Spark Nighthawk looked at the status panel on Slave Grimoire page carefully.
His dark-grey eyes lingered on the last entry of the data. The magical script shimmered faintly on the enchanted pages.
=====STATUS PANEL=====
[Name: Ideanna Finch]
[Gender: Female]
[Age: 18]
[Class: Sorceress]
[Level: Awakened (1st Tier)]
[Loyalty: 0%]
[Soul Power: Awakened Level (1st Tier)]
[Mind Power: Unawakened]
[Body Power: Unawakened]
[Talent: Melodic Soul]
[Personalities: Fanatic, Cruel]
[Modifier Currency: Clearfire Wine]
[Soulcraft Fairy: Harp Fairy]
==[Growth Item: Cloud Berry]
==[Shared Talent: Resonant Echo]
==[Ability: Soulcraft Crest - Enhancement Melody]
Spark's fingers brushed the edges of the pages one more time. Before he closed the grimoire.
The girl carried the raw potential of a state-level Sorceress. A class fueled purely by Soulcraft. The art of weaving magic through the power of fairy bond.
Her talent, [Melodic Soul], was a rare gem. It harmonized perfectly with sound-related fairies. Enhancing her sound-based magic to extraordinary levels. The Harp Fairy bonded with her soul was a clear sign.
However, Ideanna's personalities were a liability. Fanatic and cruel. Both traits spelled trouble. Especially given her previous ties to the Holy Sun Cult.
Her loyalty was at zero percent. Not surprising. But those things could be treated. And the treatment was not that hard.
The modifier currency for her was Clearfire Wine. An expensive type of wine. But not the rare one, as this arcane beverage was brewed in Eagledome.
Spark smirked. That was his way in. Anything that could be solved with money was never a problem at all. He could easily modify her. Bring her under control. And polish her rough edges. Very easily.
He glanced across the room. On the main bedchamber, Lilith and Ivy were still fast asleep. Their warm bodies tangled together beneath soft linens. Naked and vulnerable.
Spark decided it was time to re-join them. Tomorrow, he would gather enough Clearfire Wine from the Eagledome Trade District. And begin the delicate process of reshaping Ideanna's body, mind, and soul.
For now, he mulled deeper thoughts. Ideanna was from the very cult that had attacked his ship. Did she know what they sought? Was it just a single accidental attack? Or would they prepare a deadly plan for the King's centennial birthday celebration?
Spark's unyielding muscles tensed beneath his clothes. He felt it. The capital city was a powder keg. And he was standing on it.
The next day...
Under the pale morning sun, Spark stepped out from his villa. The powerful frame of his body cast a long shadow. Across the cobblestones.
Lilith followed behind. Taut and alert despite her previous night's 'exhaustion'. Ivy also trailed behind him. Beside her.
The street on the Trade District bustled with merchants hawking rare spices. Exotic fabrics. Magical components. And crafted goods from foreign lands. The aroma of spices mixed with the salty sea air. Creating an intoxicating atmosphere of commerce.
Their first stop was the Eagledome Central Brewery. A well-known distillery famous for its Clearfire Wine.
As they entered the brewery, the air changed. It became laden with the scent of fermenting fruits.
A burly storekeeper greeted them. A rosy-cheeked man with a handlebar mustache and ink-stained fingers. He inspected Spark's presence with keen interest.
"Lord Nighthawk! What brings you to my establishment?" He greeted.
Spark smiled warmly. Though it didn't really reach his eyes. He was not a stranger to the storekeeper. His business was one in the list of his current investments after all.
"I need a hundred bottles of Clearfire Wine." Spark simply said. "The purest, freshest stock you have. No substitutions."
"Fifty? That's a heavy order." The storekeeper scratched his chin. "But with your name on it, I'll fetch the cellar keys myself. You want this delivered to your villa, Lord?"
Spark nodded. "Yes. Just make sure to deliver them this afternoon. As for payment, Lilith... you deal with it."
"Yes, My Lord." Lilith immediately handled the purchase matter. It was quick and efficient. Both the storekeeper and the secretary were quite practical.
Once the purchase order was secured, Spark and his two aides headed to the Regal Crystal Center.
Their destination glittered on the edge of the Trade District. A towering glass structure decorated with rare gemstones. And masterpieces crafted by the kingdom's finest artisans.
The hum of activity calmed down as they entered the place. It was a lavish establishment glittering with gemstone decorations. And intricate craftsmanship. It was overwhelming. A den of wealth that seemed both foreign and alluring.
The center's manager greeted them with a bow. She was a sharp-eyed woman with silvery braid and the poise of someone used to navigating politics. "Welcome, Lord Nighthawk. Your order had arrived in perfect condition. Do you want to take a look?"
"That's right, Madame Emerald. I'm here for the big raw jade I commissioned." Spark said. Showing his business smile. "Is it ready for pick-up?"
"Perfectly." She answered. Nodding. "It's the finest quality our mines had produced within the last decade. I supposed you would craft an artwork from it for the King's centennial gift?"
Spark raised his eyebrows. Impressed. She had perfectly guessed his plan. Turning the raw jade into a precious artwork for the King's birthday gift.
"Impressive, Madame Emerald. You have perfectly guessed my plan."
Madame Emerald smiled. "Just a friendly reminder, Lord Nighthawk. You were not the only one with that idea. Professor Ashenowl and Duke Albatross also placed orders for highest quality of jade. You were just a little faster."
Spark was not that surprised. "I should have guessed. For us, this was the easiest method to gain acceptable gift without much hassle after all."
Madam Emerald agreed. The three of them, the young Lord Nighthawk, Professor Ashenowl, and Duke Albatross, were masters in Runecraft. And for Runecraft masters, their ability to make jade artwork was equal to or even higher than most gemstone craftsmen.
"Is there any news I should know about Eagledome, Madame Emerald?" Spark suddenly asked. "Yesterday, our sky ship was attacked by pirates. Or, more accurately, Holy Sun cultists pretending to be pirates."
The female manager didn't seem surprised at the question and information. "You were in the same sky ship with Earl Goose, I suppose. I heard of the attack. The Holy Sun cultists were indeed very active recently. There were already seven cases of their unholy ceremonies in the city... within this week."
Madame Emerald's voice lowered. Shifting from formal to confidential. "In three days, there would be a Great Auction in the Eaglecrown Auction House. I would not be surprised if the Holy Sun made a move there. There were rumors of Sun Orb on sale in that auction."
Spark frowned. "That would be a problem. It was a holy artifact for the cult. Any word on what will be shown other than Sun Orb?"
The manager nodded. "Enchanted sky ship components, ancient soul artifacts, fairy eggs, rare gearcores, a Tier-7 monster carcass, a longevity potion..."
Spark's mind raced. He needed some of those things. He might need to join the auction. Despite the possible danger.
"Thank you for the information." He said politely. "Can we take the jade item now?"
The manager retrieved a heavy box. Lifting the lid to reveal a massive pale-green jade block. Glowing faintly under the inner light. Spark's eyes flickered with appreciation.
"Exceptional." Spark said. Closing the lid of the box carefully. "The perfect material for a gift indeed.
...
That late afternoon... Inside the cool walls of his villa's bedchamber, Spark wasted no time. The Slave Grimoire thrummed with quiet power. As he placed it on the desk. Cracking it open, he summoned the data page for the prisoner.
Ideanna Finch was still trapped in the grimoire's mystic page. Both a static prisoner and a possible asset.
Spark narrowed his eyes. And began the modification.
First, he infused the Clearfire Wine into the grimoire's magical interface. The wine was somehow keyed to alter any aspect of the teenage slave. Within reason obviously.
And then, he started to remodel Ideanna's personality traits. Suppressing the abrasive fanaticism and cruelty. And exploring many possible minor traits within her. Before finally settled on four traits: submissive, devoted, artful, and graceful.
Among all of her minor traits, Spark believed those four would be most beneficial. For her role. As basically a support mage. With her soulcraft and wishart.
And then, Spark focused on improving her loyalty. With each infusion of the modification points, it climbed steadily from zero to twenty. Then fifty percent. Climbing to seventy. Until finally, it reached a perfect 100%. A complete mental fusion of obedience.
Next, Spark spent all her remaining points from the Clearfire Wine. He touched the physical modification node. And start the modification. Subtle ones.
The wild edges of Ideanna's youthful face softened. Her once brown, slanted eyes became slightly almond shaped and in hazel color. Her long, straight black hair turned dark brown and wavy. Glowing with richness. Her thin lips slightly became fuller.
After some moments, Spark completed all of his modifications.
He concentrated and summoned her. Out of the Slave Grimoire. The grimoire glowed and pulsed. And then shimmered. As a young woman manifested before him.
She was a great beauty. Fair-skinned. Long dark brown hair flowing in gentle waves to her waist. Pretty hazel eyes. Perfectly curved, lithe body of youth.
Spark studied her with scrutiny. And then asked, "Do you still hold your memories?"
The girl nodded softly. Her manner somehow showed graceful submission. "Yes, Master. I remember everything."
"Good." Spark acknowledged that. "You are no longer Ideanna Finch. From this moment forward, you are Melody Aurora. My assistant and support mage."
Her lips lifted into a faint, obedient smile. "I understand, Master. I live to serve you."
Spark studied her carefully. "Tell me. What do you know of the Holy Sun Cult? What are they planning for the King's birthday celebration?"
Melody hesitated momentarily; shadows flickered in her eyes.
"I was a new member, Master. Just recently inducted." She said softly. "My knowledge of Holy Sun Cult is limited. But I know that they were looking for Sun Orb and Sun Scepter. Also, the third prince of the kingdom is secretly one of them. They are planning... something big, something that could change everything."
Spark's fists clenched. Veins were prominent. "Do you know what it is?"
"Unfortunately, no." She replied. "But Mother... She was a special envoy for the Cult. Far more trusted than my father was. She knew much more... but she was caught and is now locked away in Broken Claw Prison."
Spark's jaw tightened. "Your mother?"
"Yes, Master. She always spoke of the day when the Cult would ascend—through sacrifice and blood. The centennial birthday celebration is their opportunity."
Spark nodded. Already drafting plans in his mind. Breaking into Broken Claw Prison was no small feat. But it was not impossible. In fact, with his information, it was actually... doable.
If Melody's mother held the key to the cult's scheme, he'd need that information desperately.
But not for now. He should be patient. For now, the game had just begun.