Like a scalpel, Gaston''s arm cut an invisible thread connecting them with a groan.


    "ARGH!"


    Meanwhile, he roared in outrage as the horrible feeling of having his soul sustain damage assaulted him.


    "Why me? Feel it alone!"


    However, only silence answered him, and he failed to see Gaston''s figure.


    Gritting his teeth, he dug out one of his materials and closed his eyes to leave.


    When he reopened them, he saw Gaston''s spectral frame float above the ritual star drawn onto the floor, a hand supporting his shin and his eyes sparkling with interest.


    "I''ll start with your body. ce the puppet here."


    He pointed at a spot densely packed with dim symbols begrudgingly, wanting nothing more to chase the bastard out once they were done.


    Gaston followed hismand and floated back, waiting for the process to begin.


    Without wasting time, he infused his mana into the sr stone. Like a slumbering beast awakening, it shone blinding sunlight, banishing any shadows from the room. A sharp hum filled the trembling air as potent energy flooded the symbols, making them shine like stars surrounding a miniature sun.


    He watched the magnificent sigh with bated breath as energy condensed into the puppet. With each second crawling, he noticed, ck-jawed, how the metallic luster dimmed. Supple skin reced it, hair sprouted like grass, and powerful muscles filled the gaps.


    Keratin condensed, forming transparent nails on the hands and feet, followed by the popping noise of bones slotting themselves in an intricate dance.


    Finally, soft tissue reced the organs'' hard texture,pleting the ritual.


    Despite the distance, he heard the beating heart and the noise of fresh blood flowing.


    ''Incredible.''


    He couldn''t find another word to describe the magical transmutation he witnessed.


    The processsted for half an hour before a body indistinguishable from Gaston''s original stood before them.


    "Alright, go in, put on some clothes ande to room number one."


    He snickered at the specter.


    Despite his awe and throbbing soul, the furthest he stayed from Gaston, the better he felt.


    Gaston smirked in response, blurring to his soul''s new home and leaving onestment that made him cough.


    "Why did you make my thing so big? I won''tin, though."


    "Was I supposed to know you had a small one? Shut up! Better, never speak with me again."


    He barked, throwing a set of clothes to the ground and leaving for Shepard''s room.


    After opening the door, his mentorughed at his facial features, mixing joy and deep hate.


    "Tsk. Wait to see the surprise. Is Nathan here?"


    He scanned the room as he asked, noticing the blonde man organising a pile of documents.


    "Great. I won''t have to repeat myself."


    Under the two men''s curious gaze, he walked to the round table in the middle of the room and pped it.


    "Gaston is back."


    Nathan''s emerald pupils constricted as Shepard narrowed his eyes into threatening slits.


    "The one you told me about?"


    "Yes. In short, I revived him."


    "WHAT?!"


    They both dashed to him, gripping him by the cor in disbelief.


    Unfazed by their reactions, he took some time to exin why, finding their confusion and horror amusing.


    Once they learned everything that had happened, he scratched his head, concluding.


    "Monitor, and don''t let him cause trouble. Kill him if he does or even thinks of doing anything dangerous."


    "Mhh. I can''t say I approve, but who knows? He is indeed a powerhouse in the making."


    As Shepard''s hesitant nod registered in his eyes, the door creaked open, revealing an almost two-meter man in his early twenties.


    His sky-blue eyes scanned the room as his jet-ck ponytail fluttered behind his measured movements.


    "Ah! It feels so good to have a body."


    Gaston''s evil smile crept on his lips, sending a shiver down Nathan''s spine. The room''s temperature seemed to chill a few degrees as he sat at the table without care for anyone.


    "And not to hear that stupid cleaver whisper stupid deals twenty-four seven."


    His eyes widened in fear at the cleaver''s mention, and his fists shook uncontrobly.


    "Don''t tell me you epted?"


    "A deal with a demonic artifact? Come on, do you see me bend the chin to it? I''m the puppeteer here!"


    As Gaston shrugged, Shepard trembled in dread, and Nathan almost fainted.


    "I don''t want to hear anything about demons. They are the ultimate taboo knowledge in this world!"


    Shepard''s roar reverberated as he mmed his fist on the desk.


    "No matter what that cleaver you''re speaking about is or where you found it, destroy it this instant!"


    ''I would if I could.''


    He didn''t know if he shouldugh or cry at themand. Destroy a tier-nine mythical weapon? He would die before he could even stand five meters away from it.


    "Don''t listen to that dog. He is even worse than demons, anyway."@@novelbin@@


    He tried to change the subject before it could turn into another interrogatory.


    However, Shepard gave him onest warning.


    "Hear me well, Adam. Demons are forbidden because they''re liars who''ll do anything to gain power. They devour each other without mercy and can even demonise humans. Imagine what would happen if you summon one of them by mistake. What would happen if it''s an arcanist or even worse? I''m serious this time.


    If you have anything belonging to them, destroy it!"


    "I promise I''ll get rid of it."


    He nodded, hoping he had convinced shepard as he turned to leave.


    "I still have something to do, so watch the nightmare until I return."


    Without waiting for an answer, he scrambled away, leaving the two brothers to frown at each other and Shepard to sigh in distress.


    "Nathan was already enough. Take one back with you!"


    He chuckled at his mentor''s annoyed shout as he entered his room.


    Excitement fueling his trembling hand, he retrieved the material thatpelled him to take Selene''s dangerous quest.


    He scrutinised the gem pulsing in myriad colors, reflecting the entire spectrum.


    "Time to turn it into a heart."


    His lips curled into a grin that reached his eyes, only to freeze a secondter.


    "Oh! I would have never thought you possessed a Manacore Heartgem. What a surprise!" Discover exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire


    A gentle feminine voice reverberated through the room out of nowhere.


    His eyes narrowed, and rm bells resounded in his mind as he raised his guard and summoned his de.


    "Show yourself!"