Chapter 30: Evolved System: True SEI Awakens

Let's see, when crafting a spell, one must have a vision of what it looks like and what it does, and I don't even know how this so-called 'True Ice' looks.

Mhmmm... By true ice, does it mean ice colder than normal ice, or ice whiter than normal?

Okay, I'll try that first.

I opened my hand, holding my palm flat in front of me.

The spell I'm creating is Ice Shard—a shard made of ice, cold, pure, small but hard.

As the shard formed, I felt a strange, unnatural chill—like something beyond normal ice. Was this what 'True Ice' meant?

[Ding]

[Spell "Ice Shard" created]

I flinched backward, almost falling off the bed. I was startled by the noise and the voice that rang in my head.

This has never happened. Usually, when a spell is created, I just instinctively know that I can use it. These words floating in front of me have never appeared before.

[System notifications +1 New]

"What even is this, some kind of skill?" I hesitantly reached out to touch the words.

Suddenly, I heard the voice again—calm and emotionless, yet angelic and feminine.

[Answering host's question]

[I am the True System, Self Evaluation Interface—SEI]

[Due to host achieving a unique evolution, my true form has been unlocked]

"What? True SEI? Is this some illusion from evolving? Should I just rest?" I held my chin, narrowing my eyes, trying to understand this strange voice in my head.

[No, I am not an illusion. Sleeping will not dismiss me. As I have stated, I am True SEI.]

Yep, I'll just sleep and see what happens. I crawled onto the bed, taking a sleeping position before closing my eyes. Not even a second passed before I heard an annoyingly loud noise.

[Ding]

[Ding]

[Ding]

[Ding]

[Ding...]

I opened my eyes with a frown and sat upright. "Hey! Voice! Could you stop that? Even if you are just a figment of my imagination, shut up!" I raised my voice.

[Not until host acknowledges that I am real.]

I ran my fingers through my hair. "Ughhh, fine, you're real. Are you happy now?"

[Yes, but host still needs to call my name—True SEI—and then say 'open' to access the system.]

I tilted my head. "The system? Won't it be like the normal SEI that just shows your skills and stuff?"

[No. Due to my evolution, more functions have been added.]

[Now, host, call my name.]

At first, I wasn't very keen on the idea, but after thinking for a couple of minutes—and with True SEI still pestering me to call her, or should I say its name—I made up my mind to trust it for now.

[Host, have you finished thinking now?]

"Yes! So stop repeating yourself." I sighed.

"I'll call your name now. True SEI, Ope—"

Just as I was about to explore the new interface, I felt a sudden shift in the air.

The room, once silent only SEI's voice in my head, was now heavy with an overwhelming presence. My instincts screamed at me—someone powerful was near. My breath hitched, and before I could react—

BANG!

The door slammed open.

I jumped, the system's golden screen vanishing from my sight as my focus snapped to the doorway.

A tall old man stood there, his long white beard swaying slightly as he stepped inside. His deep-set eyes locked onto me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. A golden crown rested atop his head, though his clothes were nothing like I had imagined—a simple blue suit that looked more suited to a commoner than royalty.

Yet, what shook me wasn't his appearance. It was his magion. My heart began to race.

How could this old guy have so much magion? And even more, why is he so old?

A vampire does not age past their prime... Does that mean...?

He cleared his throat. "Kiddo, are you the Silvey my granddaughter spoke of?" He raised a brow.

"Kiddo? Wait—huh?" I mumbled.

"I asked if you're my granddaughter's friend," he groaned.

His granddaughter? Who's that? Wait—the only person who calls me 'Silvey' is Lily.

"Yes, I'm Silver Lustra," I answered in a respectful tone, bowing my head.

If this person was Lily's grandfather, then that means at one point he was the ruler of Drayula. No wonder he's this strong... Does that mean he was the Moon?

I don't know why, but every single royal family has two rulers: the Sun, in charge of palace-related business and the court, and the Moon, who has only one duty—to protect and fight for the Sun. They were at least as strong, if not stronger, than the Sun.

And such a person was standing in front of me.

A smile slowly began to form on his face before he let out a burst of laughter.

It took him a while to regain his composure. I just sat there, wondering if my greeting was that funny. If that was the case, I could be a star in a grand performance.

He wiped his tears. "Sorry... about that. It's just... how long has it been since I was greeted like that?" He chuckled.

So I guess I'm not that funny? Wait... that's not the point. Why is a former ruler trying to meet me?

"I can see that you're confused, so I'll tell you why I've come in here unannounced," he said, rubbing his long beard.

"I'll be taking over Roi's role as your instructor. Be grateful— you're learning from the best." He added, raising his head with a smug look on his face.

"Whaaaaat!?" I froze under his stare. "Uh... I mean... yeahhh!!!"

I awkwardly chuckled.

His expression turned into a wide smile. "I'll be waiting for you outside, so make haste. I'll be training you like we did back in my days." He said before turning to leave, humming as he stepped out the door, closing it behind him.

My eyes widened. "Don't tell me..."

A chill ran down my spine. That name—Gram Drayula.

The Devil Instructor.

Lily had told me horror stories, but now he was here. Standing in my room.

Lily has always spoken about how her grandfather put her brothers through hell when training them.

And now I'm going to be trained by that person. I don't know if I should be glad or scared. I deeply sighed.

For the next month, I'll be doing nothing but training... and that starts today.

[Host, I wish you luck in your training, but aren't you forgetting something?]

I had completely forgotten about the system.

[Host, don't tell me you forgot.]

"No, I remember. True SEI, and then 'open,' righ—"

As soon as I said those words, a golden screen appeared in front of me.

"What is this? Is this really the system? How can it look so different?" I reached out to touch it, and as soon as my finger made contact, I heard the voice speaking again.

[Host, Silver Lustra, acknowledged.]

[Host will have full access to all functions.]

[Opening System...]