Naki was busy exploring his new unlocked powers in preparation for he eventually meets Bisky.
He was on the new path unlocked pop-up.
--- VESSEL PATH AVAILABLE ---
Merphiso's Path Unlocked
Traits Available: Gambit's Game, White Lies
Current Temptation Level: 1/3
[Activate Path?]
[Beware - Current path Lohki, will be replaced]
---------------------------------
"(So only one path can be active at a time. A...limitation I have to make the most of I suppose)"
"(Before making a decision I have to understand these new traits.)"
Naki then focused his attention on the unlocked traits, to get their descriptions.
---Gambit's Game: Request the devil's thoughts on a situation and pick the one to execute.
"(Interesting...So pretty much my thoughts or the devil's. This should make it easier for me to see what he expected from a situation compared to mine.)"
"(My thoughts may not always fit my situation. if I doubt, I can gamble.)"
Naki looked at his sigil and picture it beeping/throbbing.
"(I think the sigil reactions before I'm about to make a decision is the best time to call on this Gambit...)"
He nodded and then moved to the next trait.
---White Lies: A silver tongue and an ability to bend the truth into half lies, either to convince, or tempt a person into action.
"(Huh...Interesting. No wonder why Lucille's words always sound...convincing, always make sense.)"
Naki smiled at the prospect of having the same trait.
"(This will certainly be a trait I should always have. But I should be careful, I wouldn't want to come across as the devil. I should pick the moment to use this trait wisely)"
Then he swiped to his current stats window.
---------- DEVIL'S MERCY -----------
Soul - Naki.
Title - Devil Child
Vice_Level - 2 [4 more vice for Level 3]
Vessel's Path - Trickster, Lohki.
Mercy Perks[3/3] - The Devil's Favor, Black Flames of Gehenna, Shadow Trick.
Debt Limit - 256/700
Devil Traits Active- Crow's Visage
Manifestation - LOCKED (req: complete a path)
-> -> -> Swipe Right for Vessel's Path...
--------------------------------------
"(I have a healthy debt limit. It's not entirely down because using some of the shadow tricks and crow's visage before had pushed it up. But overall, it's good.)"
His eyes moved back up.
"(Currently level 2. I can only have 3 perks active at a time, swapping from Lohki to Merphisto will free a room on Mercy perks by taking away Shadow Trick.)"
"(I can adapt to that but losing Crow's Visage as well is a blow...)"
Naki bit his lip in frustration. "(Means I have to adapt and switch when the moment is right.)"
"(Manifestation is still locked, condition is to complete a path...speaking of paths how does it look like now)"
Naki swipped over to paths.
------------VESSEL'S PATH -----------
The Tempter's Path - Merphisto
Next Traits/Ability set: [Faust's Glare, Mind Manipulation]
Current Temptation Level: 1/3
The Trickster's Path - Lohki
Next Traits/Ability set: [Shapeshifter, Parlor Tricks]
Current Crime Level: 1/3
The Reaper's Path - Grimm
Next Traits/Ability set: [Aura of darkness, Voice for the undead]
Current Death Level: 0/3
-> -> -> Swipe Right for Devil's Seal...
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"(Some interesting new traits and abilities up for grabs here...It appears I can't get more information while they're still locked though)"
Naki's eyes lingered on Grimm's path
"..."
He contemplated the unknown. So far the abilities have been helpful, he wondered how much Grimm would offer him.
The call for power was appealing, but he tried his best to resist and hastily swiped right to the seal.
"(I can't succumb to Grimm...too drastic)"
"Hm?" His eyes fell on the seal and there was new crucial information on display.
"The egg has cracks!!"
As soon as he tapped on the egg, he heard Lucille's voice in his head.
"[Soon my vessel, very soon. Crack the first shell in vice level 3 and I shall offer another sigil as a reward]" he said.
"(!? Lucille?)"
"[Hm-Hm-Hm, You long to speak with me, but for now that must wait. Crack the shell, and we shall eventually become one, my vessel]"
"(Wait, one? what do you mean one?)"
No response, Lucille's presence no longer felt, the Vessel seal actual window now displayed. The same as before. Mission 1 and the hints to it.
"(What does he mean one? Like Habiki and Keifa perhaps?)"
Then he stared at the sigil once more.
"(Vice level 3 for a new sigil he said...Will a new sigil allow me to activate more than one path? and thus extend my traits and abilities...Hmph, that will be interesting to see)"
"(For now, I have to think about my meeting with Bisky.)"
Naki returned back to his stats screen to make adjustments.
"(Given the current limitations I have, thinking ahead is paramount to my selection.)"
"(Bisky said she'd convince her sis to get me to meet Emile the hero...that means Lohki's path is not the way to go.)"
"(I will have to rely on my words and the gambits in the dialog, not shadow tricks, which means, I have to go with Merphisto)"
Naki went to the path selection interface and activated Merphisto's path.
Much like during Lohki's path activation, a wave of energy surrounded him.
This time dark crimson energy instead of green was the color.
The energy seethed into him as he groaned in pain
"Nrghh, argh!!"
New energy was coursing through his veins, visible from the outside, as the devil sigil viibrated and a dark crimson accent formed around its vertices.
This represented the active path selected, crimson implied Merphisto the tempter
The atmosphere once tense, was now shimmering as the dissipating energy calmed.
A red glint strayed in his eyes, before dissolving completely.
"Huhhh" Naki let out a deep breath, "I have to get used to this"
He smiled and checked his new updated stats.
"(Shadow tricks replaced with Gambit's game for perks and Crow's visage replaced by White Lies for traits. Good enough)"
Naki confirmed he had 2 circles filled up and called off the interface.
"Everything is in order. Time to meet Bisky." He muttered and calmly made his way out.
NIGHT TIME - LISTERIA GATES
Not many students still moved about at night as the rules dictated. But Bisky's never been one to follow the rules.
She stood by the gate, looking through a small window of her makeup kit. It had a different color from the previous one she used, must be new.
She was applying polish to her eye lids, humming a relaxed tune.
"Hmhmmhmmhmm...hm?"
She noticed Naki walking up to her.
"Nice tune, you seem relaxed Bisky."
Naki said catching up. She closed her makeup and smiled.
"Why wouldn't I be? I have a capable man doing my job for me after all" she said.
"You are...my capable man aren't you?" she asked raising a brow.
The question was obvious, she wanted to know if Naki succeeded.
"I wouldn't be here if I wasn't."
Naki removed the vermilllion ring and tossed it at Bisky.
She caught it with skill and examined it closely.
"...Heh...hehe...I could like, just french kiss you right now teach"
"Tempting, but that wasn't my promised reward", Naki replied, already his new trait of white lies smooth tongue in play.
"Hahahaha, aren't you just delightful!" Bisky laughed and gave the ring back to Naki.
"Hm? What are you-"
Naki wanted to ask why she returned it but was interrupted when Bisky pushed her left hand's ring finger forward, blushing slightly.
"Care to do the honors? my teacher?"
"..." Naki sighed, "Enough of games Bisky, we're short on time"
Naki turned away in embarassment walking out. Bisky pulled her hand giggling.
"Hehehe, You're quite easy to tease teach. I like that!"
"(Go figure, Habiki says the same thing. I have never met two compatible people in my life like them I swear)"
Naki shook his head as they made their way outside academy.
On the road
As they walked on, Bisky was humming, jumpy and satisfy with how things were coming along for her. The vermillion ring in her finger was the primary reason.
Now that she had the relic she wasn't worried about meeting her sister.
"So...where are we going?"
"I'll be taking you to our rendezvous location. There we shall meet my sister and convince her to let you see Emile before the magic competition."
"I see. And...what kind of person is your sister?"
"Like me she is also a...demon. But unlike me, she is...frustratingly too direct."
"Too direct? how so?"
They kept on talking as Bisky guided Naki through some hidden paths on the road. Various bushes, river shortcuts, the full set.
"I set the mood before getting to it. Sis...she just gets to it, if you know what I mean"
"...(So she's straightforward. I will have to tailor my responses with that in mind when it comes to her)" Naki was already planning for the meetup.
"But don't worry about her. I have the relic and I'm bringing you. If you let me handle discussions I'll make things work."
Bisky grinned assuredly.
"...Very well. I shall leave everything in your capable hands then."
"Hehe as you should."
They walked a while longer then reached a deep forest entrance, covered by thick leaves and bushes.
Bisky came to a stop and turned to Naki.
"Hm? What's the matter Bisky?" Naki asked.
"I...I just wanted to say...thanks, Naruki. You may not know this but...what you've done, means a lot to me, I won't forget that." she expressed her genuine gratitude.
Naki smiled and nodded, "Happy to help."
She smiled and turned to the entrance. "We're here."
She pushed the leaves aside and came into view a forest clearing, with fallen tree trunks that made for good seats and moss infested rocks and twigs.
In one of the tree chunks sat a young woman, with her head down.
She looked fierce and tense. She was the girl Bisky met before in the academy, her sister.
Naki and Bisky made their way forward.
"Sis! I'm here now, miss me-"
"Did you bring the relic?" straightaway Bisky was cut off, her sister's forwardness in full flow cutting off the pleasantries.
Bisky slightly unsettled, quickly regained her composure.
"I-I did!"
The sister lifted her head, and nodded. Then she turned to Naki.
"Now then, Explain. Why do we have a stranger among us? Bisky."
She frowned as the forest fell into silence.
Her vicious look could scare off even the most daring of men.
But not Naki, for he's seen worse and was prepared to meet her face on.
The meeting with Emile hangs on balance in this pivotal moment.