From Corpse to Crown: Reborn as a Mortician in Another World-Chapter 14: Memory for Magic

The Deathbound Grimoire opened, pages riffling like breath caught on the wind. Lucian watched as the text glowed faintly, as if it were aware Lira was at peace—but didn't want to leave the realm.As he stepped forward to observe the book, the Grimoire stopped mid-page. He watched as the silver ink appeared:

"Where is your walking stick?"

He was pretty sure its tone wasn't judgmental, but he hesitated and thought about what happened between the palace and the carriage.

"Rosa and I were in a rush to leave... I left it in my bedroom."The book paused, then wrote:

"Unwise. You'll need a conduit eventually. The pendant will do... for now."

"Makes sense. It is a magical item, after all." Lucian removed Lucy's pendant and lifted it toward the Grimoire. The seashell was frosted, and its glow steadied—tethered now to Lucy and Lira's energy. His magic death book had a new message:

"A witness is required."

"Is Lucy not good enough?" Lucian asked. The Grimoire remained silent. He sighed, left the house, and looked for Rosa.

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When she entered the house, Rosa nodded to Lucy and Lira. She stood by the book and raised her left hand toward it.

"Witness accepted. You may begin the rite, Apprentice Mortician."

He held out the pendant toward the Grimoire and read each line that appeared.

"We honor your work and the love poured into every hour. Now it is time for you to rest. Our witness bears the honor of remembering you, because love never forgets."

As he spoke, each syllable peeled away the ache of undeath, and a soft, gentle form replaced it.Light passed over Lira—and she didn't glow. Each word he spoke changed her body from graying flesh to one made of porcelain.

Lira's decay halted, and her brittle bones strengthened. Her eyes were more focused now, and her stance relaxed. Lucian finished the rite by declaring, "Your form is now yours—and your body will hold. You are permitted to continue your service, as it brings your heart peace."

"Rest doesn't always mean sleeping in a coffin." The Grimoire wrote those words on top of Lira's profile and sealed the rite. As the light faded, Lira blinked slowly, testing her new body. Her hands had ball joints, and she looked serene.

"Thank you, Lord Mortician. I will stay and tend to the farmhouse, with Lucy."

The pendant dimmed as it accepted her decision. Lira remained—no longer tethered by pain or a curse. She was now present and whole.

Lucian exhaled slowly, the air in the parlor still thrumming from Lira's rite. The sun had risen, pale and golden, but the clouds weren't so eager to cover it this time. From the window, even the intimidating pine trees looked softer.nThe house still needed repairs, and shadows still clung to the corners like hesitant guests. But there was no dark and murderous presence—just shy ones.

As Lucian caught his breath, the Grimoire hovered in the air. Pages flipped on their own and paused. The ink on the pages seemed to pulse like a heartbeat. Lucian started reading.

[System Correction Detected]Unauthorized skill use recorded: Shadow SeverMagic has been stabilized using a foreign focus: Lucy's pendant.

Lucian recalled how the Grimoire had said Lucy's pendant was a conduit. It pulsed comfortably against his collarbone, happy to be of service.

"Oh yeah. You did say it was a conduit..."

The book shimmered in answer, and more words were written across the page, this time in gleaming silver fire.

[Clarification]Lucy's pendant is not decorative. It is a borrowed conduit, shaped from her spirit core.While it is an acceptable substitute, it is temporary. Fragile. Dangerous.You used a spell you had not earned.Stress, while a legitimate way to unlock your potential, is not the only way.

Lucy glanced over her shoulder and winked at him, but her expression was more solemn than usual. "My necklace is here if you need it, but you aren't supposed to pull from me so much," she said softly.

"So... as long as..." Lucian started, and Lucy nodded.

"As long as your soul remains clear as morning dew, you can draw power from my well."

[Updated Equipment: Water Pendant]A seashell pendant with water blessed by the Lady of Sweetwater. Strengthening your bond with her allows you to use even more of her strength.Warning: Using the bond gives you great power. But it is unwise to pull too much at one time.

"I see." Lucian felt a shiver down his spine. So he had to be careful—but he wasn't completely powerless. That was reassuring. "I guess I have to level up some more before my next assignment."

The Grimoire turned another page.

The source of this c𝐨ntent is freёnovelkiss.com.

[Level Up - Skill Unlocked - Memory Tithe]You may offer a memory in lieu of power you do not yet possess.The stronger the spell, the more precious the memory.You will not know what was taken, and you will not remember offering it.This is your price.

The mortician's mouth went dry. This was different from the shows he used to watch—there, people just leveled up and unlocked spells all the time.

"Magic is a frightening thing," Lucian said, and Lucy nodded. "It is, in the beginning. This is a gamble. But sometimes, when you're cornered—this is better than dying."

The Grimoire glowed once more, then shut with a soft snap. On the cover, a final line etched itself in red:

Warning: Repeat offerings will thin your identity. Too many losses, and you may forget what you're fighting for.

Lucian stared at the book, its dark-gray cover quiet as it returned to his hands. He knew it was meant to guide him—but he didn't know if he wanted to open it again.

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"Are you sure about this, Lira?" Lucian asked as he climbed into the carriage with Rosa. "A farm for the undead?"

Lira nodded, her long hair bouncing its pale green light against Lucy's form."For the ones who still wander. And the ones who still feel hungry."

Lucian tilted his head. "Don't the undead need less food over time?" At the palace, the Queen's skeleton butler did paperwork while she ate. He had a hard time imagining Kingsley would want any food.

Lira ruffled his hair affectionately. "Maybe. But what about when you visit, Lord Mortician?" Lucy peeked from behind her, giggling. "Besides! She's mine now. And I have a feeling Sweetwater won't be so frozen when you leave."

Lucian leaned over and checked the ground—the sunlight reached it now.

So that thing was responsible for the perpetual winter? It kept the family from growing any food... I'm glad we exorcised it. Lucian smiled. "Take care of yourselves. Maybe we'll be back someday."

His Grimoire fluttered and updated Lucy's profile:

[Deathbound Grimoire Update]Lucy of Sweetwater 

Status: Water GuardianNote: Lira's Familiar

He still felt uncomfortable around the book, but he had to admit, not having to take notes was nice.

Lucian heard the driver complain as some snow fell onto the carriage. "Darn tree's shedding its frost. Are we leaving soon?"

Instead of answering, Rosa knocked on the roof twice. The driver stomped his foot in reply, and the horses started their walk.

Lucy and Lira watched as the mortician's carriage rolled away. Behind them, the sun rose high in the sky, and frost started to melt from the silver-leafed trees.

Inside the carriage, Rosa continued knitting. The ground wasn't frozen anymore, and slowly, the horses increased their speed. "So, how was your first job?"

Lucian smiled. "Terribly difficult. But fulfilling... even if I didn't embalm anyone. But next time, I think I'll bring my walking cane."

Rosa stared at him, unimpressed. "You should have told me before we left!" He shrugged. "I didn't think it mattered—I didn't think I'd exorcise a spirit during my first assignment."

The undead maid clucked her tongue. "You'll soon realize, Lucian—few of your things are decorative! Do you need me to remind you the next time you leave?"

Lucian laughed. "No, I promise to bring my walking stick next time..."

He glanced outside and felt the warm air hit his face. Lucian's next thought surprised him:

Maybe this creepy world isn't so bad after all. It isn't home, but it's not all dark either.

Idly, he wondered how long it would be before he called this new world home.

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[CURRENT MORTICIAN PROFILE] 

User: Lucian Bowcott

Class: Apprentice Mortician

Rank: Cadaver

Abilities: Basic corpse handling, preservation rituals, reading residual emotions

Powers Unlocked: 

Death Balm (Lv. 1)

Final Rest Rite (Peace Without Departure)

Memory Tithe