Chapter 3 – Zero

  Moments during the ritual

  In an abyss of endless darkness, someone awakens...

  "I am called upon once again," a voice, eerie and chilling, resonates through the void.

  A vibrant soul appears where there was nothing. It pulsates with a saturated purple glow, its light stark against the black.

  "Let’s see what vessel has been brought this time... Hopefully, one of complete compatibility and equivalent soul quality." The soul darts through the vast, empty abyss, searching for something that might meet its needs.

  A glint of light flickers in the distance. "I see it," it murmurs, its tone sharp with anticipation.

  Moments later, the soul reaches its destination, only to find the vessel shattered, barely holding onto its existence.

  "NO! It’s another shattered soul!" she exclaims angrily, her voice reverberating through the abyss. As her frustration grows, her soul screeches, sending waves of purple energy rippling across the void. "This fool is useless! My soul will lose its longevity if this keeps up, and I will truly be gone if that happens..."

  Unbeknownst to her, this soul... was reacting to her outburst, using the energy to quickly reform itself.

  "Mm? Is it mending itself? This is unusual..." she mutters in surprise.

  "DAMMIT!" she growls, frustrated.

  Alana continues to complain about her situation, each emotional outburst sending larger amounts of energy into the void. The soul, awash in this energy, begins to heal itself, quickly regaining its form until it is whole, though faint.

  "Hmm? Did it just mend itself?" she says again, more curious than before. She’s completely unaware that her own energy is what caused this. "Whatever it is, doesn’t change anything. It’s still of poor quality. A fading soul is nowhere near compatible with me, nor worthy."

  As she tries to engulf the soul, she mutters, "This will give me a little more time... but not a lot."

  Her soul expands and envelops the shattered one, helpless against her might. The energy swirls as she consumes it fully, fading from view.

  With a sigh, she contracts back to her usual size. "Now I must go into soul dormancy. That fool better bring me a compatible vessel, and quick!" Her purple glow slowly fades into the abyss.

  An unknown, distorted voice interrupts her. "Hehehe... You can’t erase me."

  "HUH!?" Alana’s soul trembles, shocked by the audacity.

  From the side, a new soul begins to emerge, growing rapidly, larger than her own, expanding at an unnatural speed.

  She attempts to respond instinctively, but the soul grows too fast, soon filling the entire abyss. She struggles to comprehend the scale.

  "You’re trying to overpower my soul’s will, huh? Fine! Bring it on!" she exclaims, her pride taking over.

  This becomes a battle of wills. Whoever wins will gain the other's power. The abyss itself trembles as the two forces clash, sending shockwaves through the darkness, disturbing creatures and spirits of the void who stir at the disturbance.

  The battle of souls intensifies, one of mystery and one of sainthood.

  "I, Alana, will win today! HAHA! This will not be my end!" Alana declares as her soul grows to match the other, locking in a violent clash. "THIS IS MY WILL!"

  "... It’s been fun, but I’m done with games," the distorted voice says coldly, its tone dismissive, as though speaking to a mere peasant.

  The strange soul grows, filling the abyss with a blinding light, consuming everything in its path, sending shockwaves through the darkness.

  "This soul is so unpredictable... Who is this?" Alana wonders in disbelief.

  "I SUBMIT," she declares, finally recognizing defeat.

  "...Good," the other soul answers simply, its dominance undeniable.

  Everything goes black. Both souls vanish, leaving only two outlines in the void. One, a woman, floats sideways as though lying on a bed mid-air, her hand resting on her head, one leg lying on her thigh. Her long legs extend out, her eyes narrowed, her lips thin. She wears nothing, her hair so long it could cover her entirely.

  "So, we meet, boy..."

  Is this really the same entity? she wonders. His soul holds a great darkness, deeper and more rooted than even the abyss itself. Right now, I feel nothing, nothing at all... And he looks... normal?

  An outline of a boy appears, sitting cross-legged, seemingly uninterested.

  "Yeah, I guess we do... Do I know you?"

  "Did you forget? We were just clashing souls moments ago."

  "Nope. Just got here."

  "Well, since you forgot, not only did you beat me in a clash of wills, but you spared me and decided to commune with me. I’m grateful for your sudden mercy," she says slowly, floating closer to him.

  He stares at her with a clueless look.

  This fool really doesn’t seem to remember anything, she thinks to herself. Hmm...

  She grins slightly, formulating a plan.

  "So, le—"

  "Question," the boy interrupts immediately.

  "What is it?" she says, her annoyance clear as a vein pulses on her outlined forehead.

  "Can you bring me back from death?"

  "Ah..." Perfect, she thinks optimistically.

  "Yeah, you just need to make a contract with me."

  The boy’s interest piques. "Okay, what’s the contract?"

  "Give me your body, and I’ll give you life."

  He looks at her blankly. "Are you trying to trick me?"

  Her face falls. Dammit, I thought he was dumb.

  "No way. You think I don’t know what that means? I want to live for real, no limitations this time."

  I guess I’ll have to settle with this for now, she thinks, slightly annoyed.

  "Okay, how about this: I revive you, but you have to follow my way of life and live utter chaos."

  When she says the word "chaos," something in him stirs, and his interest sharpens.

  "Deal."

  "Well then, let’s make the soul contract. Take my hand." She alters her tall stature to fit his height. "Close your eyes and state your past after me. Then say, 'I make a soul-binding contract with Alana Renfield.' I’ll say the same at the same time, and we’ll bind as one."

  “Uh, what’s your name?”

  "No idea."

  Alana gasps in shock. "Well, figure it out! We’re tight on time—well, for me at least. That fight we had earlier drained my life force."

  The boy continues to look at her blankly.

  She sighs in frustration. "Names are tightly linked to your soul, so just dig deep and declare whatever comes to you."

  "I am the great dark divine saint that turned the world upside down with the power of chaos by my side."

  "I—I—I..." The boy reaches deep within himself, drawing on the emotions of nothingness he once felt.

  "I am someone who simply didn’t exist before... once restricted by someone else’s emotions."

  "I am... Zero."

  They open their eyes, and their souls intertwine. Through the outline of their bodies, the connection is clear as they say in unison:

  Zero: "I make a soul-binding contract with Alana Renfield, following the path of utter chaos."

  Alana Renfield: "I make a soul-binding contract with Zero, allowing and helping him to live a life without limitations."

  Alana’s soul begins to merge with Zero’s, but instead of becoming one, it binds to his, an addition to his being.

  This was Zero’s doing, his dominance clear in the situation. "Hmph..." he grins, looking down on Alana as she is slowly absorbed.

  "You snake!" she hisses.

  "You tried me first. Hehe."

  If Alana’s soul had merged with Zero’s, she would have gained control over his body and soul. But now, separated, they remain distinct entities.

  Back during the ritual, Zero floats up. Violet light pulsates and cracks the ground beneath him. Rays of light pierce through the magic circle, and the power surging from it shakes the room.

  Energy fills the space.

  Then, Zero’s eyes snap open, glowing with malicious intent as a final burst of energy spreads throughout the area, pushing back the man who had been observing him.

  "AHHHH!"

  As Zero floats down, violet energy crackles around him. His eyes open again, now glowing with purple irises, his expression cold.

  He breathes in deeply, feeling the air for the first time, marvelling at the world around him. "I... I CAN SEE," he says, looking at his hands.

  "I... can hear." He listens to the rumbling of rocks, the sizzling of the magic circle.

  "I... can touch." He picks up rocks, feeling their rough texture, then another, marveling at how smooth it is. "Haha, this one is smooth."

  The man watches in disbelief as Zero—restored to a fuller state—marvels at everything around him. What the hell just happened?

  Zero, like a newborn experiencing the world for the first time, seems unaware of the man’s presence. The man, slowly standing, approaches the boy with a dark expression.

  "I’ll end him for disgracing the mistress’s altar," he thinks as his body glows with thin mana.

  He raises his hand toward zero

  A surge of blue mana gathers in the air, coalescing into a crackling energy bolt. He holds it out, his expression twisted with determination.

  “This mana bolt should be enough to kill him,” he mutters. “You will not hurt the Alter anymore.”

  As the spell forms, Zero’s eyes widen in amazement, his usual cool demeanour faltering. He watches the magic carefully, utterly stunned by the sheer power being drawn into the bolt.

  “Wow,” he murmurs, his voice tinged with genuine awe.

  Then, the man expression shifts, hardening into a cold, detached gaze. “Die. I was sorry before, but now you’ve wronged the Alter of Alana, the Dark Divine Saint.”

  “Alana?” Zero repeats, his voice filled with confusion.

  Suddenly, a wisp of purple light bursts from Zero’s chest, swirling in the air like a ghostly manifestation. It hovers, crackling with dark energy.

  “Who summons the great Alana?!” the wisp calls out, its voice both ethereal and commanding. It’s not her full form, but it bears the unmistakable aura of the Dark Divine Saint.

  “Aha, is that you, Mistress?” the man asks, his cold expression shifting into great surprise.

  The wisp responds in a tone of disbelief, “Zero, who is this guy?”

  Zero looks back at her, still perplexed but growing increasingly bored as the spell stalls in the air.

  “You’re hopeless,” Alana sighs, her ghostly hand rising to cover her face in exasperation. She looks around, trying to piece together the mess Zero is in.

  The man, lost in his overwhelming grief, starts crying, his voice breaking. “Mistress, I am Augustus Oleander. I’ve followed your teachings for years, studied your spells, tried to bring you back!”

  Alana’s form flickers as realization dawns upon her, and her disgust is palpable. “Oh, so you’re the fool who’s been sending me those faulty souls...” she mutters, her voice dripping with disdain. “And now, when you finally bring me a decent vessel, you try to kill him... you really are pathetic.”

  Her words cut through Augustus like a blade, and he falters, his heart shattering as she continues, crossing her ghostly arms in frustration.

  Zero watches the scene unfold, his expression flat and disinterested, as Augustus collapses into a broken heap of despair.

  Zero looks back at Augustus, who’s still on floor there in a stupor. Augustus realised his fault and failure in not being able to bring her a worthy body.

  The commotion doesn’t phase him, though he finds the emotional breakdown of Augustus amusing—he’s more focused on the magic surrounding him.

  He places a hand over the Book of Deluxe, and it reacts to him instantly. A soft glow emanates from it, almost as though it recognizes him as its new master. Zero looks down, his curiosity piqued and whispers a command.

  “Open.”

  The book, now in full compliance, opens effortlessly, displaying a diagram for staff summoning. Zero flips the pages, reading through the instructions as Alana and Augustus look on, dumbfounded by the ease with which the book obeys Zero.

  Alana, who had been watching with growing frustration, suddenly gasps. “The Book of Deluxe…!” she says, floating toward it with an almost desperate grace. Her attention shifts immediately from Augustus to the book, and her ethereal form hovers beside it as she wraps her spectral arms around it.

  “Maybe you’re not as pathetic as I thought, Augustus…” she muses, her voice dripping with the faintest trace of approval.

  Augustus stands there, utterly transfixed by the moment of praise. It’s a tiny sliver of validation in an ocean of failure, and it causes his heart to flutter. She acknowledged me… she said my name...

  Zero watches all of this with a mix of detachment and mild amusement. Augustus might be basking in his rare moment of validation, but it was clear to him that the situation was more about Alana and the book than anything else.

  Zero’s attention shifts back to the task at hand. “Book of Deluxe, Turn to staff summoning,” he says with authority.

  Alana looks shocked. “Did you complete soul resonance with it already?” she asks, incredulity in her voice. “You already resonated with it? How?”

  Zero simply shrugs and says nonchalantly, “No idea. I just felt the connection when I touched it, then a flash of light. Guess that’s it.”

  Alana shakes her ghostly head, confused by the situation. “Soul resonance is supposed to be difficult… especially with relics,” she mutters. “It only works when the two souls are compatible. Relics are picky—much more than beasts. You can tame beasts over time, but relics... they’re much harder to resonate with.”

  Zero nods, listening but clearly not really paying attention to the intricacies of the magic. His interest is still fixed on the staff that’s about to manifest before him.

  The Book flips to the correct page, displaying an intricate diagram of a summoning circle that Zero begins to follow. Blood was required, and Alana immediately instructs Augustus to draw it for her.

  But Zero interrupts her, saying coldly, “I already got it.”

  With a swift motion, Zero plunges the dagger into his own hand, the blade sinking deeply into his palm. The pain makes him sweat but his expression remains frozen. “So this is what pain feels like… interesting,” he mutters, unphased as he pulls the blade out and tosses it into a nearby bowl.

  Alana watches in shock. “What are you doing?” she asks, her eyes wide.

  Zero doesn’t even spare her a glance. “Won’t be doing that again,” he says dismissively, as though the act was nothing.

  Blood splatters everywhere as Zero swings his hand through the air with practiced precision. It’s chaotic and messy, yet the blood lands exactly where it needs to. The entire room is painted with it, including both Alana and Augustus. The diagram on the floor is now complete.

  Alana and Augustus stand stunned as Zero finishes the ritual. The Book of Deluxe hovers before him, glowing with power, and Zero slaps his bloody hand down onto the circle. A ripple of energy spreads out across the entire circle, and the glow turns violet.

  “Come to me, Staff of the Abyss. Staff of Deluxe!” Zero commands, his voice steady and commanding.

  A moment later, the staff appears, breaking through the ground with an overwhelming force. The impact cracks the stone beneath it as the immense weight of the relic causes the ground to tremble.

  Alana’s eyes narrow in disbelief. There’s no way he can lift it, she thinks, crossing her arms with a smug smile. This staff is made of the heaviest metal in existence. I was the only one who could wield it before.

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  But to her horror, Zero effortlessly swings the staff like it’s nothing, as if it were a baseball bat. “This staff is sick!” he exclaims, clearly enjoying the feeling of its power.

  Alana’s frustration boils over. “Don’t swing IT like that!” she snaps, her voice sharp. “IT doesn’t like it!”

  Zero, unfazed, tilts his head, still twirling the staff. “Why not? Seems fine to me.”

  She glares at him, her anger growing as she recalls past instances where she had wielded the staff herself. “When I swung it, you got angry and took it out on my castle!” she growls, clearly irked.

  Zero looks at her, genuinely confused. “What are you talking about?”

  Augustus watches the exchange, his jealousy growing. When I was with the book, it barely paid attention to me, he thinks bitterly. But Zero? It’s like he’s the center of its attention.

  He can’t help but ask, “How did you do that? How did you make it listen to you?”

  Zero glances at him and shrugs. “Soul resonance,” he says simply, not thinking much of it.

  Augustus, still trying to understand, presses on. “When I tried to resonate with the book, it never budged. It ignored me entirely.”

  Alana’s ghostly form stiffens slightly. “Soul resonance... with relics, it’s more about compatibility. It’s difficult. With beasts, you can build a connection over time, but relics—well, they have their own personalities. And some relics care more about moral qualities or higher soul quality than affinities. The book and the staff have a high standard for that…”

  She eyes Zero thoughtfully, her tone now reflecting some begrudging respect. “Your connection to Chaos... it’s so strong that it bypassed all that. Even high-tier affinities wouldn’t make relics react like this. They like you... which means your affinity with chaos is far above what I expected.”

  Zero listens to her explanation, his interest piqued. “I guess I got lucky,” he says with a shrug, not really understanding the full depth of what she’s describing.

  Alana crosses her arms, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice. “For example the book and the staff never really liked me because my affinity for Chaos is average. But it’s clearly drawn to you.”

  Augustus looks back and forth between them, realizing the gravity of the situation. “I am forever grateful for your enlightenment, Mistress Alana,” he says humbly, bowing his head.

  Alana, however, is already refocusing. “Now, let’s get down to business. We need to know the current state of world affairs.”

  Agustus still in a state of gratefulness says nothing…

  Alana rolls her eyes and lets out an exasperated sigh. “Agustus!”

  Augustus snaps out of his reverie. “RIGHT yes!, let’s go upstairs. This room is not in good shape anymore.”

  Zero watches the interaction with a quiet chuckle. So this is what laughter feels like… hehe.

  They all headed through the long cobblestone corridor, past the magic door teleporter, and upstairs to the living room. As they sat at the elongated dinner table, each of them found their place comfortably.

  “Zero, are you hungry?” Alana asked, glancing at him.

  “Yeah,” Zero replied, his expression unchanged as he felt his stomach—though, he wasn’t actually hungry. He just wanted to try some food and experience it.

  “Wait,” Alana suddenly said, her tone sharp. “How long have you been naked, Zero?”

  Zero paused, realizing with a slight shock that he indeed had no clothes on. Augustus noticed this as well, and they all looked at him, waiting for an answer.

  “Uh, yeah... I was wondering why I was so cold,” Zero muttered, rubbing the back of his head with an embarrassed chuckle.

  “Augustus, get this man some clothes right away,” Alana said, her voice laced with disappointment. “This fool...”

  Augustus didn’t waste a moment and quickly left without saying another word. Two minutes later, Zero received a new set of clothes.

  He stepped away to change into them, and when he returned, he was clad in a black cloak, black leather pants with boat, and a matching belt—everything concealed beneath the cloak.

  “It’s enchanted,” Augustus explained. “it will keep you warm no matter the weather and It will help you blend into the darkness and shadows.”

  “Feels great,” Zero said, clearly pleased with the outfit.

  “I’ll be back soon Augustus cook dinner” Alana added. “I’m going to explore the house for a while.”

  As Zero sat down to read the Book of Deluxe, experimenting with his mana, he was left alone with his thoughts.

  Minutes later, Augustus returned with food, setting it down on the table.

  “Mistress Alana, food is ready,” Augustus announced.

  Alana phased through the ceiling, landing gracefully in the room. “Mm, times have really changed. Everything is advanced now,” she mused, her eyes scanning the room. “This home is also very spacious, Augustus.”

  “I am grateful, Mistress. I’m glad you like it,” Augustus replied.

  Zero, who had put the book aside, looked up as Augustus set the plates down. He was intrigued, noticing Augustus using telekinesis to move the dishes, cutlery, napkins, and a teapot with two cups.

  “What are you doing?” Zero asked, his voice flat but with an intense focus as he watched the scene unfold.

  “Oh, this? Ha-ha. It’s called Telekinesis, but it’s a rather weak version. With it, I can move light objects at a short range,” Augustus explained casually.

  “Pretty useful, even at such a low level,” Zero remarked, still watching intently.

  Alana raised an eyebrow. “You’re a beginner mage?” she asked, scrutinizing Augustus with a critical gaze.

  “Yes, I am,” Augustus replied, his voice apologetic. “Sorry if this disappoints you, my lady. I can’t do much with my soul quality.”

  “A pathetic excuse,” Alana snapped. “Soul quality doesn’t matter. You can still train and improve. Even a low soul quality doesn’t completely limit you. It may make it harder, but it’s still 100% possible for someone with a weak soul to grow stronger.”

  Augustus trembled under Alana's glare, realizing he had been exposed for his laziness.

  “Pathetic...” she muttered, casting a dismissive glance at him.

  At that moment, the teapot, still suspended in the air, was suddenly yanked toward Zero as he raised his hand. Dark purple mana spiralled from his body, quickly overtaking the blue mana of Augustus.

  “AH!” Augustus gasped as he was pushed back by the sheer power of Zero’s magic. The teapot crackled with energy, now enveloped in dark mana.

  “How did you understand it so fast? Are you some kind of hidden genius with comprehension?” Augustus asked, awe in his voice.

  “I told you, I got it,” Zero replied coolly, pulling the teapot toward himself. “Mine now.”

  The teapot remained intact, despite the force used to wrest control from Augustus.

  Not only did he comprehend it fast, but he also twisted it with necrotic power—very interesting, Alana thought, intrigued by Zero’s abilities.

  “What are you going to call it?” she asked, eyes narrowing.

  “What?” Zero replied, his voice chillingly indifferent.

  “The move, obviously,” she said, clearly irritated by his lack of response.

  “Oh... right.” Zero thought for a moment, standing up with one foot on the chair and the other on the table. “I’ll call it ‘Dark Telekinesis!’”

  “Generic,” Alana said, her expression disappointed.

  “What? I thought it was perfect!” Zero said, his voice tinged with frustration.

  “I agree with Mistress,” Augustus added, shaking his head. “You just added ‘dark’ to telekinesis.”

  “Yeah, it’s pretty boring,” Alana agreed.

  Zero, taken aback by his poor naming skills, pondered further. Then, an idea struck him.

  “AH! This move will be called... ‘Grave Pull,’ aka Dark Telekinesis!”

  “Better,” Augustus said with approval.

  Alana nodded in agreement. “Back to the pressing matter.”

  Zero slowly sat down, focusing on the conversation ahead. Augustus did the same.

  “Augustus, inform me and Zero of the current state of world affairs, especially after my reign. And explain to Zero how this world works,” Alana ordered.

  “Uh... well, where do I start?” Augustus said, hesitant.

  “Well, since you don’t know, after your death, the whole world became peaceful. Races started to merge and mix with each other. There are no longer purely human settlements or orc villages. Everything is integrated now—elves’ forests are home to all kinds of races now. The result was the birth of five lands, each controlled by an empire, which consists of multiple factions holding a variety of ideals. These lands are classified by threat levels, which everyone is aware of. This rating is based on military might, the number of B-S rank individuals, and wealth. When a threat level reaches above A rank, it becomes a global superpower.”

  Augustus continued to explain the state of the world, his tone serious.

  “Number one is Kam, a global superpower. They’ve been preparing for war for years, training elite soldiers and developing mana-based weaponry. Their entire land is a stronghold, and their magical technology combined with military might makes them a force to be reckoned with.”

  “Number two is Sornerois, known as the merchant heaven. Unlike other lands focused on war, Sornerois dominates through economy, politics, and espionage. They produce the best enchanters, traders, and mercenaries. They are a threat level of A, not quite a superpower.”

  “Number three is Oreme, a land where only the righteous thrive. The strongest humanoid land, it boasts sword masters, paladins, divine mages, and archers. Their society is governed by the Seven Pillars of Order and the Inquisitors of the Divine Light, who hunt down heretics. This faction will definitely come after you, Zero, if they learn you are involved with Chaos as anybody or anything associated with chaos to them is seen as an abomination and must be destroyed there also rated SS rank there are bound to be your greatest enemy Zero.

  Zero, keeping a straight face, thought, Sounds fun.

  “There’s also Beasthome, rated SS rank. This is a land ruled by apex predators, not by humans or other two-legged races. I don’t know much about them but I know that there their political system is unlike any other, and they are also a global superpower.”

  “Then there’s Viscura, where we are now. It’s a small, independent land known as The Last Peaceful Land. It’s cut off from the world, with no political ties. Here, the people live in peace and freedom, and the threat level is B rated. Despite that, there are some powerful figures who live here. Alcon, the leader of Viscura, brought all these former adventurers and mercenaries together, and he’s highly revered. However, don’t attract too much attention here. There are a few old legends living among the people.”

  “I don’t know much about what’s going on in the rest of the world as Viscura is detached from everything so we littrally get no news but that works both ways if you know what am saying Zero” Augustus finished.

  Zero leaned forward. “Yeah, that works in our favor,” he said confidently.

  Alana was deep in thought, murmuring softly, “Yes…”

  Zero, paying no mind to her, spoke up again. “Can you explain two more things?”

  “Sure, what’s on your mind?” Augustus asked.

  “What’s the deal with soul qualities and ranks?”

  Augustus nodded and began explaining the soul system.

  Augustus nodded and began explaining the soul system.

  "Everyone is born with a distinct soul quality, and that quality determines their potential rank," Augustus started, his voice steady and informative. "It doesn’t limit you, just gives an estimate of where you're most likely to fall. Though it’s possible to rise above your estimated rank, it’s extremely difficult. The lowest is called a Fading Soul potential, which is E Rank. These are souls with little potential. They can’t hold much mana and struggle to improve, often found among peasants, common folk, and expendable warriors."

  Zero listened intently, his usual detached expression never wavering.

  "Then we have the Lesser Soul potential, D Rank. These people have weak talent and slow growth, though they can improve with effort. But it’s rare to see someone with this soul quality reach the highest ranks. These are typically foot soldiers and low-tier spellcasters." Augustus paused for a moment, ensuring Zero understood before moving on.

  "Next is the Stable Soul potential, C Rank. These are average individuals with a decent life expectancy and training potential. Most adventurers, knights, and regular mages would fall into this category."

  Zero's eyes narrowed slightly as he listened closely, his mind processing the information.

  “Then comes the Greater Soul potential, B Rank. These are individuals with natural talent, solid potential. You’ll find them among elite soldiers, skilled mages, and mid-ranking powerhouses."

  Alana’s voice chimed in. "You'd be in this category if you had a more standard soul quality," she added, teasing Zero lightly.

  Zero, however, remained focused on Augustus’ explanation.

  “After that, there’s the Mythic Soul potential, A Rank. People born with this quality are prodigies. They have massive mana and experience rapid growth. They’re often the strongest mages, warlords, or high-ranking combatants."

  Zero’s expression darkened slightly as he thought about the implications of all this. "And the highest? S-Rank?"

  "Ah, yes, the Divine Soul potential, S Rank." Augustus smiled, clearly enjoying Zero's curiosity. "This is a once-in-a-millennium talent. They have nearly limitless growth potential, found among saints, top-tier heroes, or legendary figures. They’re the ones who change the course of history."

  Zero tapped his fingers on the table, mulling over this information. “And... Abyssal Soul?” he asked, his tone casual but sharp.

  “Ah, the Abyssal Soul...” Augustus’ smile faded slightly as he seemed to reflect. “There is no one in this era who has been born with an Abyssal Soul. It's something... beyond even Divine Souls. The soul itself is so vast and overwhelming that it defies logic. No one really knows what it truly means.”

  Zero’s interest piqued further. “So... how does my soul rank?”

  Alana, who had been quiet until now, sighed and shook her head. "No idea. I've tried countless times to read your soul, Zero. But there’s something... distorted about it. Every time I get close to the heart of it, it feels like something ejects me out."

  “Distorted?” Zero raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "How so?"

  "It’s like there’s a massive block in the depths of your soul," she explained. "I can't get through it. It's... unsettling. Something is blocking me from seeing it clearly."

  Zero leaned back in his chair, clearly unconcerned. "Mmmm. Whatever. Go on about the ranks, Augustus."

  “Ah, right!” Augustus straightened himself, continuing enthusiastically. “Ranks go from F to S. F being the lowest, terrible rank, and S being the highest, the ultimate. But really, it's just a basic classification system. People with higher ranks can expect better opportunities in life. Those born with higher-ranked souls are naturally stronger, more capable of holding mana, and able to grow faster. But even someone with an E-Rank soul can still become strong through sheer effort. It’s just harder.”

  Zero nodded slowly, absorbing the information.

  “But—what about Chaos magic?” Zero asked, his voice cutting through the conversation. “Tell me about that.”

  As soon as Zero said the word "Chaos," Alana’s eyes seemed to light up. She had been waiting for him to ask, though she hesitated slightly before answering.

  “Chaos magic doesn’t follow traditional laws like elemental magic or any other basic form of magic,” she began. “It’s the manipulation of entropy, disorder, and raw destruction. The principle behind Chaos is to bend the laws of reality—to create and destroy, with an emphasis on unpredictability and change. What makes it so dangerous is that it doesn’t behave consistently. It’s wild, and that’s why Chaos magicians tend to dominate in battles, especially in duels or one-on-one combat. It’s incredibly hard to predict and counter.”

  Zero listened intently, his expression growing more serious with each word.

  “And you want me to learn this...?” Zero asked, intrigued but wary.

  “I want you to embrace it. It’s not something that can be controlled easily, but you’ll have to master it if you want to turn this world upside down, like I did,” Alana replied. Her eyes glinted with a mix of pride and a hint of madness. “Chaos is the most powerful force at your disposal. It will allow you to reshape everything.”

  "Chaos..." Zero muttered to himself, tasting the word as if testing it on his tongue. "Interesting."

  Augustus spoke again, this time with a somber tone. “But be warned, Chaos is forbidden and despised. Most of the world sees it as unnatural and dangerous. They fear it. Even I, with my low affinity, can barely use it.”

  “Wait,” Zero interrupted, eyeing Augustus. “You can use Chaos magic?”

  “I can,” Augustus said, a touch of bitterness creeping into his voice. “But only in small amounts. I’ve never been able to master it, not like you can.”

  “So, it’s about affinity?” Zero asked, piecing things together.

  Alana nodded. “Exactly. It’s the same as elemental magic. Affinity determines how well you can use certain powers. For example, someone with a high fire affinity can become a fire mage, manipulating fire at will. Someone with a low affinity, though, would be limited. Same with Chaos but the catch is if you don’t have affinity to it you can’t use.

  Adding on I only had an mid-tier affinity towards it but with that I was able to make two weaker versions which I could use to the fullest extent one being Necromancy which is the act of raising the dead which you will be using and no matter affinity level you need to feel your affinity first to reach your full potential of it, then mastering is completely based on your affinity

  “Feel?” zero asked bewildered

  Alana says reassuringly “Don’t worry you will understand when time comes either way you will need undead to fight and support you”

  “How about the second? “

  “The second is called corruption but its not important nor do you need at this moment so until that time comes focus on necromancy and the other dark forbidden spells in that book. Which am sure you have already become acquainted with” she says knowingly.

  Zero gave a sharp nod. “So where do I start?

  Alana smiled, sensing the shift in Zero’s resolve “well we need a village for you to raid first of all”

  Augustus spoke up at that moment, as if eager to provide a direction. “Actually, there’s a village I know of. near a junkyard I visited Arceus should know the way.”

  Alana happily said “lets head outside“

  Zero’s aura shifted to something distinctly malicious, though no one in the room noticed. He was already scheming, his next move cloaked in secrecy, but it was clear he was preparing for something far more than just the village raid.

  Then went outside

  Zero now stood, clad in his new gear. His book latched onto his side without a holder, and his staff clung to his back as if magnetized. As long as he emitted mana, they remained fixed in place.

  Arceus neighed wildly upon seeing Zero, thrashing as if sensing something was wrong. Augustus struggled to calm him, gripping the reins tightly.

  "Whoa, boy! Easy now—it's alright, he's a friend!"

  Even as the horse stilled, his eyes never left Zero, steam flaring from his nostrils like a war beast on edge.

  Zero merely smirked, stepping onto the horse’s back without a word. As Augustus climbed up, he barely had time to settle before Arceus bolted forward at full speed.

  "Arceus! Slow down—I wasn't even on properly yet!" Augustus protested, gripping the reins tighter.

  Zero placed his hands casually around Augustus’s waist, but Arceus only ran faster.

  They rode through open fields, the ground breaking harder beneath Arceus’s hooves than usual. Augustus frowned, sensing his mount’s distress.

  “Arceus, don’t be stupid,” he muttered, tuning out the horse’s panic.

  Now lost in thought, Augustus muttered under his breath, barely above a whisper. "Mistress Alana… whether you're listening or not, I've spent years trying to bring you back. And now that I finally have, I beg you—grant me power."

  A soft chuckle filled the air. Alana materialized beside him, floating effortlessly. She took one look at him and burst into laughter, pointing at Zero with a mocking smirk.

  "Oh, Augustus, that's adorable." She wiped a nonexistent tear from her eye. "But I'm afraid that choice isn’t mine anymore." She gestured dramatically toward Zero, her other hand covering her mouth as she giggled. "He's the one with power now. Not me. Hohoho~"

  Augustus stiffened, his grip on the reins tightening.

  Zero, unfazed, spoke firmly. "We can talk about your desires later. First, we get there."

  A familiar voice echoed in Zero’s mind—Alana, now visible only to him.

  Even with your necromancer abilities and the few tricks you picked up from Augustus, you’re still just one man. You’ll need an army or at least a handful of strong summons to take down a village. You’re a mage, a necromancer—you shouldn’t be on the front lines. What’s your plan?

  Zero grinned, his purple irises glowing ominously as an unsettling aura radiated from his body.

  I have an idea.

  Minutes later, Arceus neighed sharply—a signal that they were close. The clouds overhead swelled, casting a shadow over the landscape.

  "We’re almost there," Augustus said, pointing ahead. "Just beyond that forest."

  “Stop for a moment.”

  “…Why?”

  “Just do it.”

  Augustus sighed. "Alright, alright. Arceus, hold up!"

  The horse skidded to a halt, its hooves digging deep tracks into the earth.

  As they dismounted, Augustus grabbed a water pouch from an unseen pocket inside his coat, taking a slow drink. Arceus stood tall, staring ahead with an almost regal presence.

  Zero, standing behind Augustus, remained silent.

  “What is it?” Augustus asked, wiping his mouth.

  Zero’s expression darkened. A malicious aura leaked from him as he slowly raised his hand. Augustus barely had time to react before he felt it—an overwhelming wave of killing intent.

  Arceus sensed it first, rearing up with a furious neigh and lunging at Zero. But Zero moved effortlessly, sidestepping and releasing a bolt of withering mana point-blank into the beast’s chest. The deep purple energy struck, and Arceus let out an agonized screech before collapsing to the ground.

  Augustus’ eyes widened in horror.

  "WHAT—ARC—!" He reached for his mana, preparing to strike—

  But Zero’s right hand flicked through the air. "Grave Pull."

  A sickening crack echoed as Augustus’ arm twisted unnaturally, yanked out of its socket.

  "AAAAAGH!" He collapsed to his knees, clutching his useless limb, eyes filled with pain and disbelief.

  Zero loomed over him, grinning wider, his expression dripping with sadistic amusement.

  Augustus gritted his teeth, sweat dripping down his face. “You… monster…” he spat.

  "Ah?" Zero leaned in closer, pressing his boot against Augustus’ dislocated shoulder. "What was that? I couldn’t hear you."

  Augustus trembled, his head bowed. “…I said… you’re a monster…”

  Zero’s grin widened. "Not loud enough! Haha!"

  "—I SAID YOU’RE A MONSTER!"

  Zero cackled. "Hahaha! I am the monster? And what about you? Were you not killing people for your so-called noble cause?"

  "You wouldn’t understand, you delinquent! Alana is everyth—”

  Zero’s foot pressed harder, cutting him off with a sharp cry of pain.

  “Either way, I don’t care,” Zero said flatly. “What I do care about… are my needs and wants." His voice dropped, menacing. "And right now? You’re nothing but useless fodder. Trash that’s long overdue for recycling.”

  Augustus, head still lowered, swallowed hard.

  Zero knelt beside him, gripping his chin and forcing their gazes to meet. His eyes gleamed with twisted delight.

  "You do understand what I’m saying, don’t you?"

  Augustus clenched his jaw, rage boiling beneath his skin.

  Zero sneered. "Why the face? Didn’t you say you wanted power? Am I wrong?"

  Augustus refused to answer, his entire body trembling with fury.

  Zero’s voice turned cold. “Then become my soldier. Serve only me.”

  Augustus’ grudge-filled glare met Zero’s unfeeling, crazed smile.

  He spit blood in Zero’s face. "Go to Order, you sick delinquent!"

  But the blood never touched him. A shadowy barrier flickered, disintegrating it before impact.

  Zero sighed in disappointment

  "A barrier? I didn’t even show you that one yet." Augustus’ eyes widened in realization.

  “You… you used it earlier…” zero says confidently

  Augustus only activated it for a second… How did he master it so fast?

  Alana’s voice echoed again. He’s evolving. And fast.

  Zero shook his head. “I tried to make this an easy conversation, but no—you had to make it difficult.”

  He stood, stepping away. Raising his right hand, a deep purple energy swirled at his fingertips.

  Augustus tensed, trying to move—

  But his body refused to respond.

  "Wha…? My body… I can’t—!" His vision blurred. "My mana… where—?!"

  Zero chuckled. "Oh, by the way. I’ve been draining your soul this whole time." He rolled his shoulders lazily, the withering bolt still charging in his palm. "Since we got on the horse, I’ve been siphoning it in tiny amounts—so small, you never noticed. It was easy."

  He smirked, stretching one arm behind his head.

  Arceus was right.

  I’m… finished… Augustus realized, a hollow acceptance settling over him.

  "Sorry… my mistress… Alana… I am no longer… worthy to be your servant."

  Zero fired.

  The necrotic energy consumed Augustus instantly, decaying flesh and cloth, leaving only a perfect skeleton behind.

  "He should’ve listened to the horse," Alana commented, as she flew out of zeros chest surveying the scene from above

  Arceus, lifeless body bore a gaping hole through its chest besides agustus skeleton as zero used dark telekinesis them side by side on the grass

  Zero clapped his hands together. "Alright, time to bring them back."

  The Book of Delux floated from his side, pulsing with violet energy.

  “Souls of the Abyss, heed my call. Rise, walk among the living once more… and serve me eternally.”

  Mana swirled around Augustus’ remains. His skeleton trembled, absorbing the energy. A black cloak of shadows coiled around him, his eye sockets igniting with eerie blue flames.

  "A mage skeleton still carries the weaknesses of a common bonewalker," Alana explained. "Undead mages can only use warlock magic, with some exceptions. Since he was previously an F-rank, he should still remember F-rank warlock spells. But you’ll need to provide him a proper grimoire."

  Zero smirked. "Book of Deluxe, if you may."

  Nothing happened.

  Zero rolled his eyes and rephrased. "Give him a copy of warlock magic."

  The book glowed violet before splitting off a smaller, reddish tome, which floated toward Augustus. The skeleton rattled its jaw in what seemed like appreciation.

  No, before you ask," Alana interjected, "undead below B-rank can’t talk. At earliest, it's B-rank, at latest, A-rank."

  Zero nodded in understanding.

  Arceus awoke moments later—now a fully reinforced bone steed. His crimson-purple eyes burned, his black mane flowing wildly in the wind.

  Zero grinned as he gloried at this mighty steed

  Alana smirked. Show me what else you’ve got, Zero.

  Zero leapt onto his new steed, laughing as Augustus followed suit on the back of the horse.

  "TO THE VILLAGE!" he roared, galloping into the darkness ahead.