After studying under Olvin-san, I've realized one thing: swordsmanship is awesome! That surreal feeling of swinging a blade, the crisp, clean sensation of a successful strike, and the tangible sense of improvement day by day - every bit of it is the best. However, fun times fly by, and before I knew it, a year had passed.
(I really want to dive deeper into my sword training, but...)
I've reached a baseline level of proficiency as a swordsman, so it's time to move on to the "next step." Oh, right - at ten years old, I've finally hit a growth spurt. I'm up to 140 centimeters now. Growing five centimeters in a single year? God bless puberty.
(—It's almost time.)
The clock reads 12:55 PM. Waiting in my room, I stand up from my chair and give a long, satisfying stretch. Today is the long-awaited "Baptismal Ceremony¹." In the world of Ronsolkia, the year you turn ten is when they measure your mana capacity, magic aptitude, and Unique Magic. Normally, you'd head to a temple to receive the rite, but in my case, things are a bit irregular.
(If things go according to the original plot, that Unique Magic should be dwelling in this body... hopefully.)
The original Hollow's Unique Magic was one of the most anomalous powers in the entire game. After all, it's the same magic wielded by the Great Archmage of a millennium ago: Xeno the Calamity. If it were revealed in a public place like a temple, it would cause an absolute shitstorm. That's why I arranged for a "certain arbiter" to be invited to the mansion to perform the ceremony here.
Of course, normally such a selfish request would never be allowed. But that's the power of being a Heisenberg, one of the Four Great Noble Houses. With one word from my father, the stubborn Ministry of Magic went, "Yes, we'd be delighted!" It's terrifying, really - that kind of influence.
As I'm lost in thought, three sharp raps sound at the door, followed by Olvin's gravelly voice.
"Hollow-sama, the arbiter has arrived."
"Enter," I said.
"Understood," replied Olvin.
The door glides open without a sound, and a fair-skinned woman steps inside.
"I shall take my leave then," Olvin said, bowing deeply after completing his duty as a guide. He closes the door behind him. The woman left behind looks tense. She gives a stiff, polite bow.
"It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Fiona Sedel."
Fiona Sedel, age 18. She's a super-genius mage who became the youngest person in history to join the Ministry of Magic. She stands 160 centimeters tall, with a slender yet feminine build and beautiful black hair tied in a ponytail that reaches down her back. With large, mauve eyes and skin as white as fresh snow, she's a striking beauty. She wears a white jacket over a black shirt, paired with a simple black miniskirt. At a glance, she looks like a refined, elegant young lady... but on the inside, she's a bit "eccentric."
"Hollow von Heisenberg."
I introduce myself bluntly, omitting any honorifics or politeness. She's an arbiter for the Ministry, but in terms of social standing, my house is far above hers.
(Besides, my reputation as a lazy, arrogant brat is likely well-known from the evening party when I was five and the tournament when I was seven...)
If I were to act humble and grounded now, it would probably just look suspicious. In this situation, playing the part of the arrogant noble is the better move.
"Let us begin. I will first measure your mana capacity, Hollow-sama," said Fiona.
She produces a small stone. "This is a special mana crystal called a Resonance Stone². It absorbs surrounding mana and produces a specific reaction. Based on that phenomenon, we can measure your approximate capacity. First, please hold this between your—"
"—I know the drill. Just give me the stone," I interrupted.
"...U-Understood," Fiona whispered.
Her elegant eyebrows twitch. It seems being interrupted and ordered around by a brat like me is grating on her nerves. I don't blame her at all, truly. But to stay true to the original Hollow's character, I have to do this. While I'm mentally prostrating myself in apology, I take the Resonance Stone between my thumb and forefinger and crush it. It gives way with a sharp pop.
As silver shards dance in the air and a sensation of my mana being drained washes over me, the Resonance Stone reacts.
"Hmm."
"T-This...!?"
The air is filled with a blackness like stagnant sludge. To put it mildly, it looks like "Evil" had been boiled down into a concentrate. Mana that perfectly expresses the inherent wickedness of Hollow von Heisenberg swirls around me.
"Well? The result?" I asked.
"I-It's a staggering amount of mana...!" Fiona gasped. (This is the highest I've ever recorded by a landslide... and I've never seen mana this... gruesome before!)
With the mana measurement finished, we move on to magic aptitude.
"Please place these rings on the five fingers of your right hand," she said.
"Fine," I replied.
As instructed, I slide the rings on. Each of the five rings is embedded with a mana crystal representing the five great elements: Fire, Water, Lightning, Wood, and Earth. When you channel mana through them, the rings you have an affinity for will glow. It's a process known as the Five-Finger Discernment Method³.
"Now, please close your eyes and focus your mana into your right hand," said Fiona.
I do as she says, closing my eyes and concentrating. One second, two seconds, three seconds pass. When I slowly open my eyes...
"Hoh."
All five rings are emitting a faint light. Which means—
"A-All-elemental aptitude...!? No way, how is this possible!?" Fiona cried, her eyes going wide with shock.
But for Hollow, this is par for the course. The real show starts now.
"What are you so shocked about? Keep moving. We have a Baptismal Ceremony to finish," I said.
"Y-Yes...!"
The mana capacity and elemental aptitude were just the opening act. The main event of the Baptismal Ceremony is the appraisal of Unique Magic. "!"
Fiona deploys her magic, calling forth a simplified ritual site in the center of the room. Four pillars rise in the corners, with a large statue of the Goddess enshrined in the center. It's a bit modest compared to the grand altars in the temples, but it's still impressive.
"The appraisal of Unique Magic is a sacred act that should be done in a temple, but... at the request of Lord Heisenberg, we are making an exception. As for the method—I assume you already know?" asked Fiona.
"Umu."
I walk to the center of the ritual site, place my right hand against the right hand of the Goddess statue, and gently pour in my mana. The next moment, a crack spiders across the statue - and it shatters into a million pieces. Silver fragments swirl through the air. Instead of hitting the floor, they vanish, as if swallowed by another dimension.
"This reaction... no, it can't be...!?"
Fiona pulls out a tattered ancient manuscript, flipping through the pages with frantic speed before snapping her head up. Her eyes are glazed with obsession, a thin trail of saliva escapes her lip, and her breathing is ragged. She looks completely unhinged - like a true mad scientist.
"Well? Did you find something?" I asked.
"It's the Unique Magic Void⁴!!" she shrieked.
Jackpot. Just like the original story, this body houses the strongest Unique Magic. As I clench my fist in a silent victory, Fiona begins to twirl around happily, clutching her ancient book.
"Amazing! Amazing, amazing, amazing! It's too incredible! The highest tier of Unique Magic - an Origin-Class ultra-rarity! The same 'strongest and worst' magic as Xeno the Calamity! Oh man, I am so lucky! I was wondering what I'd done to deserve being sent to the home of some atrocious noble, but I am so glad I came!!"
She's letting her true thoughts leak out way too much... but whatever. That kind of honesty is one of her few virtues.
(Regardless, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief...)
Honestly, it's a huge weight off my shoulders. I'm incredibly grateful that Hollow still has Void. Having this power versus not having it changes the difficulty level of my future by an order of magnitude.
(Now, I just need to handle the 'hush money' part.)
Void is a magic with a dark reputation. About a thousand years ago, a mage named Xeno used this power to raise absolute hell... basically, it's not something you want to go public with.
"Fiona. We need to talk," I said.
"Yes? What is it?" she asked.
"Do not tell a soul that I manifested Void. In your report to the Ministry of Magic, state that my Unique Magic was Refraction.⁵"
"What? Why would you do that?" Fiona asked. "Void is a rare Origin-Class magic! Announcing it would bring immense glory to your family name. It isn't something you should hide."
"It's a precaution. I only need it hidden from the world for a little while. Two years, to be precise," I replied.
Currently, a dangerous group known as the Great Magic Cult is lurking in the Royal Capital, making a living out of "Factor Hunting." They use insiders within the Ministry of Magic to scan the Magic Registry - the Arcana⁶ - and kidnap anyone with rare magical factors.
In one route of the original game, the Cult found out about Hollow's Void magic and gleefully snatched him up. As the ultimate test subject, Hollow von Heisenberg had his brain experimented on until they finally ripped the Void factor out of him and put him down. The "Void Extraction End."
(I'm not interested in that finale.)
Of course, I'm not saying I'd definitely lose if I fought the Cult right now. I have the swordsmanship skills Olvin passed down to me, after all. But this Bad End can be avoided with just a little bit of effort, so there's no reason to take the risk.
(I'm going to tap the stone bridge, tap it again, tap it a third time - and then think about whether I even want to cross it.)
In this world, "Game Over" means literal death. A little caution is just the right amount. So, for the next two years - until the Cult leaves the Capital - I'll keep the truth about Void under wraps. During that time, I'll train my magic and master Void. That's the plan.
Fiona thinks for a moment, then gives a small, firm bow.
"I am sorry, but I cannot fulfill that request. Those who manifest Unique Magic must have their correct information registered in the Arcana. This is not just a tradition; it is a rule established by the Kingdom's Constitution. As an arbiter serving God, I take pride in my duty. I cannot engage in fraud," she said.
"Then, let's make a deal."
"A deal?" she asked.
"Yes. You register "Refraction" as my Unique Magic in the Arcana — and in return, I will give you access to a secret: the true nature of the Great Magic Cult's internal informant. I know who they are. And I know where they hide their cache of stolen Arcana records. You'll be the one to expose them — not just as a loyal servant of the Ministry, but as the hero who brought down the corruption from within. Your name will be etched in the annals of magic history. Isn't that more valuable than mere obedience to a rule?"
Fiona froze. Her breathing stopped. The manic gleam in her eyes dimmed, replaced by something colder, sharper — calculation. Slowly, deliberately, she closed the ancient manuscript. "...You're not just hiding Void," she whispered. "You're hunting them. And you've been waiting for someone like me to... help you."
"If I am to keep my Innate Magic⁷ a secret... I suppose I could let you investigate this Void," I said.
"I'll keep it a secret! I won't tell a soul, I promise! I don't even mind if you bind me with the magic of a !" Fiona replied.
Where did her dignity and pride go? I was surprised by how quickly Fiona-san flipped her script, but it played right into my hands.
In the original story, Fiona-san was a famous "magic junkie"—a total freak who loved magic more than three meals a day. I figured if I dangled the ultimate bait like the Void in front of her, she'd be putty in my hands. It was well worth the effort of specifically asking my father to appoint her.
"Then, we shall form a contract," I said.
I opened the desk drawer and took out a contract I had prepared in advance. Normally, when making such an important promise, you'd use the magic known as , but since I can't use magic yet, I had to do it the old-fashioned way with parchment.
"M-My, you're certainly well-prepared..." Fiona said, looking surprised. She quickly scanned the document, and after confirming there were no issues, she signed her full name.
"The contract is established, then," I said.
"Yes," Fiona replied.
With this, information about the Void would no longer leak from her lips. If she were to break the contract, she'd face the "Judgment of the God of Contracts" and die instantly.
"As per Hollow-sama's instructions, I will withhold all information regarding the from the Ministry of Magic and register it as ," Fiona said.
"Yes, see that you do," I said.
"But... won't we be found out later?" Fiona asked, her eyes wandering anxiously.
"It won't be a problem," I replied. "After all, is a higher-order version of . Whenever I use in public, I will limit the effects to things achievable via . If we do that, it's unlikely anyone will ever notice."
"I see... You certainly are well-versed in Innate Magic," Fiona said.
"I suppose," I replied.
There are over a thousand types of Innate Magic in Ronzorkia⁸, and I've memorized almost all of them. Once the conversation settled, Fiona-san cleared her throat.
"I still have some unfinished business at the Ministry, so I shall take my leave for today," Fiona said. "Once my current cases are settled, I will return immediately. And when that day comes-"
"-As promised, I will let you investigate ," I interrupted.
"Th-Thank you so much!" Fiona said, her eyes sparkling with unbridled glee.
"Well then, while you're away, I think I'll dabble in some magic myself," I said.
"Yes. To ensure the research on the Void goes smoothly, a fundamental understanding of magic is essential. I look forward to your progress," Fiona replied.
"Umu," I said.
"Well then, I shall take my leave," Fiona said.
As soon as Fiona-san left the mansion, I immediately began my magic studies. After getting my father's permission, I entered the study and pulled out a textbook.
(Hmm, okay, I see... Magic is so freaking cool!)
Once I actually started training, I realized the truth. If I drew the magic circle like this-whoosh!-it lit a fire. If I circulated my mana-splash!-water actually came out.
(Haha, that gave me a zap! So this is Lightning-attribute magic!)
Just by nibbling on the textbook and glancing at the theory, I could use magic immediately.
(Heh... hehehe. Hehehehehe!)
Holed up in the study, I stayed up all night devouring magic books, testing everything I learned one after another. Time flew by, and before I knew it, a month had passed. Fiona-san, having finished her work at the Ministry, returned to the Heisenberg mansion.
"I am terribly sorry to have kept you waiting!" Fiona said. "But please, rest assured-I have finished all my work and secured a long-term leave for the entire next year! Now I can focus purely on researching the Void!"
"I-I see... That's very... reassuring," I said.
I was a bit put off by her abnormal level of motivation, but I pushed the conversation forward.
"So, what's the schedule for today? We're starting the research, right?" I asked.
"Yes! First, I'll give a brief lecture on the theory of Innate Magic, and then we shall dive into the Void!" Fiona replied.
"What do I need to do specifically? I can't handle anything too tedious," I said.
"Hollow-sama, please don't mind me," Fiona said. "Just practice your Void magic as you normally would. I will observe your progress in detail, collecting and analyzing data to advance my independent research."
"Understood," I replied.
Nice. That makes things easy.
"By the way, Hollow-sama, it's only been about a month since you started studying magic, correct?" Fiona asked.
"Yeah," I said.
The age when mana factors settle in the body is usually around ten. That's the year of the Ceremony of Baptism⁹, when kids start learning. That's the standard education in Ronzorkia.
"In that case, I'd like to verify your basic magic capacity first," Fiona said. " is a dangerous power that could potentially destroy the world. Without 'minimum magic skills,' there's a risk of it running wild. I hope you understand."
"Fine," I said.
"Thank you," Fiona replied.
To show her the results of my past month-my current strength-I showed off the magic I'd just learned with a casual display.
(Wait... the basics are solid... huh? He already has all five major attributes?! And general-purpose magic too?! No way, his construction speed is way too fast! And his mana control is so precise?!)
Fiona-san's face shifted from doubt to admiration, and then to pure astonishment.
"Well? Does it look like I have those 'minimum skills' you mentioned?" I asked.
"Y-Yes...! But this... has it really only been a month?!" Fiona asked. "Have you been training in secret? (It would take an ordinary person five years to reach this level, and even a genius like me took three...!)"
"Stop with the empty flattery. This is nothing more than child's play," I said.
While I had the forms down, I'd rate my performance at about 70%. My skills might be decent, but that's only "for a ten-year-old."
"As expected of the next head of the Heisenberg family... your talent is monstrous..." Fiona muttered. She then pulled herself together. "Let's get back to it then. I'll give you a brief rundown on Innate Magic, focusing only on the parts relevant to the Void."
She put on her professional researcher face.
"The core premise: the strength of Innate Magic is that there are no textbooks, and the weakness of Innate Magic is that there are no textbooks. Do you follow?"
"Innate Magic users are one in a hundred thousand," I said. "Unlike general magic, there is no systematized path for learning. Because there are no books, it's hard for enemies to counter, but it's just as hard for the user to master. The pros and cons are two sides of the same coin."
"T-That's exactly right... You're very well-informed," Fiona said, blinking in surprise.
"Innate Magic is categorized into four ranks based on destructive power, social value, and rarity: Elite Class, Epic Class, Legend Class, and Origin Class," Fiona continued. "Hollow-sama's belongs to the highest, the Origin Class. It is extremely rare. There are no books on it, and mastering it will be a long, arduous road."
Fiona-san was right. Mastering Innate Magic is brutal. And among them, an Origin Class like the Void is the peak of difficulty. But I have my knowledge of the original story! I know how to train it. I understand how to use it. I've seen how to apply it.
(The first thing I should master is... . Yeah, that's the one.)
I continued to polish my Void magic while Fiona-san quietly observed. As the days went by, I hit a happy miscalculation. Fiona-san's aptitude as a teacher was way higher than I expected. She was a fountain of general magic knowledge, could hold high-level debates, and had instant, perfect answers for every question I threw at her. Training with her was incredibly productive.
(I wonder if I can somehow poach Fiona-san for the Heisenberg family...?)
As I idly pondered this, a brilliant idea immediately surfaced.
(I can't believe I came up with something so outrageous...!)
This Hollow-brain of mine is truly exceptional.
I'll find the right moment to execute "Operation: Recruit Fiona-san." I really do come up with the most outrageous things. This "Hollow-Brain" of mine is top-tier. I'll find the right moment to execute "Operation: Recruit Fiona-san.")
And just like that, a year passed. Today is the final day of Fiona-san's long-term leave. For now, this is our last training session together. Fiona-san has been amazing to me. Thanks to her dedication, I've managed to grasp the true essence of the Void. As a small thank-you, I decided to show her something interesting.
"Hollow-sama, what is it you wanted to show me?" Fiona asked.
"You'll see," I replied.
We took a carriage to Mount Garan, a Heisenberg property I also used for sword training with Olvin-san.
"Hmm, this spot should do," I said.
Standing at the foot of the mountain, I snapped my right hand forward.
"!" I shouted.
In the next instant, the lush, green mountain was cleanly erased. To be precise, it was swallowed by the Void. is a spell that sends a designated space into the Void.
(The power is good, but the construction was a bit messy. The coordinate targeting was loose, too. Still plenty of room for improvement.)
While I was having a private post-game reflection, Fiona-san collapsed onto the ground.
(With just one spell, the map has been rewritten...! This is the Void... the power of the 'Calamity' that once destroyed the world...! Nothing could make me happier than seeing her reaction.)
She covered her mouth with both hands, trembling like a leaf. Did... did her legs just turn to jelly from the shock? I'm glad she liked it.
Summary:
Hollow turns ten and undergoes his Baptismal Ceremony in private to hide his dangerous affinity. He confirms he possesses 'Void' magic, the same power as a legendary calamity. To avoid a dark future where he is hunted by a cult, he attempts to blackmail or strike a deal with the arbiter, Fiona.
Hollow secures Fiona's cooperation by promising her research access to his unique 'Void' magic. After a year of secret training, Hollow displays overwhelming talent in basic magic and mana control. The chapter concludes with a terrifying demonstration of 'Void Teleportation' that erases a mountain.
Trivia:
- Hollow's internal monologue uses 'Boku' (boyish) while his external persona uses 'Ore' (masculine/arrogant).
- The 'Void Extraction End' specifically involves the protagonist being lobotomized by the Great Magic Cult.
- Resonance Stones are sensitive enough to shatter if the mana is too intense or 'evil'.
- Fiona is 18 and already in the Ministry, highlighting her genius status compared to average mages.
- Hollow is only ten years old during this chapter.
- The contract involves the 'God of Contracts', implying divine stakes.
- Void magic is categorized as 'Origin Class', the highest possible tier.
- Hollow has memorized almost all 1000+ types of innate magic in the world.
- Fiona took three years to master what Hollow learned in one month
Character Insight:
Hollow's cautious nature is emphasized through his 'tap the bridge' philosophy, showing a shift from a generic villain to a calculated survivor. Fiona's professional pride clashes with her inner 'magic otaku' excitement.
Hollow shows a calculating side, using his knowledge of the original plot to manipulate Fiona's 'magic junkie' personality. Fiona's professional skepticism turns into absolute awe and fear as she realizes Hollow's true potential.
Behind the Scenes:
The author uses the contrast between Hollow's child-like appearance (140cm) and his dark mana to heighten the 'Villainous Aristocrat' trope.
The author uses 'rubi' characters to give magic names specific readings, like 'Contract' being read as 'Contra'.
TL Notes:
1 ↩ 洗礼の儀 (Senrei no Gi): A coming-of-age ritual in Ronsolkia to determine a child's magical path.
2 ↩ 感応石 (Kannouseki): A magic-sensitive crystal that reacts to mana quantity and quality.
3 ↩ 五指鑑別法 (Goshi Kanbetsuhou): A method using five elemental rings to check a mage's elemental affinities.
4 ↩ 虚空 (Kokuu): A legendary, Origin-Class magic associated with disaster.
5 ↩ 屈折 (Kussetsu): Literally 'Refraction,' a likely mundane light-based magic Hollow uses as a cover.
6 ↩ magic目録 (Arcana): The official ledger of the Ministry of Magic containing all registered mages' powers.
7 ↩ Innate Magic (固有魔法): A rare magical talent possessed by only one in 100,000 people.
8 ↩ Ronzorkia (ロンゾルキア): The name of the world/setting in which the story takes place.
9 ↩ Ceremony of Baptism (洗礼の儀): A rite of passage at age ten where a person's magical aptitude is officially recognized.
Notes:
• Olvin - Hallow's swordsmanship instructor. Possesses a渋い (shibui/refined/gravelly) voice. Highly respectful of Hallow's status.
• Hollow - Ten‑year‑old heir of the Heisenberg Duke house, 140 cm tall, red medium‑length hair tied in a ribbon‑ponytail, crimson eyes, lean build, navy jacket and black trousers. Holds Void (Origin Class) magic and all‑elemental aptitude, remembers the original Ronsolkia story, and is next head of the family, son of Daphnes and Leila.
• Heisenberg - Lord of the Heisenberg family. One of the Four Great Noble Houses. Noted for his immense wealth and territorial holdings.
• Fiona - An 18‑year‑old Arbiter of the Ministry of Magic, once a top‑tier magic researcher, now known for a “garbage” personality. She stands 160 cm, slender, with black ponytail hair, mauve eyes and snowy white skin, dressed in a white jacket, black shirt and miniskirt. She owes Hollow 60 million Gordo after an embezzlement scandal and gambling loss.