Mystic Eyes of Death Perception from Zero

Unbeknownst to Graham, from the moment he arrived in this world, a dark light deep within his soul began absorbing energy from the outside world—without discrimination. This phenomenon was the very reason he possessed the aptitude for magic across six different elements...

At this moment, Roswaal has completed all preparations for the possession.

With a mere gesture, she summoned a dark mist that enveloped Graham. As Roswaal's body slumped, losing consciousness, the sinister fog continued to seep from her fallen form into Graham's body. The magic of "Od Transfer" had commenced.

Suddenly, the eerie mist dissipated violently. Roswaal, who had collapsed, abruptly sat up, coughing out a mouthful of blood. With a gaze of disbelief fixed upon Graham, who lay upon the altar, Roswaal's voice quivered:

"How could this be? Dead? Graham's Od has prematurely vanished!"

The success of the possession spell hinged on the host being alive. Yet, Roswaal now realized that Graham was utterly deceased; his body devoid of any trace of 'Od.' Had Roswaal not swiftly redirected her 'Od' back to her original body, she might have perished as well. At the very least, it would have resulted in severe damage to her 'Od,' potentially reducing her to a zombie-like existence. Thus, the possession attempt had failed.

"Lyle, bring forth the next direct blood relative," Roswaal commanded.

"As you wish, Lord Roswaal," Lyle responded.

The female body Roswaal inhabited was nearing its end—a limitation of the possession magic. Faced with no alternative, Roswaal had to opt for a less gifted, yet sufficiently compatible direct blood relative.

Soon after, Roswaal had transitioned into a new body. Staring at the motionless Graham, Roswaal's face turned pale with frustration. Despite pondering over it, the reason for the failure eluded her.

How could Graham have suddenly died?

"Lord Roswaal, if I may be so bold, what shall we do with... this?" the butler Lyle inquired, his eyes reflecting a mix of emotions as he looked at the 'lifeless' body of Graham.

Roswaal, now in a young boy's body, pondered for a moment before dismissing the concern with a wave of his hand, "Do as you please."

Lyle bowed respectfully and approached Graham's corpse. A flicker of sorrow passed through his eyes, but he quickly concealed it. As he bent down to lift the corpse, Roswaal's voice echoed once more, "Lyle, arrange for a grand funeral for Roswaal J. Mathers this afternoon."

"Yes, Lord Roswaal," Lyle acknowledged, setting Graham aside with a stoic expression and solemnly grabbed the now silent body of Roswaal J. Mathers.

Tears streamed down Lyle's resolute face as he mourned, "I apologize, mistress. I failed to protect the young master. Rather than let the young master suffer the same fate as you, I chose to end his life myself."

Indeed, it was Lyle who had caused Graham's soul to vanish. Upon closer inspection, one would notice a sharp horn on Lyle's forehead—an Oni's horn. Lyle belonged to the rare one-horned Oni race and had served as the butler to the lady of the Mathers family, Julia, before Roswaal's possession.

Graham was her child, whom Lyle had raised. However, he could not evade Roswaal's watchful eye and was discovered. With no other choice, Lyle had to end Graham's life using a once-in-a-lifetime Oni clan secret technique—the [Curse Killing] Technique. This act allowed Lyle to silently eliminate Graham, deceiving Roswaal.

But was everything as it seemed?

Lyle failed to notice the chilling smile that Roswaal wore before departing...

As Ley knelt by the grave he had dug for Graham, he lamented, "I'm sorry, mistress for being so useless. I'm sorry, Young Master Graham... I'm sorry!"

Suddenly, a cold voice interrupted, "Lyle, what are you doing? Didn't I instruct you to prepare for the funeral?"

Lyle, drenched in cold sweat, quickly stood up and resumed his composed demeanor, "As you command, Lord Roswaal."

A sound of flesh being pierced followed, and Lyle, in disbelief, looked at the person who had stabbed him through the chest.

"Lord Roswaal...?"

Roswaal, with a twisted smile, licked the blood from his hand, "Betraying me has consequences Lyle. Don't worry though, I'll be sure to visit your Oni village~"

Lyle, filled with rage yet sensing an ominous premonition, demanded, "What do you intend to do?"

Roswaal replied with a cold laugh, "I'm in search of two new devoted servants. I've heard of a pair of twins in the Oni village with exceptional talents, and I'm quite interested."

Ignoring Lyle, who was now doomed, Roswaal walked away leisurely, feeling it was only kind to let him live a little longer to bid farewell to his master.

Lyle spat blood in the direction of Roswaal's retreating figure and began to laugh, tears streaming down his face.

"Young Master Graham, you must live on... *cough *... Please... "

With a determined look, Lyle broke off the Oni horn on his head. Blood gushed forth, soaking into the soil.

Eventually, Lyle's life faded, and he vanished, leaving only the horn as evidence of his existence.

This was the Oni clan's secret technique, [Sacrifice], which allowed one to revive a recently deceased person by sacrificing their own life. Breaking the horn also served to lift the [Curse Killing].

After some time, an arm burst from the soil—it was Graham. Climbing out of the pit, he looked at the broken horn and sighed, a firm resolve in his eyes.

He had witnessed everything Lyle did. The butler who had watched him grow up... he had misunderstood him.

'Roswaal, wait for me. I will make you pay.'

Graham took the broken horn and left without looking back. He needed to become stronger than anyone else to control his destiny and live the life he desires...

....

[T/N: It seems the canon divergence is strong in this one. From what I know, Julia did indeed have a son who would later birth the one who would later be known as Roswaal L. Mathers.. It seems she had two sons in this one?? One being Graham and the other one that Roswaal is now possessing?? I don't know, I'm just assuming here...]