Breathe in, breathe out.

  Eri meditated in his guest room, alone save for Elen watching silently in a corner.

  He frowned as he felt the phantom sensation of a heavy weight settle in his chest. It was a feeling both familiar and uneasy.

  His Goddess Core.

  A second heart, an engine of arcane might. It was similar to the Core he once possessed as a Demon King, but this one…

  This Core, given by the Goddess… It was hungry. It lusted for demonic blood and death, such that it could grow and feast ever more.

  But Eri would not deny its power. Even if it was only a Copper Core, it was still a magical engine capable of utilising mana and manifesting Artes.

  And now… He was about to improve it.

  [Investing Heroism Points into Core…]

  /-/

  Copper Core

  Mana Capacity: 20/20

  Heroism Points: 25801

  Villainy Points: 1207808

  Core Progression (Copper to Bronze; Complete): 5000/5000 Points

  Core Corruption: Stage 1 (87%)

  /-/

  [Core ready for upgrade. Advance to Bronze? Y/N?]

  [Y/N]

  A surge of power. Eri felt his body shift and change as mana bloomed within him. The energies condensed and crystallised in his soul, wrapping around the Goddess Core and adding a new layer to the orb.

  The process barely lasted a minute.

  [Core Upgrade complete; Bronze Core obtained!]

  [Minimum Level raised to Lvl 41]

  [Maximum Level raised to Lvl60]

  [Perks Slot +1, Key Skills +1]

  [Attribute Points on Level Up increase from +5 to +8]

  [Mana Capacity increased from 20 to 50]

  [Rookie Rogue Eri promoted to Heroic Level 41 Pyrefang Saboteur!]

  [Excess XP detected; Current Lvl raised to Lvl44]

  “I can’t believe it, you really can just upgrade your Goddess Core at will,” Elen huffed in disbelief. “Every year, you just keep inventing new heresies that would send the Church into a frenzy.”

  Elen once told him that Cores were only ever upgraded on Tribulation Days. She had never once heard of anyone ascending their Core of their own volition. Such an act was thought to be solely the Goddess’s domain.

  It would be suspicious if Eri simply upgraded his Core openly for all to see, so he and Elen made the excuse that his Tribulation Day was approaching, and they wanted a private room to celebrate.

  It was a common practice for many; having nothing happen on Tribulation Day was considered a good sign (because the alternative was getting smited and dying), so it was usually cause for a few drinks or a good meal.

  “Interesting. The System levelled me up a few times because I overloaded on XP. Probably from that rescue sidequest while I was already at max level,” Eri mused. “I didn’t think it would be so generous.”

  “You nearly died from that stupid mission. I would be pissed on your behalf if you lose out on the rewards because of some arbitrary power limit,” Elen chuckled. “So, which new Skill are you mastering this time?”

  “Medicine, maybe. Kalisa has given me some ideas on how I can use such knowledge beyond healing,” Eri hummed. “I was thinking I could try my hand at poison.”

  “You say the creepiest things sometimes,” Elen complained. “Well, can’t be worse than when you picked ‘Demolition’ last time and started blowing things up.”

  Eri smiled. He then decided to check on his Perks.

  /-/

  Perks (3/3)

  False Memories of a Demon King (Rank 1)

  Goddess Blessing (Rank 1)

  Voice of the Skyfather (Rank 1)

  /-/

  With his new Bronze Core, the number of available Perk Slots had risen to three — just in time to fit in his newly-acquired Perk.

  Previously, when he gained his Copper Core, the System had automatically given him a new Perk: Goddess Blessing. It was not anything as substantial as his first Perk, though it was undeniably useful.

  Voice of the Skyfather was a Boss Reward… maybe? Eri still hadn’t figured out what triggered him to receive the Perk, nor had he tested it out yet.

  He reread the description for them both.

  /-/

  Perk: Goddess Blessing (Rank 1)

  Rank 1: The Killing Tithe

  Effects: Gain a Tithe of 100 Balance Kills annually, owed on the same day each year as you received this Perk. Success in paying the Tithe will grant a +10% bonus to all XP and Skill gain for the rest of the year. Failure will result in a Smiting.

  The Heavens demand devotion. Meet their expectations, or perish for your slovenly faithlessness.

  That being said… There is endearment to be found in a rebellious nature as well.

  -

  Perk: Voice of the Skyfather (Rank 1)

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  Rank 1: The Giant’s Gaze

  Effects: Grants the Skill ‘Sky Giants Arts’ at Adept Proficiency. Proficiency cannot be raised.

  The Old Gods of the Mountains look upon you. Though their magic is scant across the modern age, their power cannot be denied.

  Prove your unwavering valour, and they might give you access to more of their secret Artes.

  /-/

  Useful boons, both of them. Neither compared to ‘False Memories of a Demon King’, but the description seemed to imply it was possible to improve the effects should he display certain characteristics.

  “You mentioned previously you might be able to use Elder magic now — a reward for slaying Gunther,” the woman said offhandedly. “People would kill to have your power under their disposal, especially once they realise you can steal it from the corpses of your enemies.”

  “I don’t think that’s how the Perk Mechanic works,” Eri murmured. “Besides, Lord Draevan doesn’t know I can do that yet,”

  “My point exactly. He’s nice to you now, but the longer we stay with him, the more your incredible value is made clear,” Elen sighed. “He has barely seen the full scope of your abilities yet, and he already seeks to entrap you in his dying House. Even if you keep your origins a secret, what do you think will happen once he learns of your other abilities, like your System Shop, your spatial inventory, or your omniscient Skills?”

  “They are hardly omniscient—”

  “Eri, you can magically learn secret schools of magic overnight simply because your System decides to reward you with them. You know how to build explosives more potent and compact than any I’ve ever seen. You have so much forbidden and esoteric knowledge at your disposal that any faction on the continent would be dying to get their hands on you. And you’re still twelve. How much more valuable will you become in another decade, or even just another year?”

  Eri was quiet.

  Elen shook her head. “Think this through clearly before you commit yourself to them. I know the nobility; cunning snakes, all of them. They will use you and toss you aside once your convenience runs dry.”

  “... I don’t think Lord Draevan is like that,” Eri said quietly. “When I look at him, he doesn’t seem cunning or like a snake at all. He’s just very tired. The man doesn’t deserve all these problems; He looks like he’s about to give up.”

  Just like Dulcina that day — her eyes dead and hopeless.

  Elen’s gaze softened. “We still have a few weeks before we need to answer. Until then, we will continue to get the measure of the man. If I sense anything off, you will come with me, no questions asked. Understand?”

  “I understand.” Eri nodded. “I trust you.”

  In the end, perhaps it was better for Elen to make the decision for him.

  ~~~

  “I congratulate you on your progress; your Bronze Core seems strong.”

  Dulcina’s praise distracted him from her rapier thrust, nearly causing him to miss the parry.

  “Thank you,” Eri politely replied as he backed away and adjusted his stance, chiding himself for being distracted.

  Though, to be fair, he found many things distracting about his opponent.

  Eri purged himself of such further thoughts and charged, daggers flashing as they deflected Dulcina’s snaking strike and slashed three times — once each against her thigh, flank, and underarm.

  The wooden dagger did no damage, but the point was clear: all three were fatal blows, and she would be dead and bleeding were this a real battle.

  Dulcina sighed, dejected. “Another loss. I thought that at least my greater height and reach would give me an advantage. Alas, you have defeated me each time effortlessly.”

  “I have a Bronze Core, while yours is Copper. The outcome is nothing to be ashamed of,” Eri assured her. “If anything, for being able to keep up with me, you are already far stronger than your Core rank suggests.”

  Eri’s words were not meant to comfort; they were his honest assessment. Dulcina was exceedingly gifted for her age and rank. Most people didn’t take the Goddess Trial until they were eighteen years old, yet Dulcina took hers when she was fourteen.

  Her skill with a rapier or duelling sabre was exceptional. Eri would easily rank her as the strongest Copper Chosen he had seen thus far. Fighting her without the use of Artes was challenging, and his victory each round was not as easy as she implied it to be.

  Even Elen had nothing but praise for her martial capabilities, though the matron’s words on the noblewoman’s character left much to be desired.

  “She’s trying to seduce you, idiot,” Elen had said, much to Eri’s embarrassment. “Not sure if she’s doing this on her Father’s orders or for herself, but either way, don’t be fooled. The girl is intelligent beyond her youth, and desperate to regain control over her life — just having a Core at her age is enough evidence of that. She alone has seen your full power. It’s clear she wants it for herself, and she knows how to get it from you.”

  Eri wanted to disagree with Elen’s assessment, but he was also wise enough to understand that when it came to social cues, he was better off tossing aside his own opinion and listening to Elen’s.

  Charisma’s still in the single digits… Maybe min-maxing was a bad idea.

  The girl tugged at her collar, looking away as she retied her loose silver hair into a ponytail. Dressed in nothing more than a white fencing shirt and dark, close-fitted trousers with scuffed boots, the simple motions were somehow enough to draw his attention.

  The fact that she was facing away made it almost like an invitation for him to look. Eri forced his gaze to the ground instead.

  Dulcina was four years older than he was, and undoubtedly lovely. But he wasn’t interested in pursuing that sort of thing, especially when it felt as if her attention was the byproduct of some misplaced debt to him for saving her before.

  Eri still remembered her grief and pain — how she was able to transform it to rage and strength — before it gave way to silent despair once the fight was over.

  And so he recognised the truth in Elen’s word — that Dulcina’s attention on him was not entirely a selfless or noble thing.

  It was probably best for him to avoid her.

  “Why do you look so sullen?” Dulcina’s voice reached him.

  He looked up, then flinched away when he found her too close, leaning down with her hands on her knees and her lovely pale eyes intensely focused on his face.

  In his haste to move away, he slipped and fell clumsily to the dirt. She laughed at his reaction and took a step back. “Sorry. I startled you.”

  “It’s fine,” he muttered as he sat up, cheeks heating and heart racing. “I… I was just thinking of your father’s proposal.”

  Dulcina hummed. “I would not mind a younger brother. I was always the youngest in my family; a change would be nice.”

  Eri did not know what to say to that. Naturally, Dulcina noticed his unease.

  “Does the thought of me being your older sister unappeal to you that much?” she asked lightly. “Or are you perhaps hoping for our relationship to develop in a less… familial manner?”

  Eri blushed heavily. It took a while for him to speak. “You are certainly blunt.”

  “I find myself with little care for wordplay these days,” she answered easily. “If these matters bother you, you should know that eventual marital ties between fostered children are not as uncommon or scandalous among the nobility. In fact, depending on the situation, families may even encourage such relationships to develop during fosterage.”

  Eri struggled to find the words. Eventually, he simply sighed and asked, “Why?”

  Dulcina looked at him questioningly. “Why what?”

  “Why are you willing to go so far to tie me to House Elathion?” Eri clarified, even though he already knew Dulcina understood his meaning. “I can’t save your House from ruin, you know. I may even become its downfall. After all, you… You should already have an inkling of what I am.”

  Dulcina was silent. She seemed to ponder her following words carefully, her gaze locked to Eri’s.

  The boy did not look away.

  Eventually, she walked over. The girl knelt before him and gently reached for his hand.

  “Do you still remember the promise we made, right before you fought Gunther on my behalf?” she murmured.

  Eri mutely nodded.

  “I did not lie when I said this before: If you fight for me, I will give you everything that I have; everything that I am,” Dulcina quietly continued. “I wish to know all of you — even the parts you deem unsavoury or vulgar. And I will never betray that precious trust you gave me, when you chose to risk your secret just so you could fulfil my plea.”

  “If you wish… If it would buy even a fraction of your ease…” Dulcina’s voice softened further, her grip tightening on his hand. “I am even willing to have my memories of that fight erased, so that your secret is kept. I will do this for you, even if you wish to break ties with House Elathion forever. I will ask nothing in return. All you have to do is ask, and I shall shape myself in the manner of your desire.”

  Eri jerked away from Dulcina and stood up.

  “I have to go,” the boy said, disgust and horror muted in his tone as he briskly walked away, trying not to run.

  Dulcina watched him go without a word, her pale eyes never leaving him.

  The false light in her gaze disappeared, leaving only a dead thing behind.

  [Bond Level raised! (Bond 2 Reached)]