"Looks like you've made up your mind, and I can't stop you…" Neron's voice trailed.
His face depicted a soft smile that seemed to have a tinge of sadness within.
'No, you can't!'
"… Then, to better increase your chances, I think I'll give you a present."
I was a little surprised by this, considering someone like Neron wasn't the kind of guy to go so far for a rebellious student. What manner of present was I to expect?
Before I fully thought of an answer, something dark appeared out of nowhere and hovered atop Neron's palm.
"Here."
My eyes bulged, and a mix of emotions surged from within me. As I gazed upon the bubble—no, what was within the transparent object—in front of me, I had both nostalgia and leftover rage.
"KAHN!" I unconsciously leaked out the name.
Neron seemed surprised to hear this, but he hid it well.
"It seems it became a Bond Soul. Its attachment to life must be strong, considering all I did to it."
I had an inkling of what drove him to remain alive—even as a Familiar.
'So, he still has that obsessive loyalty, uh…?'
Then why did he break the pact? It still didn't make sense to me.
'Maybe it will… soon…'
"You're giving him to me… why?"
Neron shrugged and gave the most ridiculous answer.
"I don't need it."
Kahn was a being who was a Demon Lord. His resistance was so high that Peak Level Magic wasn't enough to completely kill him.
Of the beings out there, he was as strong as they come. Yet, Neron didn't care for him at all.
'As expected of this guy… what a monster…' I smiled while shaking my head.
"Besides, since this thing is a Demon, it uses negative energy instead of the positive one we use. Miasma is the opposite of Mana. As a result, it's basically impossible to use those two at the same time…"
He wasn't wrong.
"… I thought you would also reject it, considering this guy will be useless to any Mage."
Mana was the source of Magic for Mages. They used Familiars to better channel this energy and become stronger in the process.
A Familiar like Kahn—who used Miasma instead—would not only interfere with a Mage's Mana, but would also attack it.
In essence, it was dangerous!
Which Mage would keep such a Familiar—who reeked of Miasma—in their Mana Core? They would have to be crazy, suicidal, and desperate!
"You're right, Neron. However… this guy… will be useful." I smiled at the squirming darkness within the orb.
"Oh? Looks like you have yet another technique I do not know of."
I recognized the tone Neron just used. It was the kind that showed interest.
'He wants me to tell him another one of my closely guarded secrets, eh?'
"It's simple. I will merge the use of Miasma and Mana to form another form of power."
Silence filled the room for a moment.
I was sure no one was overhearing us, considering Neron guaranteed that. Still, an air of unease crept upon me thanks to the black-haired man staring intensely at me.
"… Is it really possible?"
I nodded.
"… How…?"
'How shameless is this guy? He wants me to tell him what I never revealed to anyone else, even in my past life.'
However, Neron was a powerful man, and he was also an ally. Giving him this information would be beneficial for me in the future.
'That said, I won't be delving too far into it. A surface-level answer will do.'
"Oil and Water never mix. Yet, when one applies enough heat to make a meal, they become interwoven with other ingredients and form something different… a combination that is only achievable by perfect harmony."
Mana and Miasma didn't have to become entirely one entity to be useful. Even as separate sources of power, by applying them properly… good results were bound to occur.
"I see…" Was all Neron said to my explanation.
"So, have you tested out this theory of yours?"
I was silent for a while. Not because the question took me by surprise, but because I was remembering something.
In my past life, I had the opportunity to interact with a good deal of Demons, and also humans. Of course, this was how I came up with this theory. However, I had never tested it.
This new life brought me an opportunity to try it out, though.
"When I fought with Kahn—this Demon… I used a special technique to mix my Mana with his Miasma that covered the area."
It was Spellcraft.
By ensuring my Mana particles and their density was higher than Kahn's, I was able to bury his within mine, further enhancing the power I packed in that final Spell.
Kahn couldn't control his Miasma around because I had already used my Mana to coat it all over. Kind of like how a small quantity of oil was in a pot of water.
'Of course, it was easier to control since I isolated the Miasma into smaller quantities and my Mana output was higher…'
If Kahn's Miasma was more than—no, even equal to—mine, then it would have been impossible for me. Thankfully, I had all those Potions and Mana Stones. The Magic Tools I equipped also helped me a great deal.
"Amazing. Simply amazing. You're an exceptional one, Jared."
I smiled tiredly.
'Not exceptional enough...'
"So, I take it you'll be taking the Demon with you as a Familiar. Do you want to bond with it now?" Neron asked with an excited gleam in his eyes.
"No way! I haven't gotten to that level… yet."
But, it wouldn't be very long before I did so. All I had to do was learn!
"Alright, then. There's one final thing I want to ask. If you don't give me the answer I want, then I will have to stop you from leaving."
'Seriously? After all this? He's threatening me?'
Sure, I knew Neron was capable of stopping me if he wanted to, but… why? Our relationship had been built on trust. Why would he sully that now?
'Is he going to ask for another secret technique?'
"The culprit… how do you plan on defeating him? Tell me!'
