NOVEL WEB Chapter 333
Chapter 333. The Secret of Attributes
―― This world is filled with various magical attributes.
Elements like fire, water, earth, wind, and lightning, along with the essence of the divine powers—light and darkness.
Every living being in this world, no matter how weak, carries a magical attribute of some sort.
Dwarves have fire and earth.
Forest Elves possess wind, water, earth, and light.
Beastmen have earth and wind, and so on.
Humans and demons can possess any attribute in abundance, but demons often have the darkness attribute. Humans have a characteristic that allows them to easily acquire new attributes if trained in an environment rich in magical power (there’s a theory that it’s because they originally have weak magic, making them more susceptible, but since beastmen, who also have weak magic, don’t change, it must be a racial trait).
Magic in this world has ‘attributes.’
However, one must be cautious about the ‘holy attribute.’
The vast majority of humans believe that the holy attribute is a magical power given to them specifically by the gods of light, but that is not the case. We humans are merely calling it an ‘attribute’ on our own; it is not an element of magical composition.
It is a type of magic that can be used with any magical attribute, transforming magical power into silvery light, which grants “strength to allies of humanity and pain to enemies of humanity.”
Thus, it’s correct to call it the 【Holy Silver Spell】. It is not an attribute but a bloodline magic that can only be used by certain individuals of the human race, like the 【Teleportation Spell】 and the 【Voice Transmission Spell】.
It’s simply a curse.
Yet, the reason it is referred to as a complicated attribute is――
“To make sure as many humans as possible believe simplistically that the holy attribute is a privilege bestowed by the gods.”
I recall Antendeixis’s words.
I thought it was one of the special magical attributes until Antendeixis taught me the truth about the holy attribute.
“【Conviction】 is stronger than 【Desire】 or 【Prayer】. The recognition that it exists as a given and is only natural establishes the holy attribute. Additionally, as the holy attribute demonstrates its effects in front of people, deepening that recognition, the concept is strengthened. Even weak-willed humans can become a massive source of power if their wishes are bundled together in the tens of thousands or millions…”
Humans are strong when united.
“And then, that ‘source of power’ born from the collective consciousness is divided among worthy individuals—those who bear the holy attribute and manifests it. Though individually weak, unity creates strength, and every so often, a particularly exceptional individual is born, perfectly embodying this trait of humanity.”
Thus, to generate ‘power’ by influencing the collective consciousness of humans is the doctrine of the Holy Church, which preaches the grace of the gods of light, causing confusion by wrongly labeling it as a special attribute—the troublesome “holy attribute.”
Now, what’s the problem with this?
The holy attribute—no, the 【Holy Silver Spell】 is merely a type of magic.
It means that neither heroes nor priests can be devoid of magical attributes.
They absolutely possess some kind of magical attribute.
A hero claiming to only possess a holy attribute does not exist!!
“――What attribute does Alex possess?”
So when Edgar asked, I found myself at a loss for words.
Behind me, Leila gasped, “Ah…” and Antendeixis murmured, “Oh, I’ve messed up.”
In my previous life, I had pure fire attributes, but now I have pure darkness attributes.
And in humans, it’s rare to be born with the darkness attribute. It’s probably just as rare as demons being born with the light attribute. Even I, having acted as a hero for years, have never encountered a human with pure darkness attributes. The closest encounter was with a pathetic dark magician who worshiped the gods of darkness and acquired darkness magic through training.
Now, being an already rare human born with darkness attributes, to be chosen for the 【Holy Silver Spell】 is how rare?
No—at this point, it’s not just “rare,” it’s “unbelievable”!
“……Alex?”
Edgar looked at me with a puzzled expression as I remained silent.
I don’t want to kill him. Not this outstanding, talented priest.
“Is he really outstanding…?”
That’s not the point to doubt! It’s just that my compatibility with him is extremely poor!
……What should I do? I could tell a lie just to get through this moment. “I have fire attributes.” But that might be discovered if they saw the scenario with Officia earlier.
If I had fire attributes, the moment I infused power into the room, it would have caught fire, or worse, it could likely have caused a blaze.
If it was lightning, the wood would be charred. If it was wind, the papers and furniture should be blown away. If it was water, the room would be soaked. Earth magic struggles to permeate gas, making it bad at controlling an entire space.
Considering that I’m not causing damage to the furniture or documents, the only kinds of magic that could purely subdue the room without damaging anything would be light or darkness.
However, if I declared, “I can use light attributes,” when the time comes, I wouldn’t be able to use basic light miracles like healing, which would give me away.
Moreover, if it were Edgar, assuming I did not possess light magic, he might very well realize my true attribute upon seeing the scene.
“Should I deal with it?”
………………
“Sorry, Edgar.”
I clapped my hands and said.
A non-verbal barrier spell. Edgar frowned and turned to face me.
“Hmmm, good guy…”
No, I’m not going to kill him! Let’s talk. The truth.
“What? Are you going to reveal your identity?”
I wouldn’t reveal my identity. Just about the magical attributes.
With that, I decided to take a gamble—I would say something plausible to divert the subject!
If it seems like that won’t work… I’ll just deal with it then!
“Then I’ll handle this matter.”
In the worst-case scenario, at least!
“Alex? Why the barrier…”
“I’m thinking of revealing my secret.”
With confusion plastered on Edgar’s face, I extended my hand.
Magic power—
Thick darkness surged forth.
“N-No way…!?”
Edgar’s eyes widened, nearly popping out, as his hand instinctively reached for the sword at his hip.
“Don’t worry. I’m not being impersonated by a Night Elf.”
I then demonstrated the holy light residing in my other hand.
That’s right—I’m not being impersonated by a Night Elf.
I am not a Night Elf. I am not lying.
“This is… Impossible! No way! You are…!!”
“A truly rare hero who possesses darkness attributes.”
I chuckled self-deprecatingly and shrugged my shoulders.
Edgar, though experiencing this firsthand, still seemed unable to believe it— but stared at me with a kind of awe.
“What in the world… are you?”
“――The ‘Seventh Bureau.’”
I said cryptically while looking up at the night sky.
“You’ve heard of it at least once, right?”
Edgar gasped audibly.
“Is it possible… that it actually exists?!”
He shivered.
“The Seventh Bureau—the dark side of the Holy Church, a shadow organization!!”