Strawberry Devil in a Fantasy World

Following his request, I opened a portal beside us leading into my subspace. It was set to be completely invisible aside from a bit of natural shimmering when interacted with.

"It's one of my hidden ability that you likely cannot see by examining my status. It's called [subspace]."

Even after seeing it, he wasn't surprised but only amused.

"Indeed. I have no such authority. I believe the current king, Dolan, has such an ability with the adequate authority. Does he know about it?"

"I don't think so. He was away when I gained this ability. What kind of authority does he have? I would think he couldn't see it without having ability with equal or higher authority than mine?"

"I believe he has the [appraisal] ability. The method of obtaining such an ability is passed down the royal family. The prince has yet to obtain it."

"Wait, how would you know? They can hide their status."

"I can redirect their abilities back at them. Mere magical artifacts cannot hinder my sight." He chuckled, "To this date, he's never directly seen my status."

Oh snap, I better not try anything funny with him. I don't want to accidentally eat myself or something.

"How come I can see your status if he couldn't?"

"You possess traits and abilities more than you let on. Am I right?" He gave off an old man's gentle smile like he saw through me.

"Uhh... You can see it?"

"Unfortunately not. Shall we enter your subspace?" He said with a hint of excitement in his voice.

"Sure, this way."

The portal led directly into my beautiful residence. Although it wasn't yet equipped with lots of refreshments, that wasn't a problem with today's guest. Once he's fully inside, I closed the portal to conserve my mana.

"Well, what do you think?" I asked.

He nodded, "Impressive indeed."

"Eheheh, come inside, we can chat." I ushered him into the living room, "I've slowed the time in here so that it'll seem to outsiders we've only disappeared for a short while."

"How are you managing everything here?"

"It's through a different ability of mine. I can create furniture and adjust time and everything. It's very convenient. You're the first person I am showing it to."

"My perspective has broadened once more. You have my sincerest gratitude."

"No problem! Come sit. I don't have any tea but is water okay?"

"There is no need. Let us get to the matter at hand."

"Ah, okay, yes, about mana, it was some kind of spiritual energy? I can use it for a lot of things. I gather it from surroundings and use it for magic."

"That is not incorrect. Have you ever tried to feel mana?"

"Mm... Yes. If I couldn't feel it, I wouldn't be able to use it."

"I see, perhaps it isn't apparent to you yet. Take this subspace for example, what drives it to exist? What propelled you to create a subspace such as this?"

"Eh, my ability...? And I used mana and things I gathered outside to create everything? And... I wanted to create this because it's fun?"

"Very well. You desired fun and therefore you created this. Is it not the same with your ability? In the past, you must have desired this even if subconsciously."

Did I? I certainly hoped to have fun. I certainly did have lots of fun recently. Did I gain these abilities to do just that? At one point I might have wanted a home, somewhere safe. Was that it? And mana helped me achieve that?

After going through a few speculations, I answered, "Is mana some kind of desire?"

"Mana, to move inanimate objects, to heat one's home, to brighten long nights, to create miracles. Mana is born of desires and wishes of everything inhabiting in this world. When you have the opportunity, examine the mana you have gathered from outside of yourself. You will see that it contains even memories, emotions, feelings."

I didn't think it was this profound. That meant the world would never run out of mana as long as people continued to exist. As for those floating islands, whoever was that capable was surely way above my league.

"Oh okay. I get that it is wishes, feelings, and all that. However, memories, does that mean memories can be converted to mana? I have killed many in the past and took their mana. Does that mean I took everything away from them?"

"I do not see that you have such ability to devour souls in their entirety. Should that be the case, they will simply reborn without lingering connections to their pasts. To many, this should be a blessing. Even without your intervention, recollection of their past lives is generally not possible. For those who you have only taken mana, the consequences should be negligible."

I sighed in relief, "I see. So I haven't done ill to them. Then it's possible to remove |devious| trait from myself."

"Do you recall when you obtained such a trait?" He asked.

"I've always had it since I was born."

He closed his eyes as if he was pondering on something so I waited without disturbing him. He probably was thinking of a solution.

After a few minutes, he opened his eyes, "Do you recall your past life or in between life? Traits and abilities are gained through your interactions with the world, through wishes and desires, and actions taken."

"As you know, I was born a fey plant. I didn't have a choice in it. Someone forced me to reincarnate as a plant after I died. Before then, I had no traits or abilities as far as I was aware. Perhaps I gained a trait back then?"

"I see. The trait is much like a curse since your birth, guiding your thoughts and behaviors. It cannot be removed by normal means because it likely didn't originate from you." He concluded.

"Can you please help me remove it somehow? I was told it forced me into demonic evolutions. Because of my constitution, I have evolved many times as a fey plant until now. I don't want to be a demon."

"There is a slim chance the trait will fade upon your next evolution. I presume you do not wish to take chances?"

"No! If that thing is guiding me into doing bad things then I want it gone."

"Your mind appears clear at this moment, undisturbed by insidious thought guidance. I wonder perhaps this subspace of yours is able to sever connections to the outside world?" He asked.

"Do you mean I was under control before?"

"I had an inkling sensation of thought guidance placed onto you since our initial meeting. Now, I do not feel such. Perhaps it has now weakened to a degree that I can no longer detect it."

Who is this guy? How is he so strong? Thousands of years of experience? I'm no match for this guy. But seriously, thought manipulation, me? There's only one person I know who could have done that back then. But then again, why would he do that?

He continued, "Knowing the culprit will not remove a trait. As such, a trait cannot be removed without possibly harming your soul, I recommend practicing centering your mind as a way to mitigate external thought guidance. Eventually, you will have to learn to sever unwanted connections on a soul level. I can instruct you if you so wish. It will take time, possibly decades, to master."

A decade is just too long. I want to evolve as soon as possible, without delays. There has to something else! Another option!

"That long? If that trait remains, wouldn't it affect my next evolution? I rather have it removed even if it means taking some risks. So what if the other side notices? While I am in my subspace, I am much more powerful. I will fight if I have to."

Uncharacteristically, he let out a sigh. "If that is your choice, then my current self cannot assist you in your endeavor."

Hmm? Current self? He's so powerful and yet he's still reluctant to help? Should I offer him something?