Published at 22nd of December 2020 02:10:49 PM

243 Aros Second Evolution

Aro looks quite tired, so Ill take a break nearby. In her last evolution, she went from a [Wight] to a [Skull Lowmage]. To be honest, my impression all that happened was that she went from being a skeleton to being a skeleton thats good at magic.

It would be great if she could become closer to a human though If she were to become a [Skull Mage] and then a [Skull Highmage], it would be all too sad. If only I knew something to help As Im wondering, an idea springs to mind. [Laplace Interference Authority]. That mysterious title skill.

When that skill was arbitrarily forced on me, I was presented with a choice of a fork in the future. To be honest, I dont want to rely on it. I know Gods Voice is a bitch, so theres got some sort of downside. Besides, Ive got no way to know how credible its prediction really is. That idiot hero had the same skill as me, and it didnt look like he thought he had even the slightest chance of losing. Overall, I havent once obeyed its predictions.

But, however, I could really do with the information. I know itd be coming from a dubious source. I know that but I cant help but ask. Hey, Gods Voice, Can Aro return to being human?

As soon as I ask a buzzing noise reverberates in my head. It sounds like something from my past life, an artificial sound. Accompanying it, I feel extreme discomfort and a slight dizziness.

Gaa?

My partner turns her eyes towards the staggering me. I pull myself together, pretending nothings wrong.

Due to a lack of access to necessary private data, a highly credible calculation was impossible.

Inside my head, a formal voice reverberates. A lack of access? Data? What? Whats it on about? Am I being treated differently because theres something private I dont have access to?

In addition, because you are not recognised as possessing the necessary authority, disclosure is impossible.

After the second message from Gods Voice finishes reverberating in my head, it cuts off Is it just going to act all important, but not tell me anything useful? I guess my [Laplace Interference Authority] is only level 2. At a higher level it might tell me more.

I shake my head, clearing away the remaining discomfort. How stupid. Enough, Ill leave it here. Rather than helping me, I get the feeling it would only sabotage me anyway.

While Im looking at Aro, my partner starts moving her head excitedly.

Gaah! Gaah!

It seems she wants to cook and eat the pig. Just as Im getting up to blow on it with [Scorching Breath], I hear the sound of bones clattering. It seems Aro got up at the exact same time.

My partner silently stares at her. Aro seems to understand her and sits back down as if nothing had happened.

Gaah! Gaah!

Having confirmed that Aro sat back down, she goes back to harrying me. For the time being, Ill have her eat a headbut.

Agah!

Cant you wait just a minute for your food? You made Aro get overly considerate of you. Her evolution should be what comes first

I shift my line of sight from my sulking partner to Aro. Shes sitting back down, unmoving. She really does look as if shed said ah~ Im exhausted~, with her arms and legs sprayed out like that Probably, this isnt going to end until my partner has had her food. Really, what are you going to do for making Aro worry like that?

I look back at my partner. She indicates the pig with her chin. Th-this girl Show some remorse, seriously.

Same as last time, [Soul AppendmentFake Life] was indispensable for getting Aro up to the evolution boundary. I cant afford to displease her that much. Giving up, I approach the black pig.

Reducing back the size and power, I breath out a [Scorching Breath]. The pig, as well as the grass around it heat up. The grass blackens and crumbles to ash. Vapour rises off the pig. The smell of cooked meat enters my nostrils, and I involuntarily start sniffing.

Hey, partner. Would you be okay with letting me have a tiny bit?

She bites its belly, picking it up then drops it into her mouth. I hear the sound of her chewing, then she spits out a piece of its skull.

As shes removing some of the meat that got stuck between her teeth, she looks at me and tilts her head as if to askdid you say something?. Th-this girl Well, this should have improved her mood, at least.

Having made sure that the meal had finished, Aro slowly stands up. Knowing what I want her to do, my partner stretches her head out.

Gaah

With her cry, black light envelops Aro. She used [Soul AppendmentFake Life] straight away. With this, Aro can evolve.

Theres a sound of sizzling, like something is burning. I-is this okay? Shouldnt I do something to help her?

a

I thought I heard a hoarse voice coming from inside the light. Aros all bone, so she shouldnt be able to produce a voice. Along with my partner, I carefully observe the black light.

When the light fades away, inside theres something that looks like a human. Her heights about the same, and shes wearing the worn out Lithovar clothes, so I know its Aro right away.

Her loose hair is covering her eyes. Her hairs dry, looking like it has no moisture at all. The bit of her face I can see peeking out is almost the exact same colour as the earth around her, as are her arms and legs. Her skin looks like it could collapse at the slightest touch.

Shes not just bone, but also flesh. Rather than dead flesh, its got a feeling of being closer to earth.

She touches her hair, then holds her hands out in front of her face. She becomes certain as she stares at her hands. For a human, it would be a bit of a shock to have that body. But shes definitely closer to being a human all the same.

She opens and closes her mouth. She cant quite get her voice to work it seems. Ill check her status.

Name: Aro

Species: Revaana Mage

Condition: Cursed

Visit readel.me for extra chapters.

Characteristic Skills:

[Grisha Language: Lv1] [Undead: Lv-] [Dark Attribute: Lv-] [Flesh Transformation: Lv4]

Resistance Skills:

[Status Condition Nullification: Lv-] [Physical Resistance: Lv3] [Magic Resistance: Lv2]

Normal Skills:

[Gale: Lv4] [Death Curse: Lv3] [Life Drain: Lv2] [Clay: Lv5] [Self-Regeneration: Lv1] [Clay Doll: LV3]

Title Skills:

[Servant of the Evil Dragon: Lv-]

Her skill levels have gone up a lot. Whats new is One more characteristic skill and two more normal skills. I can guess what [Self-Regeneration] does, but [Clay Doll] and [Flesh Transformation] sound awfully disturbing.

Ill take a look at her species too.

[Revaana Mage]: D-rank monster

Among the [Revaana], it is the most capable of wielding magic.

As it has the ability to increase its allies, it is imperative to kill on sight without letting it escape.

K-kill on sight, huh. Shes already dead though. I definitely cant let her be seen by humans though. Thats always been the case, but now if theres an eyewitness report, they wont stop until they find her dead body.

Im curious what a [Revaana] is. Ill take a look at it too.

[Revaana]: D-rank monster

An undead monster which uses magic to shape earth into its flesh.

It is easy for individuals that strongly admire the bodies of the living to evolve into it.

I see. I thought it looked like earth, but thats because it was.

But strongly admire the bodies of the living? Ive done something cruel, havent I?

No, its a bit late for that. I knew so from the start. I hate myself for having my partner use [Soul AppendmentFake Life] just to see what would happen with such casual feelings.

Thats exactly why I want to attone by helping Aro return to being human. I know all too well the feelings of hopelessness that come with being transformed into a monster before you know whats happening. Saying it like that, I know its just my own self-conceit.

Although its a step closer to being a human, this evolution is also troublesome in a sense. If we mess up, she could end up in conflict with the Lithovar tribe.

Noticing my reaction, Aro tilts her head nervously. A bit of earth falls from her head.

Itll be okay, Aro. Ill protect you for sure.