How a Reincarnated Warlock Lives – Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Examination (1)

Even a three-year-old child knows that God and the Devil can never get along.

This fact, which has continued since long ago, perhaps even before humans appeared on the continent, is a truth that no longer needs to be proven.

Just as darkness disappears when a light is lit in a dark room, the demonic Demonic Energy of demons tends to fade when it receives Holy Power.

It was quite a novel fact that the operation methods of these opposing forces, which are absolutely incompatible with each other, are so similar.

Of course, although extremely rare, it’s not that there hasn’t been a single opinion from that perspective. Black Mages are also a branch of mages.

It was no different from the instinct of magic scholars to explore deeper knowledge and truth.

Special beings located above and below the world, respectively, with the human world in between. In a way, they are beings with somewhat similar points.

Although treated as eccentrics and quickly dismissed, there was a time when such similar opinions emerged.

Naturally, the opinions all came from the minions of darkness, that is, the Black Mage factions.

It was unimaginable that the followers of God, who shout that heresy should be eradicated from this land, would make such a blasphemous claim.

‘Interesting.’

I, too, once had a slight interest in such claims, but like other Black Mages, I didn’t think about studying them in detail.

Unless one wanted to commit suicide in a slightly different way, Holy Power was never a power permitted to Black Mages in the first place.

How many minions of evil have been burned to ashes before the brilliance of light?

There was no reason for me, who had reached a level that even demons could not disregard, to abandon all the power I had accumulated and accept and study Holy Power, which was no different from poison to Black Mages.

For Black Mages, including myself, Holy Power was something that could cause burning pain just by being near it.

Of course, that was until now, until I was reincarnated into a new body.

Wooong.

I could feel the Holy Power dwelling within my body moving.

A bright and warm feeling, different from the thrilling and somewhat damp feeling of Demonic Energy.

If I were a devout believer, I would have been moved by this mysterious power filling my body and repeatedly prayed to God in gratitude.

But my impression was simple.

‘Useful.’

Holy Power, Demonic Energy, Mana.

These special powers, granted only to a select few with talent, were not objects of worship or obsession for me, at least. To be precise, they could be seen as just well-sharpened swords.

And unfortunately for some, I was a skilled swordsman who wielded those swords better than anyone else.

‘So, in this way………’

I closed my eyes and raised Holy Power in my hand.

Hwaak!

The warm energy could be felt even with my eyes closed.

Although it was similar to Demonic Energy, the way it was handled was not entirely the same, so it wasn’t perfect operation yet.

A little more practice would be needed.

I smacked my lips and slowly opened my eyes. And in front of me,

“………What is this.”

Anton Lebecht, with a shocked expression on his face, unable to even lower the hand he had raised to help me, was standing there looking at me.

🔹🔹🔹

“Were there any similar precedents?”

Similar to Demonic Energy, Holy Power can be used in quite a few ways.

Basically, from healing the body to using Holy Magic to purify evil, strengthening the mind, and enhancing the body.

“Not that I know of.”

“………Unbelievable.”

It was a little, no, quite a shame that I couldn’t inflict proper damage on high-ranking priests and others with this power I obtained almost for free.

Of course, I could inflict damage equivalent to the physical force contained within Holy Spells, but it would be better to learn swordsmanship and wield weapons directly rather than wasting Holy Power like that.

“You said he was a child from a noble family. What was the family name?”

“Lumineger.”

“I’ve never heard of it. Is it a priestly family?”

“………It’s a knightly family. Far away from here.”

This was a place prepared for candidates.

Now that the other candidates had not yet arrived in Hesterica, it was my own space, where no one needed to be concerned.

“Although it’s a story that appears in old texts, was there a mixed-blood among the ancestors of that family who inherited the blood of an angel?”

“………Or a Grand Mage?”

Except for those two who have been watching me practice Holy Power for hours now.

Inquisitor Anton Lebecht and the Head of Support of the Inquisition, Barok.

“It’s embarrassing to even compare it to your younger days.”

“Who are you to say that.”

………Were those two always this talkative?

It was a little bothersome, but there was no need to hide it. Rather, it would be better to actively prove my talent and quickly become an Inquisitor who freely roams the continent.

Hwaak!

The pure white light that extended from my hand shot towards the target in front.

Kooong!

The target, made of solid iron, vibrated and created a deep resonance. I narrowed my eyes and looked at the scratch engraved on the iron target.

‘Hmm.’

Although it’s not yet powerful enough to break iron in one go, it would be quite a threatening attack if the opponent possessed Demonic Energy.

After all, Holy Power was a power solely meant to counter evil.

‘For the next application………’

Satisfied, I dusted off my hands and flipped through the book in front of me.

The piles of books, which recorded various operation methods and spells accumulated by Inquisitors over a long period, would be tedious things to study for some, but for me, who was more passionate than anyone else about exploring new knowledge, they were like sweet fruits.

‘Herpacus’ Rope.’

Having discovered a new spell, I read through the theory with sparkling eyes.

And so, thirty minutes later.

Pzzzt!

Tilting my head as I looked at the Holy Power that fizzled out in my hand, I looked at the book once more.

‘Is this not it?’

No matter how similar it was to Demonic Energy, weaving a new spell based on that power and realizing it in the material world was another realm.

Holy Spells that were somewhat complex, rather than simple forms for beginners, had some difficult aspects for me at the moment.

I tilted my head and was about to concentrate again when I suddenly looked up and glanced behind me.

“………”

“………Ahem!”

Anton, staring at me with a calm, shameless expression, and Barok, quickly turning his head away.

‘Ah, right.’

I nodded and slowly rose from my seat.

Unlike my first and last teacher, who, envious of my talent, only showed off and taught me low-level Black Magic, these two would help my growth rather than hinder it.

Especially now, with the war against heresy raging outside.

“I have a question.”

I slowly approached the two Brothers, who seemed a bit flustered. The act of accumulating new knowledge.

There was nothing to hesitate about.

They say there’s something to learn even from a child, or even an enemy.

An hour later.

“………”

“Lad, why don’t you focus on Holy Spells that strengthen the body? I think you have a naturally strong physique, so─”

“Nonsense. The best way to deal with heretics is to imbue weapons with Holy Power………”

I let out a small sigh as I looked at the two Brothers, more passionately expressing their opinions than ever before.

🔹🔹🔹

A week passed quickly.

Anton and Barok.

The two Brothers, who taught me various Holy Spells tailored to their respective specialties in great detail, were quite passionate.

Well.

Having lived for quite a long time, I, too, had disciples of sorts, so I knew well how enjoyable it was to teach a child who learned diligently.

Of course, there had never been anyone talented enough to surpass my considerably strict standards.

Leaving behind the two Brothers, who were still clinging to me and exchanging sharp opinions, I headed outside and sat down by the large fountain located near the Cathedral building. It was because I had spent all my time in the stuffy underground since arriving in this city, and I felt suffocated.

Chwaaaa.

A strong stream of water poured from the mouth of the golden griffin statue.

Unlike the Dungeon Masters who spent almost their entire lives cooped up underground, living gloomy lives, even in my previous life, I enjoyed going around and having new experiences.

‘Thanks to that, I’ve accumulated a lot.’

Not typical Black Magic, but the mysterious magic and ancient races slumbering in various parts of the continent. And the connections I’ve built over the long years were certainly valuable.

‘No, the other party might think of it as a bad connection rather than a good one.’

I chuckled softly.

It was a past buried in the flow of time, but now that I had been reborn, perhaps someday I could stir up a new wind and sweep away that sand.

And perhaps someday, I could achieve what I had failed to do in the past.

Because I had the reason, the qualifications, and the right that even God and the Devil could not deny.

“Excuse me………”

Someone tapped my shoulder, which was enjoying the fresh air for the first time in a while and engaged in productive thoughts.

While I wasn’t the great Black Mage with immense power and senses, and I wasn’t on guard, I reflected on the fact that I hadn’t noticed someone approaching this close and making contact with my body, and turned around.

“………?”

What I saw in front of me was a girl. To be precise, she looked to be somewhere between a girl and a woman in age.

“Do you happen to know where ─ is?”

Because of the large water stream pouring right behind me and the bustling street with quite a few people coming and going, I couldn’t hear her voice clearly.

I looked at her quietly.

She pointed at me, or rather, the clothes I was wearing, and shouted once more.

“Excuse me! Do you happen to know where the second path to the Inquisition is!”

“………”

Ah.

Was she one of the Inquisitor candidates who were supposed to arrive one by one starting today?

Seeing her recognize the clothes I was currently wearing, which were provided to the candidates, and asking for directions to the underground Inquisition, it seemed she was.

I looked at her with emotionless eyes, then raised my hand and pointed to the path leading to the alley where the second entrance was located.

Although the path within that complex alley was somewhat complicated, it wasn’t my concern.

If she couldn’t find the way, she would enter through the main gate. In fact, among those working in the Inquisition, there were quite a few Brothers and assistant priests who couldn’t find the complicated second path and used the main gate.

Of course, if they were caught by Anton while doing so, they would have to listen to his nagging in his characteristically dry tone.

“Thank you!”

Hearing my answer, she expressed her gratitude in a loud voice, then bowed her head slightly, made the sign of the cross, and disappeared with quick steps. A long, cloth-wrapped object was tied to her back.

“………”

As befitting a devout believer, it was quite pleasing to see her trying to uphold unnecessary formalities like Anton.

“Hmm.”

Watching her back, I thought about taking Barok’s advice and mastering Holy Spells that strengthened the body and sharpened the senses.

‘Ah.’

There was one more thing.

‘The exam will be starting soon.’

I got up, dusted off my clothes, and started walking towards the main gate, located in the opposite direction of where the girl had gone.

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