Chapter 155: Demines, Gredemons, Crowns, and Demonic

Elias channeled the mana his body naturally stored, and the greenish-purple gem embedded within the nine-pointed star casing immediately began to shimmer. A similar hue spread across his eyes, replacing their natural black with an otherworldly glow.

At the same time, the environment around him changed.

It was similar to the moment he had first awakened his Mind’s Eye and gained the ability to perceive mana, except what appeared before him this time was something entirely different.

Countless colorless threads floated through the room, their surfaces shimmering faintly as they stretched in every direction. Some drifted aimlessly through the air, while others seemed to extend beyond what his eyes could perceive.

One particular thread emerged from the center of Priest Mekah’s chest and extended upward into the air.

Elias stared at it with narrowed eyes.

’These are either spiritual energy or connections to the spirit beings of the Spirit Realm.’

The realization had barely formed when a sharp ache suddenly pierced his head.

His expression twisted as sweat began forming across his forehead, and within seconds, the pain became so severe that he felt as though his body might give out. Elias immediately grabbed his head and gritted his teeth, refusing to make even the slightest sound despite the searing pain assaulting his mind.

"You can stop now," Mekah said, his voice carrying both concern and wonder.

Elias nodded stiffly before cutting off the flow of mana.

The colorless threads vanished instantly, and the strange hue disappeared from his eyes, restoring them to their natural black. He released a shaky breath as the headache gradually began to subside, and after rubbing his temple for a moment, he finally looked toward the old priest.

"Was there any need to do that?" Elias asked.

"There was," Mekah said, interlocking his fingers over the table before continuing, "we Spiritualists possess a natural resistance against the unknown because spiritual energy flows through us. Swordsmen and mages, however, are not naturally protected from it."

Elias listened carefully.

"However, that can be changed," Mekah continued, his gaze falling toward the amulet. "When someone channels mana into a spiritual object, they become visible to spiritual energy, and that visibility allows the spiritual energy to protect them."

’So that is why...’ Elias mumbled inwardly as he gave a firm nod.

He then looked directly at Mekah and asked, "So, can you tell me now?"

"I can," Mekah nodded before leaning back slightly. "Unlike spirit beings, which are born from mortal ideas, imaginations, and dreams, demons are born from the resultant fear of those things."

Elias’s eyes narrowed as he listened.

"Because of this inherent difference, they possess the power of corruption," Mekah explained, his voice becoming more solemn. "It can turn Aura and Mana violent and destructive while stripping away their protective nature."

"The corrupted Aura and Mana then affect the wielder’s mind, slowly causing them to lose their sanity..." Mekah paused briefly before finishing, "until they eventually become mad."

Elias’s expression immediately darkened.

Those words struck far too close to home.

He knew someone who had suffered from a condition that sounded frighteningly similar.

"Is that all?" Elias asked quietly.

Mekah stroked his pale beard for a moment before shaking his head.

"Unlike other spirit beings, most demons cannot exist in our world without a physical vessel," he explained. "Because of that, demons are categorized into four types."

Elias straightened slightly.

"The first are called Demines, the lowest of the demons. They require a physical vessel the instant they set foot in this world."

"The second are Gredemons. They can remain in our world for several months without a vessel."

Mekah’s expression became more serious as he continued.

"The third are Crowns. They can remain in our world for as long as they wish, but they require a physical vessel if they want to use their strength truly."

"Crowns?" Elias frowned. "Why use such a grand name for beings who sound like pillagers?"

The old priest chuckled at the question.

"Because that is what they call themselves," Mekah replied. "Crowns are demons chosen by the seven Sin Treasures, which incarnate Sloth, Pride, Gluttony, Wrath, Greed, Lust, and Envy."

Elias’s expression became more attentive.

"Those who possess these treasures are completely different from other demons," Mekah continued. "They possess supernatural powers that make little sense, even to us."

"Envy, for example, can temporarily take things that the demon is envious of," he said, his expression turning grim. "It can take thoughts, love, appearance, trust, and even other things that belong to someone else."

Mekah shook his head slightly.

"A wretched ability to its core."

Elias’s expression darkened as he absorbed the information, and after a moment, he asked, "What about the fourth?"

Mekah leaned forward, his expression becoming solemn.

"The fourth type is called Demonic. They are mortal beings who have fallen into corruption on their own."

Elias remained silent.

"They possess the sickening energy that demons use, but they are not truly demons," Mekah continued. "Those beings are the ones from whom we hide the existence of demons, because we do not want them to destroy our world even further."

’Demonic...’ Elias mumbled inwardly.

Several thoughts immediately began racing through his mind, colliding with one another as he tried to make sense of everything he had just learned.

He needed time to sort through them.

Elias slowly rose from his chair and gave Mekah a respectful nod.

"Thank you for humoring me, Your Greatness," he said.

"It is no big deal, Sire Elias," Mekah replied with a faint smile.

Elias nodded once more before turning around and walking toward the door.

However, as the young man disappeared from the room, Mekah remained seated and quietly stroked his pale beard.

"What a strange spiritual object..." the old priest mumbled, his brows furrowing thoughtfully. "I could not feel its presence until he took it out of his pouch."

His gaze remained fixed on the closed door for several moments before he sighed.

"Perhaps you are right... Only time will tell."