章節 6: Negative Energy
The crimson glow finally subsided, and Lumina, at the heart of the circle, sank wearily to the floor. She gasped for breath, drenched in sweat, her once-pale skin now glistening. Yet, a profound sense of empowerment and strength coursed through her, filling her with bliss.
"All those years of the orphans' fear, my own sorrows... it has all come to fruition," she murmured, reflecting on the accumulation of negative energy she had unknowingly harbored.
Raising her palm, she summoned a vibrant crimson blaze that swirled and danced, casting a flickering glow that illuminated the now pitch-black room. 'So easy and effortless.'
Amidst her astonishment, she realized that years of practice had paled in comparison to a mere few hours of exposure to infernal energy.
'Greed, anger, pride, fear, pain... even lust. The sins and negative emotions serve as my fuel.'
Every detail of the circle's operation etched itself into her mind—an instinctual knowledge that felt as though she had wielded it for years.
Determined, she rose to her feet, smoothing her skirt but reluctantly tearing herself away from the circle. Her hunger for more power lingered, but the well of negative energy that formed in her heart over the years of harsh life had run dry.
Lost in her thoughts, she ventured into the abyssal corridor that led deeper into the castle's sealed underground. Brass torches lining the walls flared to life, illuminating the path before her, gradually revealing the seemingly endless length of the corridor shrouded in darkness.
Rows of identical doors, flawlessly crafted from polished redwood, lined the walls. Each door bore brass plaquettes etched with numbers and letters.
As she walked, her mind continued to dwell on the circle, the addictive memories of the power she had tasted consuming her thoughts. She yearned for more, and she knew how to obtain it.
'No power comes for free. I need to exchange for it. I need to obtain it by transforming something else as fuel.'
She understood that there were multiple avenues to feed the circle and draw power from the infernal dimension—an exchange of equivalents. Anything and everything of value could be traded, whether it be monetary, nostalgic, historical, or even emotional.
'But that would work only if it weren't the infernal variant,' she shuddered, contemplating the unsettling actions she needed to undertake as her circle hungered for negative energy.
Finally, she halted before the sixth door on her left. Though she couldn't explain why, she was certain that this room belonged to her and her alone.
With creaking noises, the aged hinges yielded, the doors opening by itself, revealing her personal sanctuary. Disregarding its décor and furnishings, she absentmindedly gravitated towards the bed, collapsing upon its soft, welcoming embrace.
'Fear, greed, sloth... those I can harness without causing major repercussions.' Despite her yearning for power, Lumina understood the necessity of caution and methodical planning in her pursuit. She also refused to take her craving for power too far.
She didn't want to, nor could shen't just walk around the castle and torture or murder students to collect negative energy, which would only lead her down the unsustainable path of doom.
'Deals and contracts. I will create contracts with my schoolmates. I can use them to collect the negative energy of their desires and sins that would the payment and even have them do me a favor. In exchange, I will use the infernal ring to fulfill their desires. This is the way most use it.' With a plan in her head, she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
The following day:
Lumina sat in quiet solitude at the very back row of the expansive, bustling classroom, finding solace against the secure wall behind her. She felt a sense of safety and certainty, shielded from prying eyes, at least from one direction.
However, she couldn't help but notice the occasional stolen glances from fellow students and the ceaseless whispering that reached her ears.
"Look at her, she's so weird."
"Have you heard about the Morningstar family? Are they purebloods?"
Even the professor, now transformed into a sleek black cat, observed her intently with its piercing feline gaze.
'It's just like before. I had hoped I would at least belong here...' Lumina's resilience against such attention had been honed over the years, and now she no longer allowed it to bother her. Her fingers tingled, instinctively curling around the cool, smooth surface of her wand concealed beneath her desk. She was already eager to delve into the world of magic.
'Those troublemakers, they're late and wasting my time.' Lumina settled back into her seat, finding comfort as she awaited the arrival of the two main characters.
Finally, she heard hurried footsteps drawing near, an internal smile gracing Lumina's lips as she anticipated the forthcoming exchange, ready to savor the succulent negative energy that would undoubtedly follow. 'They deserve this for their tardiness—a just retribution.'
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票