Chapter 17 - Huh???

"Do you want to open the gift package?"

"Yes!"

"Ding, the host receives 50 points.

Ding, the host receives a book - 'Basic Body Strengthening with Mana/Qi/Internal Energy.'

Ding, the host receives a dragon feed package (Halloween-themed feed molds)."

"Ding, the host currently has 1310 points."

"Do you want to use them?"

"Yes, open the trading center."

Asmodeus already knew what he wanted to buy, so he continued immediately.

"Buy the 'Guide to the Development of Magical Knights' - includes a guide to building magical rings around the heart and basic meditation sets for accumulating mana in the heart."

"Ding, purchase made, 1000 points deducted. Your balance is now 310. Do you want to continue shopping?"

"No, that's all for now. I want to see what I bought for 1000," Asmodeus said, closing the system and holding three books in his hands.

In the first one, a swordsman was depicted casting a spell with a free hand.

The second showed a magical circle with a person sitting inside it.

The third book was thicker than the previous two but still small. The cover featured a heart with runes and three rings drawn over it.

While Asmodeus examined the books, a notification sounded,

"Ding, does the host wish to memorize the books in memory? It will cost 10 points for simple memorization and 50 for full comprehension."

"Why didn't you say that before?! Of course, yes, full comprehension."

"Ding, remaining balance 260."

But Asmodeus didn't hear the second sound of the system. He was actively absorbing knowledge.

After half an hour, Asmodeus sat on the floor, breathing heavily. "I thought this would be much easier."

Absorbing knowledge from a thousand pages in half an hour not only affected Asmodeus's mental state but also his physical one.

Returning to his room after a meal in the hall, he asked Terry not to disturb him. Somehow, he found chalk and began drawing a magic circle on the floor.

After a couple of minutes, Asmodeus sat inside the circle and crossed his legs.

"Okay, gradually introduce the energy gathered in the circle into the body and extend it to the heart."

It's a good thing I have internal energy without meditation;

This significantly reduces the chance of failure.

That means, wizards could become magical swordsmen themselves if they wanted, with much more mana. But it's unclear why they would do that.

"Okay, outline, form the ring, and the preservation rune!"

"Success!"

Feeling how a new source of magic spread from his chest throughout his body with each heartbeat, Asmodeus said,

"Stop, something's wrong!"

Mentally delving into his body, Asmodeus saw that the mana leaving his heart was blue and collided with the dark red flame energy in his blood. Changes occurred;

Suddenly, as if receiving a signal to attack, the red energy directed towards his heart, and the dark blue mana, gradually turning into the heart, began to change its appearance. New accumulation and fire runes formed on the heart, and the previously blue mana ring now consisted of red energy.

"Ding, congratulations to the host on the first body transformation and the achievement of

''Heart of fire.'"

"Ding, results of the analysis of changes in the host's body - 'Heart of Fire' - allows accumulating and producing flame energy independently of surrounding magical elements."

"Ding, a new skill has been unlocked - 'Flame Wave' - when used, the ring of fiery energy around the heart releases all accumulated fire energy around the body, creating a powerful area attack. The skill's weakness is that the host cannot use any magic for a minute after using it."

"Ding, a passive skill acquired - 'Unburnt' - attacks with ordinary fire cannot damage you.

P.S. Magic fire still inflicts damage, but it's reduced by 10%."

While Asmodeus listened to the incessant system notifications, trying to understand why his heart had mutated, he decided to ask the system even though he already had a guess.

"System, why did the mutation occur?"

"Ding, this meditation and body strengthening technique is designed for only three levels, so it's considered a low-level reinforcement technique. Your lineage is considered high level for this meditation technique, so the energy flowing in your blood absorbs and transforms the mana collected from the air into something new."

"Does it have any drawbacks?"

"No, in fact, it only has benefits."

Alright, thought Asmodeus. Just as he was pondering this, a knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Mr. Morningstar, the headmaster asked me to call you," Professor McGonagall's voice was heard.

"Huh?"