The ritual was over.
Judging by the phenomena that had just occurred, there was no doubt that Luna was now my kin, yet it still didn't feel real. I needed to perform some kind of experiment, but I wasn't quite sure how to go about it.
"Ah, to think I could finally belong to Lord Albert... I'm so happy, it feels like a dream."
There was no point testing her absolute obedience on someone who said things like that. In that case, I would have to test Frenzy.
"I will teach you how to use your power."
"How to use... my power!"
Luna’s voice grew more vibrant, colored by a lustrous excitement.
"Please! I beg of you!"
It was only natural. She had become my kin specifically because she craved strength.
...On a side note, I really wished she would fasten her shirt buttons and fix her appearance. Since they were undone and the front was hanging wide open, I kept catching glimpses of her skin. It felt a bit awkward to go out of my way to point it out, though.
"It is a power called Frenzy. The magic formula for it should now exist within your subconscious."
"Fren... zy..."
Luna whispered the word as if in a trance.
"Ah, yes. It's definitely there. Something... something I never knew before. Should I call it Spell 'Frenzy'?"
"No. Just 'Frenzy' is fine."
This was one of Ancient Magic's many mysteries: for some reason, it didn't require the prefix "Spell." Even in the game, there had been no explanation for this. In fact, the game was the opposite—normal magic didn't have "Spell" attached to its name. I suspected there was a reason for it, but for now, it remained unknown.
"However, do not use it in its raw form."
I didn't want anyone to realize she was using Ancient Magic.
"It can be activated under the guise of Spell 'Physical Enhancement'."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, you can mask it. Visualize the magic formula for Frenzy, then activate the spell using that name."
"I understand. Spell 'Physical Enhancement'!"
In that instant, the atmosphere surrounding Luna shifted. A cold, ominous presence that could never manifest from a standard Spell "Physical Enhancement" began to rise from her.
It seemed Luna could feel it as well.
"This is... this is... Lord Albert!"
Her voice trembled with delight. She was likely sensing the overwhelming energy of destruction currently saturating her body. This was the power she had dreamed of for so long. Her days of lamenting her own powerlessness were finally over.
"Yes, you have become what you desired to be—"
Even as I spoke, I lunged at Luna with my dagger.
Had she remained as she was, I would have slit her white throat and made a bright red flower bloom. However, Luna’s eyes were clearly tracking the movement of my blade. She calmly observed the trajectory and evaded my strike with a swiftness uncharacteristic of a mage.
"If it were the old you, you would be dead by now."
At a glance, it seemed to be a weakened version of the Frenzy I wielded. It made sense that her abilities would be a degraded reflection of mine, given that I was her master. Even so, there was no doubt it was a peerless power.
"Amazing... This is... this is my power!"
Luna hugged her own arms, looking utterly enraptured. She writhed from the thrilling shock of it, her body trembling.
"Thank you so much! For giving power to someone as pathetic as me!"
"As long as you are satisfied, there is no problem."
With this, Luna would surely serve as an excellent piece for me to play. Finally, I decided to place the Shackle of Absolute Obedience on her.
My original intention was to prevent Luna from going on a rampage. If I allowed her to lose control in her current state, the resulting fallout would be disastrous. It was my responsibility as the one who granted her this power.
"Use it only when eliminating things I deem 'obstacles.' Do not use it otherwise."
"Yes. For Lord Albert’s sake, I shall use it only to eliminate those you find in your way."
That would do.
The Book of Verdict stated the following:
"The subject who has become kin shall render absolute obedience to the practitioner's commands. The subject shall faithfully execute commands within the scope of their own understanding."
I had conveyed the command, and Luna had understood it. With that, the shackle was established.
"I pledge eternal loyalty to Lord Albert. Please, command this Luna to do anything."
Luna knelt and bowed her head. I couldn't quite tell if this was the influence of her becoming my kin or simply her true nature.
A few days later, we were summoned to a training ground different from the usual one.
It was located within the academy grounds, but it consisted of a large, rectangular building. Curiously, the entrance was a hole so large it didn't seem intended for humans, and it was blocked by massive iron bars, each as thick as a man's torso.
Beyond those bars, darkness stretched out, hiding everything within.
"Since the Headmaster is absent today, I’ll be the one leading the session," Karia, the instructor who specialized in barriers, announced as she addressed the students.
"The training camp is finally reaching its final stages, and the end is in sight. So, how are you all doing? Have you started to slack off a bit?"
After a bit of light teasing, Karia continued.
"Today, we're going to change things up. We'll be doing Anti-Monster Training. Since this is an academy, you have plenty of opportunities for mock battles against other students, but in the real world, your primary opponents will be monsters. They are heinous creatures that move differently from humans and possess entirely different thought patterns. I’m going to have you fight a large monster we’ve prepared."
The students began to murmur among themselves at Karia’s words.
"...Are you serious? A large monster?"
"But where would they keep something like that? This is a school!"
Karia’s lips curled into a smile at their reactions.
"It's fine, it's fine. We have Professor Selton, who is a very talented Summoner. Proof is better than theory—open the gates!"
With a heavy, grinding rumble, the iron bars began to rise. Eventually, accompanied by thumping footsteps, a massive shadow revealed itself.
It looked like a bear. It was a giant creature, over three meters tall, with steel-like, silver-gray fur.
An Iron Claw Bear.
In the game, it was a mob monster that appeared around the middle stages. Of course, considering the average level of the students here, it was a terrifyingly dangerous existence.
Its pace was slow, but there was a reason for that. Heavy, glowing chains bound its four limbs—likely the result of Binding Magic.
"Of course, once the battle starts, I'll release the Binding Magic."
In contrast to Karia’s casual tone, a wave of tension washed over the students.
"Unlike a mock battle, you might actually die, so be careful. Well, since the Saint is here, she might be able to save you as long as you're still breathing."
By the way, the Saint and the Hero were both absent. The primary reason was that Leon’s left arm had not yet fully healed.
Karia continued.
"Since it's an Iron Claw Bear, I'll start by looking for four volunteers. Because the danger level is high, this isn't mandatory; I'll only take those who nominate themselves. Well, since everyone here was 'selected,' I doubt you'll be struck by a fit of cowardice, right?"
It wasn't mandatory! Perfect! I'm going to slack off with all my might!
However, Luna, who was standing beside me, didn't share my sentiment.
"...Lord Albert. May I try it out?"
She was clearly itching for action. Luna hadn't had a chance to test Frenzy yet. Like a child with a new toy, she was desperate for an opportunity to play with it.
...Well, if it's just Luna participating, I guess it's fine... I'm just going to watch, though!
While I was occupied with that thought, a student stepped forward, ignoring the bewildered crowd.
"I wish to face it."
"Oh, if it isn't Klaus von Winterfeld! Excellent!"
It was Knight Klaus, the one who had fought against me.
"If a warrior as strong as him is participating, I'm sure there are other students who want to fight alongside him, right?"
At Karia's prompt, the students looked at one another. But before anyone could speak, Klaus cut them off.
"It is unnecessary."
His voice was short and dismissive.
"I will defeat the bear alone. I ask that no one interferes."
"You certainly have a lot to say. I think you'll be fine, but... are you really sure?"
"I don't mind. Do it."
The moment Karia accepted his request, the chains binding the bear’s limbs shattered into pieces.
...Wait, what was that?
I felt like Knight Klaus’s physique had grown strangely larger over such a short period of time...
Was it just my imagination?