'Haaa… why?'

As Rey stared at Ater, the Pact already formed, and the box now in his possession, he felt puzzled by a gnawing feeling that he had no control over.

'Why does something still feel off?'

The Dyubbuk was supposed to give Rey the avenue to trust Ater wholeheartedly, but the assurance faded almost instantly, and Rey didn't know why.

Was it because the curse from the item had failed before with Emil? Or could it be possible that Ater had a duplicate, or even a completely different item, that could break him from the shackles of his curse?

Ater was smart and resourceful enough to orchestrate something behind the scenes while making it appear as though he was perfectly docile.

Rey wasn't unaware of that fact, so it bothered him to no end.

'What if this subservience thing is just an act?'

Could he really be blamed for suspecting the master manipulator known as Ater?

"It appears you are still unconvinced." The Familiar in question spoke, breaking Rey out of his myriad of thoughts.

"Sorry, Ater."

"No, I perfectly understand. I would probably be the same in your situation, though I suppose I'd be more skilled at hiding my suspicions."

"You know you're not helping your case, right?"

Ater chuckled as he heard this.

"I know. I'm just being honest, though."

Rey truly wanted to trust Ater, especially after seeing the way he was genuine with him about his disposition. There was a chance that it was all a lie, but it wasn't like Ater was ever going to stop being Rey's Familiar either way.

'He could have ignored my distrust and kept doing things behind the scenes, but he instead confronted me. Doesn't that mean he's genuine?'

Or… 'Maybe that's what he wants me to think.'

In the end, Rey could not decide on what he could particularly believe and not believe about Ater—at least, not without some help.

"I think I'll have to resort to Skills…" He sighed.

"Skills?"

"Yeah. My Skills. If I place you under a few of them, then I think that would be able to put my mind at rest." Rey finally confessed.

He already had a few he had been wanting to try, and Ater was the perfect candidate for it.

"Alright, Master. I am ready whenever you are."

It still felt awkward having Ater kneel before him while he sat upright on the bed. Their positions felt a little awkward, but he didn't let that distract him. Instead, after placing the Dyubbuk in his new Inventory, he opened his Skill Window and looked at the list of Skills in his Arsenal.

[ALL SKILLS]

{Original Skills}

Doppel (SSS-Tier)

Merger (S-Tier)

Perfect Calm (S-Tier)

Sacrifice (S-Tier)

Symbiosis (S-Tier)

Consume (S-Tier)

Perfect Mimicry (S-Tier)

Domain Of Man (S-Tier)

{Doppel Skills}

[SSS-Tier]

Clairvoyance (Active)

{Total: 1}

[SS-Tier]

Divine Weapon Creation (Active)

Perfect Divine Magic (Active)

Divine Power Ascension (Active) Perfect Divine Ray (Active)

Divine Magic Supremacy (Passive)

Perfect Domain Of The Divine (Active)

Perfect Divine Defense (Active)

Perfect Divine Regeneration (Passive)

Perfect Divine Appraisal (Active)

Perfect Divine Martial Supremacy (Passive)

Perfect Divine Growth (Passive)

Perfect Divine Form (Passive)

Perfect Divine Adaptability (Passive)

Unbreakable (Passive)

Divine Magic Interference (Active)

Tempora (Active)

Divine Persona (Active)

Perfect Wish Fulfillment (Active)

It Is Written (Active)

{Total: 20}

[S-Tier]

Dyubbuk: Cursed Pact (Active)

Absolute Myriad Breath (Active)

Absolute Energy Pulse (Active)

Absolute Mass Stun (Active)

Absolute Mana Recovery (Passive)

Absolute Intuition (Passive)

Absolute Cry (Active)

Absolute Comprehension (Passive)

Perfect Reflection (Active)

Absolute Illusory Allure (Active)

Absolute Executioner (Active)

Perfect Decorum (Active)

Perfect Collapse (Active)

Symbiosis (Passive)

Consume (Active)

Perfect Mimicry (Active)

Equip Limit Break (Passive)

Deep Anticipation (Active)

Command Code (Active)

Pinocchio (Active)

Status Interference (Active)

Idle Gamble (Active)

Perfect Veil (Active)

Last One Standing (Passive)

{Total: 24}

[A-Tier]

Fertility Inducement (Active)

Miasma Aura (Active)

Nature Affinity (Passive)

Venom (Active)

Perfect Float (Active)

Inventory (Active)

Mind Touch (Active)

Link (Passive)

Where Evil Lurks (Passive)

Banishment (Active)

Full Comprehension (Passive)

Collapse (Active)

Grand Darkness (Active)

Grand Luck (Passive)

{Total: 14}

[Active Skills: 40]

[Passive Skills: 18]

[Total Skills: 58]

[END OF INFORMATION]

'For the purposes of controlling Ater and easing my worries, the ones I'll be using are [Command Code] and [Perfect Divine Magic].'

[Command Code] could be used to give a person a particular set of instructions, and they would have no choice but to obey at any given time.

It could be pre-registered on any particular person, or made up on the spot. In a way, it was a much more advanced and calculated form of Mind Control. In a way… that made it incredibly scary.

'One could be under mind control and never even know it until the Command is given and they have to obey without realizing it.' It was also possible to control the body while leaving the mind intact.

'Using [Command Code] on Ater will allow me to enforce obedience, even if the curses from the Dyubbuk are gotten rid of. The Skill was previously A-Tier, but [Perfect Divine Growth] bumped it to S-Tier. I can also use [Divine Persona] to raise it even higher anytime I want to use a Pre-registered Command.'

Doing that would mean undoing his disguise made from [Perfect Veil], but it would be worth it.

Besides, he wasn't only going to rely on [Command Code].

'There's [Perfect Divine Magic]. Using [Divine Magic Supremacy], I can create advanced Spells that allow Ater to be bound to me—connected in every way, so I know his every location and what he is up to. This will allow me to keep track of him, but also control him through Magic.'

All in all, with these options that came from the function of his Skills, he was covered.

'I might not be able to use [Clairvoyance] on him, for some reason, but other Skills work on Ater. I've used quite a few in the past.'

"Do you accept all of the limitations I am about to place on you, Ater?" Rey asked, revealing the cards he was about to deal him.

It seemed strange that one would voluntarily desire to be controlled, but Ater was completely fine with it.

As long as he could regain Rey's complete trust…

"I accept them all!"