Last Wizard King's SSS-Level Magic system in Modern World-Chapter 124: Not quite human - Part 2

Liam made his way back home, his mind still buzzing with everything that had happened at the abandoned school.

Zane and Seraphina were hiding something. And whatever it was, it had to do with those shadowy creatures—and with Zane himself.

The way he had absorbed that beast into his body... it wasn’t normal magic.

It wasn’t human magic.

Liam clenched his jaw, trying to shake off the lingering unease. He needed answers, but tonight was not the time.

As he reached the front door of his home, he caught sight of Bianca just stepping inside as well. She paused mid-step, eyes widening slightly when she saw him.

Liam narrowed his eyes. He knew exactly where she had been.

Still, he played along.

"You’re coming back late."

His voice was calm, but the undertone of suspicion was clear.

Bianca stiffened.

"I... I was out."

Her words were rushed—too hurried to be casual.

Liam raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to elaborate.

She didn’t. Instead, she averted her gaze and quickly turned on her heel, bolting up the stairs before he could question her further.

Liam let out a small sigh. He knew she had been following him. Watching him.

She wasn’t even subtle about it.

Asger let out a soft huff from his perch on Liam’s shoulder.

"That was pathetic. She couldn’t even come up with a decent excuse."

Liam didn’t respond. He just shook his head and stepped inside.

______

Dinner was quiet.

Elder Erin sat at the head of the table, stirring his soup lazily while Bianca remained suspiciously silent. Liam focused on his food, occasionally throwing glances at Bianca, who refused to meet his eyes.

Then—

"Liam."

Elder Erin’s voice was calm, but there was an edge to it.

Liam looked up.

"Yes?"

The elder studied him for a long moment, then exhaled.

"You have strange magic clinging to you."

Liam tensed.

Bianca froze, eyes flickering toward him before she quickly looked away.

Asger, still sitting lazily on Liam’s shoulder, tilted his head.

"Huh. That’s weird. I don’t feel anything. The magic must be weak enough to elude my senses."

Liam nodded.

"Neither do I."

Elder Erin’s frown deepened.

"It’s faint, but it’s there. Almost like a residue... but something is interfering with it."

Liam exchanged a glance with Asger. The creatures from earlier? Zane?

Or was it something else?

The elder didn’t press further, but Liam could tell he wasn’t satisfied.

Liam wasn’t either.

What he did know was that he was tired and wanted to head to sleep. He was sure he would be out the second his head hit the pillow.

The night was silent.

Liam lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep. The words of Elder Erin echoed in his mind.

Strange magic.

What had clung to him? And why?

He closed his eyes, exhaling slowly. He’d figure it out tomorrow.

But tomorrow never came peacefully.

Because the moment Liam let his guard down—

Something entered his room.

His senses flared.

His body moved on instinct.

Liam threw himself out of bed just as an overwhelming pressure filled the room. Dark tendrils of mist snaked through the air, writhing and twisting as if searching for something.

Then, the shadow took form.

A figure—not fully materialized, its shape flickering like a flame. Its hollow eyes locked onto Liam.

And then it lunged.

Liam barely had time to react before the shadow crashed into him. A wave of ice rushed through his veins, a foreign magic wrapping around his body like chains.

It was trying to possess him.

Liam gritted his teeth, forcing his own magic to push back against it. But the shadow’s power was overwhelming—it pressed down on him, suffocating, drowning him in darkness.

His limbs felt heavy. His thoughts blurred.

Then—

A surge of searing heat.

A roar—not human, but something ancient and primal.

Liam barely had time to process before Asger’s magic exploded outward, a burst of golden fire tearing through the shadow entity like paper.

The creature screamed, its form twisting violently before shattering into wisps of black mist.

The pressure lifted instantly.

Liam stumbled back, panting, his body still trembling from the aftershock.

Asger growled, his eyes glowing in the darkness.

"That wasn’t a coincidence."

Liam agreed.

And somehow, he already knew—this was connected to Zane.

Next morning, Liam sat at the dining table, hands wrapped around a mug of tea. His fingers were still tense.

Elder Erin watched him carefully.

"A shadow entity tried to possess you?"

The elder’s voice was calm, but Liam could sense the underlying concern.

Liam nodded.

"If it weren’t for Asger, it might have succeeded."

Elder Erin hummed in thought, tapping his fingers against the wooden table.

"That confirms it, then."

Liam frowned.

"Confirms what?"

The elder looked at him seriously.

"The lingering magic I sensed on you yesterday—it’s attracting them. Whatever touched you at that abandoned school, it left a mark. And now, those creatures are drawn to it."

Liam’s grip on the mug tightened.

Zane.

The way he absorbed that creature.

Liam had felt something—a shift—when it happened. Had Zane’s magic left an imprint on him?

Asger huffed.

"So what you’re saying is, more of those things could come after him."

Elder Erin nodded.

"Unless you figure out how to cleanse it."

Liam exhaled slowly.

That was easier said than done.

But one thing was certain.

This wasn’t over.

Not by a long shot.

Liam ran a hand through his hair, frustration bubbling under his skin. If that shadow entity had succeeded last night, what would have happened to him? Would he have been controlled? Erased?

The thought made his stomach turn.

Elder Erin sighed.

"For now, take precautions. Strengthen your barriers before you sleep. And, Liam—"

He met Liam’s gaze.

"—Be careful around Zane and Seraphina. I am sure even you noticed that there is something fishy going on with them."

Liam’s jaw tightened. He wanted to agree.

But he knew it wasn’t that simple.

Because whether he liked it or not—

He was already tangled in whatever they were planning.

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