Demon Gods each have their own characteristics. Not only do they differ in how they extend their lifespans, but they also use different abilities. The Professor suggested this as evidence for the development potential of Originals.
I didn't need to find an Original since I'm a Demon God. I already have an Original within myself.
"..."
I didn't know how to use it. Even though I attended the same lectures as Sera and Aria, I only understood the basics—what circles and triangles were—but in reality, I didn't know the first thing about magic.
How could I use an ability that only I knew about, that only I possessed, when I couldn't even use magic? It didn't make sense. Magic or mana was something used by those who knew how to use it, not a power that an outsider like me could wield at will.
Even after the lecture ended, I kept thinking about it.
What kind of ability might I have?
If I had one, it would make me feel special, which would be nice. It would mean no one else could replace me.
But I didn't necessarily need to have one.
For someone treated as a Demon God like me, only solitude awaited. I desperately wished to live in this bustling space where people lived, even if it meant giving up everything else.
I looked through the book.
It was a small theory about magic.
When I opened the first chapter, the same explanation always greeted me. As if this was the first and last thing, as if nothing could begin without it, a circular shape with explanations added to it.
Depending on the author, some even wrote words of praise about the circle.
"The circle is a perfect form. With no beginning or end, connected as one, it signifies both the beginning and end, while simultaneously meaning there is neither beginning nor end. The sky is not limited but infinitely spread out, so the circle also symbolizes the sky."
Flip.
Though these were words from an author I'd always seen, I thought it wouldn't hurt to read them once, so I took them in.
"The circle speaks of circulation. Drawing a circle first on a Magic Battery is to ensure that the injected mana circulates in a consistent amount, allowing it to spread evenly throughout the drawn Magic Circle. Because the injected mana circulates without beginning or end, it also serves to erase the exceptions in magic activation, that is, sudden situations."
I'd read various books, but I couldn't help but laugh at someone who was so genuinely passionate about circles.
It was just a simple circle, yet because it was the alpha and omega of magic application, the author spoke about it like someone in love, which was fascinating and made me tilt my head.
"Beginning and end, yet without beginning or end. Circulating without distinction between start and finish. All of this signifies eternity. The fundamental issue for humans approaching eternity lies here. I take this opportunity to seriously suggest that perhaps the existence of Demon Gods shows us the goal humans should strive to reach."
It was quite an interesting statement. So I snorted and focused on the book. I hadn't even gotten to the main part about circles and triangles yet, but I stopped at the author's words and read those lines repeatedly.
Other people think Demon Gods should be eliminated, or like the Professor, wonder if there might be Demon Gods we can coexist with. But this was the first time I'd seen someone of this type, and it felt strange.
The existence of Demon Gods is the ideal that humans should strive for. How many people in this world would speak that way?
I wasn't getting cocky just because I'm a Demon God. I just thought, wow, there are people with such different thoughts, the world is vast—that's all.
"Urr, you'll ruin your eyes that way."
The Professor grabbed my shoulder and pulled me back slightly. Realizing I had my face too close to the book, I relaxed and moved my head a bit away from it.
Leaving the book where it was, I tilted my head back to look up at the Professor. As I leaned back, the crown of my head touched the Professor's stomach.
"Hmm?"
After briefly meeting my eyes, the Professor turned to look at the book I was reading. After scanning the contents with his eyes, he tilted his head and reached out.
"Urr, are you reading the author's preface first?"
"It was just interesting."
Curious about what book I was reading, the Professor took it and slowly began reading that page.
Without any particular reaction, the Professor closed the book, quickly flipped through the front and back covers, and nodded.
"What is it?"
"Oh, it's my professor's work."
"...Your professor's?"
"Yes. That's how it goes."
"Hieek."
An incredibly high-ranking person.
The Professor was already incredibly smart and strong, so I wondered what kind of person the Professor's professor was—both curious and a bit scared. I worried that standing before such a person might overwhelm me with their aura.
When I recoiled, the Professor chuckled and told me:
"We'll have to meet them at the upcoming seminar."
"We'll meet them...?"
"Of course. I have my own research to get verified."
The Professor shrugged as if to say he wasn't much different from the Institute Students.
What kind of world did the Professor live in? While curious, I felt I shouldn't get too close to look, so I just nodded.
No matter how much I liked the Professor, that was a bit...
As I made a disgusted face and tried to distance myself from the Professor, his hand flew to my chest. His arm, crossing from above like a roller coaster safety bar, grabbed my body and settled me back into the chair.
"...Eh?"
"Why are you making that face? You have to come meet them too."
"Eh...?"
I thought we'd just chat about the festival next week, gossiping and talking about that, but apparently not.
So I'd attend the festival, go to the Academy, and then later meet the Professor and the Professor's professor? Would there be a lot of professors?
My mind went blank. The superior of a superior person. How superior would they be? How strong? I just hoped they weren't aggressive. As these thoughts crossed my mind, the Professor slightly removed the arm that was wrapped around me.
I vaguely looked up as I felt a hand touching my cheek. Looking up at the Professor again, he asked with a smile:
"What? Does the idea of my professor scare you?"
"I feel like there will be a lot of professors similar to you. They all seem like they'd be incredibly strong..."
"No."
The Professor shook his head.
It seemed my assumption that all professors were strong was a misconception. Wondering if only our Professor was strong, I tilted my head, and he answered in a low voice:
"My professor isn't particularly strong either. Just intelligent."
"Really?"
"Yes, that's right."
So perhaps only those who continued research in strength-related fields became strong?
While the Professor's professor might be like that, the professors who were the Professor's peers could still be strong, so I couldn't completely relax.
I just hoped they didn't have ill feelings toward Demon Gods. Of course, with our Professor around, I'd surely be safe.
Feeling a bit tense, I gulped. The Professor found this amusing too and smiled with his eyes, gently squishing my cheek with his fingertips.
"Ueeee."
"Hehe, it's okay. Since you're with me, I won't let anyone else touch you."
"Then I'm fine. Aang."
"Oh, how cute. Do you like the Professor that much?"
As I nodded slightly, the Professor couldn't resist and lifted me up for a hug.
At times like this, I really felt how incredibly strong the Professor was. The tight embrace made me feel like I couldn't breathe. I groaned as the Professor pressed his face against mine and nuzzled.
Nng.
"It's suffocating..."
"What should we eat today? Tell me what delicious food you want!"
The Professor, now in a good mood, told me he'd buy me something tasty.
At first, I didn't care whether I ate or not, but now I'd come to enjoy the pleasure of tasty food, so when he asked, I would think about it for a moment.
Rather than the survival instinct of needing to eat to live, it was more like wanting the pleasure of enjoying food.
"...I want soba."
"Soba? Soba sounds good."
The Professor nodded readily.
After eating the spontaneously chosen meal, we returned home. I took out the book I had seen earlier in the laboratory and skimmed through it again.
A book written by the Professor's professor. I had wondered who could be so passionate about circles, but I hadn't expected it to be the Professor's professor, so I scanned it again with my eyes.
Author, Thales Coil.
"Professor."
"Yes?"
"Why does your professor like, um, circles so much?"
"...I'm not sure about that. He wasn't like that when I was studying under him, so he must have gotten fixated on something while I was away."
The Professor skimmed through the book I had brought again. Then, after briefly looking at the very last page, he smiled bitterly.
"Looking at the first edition date, it's from last year. I was busy last year, so I know even less."
"What do you think, Professor?"
"Hmm? About circles?"
When I nodded, the Professor thought about it seriously.
If I had simply asked about circles, the Professor would have explained within my range of understanding, but this time, since it involved the Professor's professor, he seemed to be thinking more deeply.
After reviewing what circles were and whether they deserved such praise, he just shrugged.
"I think they're important. Since my professor was properly researching them, he probably understood an importance beyond what I recognize."
"It seems even you find your professor hard to understand."
"When you put it that way, I suppose it might sound like that. That could be true."
The Professor smiled bitterly and patted my head firmly.
Static electricity made my fluffy hair try to stick to the Professor's hand. I looked up. Seeing my hair stuck to the Professor's palm, something suddenly came to mind, and I put my hands together.
As if sending telepathy, I pressed two fingers to my forehead and groaned. It felt strange, like I was using magic.
Next time, I wanted to try using magic.