Chapter 17: She showed me a triumphant smile
Besides that, perhaps one thing that has troubled me for a long time could also be resolved.
After the Charm Magic Circle disappears, the inexplicable good impressions others have of me will also vanish, right?
I used to think it was just a low-level Charm Magic Circle, but now that I know it’s actually a great magic circle, its effect should be much greater than I imagined.
In other words, if they like me because of the magic circle’s effect, they should be disillusioned with me now.
The magic time has come to an end, and the attached charm value will also return to zero. If they had previously beautified my existence due to the charm magic, my image in their eyes will revert to that of an ordinary person with no presence.
Perhaps they won’t be fixated on me anymore…
While it feels a bit regrettable, it’s more of a feeling of relief and liberation.
Relying on the effect of a Charm Magic Circle to make others like myself is indeed a bit despicable.
“Yes, yes, I know you’re very upright, no need to show off anymore.”
“When did I show off?”
If someone’s feelings for you are caused by external factors, wouldn’t anyone feel awkward? After all, no one likes something fake.
“But in the end, thinking that the girls around you like you because of the Charm Magic Circle… isn’t that ultimately just your guess, or rather, your wish?”
Although it’s just a guess, my guess should be close to the truth.
“But a guess is a guess, and what is the truth? The minds of girls, you boys can’t figure them out! Hehe, I don’t think they would leave you even if it were a different magic circle. Want to make a bet? I bet they won’t leave you, not a single one! If I win, Jun Jun, you’ll owe me a hundred times, how about it?”
“I’m really sorry, I’m against gambling. No matter how great the odds, I won’t ignore the possibility of a comeback… Also, what the hell is a hundred times!”
Nana slyly inserted her right index finger into the circle formed by her left hand and said.
“Of course, it’s this~ Really, you’ve already tasted it, so don’t pretend to be pure anymore~”
“It’s already dozens of times, and you’re still not satisfied–your desires are like a bottomless pit…”
It seems the legend of succubi draining men dry might be true, and perhaps men can be drained dry in another sense even without draining their essence…
“Anyway, it’s just a dream. Whatever you do here will be forgotten when you return to reality, so dreams are the most liberating place.”
When she said this, Lily had an expression like a child full of dreams, her eyes sparkling.
This female succubus’s face is truly ever-changing. Sometimes passionate like a fire, sometimes cold as ice, sometimes innocent as a child… more often, she’s a crazy snake demon.
It’s as if she can’t control her emotional changes.
“Although my age is equivalent to twenty-six human years, the time I’ve lived cannot be calculated that way… Jun, you were right before, I am indeed old, my heart is old… no longer the age to pursue dreams. So, the love wars of these girls, I’ll just sit aside and watch with popcorn~”
Novel
“…You seem quite happy to see me get caught up in a Shura Field, don’t you?”
“Hmph hmph hmph~”
Nana chuckled without speaking, humming a happy tune, swaying her head, walking around the edge of the magic circle to the front of the mirror, then opening her hands, palms facing the magic circle.
“In short, the Charm Magic Circle is indeed not very good. Even we succubi rarely use this kind of magic circle.”
“Huh? Why?”
I thought every succubus would casually use a Charm Magic Circle, or rather, shouldn’t this be their signature skill?
“We succubi inherently have charm characteristics. Only incompetent guys would use external forces to seduce others. Moreover, this charm magic not only affects others but also ignites lust in oneself. Overall, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages, so no one uses it at all.”
“That’s… that feeling of evil thoughts surging forth without one’s knowledge is indeed chilling.”
It’s as if one has become a puppet controlled by others.
Not being oneself anymore…
“Then what kind of magic circle do you want?”
“Huh? What, what magic circle?”
The sudden question caught me off guard, and I looked up, repeating Nana’s question like an idiot.
“Are you an idiot! Didn’t I just say I was going to change the magic circle for you! What kind of magic circle do you want?”
“Uh, can I choose?”
“It’s a magic circle installed in your body, of course, you get to choose it yourself.”
“But I don’t know what kinds of magic there are either…”
“You just need to roughly state the effect you want. If it can be achieved, I’ll set it up as a magic circle for you. If not, we’ll try something else. Don’t look down on me, I graduated with a major in magic circles, you know?”
“Magic circle major–. Are there schools for studying magic?”
Like Harry Potter’s Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, or Luna Lovegood’s magic school that trains witches?
“No, it’s a school in the Demon Realm that cultivates demons. I was a super honor student back then, and I got into the most famous prestigious school in the Demon Realm, a school that has produced twenty-two Demon Kings in history! And I graduated as the top student in the magic circle major!”
“De-, …Demon Cultivation Academy…”
Common sense, don’t fly away!
Hold on! Must not complain… What the hell!
Speaking of which, if it’s such a famous school, why is the name so inconspicuous! Demon Cultivation Academy, it sounds like a kindergarten for taking care of demon babies!
And you got in by examination, there are exams in the Demon Realm too?!
Where is the Demon Realm anyway! Is it underground!
“No, the underground is the territory of Hell. Our Demon Realm is in the hidden world on the surface. Ah, Jun Jun, you probably don’t know what the hidden world is yet, right? It’s a special space unknown to the public, just like Black Street, but the scale of the Demon Realm is much larger than Black Street.”
“…To say such incredible things in such a casual tone.”
I feel like all the common sense I’ve built up as an ordinary person has completely collapsed.
“Oh dear, we’re chatting idly again. When I’m with you, Jun Jun, I can’t help but want to talk to you… So, my magic circle skills are superb, and I should be able to meet your requirements? Moreover, I can create triple composite great magic circles, so you can make three requests.”
“Three…”
“I recommend setting up a summoning magic circle or a reinforcement magic circle. They are practical and have no side effects. However, the final decision is yours, I’m just offering suggestions.”
Reinforcement magic circles sound great, but they don’t seem very useful to me… If I encounter a highly skilled slasher like Xue Qing, no matter how good my body is, it won’t matter, right? I don’t think any reinforcement magic circle can defeat Oniification.
Thinking back, what is the biggest weapon I possess? What have I relied on to escape danger so far?
…I got it!
Then… (omitted) …like this, is it okay?”
I blurted out all my requests in one go.
After hearing my requests, Nana wore a strange expression and asked in surprise.
“Hmm, those are indeed strange requests. I’ve never set up this kind of magic circle before, but the principle isn’t difficult. As long as they can be connected, it should be possible. But, is this really alright?”
“This is enough.”
Since I have “that” advantage, of course, I should make full use of it.
“Alright, then I’ll start setting it up. But let me tell you first, the triple composite magic circle constructed according to your requirements, once set, cannot be removed. It’s like tying shoelaces. If three shoelaces get tangled together, they become a knot that even I can’t untie. Unless I can comprehend a further quadruple composite magic circle, you’ll have to keep using these abilities.”
“It’s fine, I’ve already decided. These three are enough. The best is what suits oneself, isn’t it?”
“Alright then, I’m starting.”
Nana didn’t argue with my decision, nodded, and began setting up the magic circle.
The glowing lines on the ground began to separate, then formed new patterns, layering one on top of another, but there was no sense of messiness, only a feeling of…
A moment later, the magic circle setup was complete.
The magic circle, which originally emitted pink light, now emitted a pale blue light, and the pattern had become considerably more complex.
“Alright, so…”
After completing the magic circle setup, Nana let out a tired sigh and turned to me, saying.
“Don’t tell anyone about what happened here after you go out, understand?”
“Uh? About what happened here? What’s there to hide… However, I understand. I won’t tell anyone.”
“Yes, yes… But, how do I wake up?”
“You should have woken up long ago. It was just that I asked Lily to keep hypnotizing you from the outside, and I held you back from the inside, which is why you couldn’t wake up. Once I deactivate it, you’ll wake up. Don’t be surprised when you see the “me” outside later. Hmm, that’s the “Ruthless Succubus” me.”
“Is that so…”
Then I really want to see what kind of eyes…
“Then, let’s not delay…”
“Wait a minute~”
Nana suddenly hugged me. I was too lazy to dodge and just let her rub her head against mine.
“I’m suddenly a little reluctant… I wonder when I’ll be able to enter your dreamscape like this again…”
“Uh? Don’t succubi invade people’s dreams freely?”
“Yes, although it’s like that… Can I come to your dream again to see you?”
Why is she suddenly acting like a shy little girl…
“Ah, whatever you want. If you really want to come, I can’t stop you, right? And to be honest… I quite like you.”
I scratched my cheek, looked away, and finally said that.
“Yaaaa~”
Waaah!!!!
She suddenly hugged my waist tightly, as if she wanted to press my whole body into her own, pressing hard on my waist.
“Oh no~ Jun Jun, why are you so cute~ I want to take you home and raise you~”
“Cute my foot! Let me down!”
“I won’t! This is the last bit of time, just let me hug you properly~”
Suddenly, I felt a wave of dizziness, my consciousness seemed to be dissipating… No, it’s spreading.
Am I going to wake up?
Sleepiness enveloped my entire body, my eyelids drooping.
If falling asleep in reality brings me to a dream, then ‘falling asleep’ in a dream should bring me back to reality.
The long dream is finally over, and I’m going back to reality.
Even Nana’s embrace is gradually fading… No, it seems she’s letting me go.
“Lastly, Jun Jun, could you call my name one more time?”
I covered my head and barely opened my eyes. Three fingers on my hand had disappeared. Perhaps when I completely disappear, I’ll truly wake up.
“No, recite my full name.”
“But that would…”
“It’s fine, just say it. Didn’t I tell you? Even if you say my real name, I won’t easily form a contract with you. Let alone Lily, a half-baked succubus who never received proper education, the Yata no Kagami has also stabilized and no longer needs to pressure me… I just want to hear you say my full name. It’s been a very, very long time since anyone has called me by my full name…”
I didn’t listen to that series of reasons.
At this moment, I was already half-dazed. My consciousness, on the verge of waking up, was spreading, and I couldn’t think normally. However, seeing her lonely expression, my heart softened, and I did as Nana said, reciting her real name.
“Nanalie Succubus Innocent…”
Then, right after I finished reciting her full name, Nana suddenly revealed a cunning, triumphant smile, slowly knelt before my eyes, kissed the instep of my foot, and said in a reverent tone of worship:
“Yes, to call upon our Great One by her true name… I am willing to obey your every command and become your servant, without any disrespectful delusions and… my noble Master, please accept this humble contract. All of me is for your use.”
“Huh?”
Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in the center of my forehead, the same feeling as when I formed a contract with Lily!
You said… you wouldn’t sign a contract?
“Ho ho, never completely trust a woman, okay? Jun Jun, you still have a lot to learn~”
A magic circle appeared on her forehead as well, but she seemed to feel no pain, wearing a joyful expression.
She showed a triumphant smile.
I suddenly understood why she wanted to form a contract with me, and with mixed feelings, I said thank you.
…
Before I could finish speaking, I was kissed.
Hey, hey, you just kissed the instep of my foot, don’t come and kiss my mouth! Isn’t that equivalent to me kissing my own foot!
“You don’t have to thank me. Thanks to you, Lily came to see me. Consider this a ‘thank you gift’. It should also be helpful for your new abilities.”
I wanted to say something more, but the pain had spread throughout my body, and my consciousness was dissolving even faster. I could feel that I was about to wake up.
“Goodbye, my little master…”
In the last moment, I heard Nana’s farewell.
Immediately after, I woke up from the dream and returned to reality.
