Chapter 33: Upgrades people, Upgrades!
Van Dijk's grin remained unwavering as Ludwig's body twisted under the effects of the Nephilium. The liquid coursed through the carved channels in his bones, glowing faintly as it worked its way deeper into his skeletal frame. The vibrations were almost unbearable, the silver substance making Ludwig's very essence feel malleable, as if he were about to crumble into dust.
"Though the blood of angels is fatal to undead, the blood of fallen angels carries a... different property," Van Dijk said, his voice steady, even as Ludwig's body convulsed violently. "It's still highly toxic to creatures like you. But toxic doesn't mean fatal. It means transformative."
Ludwig wanted to respond, to curse, to tell Van Dijk to go to hell—but the sheer pain rendered him silent. His skeletal body spasmed uncontrollably, his mind teetering on the brink of madness. The silver liquid seeped into every groove, every crevice, spreading an unnatural warmth that made his entire form feel as though it was both melting and solidifying at once.
"Ah, I see that look," Van Dijk continued, his tone almost conversational as he observed Ludwig's agony. "You're wondering why this hasn't been done before, aren't you? The answer is simple, my dear apprentice—no one survives it. Trolls, ogres, werewolves, even chimeras... all of them succumb to the process. Not even their famed regenerative properties can handle the transformation."
He leaned in closer, his grin now almost predatory. "But you're different. You're already dead. No pain, no matter how intense, will kill you. And unlike most undead, you're not some mindless husk. Your mind remains intact, able to withstand the effects of the Nephilium."
Ludwig's body bucked violently, his skull slamming against the marble table. His eye sockets dimmed momentarily, flickering like a candle in a strong wind. Van Dijk seemed unfazed, stepping back slightly to observe the silver liquid as it began to solidify within the carved channels.
"You're probably curious about the history of this material," Van Dijk said, pacing slightly. "Its first name, long before it became known as Nephilium, was Deli-rium. Fitting, isn't it? They called it that because anyone who came into contact with it lost their minds. Even the strongest necromancers couldn't control the undead they subjected to it—they'd go feral, maddened by the process."
He gestured toward Ludwig's trembling form. "But you? Look at you. Still conscious, still aware. A little worse for wear, perhaps, but certainly not feral. That's why you're perfect for this."
As the liquid began to stabilize, Ludwig felt the pain recede slightly. His bones stopped convulsing, the vibrations slowing to a halt. The glowing channels dimmed, settling into a faint, steady light. Van Dijk reached for a small, gleaming object on his desk—a jewel-shaped blue mana stone.
"This," he said, holding it aloft, "is your key to the next step."
He approached Ludwig's head, carefully fitting the stone into the carved hole in his forehead. The fit was seamless, as though the stone had been made for him. The moment it clicked into place, Ludwig's entire body pulsed with energy. A low hum filled the room as the silver circuits in his bones lit up once more, brighter this time, radiating power.
The pain was gone, replaced by an overwhelming sensation of... potential. Ludwig could feel it—mana coursing through his body like a river, flowing through the intricate pathways etched into his skeleton. It was unlike anything he'd felt before, raw and unrestrained.
Van Dijk stepped back, admiring his work. "Congratulations, Ludwig. You've survived. Few can claim that honor."
A series of notifications flashed in Ludwig's mind, their words crisp and clear:
***
[Congratulations!]
You have successfully survived Van Dijk's Experiment.
The Substat [Intelligence] has been Upgraded to [Wisdom]
The Substat [Charisma] has been added to your Substats.
[Charisma] increases your personal appeal to others. And also increases your ability to lead. The angel's blood in you has increased your charisma stat by a base of 20.
Charisma can also enhance the speed in which the flow of mana goes through the pathways of the carved Nephilium Circuit.
[Wisdom] Increases the capacity of your mana and the potency of all magic-related abilities. (it does not increase your mental wisdom, however.)
You have Gained [Blessed Body]
[Blessed Body]: Permanent Passive.
Effects: you are now able to grow your magic power infinitely. The limitations of your mana pool have been lifted.
If you wish to turn to a mage-type undead, you no longer need to create a [Life Vassal]
If you wish to proceed following the mage path, you no longer need to create magic circles to use higher tiers of magic.
Your [Blessed Body] is currently at the beginner level.
[Blessed Body] can be leveled up by increasing your [Wisdom] stat. It can also be enhanced further up by consuming more [Nephilium]
[You have obtained, Basic Mana Crystal]
You can now use up to second-circle-level magic. All first-circle level magic's potency and casting speed had slightly improved.
***
Ludwig sat up slowly, his movements cautious as he adjusted to the newfound power flowing through him. He could see the mana coursing through the Nephilium circuits, weaving intricate paths through his body. The faint glow of the mana stone in his forehead gave him a sharp, otherworldly presence.
"That stone," Van Dijk said sharply, breaking Ludwig's thoughts, "is your limit for now. Don't even think about upgrading it. Magic must be earned, not given. When you've proven yourself ready, I'll provide a more advanced stone. Until then, this will suffice."
Ludwig nodded, though his mind was racing. The power surging through him was intoxicating. He flexed his hands experimentally, feeling the circuits respond with an efficiency he had never known. The mana flowed effortlessly, ready to obey his command.
Van Dijk's grin widened, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. "The higher your level, the more Nephilium you'll need. With each addition, the circuits will grow denser, and your magical capabilities will expand. This is my gift to you, Ludwig. A creation no one else could ever dream of."
He stepped closer, his expression darkening slightly. "So don't disappoint me. With this power, you will shake the very foundations of this world. And perhaps..." His voice trailed off, a dangerous edge creeping into his tone. "Perhaps you'll help me settle a score or two."
Ludwig met Van Dijk's gaze, the faint glow of the mana stone in his forehead reflecting the determination in his eyes. Whatever this new power was, he intended to make it his own.
Chapter 34: A Strange Academy
Ludwig's body tingled. The sensation of mana coursing through him was new to him and felt rather refreshing. His former skeleton body though had mana, he didn't feel it to this extent.
Now he can see it all around him and within him far clearer than before.
"Put the slime back on," Van Dijk said as he wiped the rest of the bone dust off his hands. "You should also head back to the academy once morning comes, take your remaining time to study up, I heard you have Alchemy class, the teacher is rather… peculiar," Van Dijk said.
'Peculiar? More than you? I highly doubt that,' Ludwig's thoughts remained inward.
Van Dijk soon left the lab, leaving a portal for Ludwig to leave from after him, the latter placed the slime back on and it soon morphed onto his body giving him the appearance of a human.
Though the Soul Letting Lantern clearly stated that no one who does not already know of Ludwig's current undead situation will be able to see him as anything other than a human, it was better to have that fake layer of protection for his own sense of self. He didn't want to always look down and see nothing but bones.
Once Ludwig wore his clothes, he left to Van Dijk's office. He proceeded with reading the available books to him, but once again his mind was rattled due to the difficulty of the task.
[Your Wisdom level is far below the required needed to read through this book]
Ludwig ignored the notification as he began reading with the mother of all pain wracking his brain.
Hours later, Ludwig ended his session when the sun began breaking. Dawn had past and he needed to head to the academy again.
After packing, he hurriedly left the tower and made it before the time for class would start. But something was different today, everyone was giving him strange looks as he passed through the halls of the academy.
"Did you hear, they said that he killed Thomas Vondel…"
"Yeah, I heard, and if not for Tower Master Van Dijk, he'd be dead by now…"
"I heard that Ravi Vondel is still looking for him… he can't do much inside the school but I wonder what would happen if he leaves…"
The rumors and the gossip were something that Ludwig never experienced in the real world, and only heard about and read about in books and novels. It was a new experience for him and all he could do was snicker as he went past the students who continued talking about him.
Ludwig arrived to the classroom, which was a junction of both a massive botanical garden and a classroom at the same time that was packed full of all sorts of conserved organs, and colorful liquids on shelves and walls. There were even skeletal frames for study, none of which were human.
Some of the students were already seated, and while Ludwig entered late he wasn't the last one.
Kassandra noticed Ludwig entering, and he saw her too, but she soon turned her head.
'Did she also hear the rumors?' he thought.
But it wasn't something he could control, he went up the rows and sat in an empty seat.
"You really survived that," Ludwig Heard.
Turning, it was Hoyo, the guy who warned him about what was going to happen. Ludwig wasn't a big fan of this guy since he knew that Ludwig indeed was the cause of Thomas's death.
"Keep everything to yourself, you hear me?" Ludwig warned.
"D-don't worry, I won't talk about this to anyone," Hoyo replied in a hushed tone. "Anyways, the two bastards who were with him are looking for you however," he said.
"Did you not hear what I just said?" Ludwig warned in a sterner tone, and Hoyo simply backed off.
Ludwig knew well that though Van Dijk covered for him, at the end of the day someone did actually die and Ludwig was the only suspect. Even with an alibi, people tend to focus their nonsensical accusation on the 'only' available suspect disregarding facts. Unless another person comes up and is blamed for the death of Thomas, it will always leave a stain on Ludwig that he was the cause of that death regardless of the alibi.
"Good Morning young ones," a calm feminine, and charming voice echoed through the classroom.
The teacher that just entered seemed to be in her mid twenties and looked quite charming. A pretty looking woman with a gentle and bright smile. Wearing the academy's teacher gowns and hugging a large leather book to her chest.
But something wasn't right, as Ludwig's new body had allowed him to use even more of his discerning powers. The same powers that allowed him to see Van Dijk's flame and the path of mana, he raised his brows up and was absolutely baffled by what he just saw.
The illusion of that appearance, that gentle country girl appearance who came here to teach simply dissipated in front of his eyes as he saw what lay beneath.
"A demon?" he muttered. Low enough that no one could hear it, it was so low that even the student next to him couldn't pick it up. But the teacher in question had her eyes snap right onto Ludwig's
Golden eyes with a cat-like slit for irises. A beautifully carved face, enough that would make any man fall for her in an instant. A mix of vivid purple and black short-cut hair, and two long curving horns, along with a viscous, scandalous almost looking body. Two massive mounds of fat hung on barely able straps that held them with difficulty. With a thin waistline and a demonically curving ass. Thighs barely held together with tight-looking stockings held with a holdup that extended up her skirt and only god knows where they were attached to. And a thin tail seemed to sway from behind her left and right almost inviting even.
She wore an incredibly tall stiletto that seemed to be holding itself with an almost needle-width heel.
"You're new here, it's not gentlemanly to stare you know," Ludwig heard right into his mind.
"You don't need to reply, dear undead. Keep what you just saw a secret, however… not many know what I am," she said.
That was the most obvious, shut up and pay attention to class Ludwig had ever heard before.
Ludwig nodded in acceptance, but before he could even act.
[Necro's Blessing is activating]
'Oh shit NO!' Ludwig cursed inwardly as he knew what was going to happen.
[Inspect]
Fuck…
Character Screen
Name: Cymoria Azmiralis.
Title: [Man Slayer] Consumed the vitality of a hundred men in one night.
Level: ???
HP: ???
[Status Effect]: Intermediate Polymorph.
Lore:
A succubus who once led the largest information-gathering hub of the country. After her identity as a demon was exposed, she was chased by the holy order and found solace in the bosom of the Dark Tower Academy. Now she works as a teacher for the academy and is teaching students the art of alchemy.
"Aghnnn…" the professor moaned. The sound was loud and prefoliation enough that everyone in the classroom was too stunned to speak.
The kind looking teacher can make sounds like that?
Ludwig gulped hard as he saw the angry look in the teacher's eyes which were locked onto him.
Fuck…
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
130 Power
stone 
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