What, Unicorn?

The powerful, dazzling magic Kino displayed deeply captivated Galina Dubois.

The Book of Kino could bestow the Demonic Power within it upon ordinary people, instantly granting them formidable superpowers.

But it had one fatal flaw: the Demonic Power would bind with and merge into the Gifted's soul, somewhat like the birth of Ghost Rider. Of course, it would not alter their personalities or memories; it would merely bind their lives.

The Demonic Power did not entirely leave the Book of Kino. A "copy" of it remained within the book. Likewise, the Gifted's soul would project a "copy" into the book.

The two would merge with each other.

Through that copy, Kino could destroy those Gifted with a single thought.

Furthermore, because the book had been refined by Kino, the Gifted would subconsciously feel an infinite affinity toward him.

In practice—women would favor him and instinctively draw close to him, while men would regard him as their master.

But they would not lose their sense of self!

It was not a hundred percent affinity, so betrayal remained possible. However, traitors met miserable ends.

Of course, beneath those seemingly harsh conditions lay an irresistible treasure—[Immortality].

The Book of Kino coexisted with Kino. Kino had a lifespan of nearly ten thousand years, so the Gifted would have the same. However, if Kino died, the Book of Kino would not be destroyed. Instead, it would enter a self-sealed state, awaiting someone qualified to open it in the future. During its self-sealing, the Gifted would also return to the Book of Kino.

Within the book was a self-evolving world, similar to the Soul Space within the Soul Stone.

Of course, the Gifted could also choose to perish on their own.

After perishing, their souls would go to the world within the book, while the corresponding Demonic Power would return to an ownerless state. If a new master appeared in the future, that power could still be bestowed upon someone else.

Moreover, the world within the book was an almost real dimensional space. After living there like mortals for several decades... their souls would dissipate and return to the book forever.

There was another benefit as well.

If a Gifted's physical body died, their soul would not die. Instead, it would return to the Book of Kino, where their original body would be recreated.

Of course, under normal circumstances, their bodies would not die so easily. Even if their hearts were pierced through, they could use Demonic Power to repair themselves. Physical death meant being completely destroyed, such as being burned to ashes or chopped into seven or eight pieces.

Uh, emmmm...

Actually, it should not be called Demonic Power anymore.

Its predecessor, the Book of Zeref, had condensed Demonic Power within it. But after Kino refined it, angels and demons coexisted within it. Calling them Light Power and Dark Power would be more appropriate.

The black pages contained Dark Power, while the white pages contained Light Power.

Click—clack—the sound of mechanisms rang out.

The lock sealing the Book of Kino opened, and its pages fluttered wildly!

"Take a look. Which kind of power do you like?"

Galina Dubois was dazzled. Mainly because the patterns were far too abstract; one could not tell what abilities they represented just by looking at them. Like Rogue's Demon Kiss on the side—if no one told you, you would never imagine it absorbed other people's lives and abilities.

There were no labels on the pages.

"I can't understand them. Help me," Galina Dubois said coquettishly.

Maria Hill activated the recording function beside them. Kino neither approved nor objected, because the granting process would only record a screen full of static.

"The black pages are Dark Power, and the white pages are Light Power. Don't worry, either one is fine."

"Shouldn't Light and Dark be chosen according to a person's constitution?" Maria Hill asked in surprise.

Kino turned his head and glanced at her with amusement. "Haven't you heard the saying, 'People are born good'? Everyone is kind when they are born, so why do they become evil as they grow up? Because humans contain both good and evil! So whether they choose Light or Dark, humans can make the greatest use of it."

After saying that, he ignored Maria Hill.

"There is no difference between Dark and Light. They won't change your personality; they will only give you power."

"Of course, Dark Power looks... somewhat more evil, while Light Power is more angelic."

"Also, abilities are divided into two types."

"One type is [Mutation Type], meaning you must transform into a corresponding ability form when using it, such as an angel or a demon."

"The other type is [Energy Type], which can be used without transforming, like mine."

Kino raised his hand, and crackling lightning rose from his palm.

"Wow, so pretty." Little stars sparkled in Galina Dubois's eyes.

Deep down, she longed for power.

More than anything, she wanted the ability to protect herself and no longer be bullied.

In the past, she had been thin and frail, always bullied by children her age. Later, after entering the modeling industry, she had been forced to choose between "freedom" and "unspoken rules" for the sake of her future.

She struggled amid those unspoken rules, relying on her clever little mind to escape danger time and again.

But that could not last forever!

When others withheld her endorsement fees, what could she do?

Compromise?

They had money and influence. She might not win even if she sued, and even if she did, what then?

She would be abandoned, perhaps even rejected by the entire modeling industry.

That was reality!

When Kino had called her, her agent Helen had been trying to pimp her out. She no longer knew how many crises she had defused. The night that call came, she agreed without a second thought. Though Language Magic had played a role in bewitching her, more importantly, Galina Dubois instinctively felt that Kino would be the turning point in her life.

The modeling world was exceedingly dark, and he could protect her!

So she came. For that, she turned down the pimp and rejected that so-called endorsement event.

Was it strange for them to tumble into bed after meeting only once?

This was the United States.

It was nothing unusual!

In Hollywood, exchanging benefits was commonplace. For a role, people could sleep with producers, directors, or even lead actors!

Those rich people could only give her wealth, but Kino could give her a future. On top of that, he was handsome and exactly her type, so it was perfectly natural that they had gotten together.

As she flipped through the pages, Galina Dubois suddenly stopped. "What is this?"

A white page, so it should be Light Power, right?

On the page was a horse flying with its wings spread... a Pegasus?

Well, this one was very concrete. She recognized it at a glance. Yet the page seemed somewhat different from the others. Looking carefully, she could see streaks of gilded light flowing across it.

The other pages did not have that.

"Oh, this has already been contracted. It belongs to someone, so it can't be contracted again," Kino explained.

"Come forth, my Athena!"

Neighhh—

After a flash of white light, Maria Hill's eyes gradually widened. Lord, what am I seeing?

Behind the surveillance monitors, Blackhead Nick Fury also widened his single eye. "What, Unicorn?"