Vile Evil Hides Under The Veil

"I feel… so fine."

…

"No… I was feeling fine before. Now I feel great."

Eren corrected himself energetically with his still–closed eyes. Opening his eyes the next moment, he took a long breath and decided to check up on his progress.

***

Name- Eren Elijah Idril (Verified)

Organizations- Edinburgh Army (Nightshade duchy) Lionhearts Adventurers' Academy

Academic Status- Graduation On Hold

Ranking Technique- Rootless (Custom Name)

Base Stats:

HP- 26 / 26

MP- 25 / 25

STR- 27

AGI- 26

INT- 27

BTP~ 131

BTP Visibility- Private

Ranking Status: D-Rank (Liquid Core State)

Abilities (custom): Sin of Wrath (Domain of Wrath), Sin of Lust (Mist of Lust), Sedating Gaze, Expedited Regeneration (Bloodline), Memory Extraction (Bloodline) Devour (Bloodline), Shapeshift (Bloodline)

Self-created spells: Wind-Fire Shards

Lightning-element spells: Blitz Steps, Blitz Heal, Blitz Storm, Blitz Shield, Blitz Bolt, Solid Spark (Aspect variations. Red-Destruction Purple- Speed), Lightning Seed, Lightning Tree

Fire-element spells: Fireball, Firebreath, Hatching of the Flame (variations), Fire Wings, Rain of Fire, Crimson Storm, Igni Chains, Igni Steps

Time-element spells: Sedated Perception, Stunning Speed, Total Control, Age Expedite, Age Reverse, Motion Manipulation

Space-element spells (not completely synchronized): Blink, Dynamic Distance, Perfect Projection

Wind-element spells: Wind Wings, Wind-blade Tornado, Wind Steps, Wind Wall, Wind Shards

Water-element spells (not completely synchronized): Aqua Hammer, Aqua Heal, Aqua Blades, Aqua Wall, Aqua Steps, Aqua Storm, Aqua Dome

Earth-element spells: Earth Wall, Earth Steps, Earth Manipulation, Earth Spikes

Miscellaneous spells: Beast Contract Spell, Demon Beast Transformation Spell, Wind-fire Wings, Wind-Fire Shards

Summoning Spells (multi-element) (not completely synchronized): Fire snakes, Wind-Fire Flying Snakes, Red Lightning Bull, Griffin (calibrating updated entries)

***

Eren had started practicing a whole bunch of brand-new spells these days. He had elemental affinities for all the significant elements that had increased over time as he kept on practicing the Rootless ranking technique. Plus, he had received elemental attainments from a variety of "sources."

As a result, the butcher faced almost no hurdles in grasping new spells that belonged to varying elements. Of course, he wasn't completely confident in using them during battles. However, the amount of time and work he had put in was bound to ensure his mastery over old and brand-new spells alike.

'Hm. There are several spells that might require my attention. But my space-element spells are way behind and need thorough practice.

Damn it.

If only I could have a space-element "snack" to myself. I'd be able to expedite the process much faster.'

Eren chuckled and shook his head. He smiled mirthlessly before realizing that he had called his potential victims "snacks." This was Reen's way of addressing people she wanted to devour or had devoured.

The space-element rankers were rare. And they were highly valued by the kingdom for their expertise. Most space-element rankers were array masters and were earning hefty amounts for their professions under the kingdom's protection. As such, Eren couldn't target them even when he knew of a few of them.

It was interesting to note that Eren had started practicing movement spells belonging to various elements. That's because movement spells were easy to learn and cast. And they served as a basis for Eren to get familiar with the element.

Even though Eren had been practicing these new movement spells with equal amounts of effort, he could tell that there were various subtle and in-your-face differences among them. Some provided them with enhanced control while others focused on agility.

Eren's lightning element movement spell Bitz Steps was still faster than all the other movement spells he was practicing. Thus, it made sense that he continued using it for the time being. However, he could use the other movement spells for variation in his battle style.

The butcher's water element spells were almost a complete set by themselves. They covered everything from defense, offense, movement, and AoE to healing. He just needed to be a bit hands-on with them for him to use them in real battle.

The summoning spell set Eren had was soon going to get enriched with spells the butcher had received from old Rey. As such, the set was also going to cover everything from defense to healing.

Of course, Eren had also added new entries to his sets of fire and lightning element spells. And he had mastered them as well.

Eren didn't focus on casting his newly acquired spells because he wanted to fight Rey as a summoner. Fighting a long battle with an established summoner made him realize how he could improve in his class.

Eren looked at his progress on the spectral screen and thought about how far he had come from his previous life. His eyes shone with determination as he dispersed the spectral screen and started towards the void.

"Still feeling regret over your past timeline?"

Alephee realized that Eren was taking a trip down memory lane and asked him casually. The latter stayed in his meditative position and replied to her in a serious voice.

"No. Not anymore. In retrospect, I'm glad my past timeline was so messed up. Without that life to compare to, I won't be able to appreciate the life I have now. The progress I have made feels so rewarding because it creates a stark contrast to my rock-bottom self.

I know you always tell me that my standards as a ranker have been set lower because I keep remembering my past. Comparing my progress to that level would make me feel less motivated to progress any further because I'd feel I have already done enough. Archived enough.

I can now tell you it's not like that.

This juxtaposition of both lives in my head is what motivates me. It won't make me complacent. On the contrary, it drives me forward.

However, don't worry about me living in the past forever. This comparison won't always cast its shadow on my conscience. It would fade eventually when I reached the Adept rank. I couldn't get into the Expert rank in my first life after all."

Alephee acted as a reliable listener for Eren to deal with the emotions he was feeling. She looked at him and pursed her lips before diverting his attention to a pertinent topic.

"Your incredulous progress comes at a cost, you know. House Remus is preparing to retaliate harder than before after this."