Chapter Thirty-One: You Are a Magical Genius

“Knock, knock, knock!” Hans stood outside Vanny’s room and reached out to rap on the door.

“It’s Brian, isn’t it? Come in,” came Vanny’s languid, faintly lazy voice from within.

When Hans pushed the door open, he found Vanny’s pale violet hair damp, clinging to her fair neck and delicate face, with crystalline droplets still glistening. She had clearly just bathed, wrapped in a soft white robe, exposing a patch of creamy skin at her chest, her slender hand holding a towel as she dried the moisture from her hair.

The room was simple, and from the open bathing chamber behind, warm mist drifted outward. Vanny sat upright at a curved table, her bright eyes rippling like emerald waves, scanning Hans as he entered.

“Miss Vanny, is there something you needed from me?” Hans glanced around the room, his heart stirred by Vanny’s captivating beauty, but his face was earnest and honest, almost timid.

“What do I need? Hmph, you were quite bold today on the warhorse. I always thought you were timid and cowardly, Brian, but once desire struck, your actions were truly surprising!” Vanny gave him a sharp look, snorting softly and frowning.

Here it comes, Hans thought inwardly, his expression all the more innocent. He scratched his head, his face turning red with embarrassment, then took a deep breath and lowered his gaze, speaking softly, “I’m sorry, Miss Vanny. You’re so beautiful, and we were so close on the horse—I don’t know what came over me, I just couldn’t control myself. I was wrong. Please punish me, Miss Vanny.”

With a loud slap, Vanny slammed her palm against the table in anger. Hans “jumped” back two steps, looking at her with fear and timidity.

“Damn you, you violated me, do you realize that?” Vanny stared at Hans fiercely, her voice low and sharp.

Hans nodded honestly, his face simple and sincere. “I was wrong, Miss Vanny. I’ll take responsibility!”

“Ha! You’ll take responsibility? And how exactly will you do that? Can you afford it?” Vanny’s anger made her laugh, her gaze fixed on Hans, but her beautiful face was devoid of any real smile.

“Er… Well, whatever you decide, I’ll accept it,” Hans sighed helplessly, certain Vanny wouldn’t really do anything to him, and spoke with honest sincerity.

This put Vanny in a quandary. She realized Hans probably hadn’t meant any harm, and since she herself had asked him to mount the warhorse, even though things had gone awry, he wasn’t truly at fault. He was just a lowly servant; how should she punish him?

Seeing Vanny’s brows knit in genuine hesitation, Hans had an idea and suddenly spoke, “Miss Vanny, didn’t you say I was your experiment? Lately, I’ve felt strange—my body, my mind… The other day, I heard Lisa recite the Bone Arrow spell and tried it myself. Amazingly, I managed to cast the Bone Arrow magic.”

Vanny, lost in thought, was instantly shocked. Her eyes lit up with excitement, and she said, “Really? Is it true? Can you show me the Bone Arrow spell?”

Hans knew Vanny was obsessed with necromancy and curious about his unusual condition. He also understood he couldn’t remain a mere servant forever at Babylon Academy of Magic and Martial Arts, so this was the perfect opportunity to begin changing her perception of him.

As expected, once Vanny heard of his strange abilities, she forgot entirely about punishing him and focused all her attention on this revelation.

“Of course!” Hans smiled, raising both hands and quietly reciting the incantation: “Endless darkness, transform into the destructive Bone Arrow, by my will annihilate all before me—Bone Arrow!”

With the spell cast, a sharp bone arrow appeared in the air before Hans. Following his gesture, it shot toward the wooden wall, but halfway there, it wobbled uncertainly and then shattered with a loud crack.

“No, no, the incantation is correct, but your gesture is all wrong. When you raise your right hand, it should move slowly skyward, and your left hand shouldn’t mirror the right,” Vanny began to instruct him habitually, then suddenly realized the enormity, gasping in shock, her body trembling with excitement. “Oh heavens! You really can cast necromancy!”

“Yes, yes—I don’t know how it happened. By the way, Miss Vanny, could you explain the proper gestures for casting magic in detail?” Hans asked, feigning confusion, though inwardly amused.

“Certainly!” Vanny was truly excited. She tossed aside her towel, strode quickly to Hans, and began to instruct him carefully.

“Like this? Like this—is this right?”

“Raise your hand a bit higher, focus your mental strength, don’t relax at all. Yes, the gesture is right now. Slow your left hand a little. Try casting again for me.”

“Endless darkness, transform into the destructive Bone Arrow, by my will annihilate all before me—Bone Arrow!”

Hans recited the spell. This time, the bone arrow shot true, but just as it neared the wall, it exploded again.

“Brian, your mental focus—don’t let it slip! Only relax once the Bone Arrow has fully formed, or it’ll shatter mid-flight. Try again.”

“Endless darkness, transform into the destructive Bone Arrow, by my will annihilate all before me—Bone Arrow!”

The spell completed, the bone arrow flew like lightning, its direction unwavering, striking the wooden wall with a sharp thud and vanishing without a trace.

“Oh heavens, Brian, you’re a genius—a true magical prodigy! I only guided you twice and you mastered Bone Arrow; most students take a month or three to fully grasp this spell. You’re incredible!” Vanny was utterly stunned by Hans, shouting and gesturing wildly in her excitement.

“Damn it, who’s casting wild magic? Nearly hit me! Hey, Brian, Miss Vanny—Brian, why are you in Miss Vanny’s room?” Suddenly, Lisa’s surprised cry came from next door. Through the shattered hole, Lisa peered in with one eye, calling out in astonishment.

“It’s nothing, Lisa. I’m just helping Brian practice Bone Spike magic. Go to bed soon, we won’t disturb you anymore,” Vanny hurried to the broken hole, smiling as she spoke, and before Lisa could reply, she snatched up her discarded towel and plugged the hole.

Turning back, Vanny stared at Hans in amazement, quickly approaching him. “Stand still—let me examine your body, see what’s going on.”

“All right,” Hans replied with a smile, thinking that he’d fully mastered Bone Arrow magic in just ten days. According to Vanny, he might truly have a gift for magic.

“Hmm, what’s that strange smell?” Vanny approached, intending to inspect Hans, but wrinkled her nose curiously.

Hans froze, then suddenly realized and glanced down in embarrassment. “My room doesn’t have a bath, so I haven’t washed. That’s why there’s a lingering odor.”

Vanny’s beautiful cheeks flushed, and she glared fiercely at Hans, muttering “lewd,” then pointed to her open bathing chamber, urging him, “The water’s still warm. Go clean yourself up, now!”

He really was “lewd.” Hans could feel that even now, a sticky liquid still seeped from below. Vanny’s words suited him perfectly; the stickiness was uncomfortable, so he cheerfully headed for the bathing chamber Vanny had just used.

Inside was a simple circular pool, steam rising from warm water. On the nearby rack lay several of Vanny’s intimate, sensual undergarments—delicate silk pieces as thin as gossamer. Just one glance was enough to ignite a fire deep within Hans.

As Hans stared, his gaze burning, at Vanny’s discarded lingerie, Vanny suddenly rushed in, her face flustered and shy as she hastily gathered up the garments. When she turned to see Hans’s eyes almost ablaze, she spat in irritation, muttered “damn you,” and pinched his back fiercely before fleeing in a hurry.

Stripping off his clothes and sinking into the circular pool, Hans breathed in the lingering fragrance, savoring the water that Vanny had bathed in. This moment felt exquisite, and he was reluctant to leave.

He lingered in the bath for a long time, until Vanny called several times from outside. Only then did he wash his underwear, wring it out, and step out of the bathing chamber.

“It’s late. I won’t check your body tonight. You should leave,” Vanny said, acting as though nothing had happened, her tone calm and cool.

Hans nodded, smiling simply as he headed for the door. Just as he was about to leave, Vanny called softly, “Brian!”

Hans turned, puzzled, scratching his head. “What is it?”

“Nothing. Just… you don’t seem like a fool to me,” Vanny said, eyeing him oddly.

“Sometimes I have headaches for no reason, but as long as I’m not agitated, everything’s normal,” Hans replied, his heart skipping a beat, and quickly left Vanny’s room.

[If you feel the protagonist’s strength is lacking, please be patient. Rest assured, the main character will not remain weak or downtrodden; this is merely the gradual rise of a demon king. Ordinary people don’t transform overnight—there must be a process of change. Enjoy the journey to power; it’s actually quite delightful.]