TFPOTRN | CHAPTER 21

~CHAPTER 21~

“How do you feel right now? A spirit capable of humanization means you’re a mid-to-high level spirit. Since when were you able to take human form? Do you remember anything from when you were still in the egg? Spirits are known to have unique powers—what kind of power do you have…?”

He fired off questions rapidly, like a machine with a motor attached to his mouth.

Even the always cheerful Ratia’s expression stiffened slightly at his barrage of questions.

Was the greed in Jahar’s eyes actually academic curiosity toward an unknown being?

The way Jahar bombarded her with questions made him look like an enthusiastic scholar, or perhaps an adventurer about to embark on a journey into the unknown.

“They say spirits recognize each other as siblings—is that really…”

“Jahar.”

It was me who cut off his flood of questions.

I stepped between Jahar and Ratia.

“I’m not done talking with you yet.”

“Ah… sorry.”

Jahar finally came back to his senses.

Still, his eyes were full of lingering curiosity, clearly wanting to ask Ratia more.

“So, what were you curious about again?”

Jahar turned his gaze to me, reluctantly letting go of his regretful look.

“About the person who tricked you into thinking the spirit egg was a monster’s egg.”

“What about that person?”

“I’d like to meet them.”

“Uh…”

He trailed off, scratching his cheek.

“Why? Is there some kind of problem?”

“No, not exactly… but that place is kind of obsessed with ability.”

“…What?”

Suddenly, obsessed with ability?

I tilted my head, not quite understanding what he meant.

After hesitating, Jahar continued.

“Whether it’s divine power, magic power, or academic talent—if you don’t have any skill, they won’t even meet you. I barely managed to get an audience myself.”

Jahar, uncharacteristically, glanced at me nervously as he finished.

Honestly, I was shocked.

‘I can’t believe someone just told me I have no ability.’

In twelve lifetimes of being reincarnated, not once have I ever been told I lacked ability!

My pride was a bit bruised.

But showing that would feel like losing.

I let out a soft sigh and asked,

“…Where is that place?”

“Even if you knew, you couldn’t go th—”

“Ah, I asked where it is.”

I asked again, this time firmly.

Jahar just squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head.

“I can’t tell you.”

“Why not?”

“I signed a confidentiality contract.”

“What?”

A confidentiality contract?

“Anyone who’s ever done business with them has one.”

“They go that far, using magic?”

“You have no idea how much they hate having their information leaked. If you don’t meet their standards, you can’t know who they are, where to find them, or anything about them. The contract stops you from even mentioning it.”

“…It’s a magical contract, right?”

“Yeah.”

I almost clutched my neck in disbelief.

Jahar clearly had no idea how incredible it was that I hadn’t fainted on the spot.

A confidentiality contract was the kind of spell only the royal family used.

The imperial palace used it to keep top-secret matters from leaking out, since so many hands were involved.

‘Even the royal family wouldn’t use it so lightly.’

Even they only used it after deep deliberation, since it tampered with a person’s mind.

‘Naturally, using it outside the royal court is illegal.’

Even demons—whose morals were, well, debatable—avoided using it in friendly relations, because it was disturbing to tamper with someone’s mind.

In all twelve of my lives, I’d only ever been part of such a contract once.

“Jahar… you know you’re not supposed to sign those kinds of contracts, right?”

“I know, but… they wouldn’t meet me unless I did.”

So he really had signed one.

And everyone who’d done business with them too?

‘Just how big is this organization?’

They must not be desperate for customers if they can afford to be that strict.

They’d need money, a powerful mage capable of casting high-level binding magic, and deep secrecy.

‘If they’re that sensitive about leaks, they must have a lot to lose if exposed… wait.’

‘…’

As I pieced it all together, realization struck me.

Someone like that was right in front of me.

When I suddenly fixed my gaze on him, Jahar avoided my eyes with the guilty look of someone hiding something.

“You’re keeping something from me, aren’t you?”

“W-what would I be hiding…”

“Tell me the truth.”

“I told you—I can’t talk about it because of the contract!”

Liar.

Jahar couldn’t even meet my eyes, sweating nervously.

His behavior alone was enough to confirm my suspicion.

Even if that clumsy act was fake, I had an even more certain reason.

He claimed he couldn’t say a single word about them.

Yet, he’d already told me far too much.

He said “they,” not “that person.”

Plural—meaning it was a group, not an individual.

He’d also revealed they were sensitive about leaks, that there were qualifications, and that the contract could prevent disclosure.

‘There’s no way a confidentiality contract would be that sloppy.’

I knew firsthand how absolute that spell was.

It literally bound the mind, preventing even the thought of the restricted information.

So the truth could only be one of two things.

‘Either Jahar never signed the contract… or he’s the one who made others sign it.’

And I was leaning toward the latter.

“Serena…?”

Jahar looked at me uneasily.

‘Force won’t work. I can’t overpower Jahar right now.’

‘Then what can I use to make him talk?’

By his standards, I was nowhere near qualified.

‘…No, wait.’

I darted my eyes to the side.

There was one kind of power I could use right now.

Something perhaps as strong and remarkable as the power I’d originally possessed.

But could I really do it?

‘…’

I didn’t hesitate long.

“You said as long as I have the qualifications, you can tell me, right?”

If I hesitated now, the demon realm would be framed again for stealing a spirit egg, and history would repeat itself.

I couldn’t let that happen.

Jahar’s expression clearly showed he was wondering what I was planning.

I turned slowly.

Behind me, Ratia looked up at me like she was being protected.

“Ratia.”

“Mm?”

That innocent face still carried traces of childishness.

It might be a selfish decision.

But still…

I bit my lip.

In twelve lifetimes, I had never done what I was about to do now.

This life truly was full of firsts.

Once, I only waited for death out of sheer boredom, and now look at me.

“Will you make a contract with me?”

To form a contract with a spirit, two conditions are required.

First, a healthy body suited to the spirit’s rank.

And second… a soul capable of accepting spiritual power.

For humans, gods, and elves, spiritual power is considered a blessing.

But for demons, it’s more like a curse.

Even among humans, only some are born with divine power, magic power, or spirit power—sometimes none at all.

Demons, however, are always born with magic.

‘Because of their nature, demons can never be born with divine power. But once in a great while, one is born with spiritual power instead.’

Being born with power is a blessing.

Among demons, power means authority.

But the problem comes after that.

Like divine power, spiritual power is the opposite of magic.

The body might handle it, but internally, there would be conflict.

Right now, my magic was depleted, so it wasn’t a problem.

But as it recovered, my magic and spiritual energy would constantly clash inside me.

And I wasn’t just any demon—I was a Demon King.

‘At this rate, this lifetime might end because of it.’