The next morning...
Spark didn't linger in bed. He had a list of things to do. First item... Arcane Quartz. He summoned Lilith. She appeared instantly. Already dressed, poised and ready. Her blonde hair was perfectly styled. Her expression was alert and obedient.
"Lilith!" Spark said. His voice carried absolute authority. "Go to Eagledome Mystical Materials. Order a large amount of Arcane Quartz. The best they have. Tell them it's for the Nighthawk estate and I expect prompt delivery today. Use the priority account."
"Immediately, Master." She responded, dipping her head. She vanished as quickly as she came. Already moving to execute the task. Spark approved of efficiency.
While Lilith handled the acquisition, Spark shifted his focus to the items he acquired at the Great Auction. Specifically, the three fairy eggs. They were delicate things. The patterned cracks in the surface were pulsing faintly with latent life.
He retrieved his Fairy Grimoire. The magical tome was emitting lively aura full of mystical energy.
He placed the heavy Grimoire on the desk. The three luminous eggs rested in his left palm. Warm and pulsing. And then, he moved his right index finger. Touching the cool silver fairy logo on the Grimoire's black cover.
A connection formed. The eggs in his hand flared with the intensity of their internal light. And vanished from his palm. Into the Grimoire's internal dimension.
The Grimoire responded. The silver logo glowed bright white for three slow beats. Before the light receded. Leaving the cover dark and inert once more.
He opened the Grimoire. Three new entries had materialized. Each was filled with charcoal drawings and luminous script. An Echo Fairy. An Earth Fairy. And a Devil Fairy.
All of them had very high loyalty value... 98%. 92%. and 95%. Nice.
Shortly after, Melody arrived at his study door. Knocking lightly. He allowed her entry. She looked different. More confident.
Her long dark-brown hair framed a face that held a new maturity. A touch of power in her eyes. The slight awkwardness she'd initially possessed was fading. Replaced by grace.
"Master!" She said. Bowing. "I wished to report. My cultivation... I have broken through. I am now a Tier-2 Sorceress."
Spark grunted. A sound of mild approval. He looked at her. Assessing her aura. It was true. The shift was clear. Tier 2 in such a short time. It was expected as his [Overlord's Favor] boosted her potential a lot. But it was still nice.
"Good." Spark smiled and said. "That is acceptable progress."
He opened the Fairy Grimoire.
"You are Tier 2 now." Spark continued. "You should have a second fairy to contract. The Echo Fairy should be suitable for your path."
Spark focused his will. The Echo Fairy, still buzzing with energy within the pages, materialized outside the Grimoire. Hovering before Melody.
"This one is yours." Spark stated. "Contract it."
Melody's expression was a blend of gratitude. And barely suppressed delight. "Thank you, Master! I obey!"
She reached out, lighting her finger with her soulcraft energy. The Echo Fairy willingly flew and touch it. A faint, energetic link formed between them. For a second, it was visible as a shimmering thread of mana. But then it disappeared. Along with the fairy baby.
"It was done, Master." She said. Already secured the fairy within a hidden crest in her body. "My new soulcraft crest allows me to use Recovery Song. Accelerating any type of recovery to the target ten times."
"Good." Spark smiled. Satisfied. "Continue your training. I have more tasks to do." He dismissed her. His mind already moving to the next item on his list.
The Arcane Quartz arrived in the afternoon. Delivered in a big chest by a reinforced wagon. Overseen by grim-faced guards from Eagledome Mystical Materials.
Spark wasted no time. He went to his workshop. And retrieved the Slave Grimoire.
Within its pages, Lady Oleanna Finch was held, trapped and dormant.
Spark laid the heavy Grimoire open on a reinforced table. Placing a large cluster of the newly arrived Arcane Quartz beside it.
He focused his will. Pouring mana into the Grimoire. Linking it to the Quartz. The crystals glowed. They disappeared as their energy was flowing into the ancient book.
The pages shimmered with power. But Spark didn't stop. He kept feeding the grimoire with Arcane Quartz until all of his ordered crystals disappeared into the tome.
Spark then focused on Lady Oleanna Finch's entry. He gained a lot of points. More than enough to modify her data.
First, the personalities. She had two dominant ones, [Fanatic] and [Manipulative]. These were dangerous traits. Even in a slave. He needed control, not volatile zealotry or cunning.
He willed the Grimoire to suppress them. He searched among her minor personalities for useful ones. To be brought into dominant traits.
He found the first. Similar to the trait she gave to all his women. [Submissive]. An essential one to make her stay loyal.
Spark thought of the role he would assign her. He already had a secretary, Lilith. A researcher, Ivy. And a personal assistant, Melody. He needed... a treasurer. Now he had to find some traits fitting for that role.
He would like something like Ivy's [Meticulous] or Lilith's [Organized]. But she had none of that.
So, he brought the best she had... [Calm] and [Prudent]. They should be valuable for counsel, especially regarding financials or logistics.
For the last personality trait, Spark chose [Elegant]. As it was the better one compared to the other minor traits she had.
The Grimoire pulsed. Consuming a portion of the collected points. Information flowed back to Spark. Confirming the changes. The personality traits were altered.
Next would be loyalty. Hers was currently at a baseline zero. Spark needed absolute, unquestioning loyalty. He targeted the loyalty metric and willed it upwards. 50%... 80%... 99%... 100%.
Finally, the number locked at 100%. Absolute loyalty. She would follow his every command. Her will was entirely subservient to his.
Finally, physical appearance. He wasn't going to radically transform her. But subtle adjustments were possible and desirable. He looked at Melody's entry in the Grimoire, recalling her current appearance.
He wanted a resemblance. Something familiar yet distinct. She was Melody's mother after all. He willed the Grimoire to reshape Oleanna Finch. Refining her features. Enhancing her curves.
He made sure that she had a clear familial likeness to Melody. While presenting a more mature, more overtly sensual form.
He poured the remaining Arcane Quartz into the Grimoire for this purpose. The energy flowed. Shaping and molding the essence held within the book.
The process took time. Consuming the afternoon. When it was done, Spark felt the changes etched into the Grimoire's records. He reviewed the updated entry for his new slave.
=====STATUS PANEL=====
[Name: Oleanna Finch]
[Gender: Female]
[Age: 36]
[Class: Sorceress]
[Level: Fortified (3rd Tier)]
[Loyalty: 100%]
[Soul Power: Fortified Level (3rd Tier)]
[Mind Power: Awakened Level (1st Tier)]
[Body Power: Awakened Level (1st Tier)]
[Talent: Melodic Soul]
[Personalities: Submissive, Calm]
[Personalities: Prudent, Elegant]
[Modifier Currency: Arcane Quartz]
[Soulcraft Fairy: Flute Fairy, Harp Fairy, Drum Fairy]
==[Growth Item: Mint Leaf, Water Berry, Black Orchid]
==[Shared Talent: Lingering Echo, Seductive Aura, Source of Chaos]
==[Ability: Soulcraft Crest - Mystic Lullaby, Weakening Symphony, Oppressing Beat]
Satisfied, Spark closed the Slave Grimoire. It was time to meet his new asset.
He extended his will. Focusing on the entry for Oleanna Finch. He commanded her to materialize before him.
With a swirl of shimmering light and shadow, she appeared. An enchanting lady stood there. Her hair was long, wavy, with the color of rich dark-brown chocolate. Cascading down her back.
Her eyes were a captivating hazel. Intelligent and calm. Now they were filled with a serene, devoted look rather than insane fanaticism or cunning.
Her complexion was fair, smooth. Her body shape was undeniably pleasing. Much more voluptuous in the right places compared to her daughter. Curves that spoke of maturity and allure.
She knelt down immediately. Gracefully. Her gaze fixed respectfully on Spark.
"Master!" She greeted. Her voice was low and melodious. Completely devoid of the strained fear or resistance one might expect from a prisoner. It was the voice of a woman entirely dedicated to him.
Spark observed her for a moment. His eyes were scanning every detail. Not much had been altered. But it was hard to associate the current her with the previous prisoner.
Her current resemblance to Melody was clear. Undeniable. Yet, she was distinctly her own woman. A refined and beautiful version. The physical modification had been successful.
"Rise!" Spark commanded.
She rose fluidly. Standing before him with perfect posture. Her hands clasped demurely in front of her.
"Do you remember your past?" Spark asked.
"Yes, Master." She answered. Her gaze was unwavering. "I remember everything until... until I became yours."
"Your past life is over." Spark stated plainly. "From this moment, you are no longer Oleanna Finch. You are Serenade Aurora." He paused. Letting the name settle. "You will be my treasurer. And my woman. Understand?"
A faint, genuine smile touched Serenade's lips. "I am honored, Master. I live only to serve you."
"Good!" Spark said. He moved to the purpose of her summoning. "Tell me about the Holy Sun Cult. Everything you know."