of pride. Her heavy eyeshadow condescendingly fell upon Igna – a dishonored Director.

To her unfortunate cluelessness, Staxius simply lifted his piercing gaze. Memphe’s bravado instantly melted, ‘-what’s with him?’ she held her fear, ‘-my instinct’s telling me to run. Why is he, why is he so powerful? The confidence around… it’s not like before, there’s a looming sense of dread. If I make a wrong move, I feel the wrath of death’s cold fingers around my neck,’ she gulped, ‘-I’ve never felt anything like this before.’

“Meoa’s Cathedral,” he snickered, “-hilarious. Why would a demon king so willingly choose a holy place for prayer?” the cynic furthered his interrogation, “-are you planning my assassination?”

“No?”

“How can I, be sure?” he took one step, and before she realized it, that small stride had him dart around the room and behind her back, “-I may be a professor now, yet, I influence the Director and Graso. Weak links in your climb to power,” he simply tapped her back, “-though, it’s not a concern. I doubt you, of all people, to have the guts to scheme against the one who single-handedly defeated the combined army.”

“What about the defeat from Artanos?” she whispered.

“That?” he turned and grabbed her shoulders, “-is but a simple stain upon my image. One which can be easily washed with the blood of my enemies,” and pulled, “-as such,” he caressed her cheeks and wrapped his grip around and grabbed her nape, “-I’ll gladly cleanse it with you if you’d be so kind to offer,” he seductively mumbled, the charm emulated by Igna, had returned to its prior originator, the man who continually refused to be interested in gathering a harem. Such, the comical relief so many used to jest, especially Serene. “-Oh well, you don’t seem interested,” he turned on his heel, “-come along, Makina.”

“Yes,” she scurried past Memphe and willingly slowed her pace to glare at the trembling mess, catching the lady’s shaken cry, and thus hurried to Staxius. A short jog down the vexingly circular stairs and the bright blue sky breathed a warm, greenish air.

“Master, are you going to kill me or not?” she walked with hands crossed on her back, “-master?”

“Do you wish for death?”

“No, I wish to know my fate.”

“Well, your fate is intertwined with mine. I expect much of your abilities, Angel of Revelation. Henceforth, thou art part of my team. Refer to me however you wish, use my name or my title, I wasn’t keen on proper title and manners, to begin with. You must understand, if I grow tired, I will give you up for a more entertaining toy.”

She skipped ahead, “-a good thing, because,” she looked over her shoulder, ‘-I’ll leave you if you’re boring,” the snappy retort broadened a smile. Time read a few hours after noon, ‘-time to check on the students,’ he made the trip into the academy, class 3-2 was hard at work, and the sound of hammers against wood resounded. The cacophony amplified up the righthand side of the Commoner’s building, along a gravel path lined with dirt and muck, “-yo, professor!” an energetic Arde wipe his sweat-ridden bow. The Foundation of the wooden shed now resembled a log cabin, “-how’s it going?”

“Only you working?”

“Yeah, the others were called by lord Dementus and lady Yu, he’s taken a liking to us running in the election.”

“Well, we have a problem,” footsteps crackled against the gravel, Lilia and her best friend, Umie, stood with slumped shoulders, “-the administration has refused our participation in the election.”

“As ex-student council president,” said Umie, “-Lilia can’t rejoin the election. It’s against the academy’s policy.”

“And after all the things you’ve done for me, professor. I apologize I couldn’t look up to your expectation.”

“Don’t lower your head so easily,” he coldly echoed, “-Hena from Arch Demon Skeptor’s branch family is the next most popular candidate to win. She’s most suited to run the academy. I’m sure, with all that’s happened, her popularity is through the roof. Skeptor helped in saving the students – big favors owed by prominent families; blank checks waiting to be cashed in,” visible discomfort held their pose, “-I wouldn’t worry.”

A spark rekindled the fading spirits, “-we just need to nominate another student council president. I know just the person.”

“Who?”

“Asmodeus,” he smiled, “-and you know by now, I’m sure he’s had entertaining relations with the young dames of the establishment.”

*Cough,* Umie reddened, “-and there we have a perfect example,” he winked, “-did he do the deed or was it one of his many acolytes?”

Umie embarrassedly lowered her face, “-he did it…”

“Popularity against popularity. Furthermore, Asmodeus is one of the seven princes of hell. The blood is more than adequate for the position.”

“Will need to elect other candidates.”

“Mammon as treasurer, Vanesa as the disciplinary council, and lastly, Lilia as vice-president.”

“Still professor, do you think we can convince the faculty to accept our request?”

“Have you forgotten who I am?” he went over to the unfinished cabin, “-I ought to ask, why are you building this?”

“As a base for our electoral campaign. We have a long six months before the election is held. We’ll need all the help we can – as the strong guy of the class, I had to create a place for us to convene. Our base of operations.”

“Arde has a good idea,” Staxius nodded, “-Lilia,” he noticed her uncertainty, “-I said it before, it’s not right to hold your thoughts back. What’s on your mind?”

“Professor… how’s the girl?”

Makina grabbed Staxius’ shirt, “-master?”

“She’s my niece.”

‘Niece?’

“No!” she echoed, “-I’m the daughter you abandoned, father.”

He physically pulled back, “-pardon?”

“Father, you left me to be with that man… he, he,” she sniffled, “-he did the-”

“Okay enough,” he held her mouth, “-this here is Makina. My long lost daughter. For the record, you weren’t abandoned… it was a boarding school.”

She pulled out her tongue and winked, “-Lilia, you’re still holding back.”

“Professor … will you please be our advisor?” they rallied.

“No, I might have suggested otherwise in the past – matters have changed. There’s a higher chance of success without me directly involved with your campaign,” he turned and snapped, the log cabin built as a high-class office, going on par with the building’s height, “-your base of operation,” he clapped the hands cleaned, “-appearance is the first key to success. I might not participate, however, I will impart my knowledge – you will know what it means to run a successful campaign. Knowledge is key… after all.”