SSS Demon King System: The Rise of a Dying Extra-Chapter 9: Gathering Clues.

Lloyd sighed; he was exhausted, but at least his mission was complete. He had managed to learn about magic.

The truth was he had no problem completing that mission. As soon as he knew a bit more about magic, he knew it was the same system as in the novel; he already knew everything.

Magic consisted of using magical power, an alien power refined through existing methods.

Now, what interested him most was the Root. This was a mutation of the spiritual core, which was the energy of the soul. This Root replaced spiritual energy with magical power.

Magical power was a substance very susceptible to ideas and thoughts, and with it you could create phenomena.

The first to discover the uses of magic were the dragons, who passed that knowledge to the druids, and from there the form was monopolized.

Magic had no classification like in other novels; ranks weren’t used for it, since there were too many forms and styles to be able to unify them into a single unit.

Magic was simple: a spell is a formula, while the amount of magical power will describe its efficiency.

Magic employed spoken spells, or written enchantments, while innate magic didn’t require that process.

A mage could research how to create a spell, and then pass that knowledge through the appropriate incantation.

It was a simple formula: magic was exploited and developed in many ways, in technology, agriculture, among others.

But knowing all that was useless if you couldn’t use magical power. Free magical power is very dangerous; in large quantities it can mutate living beings.

However, nature managed to create a magical power purification system to prevent creatures from becoming infected: spirits.

Before, spirits were the spiritual consciousness of a place in nature or even meteorological phenomena. However, the latter sacrificed themselves by dividing into millions of small spirits that were in charge of "purifying" the world.

What does this mean? That the only way to use magical power was by producing it yourself or using an artifact.

That was a problem, a very big one, since it also wasn’t possible to gather magical power from the environment in a core. Why did that matter? Because the mission Lloyd received asked for exactly what was virtually impossible.

[Part two: create a stable source of energy in your body]

[Time limit: 1 month]

[Reward: 2,500 V.P - 2 purple stars - 1 bronze card]

[Penalty: death]

Lloyd spent a long time investigating among the library books if there was any way to create an artificial magical power core, but he found nothing.

The boy wouldn’t have minded depending on a wand or an artifact to use magic, but the system had other plans.

"Why do all the missions punish me with death? It’s not even funny anymore," Lloyd grumbled somewhat tiredly; night had already fallen. "At least I can get some points with the side missions."

[Side missions]

Steal food from the kitchen without being seen. {330 V.P}

Visit the back garden at night. {150 V.P}

Read Clarinda’s diary. {360 V.P}

They were easy missions, somewhat strange, though any source of V.P. was welcome. After all, if he gathered 1,500 V.P. he could improve the Eye of Envy by one rank.

"Young Master, I have new information."

"Uwaaah!" Lloyd jumped at hearing Sebastian; he hadn’t seen him coming.

His startle was followed by severe coughing, which the butler tried to calm with some pats on the back.

"I’m sorry, young master, it wasn’t my intention to disturb you like that."

"It’s fine, Sebas, but knock on the door next time."

"I’ll make sure to do so, sir."

"Good, now tell me, what information do you bring?"

"I’ll tell you right now, sir. You can listen to me while you eat the dinner I’ve brought you; it seems your investigation made you forget about dinner."

"Thank you very much, I appreciate the gesture."

The boy moved the books aside while Sebastian placed the tray on the table. It was a plate of boiled fish, with slices of roasted potato, accompanied by a drizzle of oil.

Lloyd started eating, and the truth was it was very tasty; the food was well seasoned, making it not taste bland.

Moreover, due to the region where they were located, which was near the sea, the fish was fresh and quality. In fact, the neighboring city specialized in fishing.

Lloyd knew about the geography of his home because the original owner of that body had read a lot about it.

Unfortunately they weren’t on the central continent, but on the northern continent; it was a territory called Cocytus, which belonged to the kingdom of Avalon, and sought the conquest of an abyss of the same name.

"Well, leaving aside that fish has gone up in price in the market, the most notable rumors in the city cite some strangers with unpleasant looks, and how ominous the night has become; no one dares go out during nighttime hours anymore."

"Mmm, the fish is good. As for the other thing, I suppose we already have a lead," the boy fell silent for a moment, he was too mentally tired to think about that. "Yes, follow that lead, you’ll give me another report tomorrow."

"Mmm, Sebas, is there anything else that has gone up in price?"

"Tubers, perhaps it’s not just that. I know because I bought them myself."

"Oh, did you cook this?"

"Indeed, as a butler I’m also instructed in the culinary arts, though due to the administrative tasks that have been regularly delegated to me, I don’t usually have time to cook. Although since I hired Clarinda, I have much more free time."

The boy fell silent for a moment, then continued chewing what he had in his mouth. After swallowing, he continued with his questions.

"You delegated the administrative tasks to Clarinda? She must be very qualified."

"Yes, she worked as a maid but learned by watching me work; in fact, I taught her some things. When the problem with the pendant arose, I had to leave her my position, and apparently, she was able to handle the task well. Don’t worry, she already had experience helping me with small inventory counting tasks, among others, so I deduced that at least she could replace me for a while."

"Excellent, I suppose that’s everything..." the boy stared at the plate for a moment, then added. "You should find out why the price of fish and potatoes went up, also find out what else has gone up in price. Maybe it’s not related to what we’re looking for, but it doesn’t mean we can’t take care of other matters... What’s wrong?"

"Young master... I’m so proud! I’m sure you would be a perfect patriarch," the old man commented, dramatically wiping away a tear.

"Haha, sure," Lloyd laughed somewhat uncomfortably, though he didn’t see that as very possible, he wouldn’t tell Sebastian that so as not to disappoint him. "Well, I suppose it’s time to sleep."

"Rest well, young master."

"Likewise, Sebas."