The clearing echoed with the clash of power and purpose as Mio squared off against Aelorin. The frostbound lich loomed with a sinister presence, his skeletal form encased in jagged armor of ice that pulsed with dark magic. Beside Mio, her towering Death Knight gripped its massive greataxe, its glowing eyes locked on the enemy. A palpable tension filled the air, broken only by the crackling of frost and the hum of Mio's magic.

Aelorin raised his staff, summoning a storm of frostbound undead from the surrounding shadows. Twisted amalgamations of bone and ice, the creatures moved with unsettling precision, their jagged limbs clawing toward Mio and her Death Knight.

“Your arrogance will be your undoing,” Aelorin hissed, his voice a chilling echo. “Do you truly think you can stand against me?”

“I don’t need to stand against you,” Mio replied, her tone cold and steady. “I just need to break you.”

With a wave of her staff, Mio unleashed Destruction Wave, a focused blast of annihilating energy that tore through the advancing undead. The frostbound creatures disintegrated under the spell’s force, leaving only scattered fragments in its wake. At her command, the Death Knight surged forward, its blackened armor gleaming in the moonlight as it swung its greataxe in a devastating arc.

Aelorin countered with a sweep of his staff, conjuring a wall of jagged ice to block the Death Knight’s assault. The axe collided with the barrier, shattering it in an explosion of frost and shards. The lich retaliated immediately, summoning an Ice storm that swirled above the clearing. Razor-sharp hail rained down, the frozen projectiles glinting in the faint light.

Mio acted swiftly, casting Control Darkness to weave a shield of shadows around herself and her Death Knight. The dark barrier absorbed the hail, each shard vanishing into the void-like magic. Her Death Knight pressed forward relentlessly, shrugging off the icy debris as it closed the distance to Aelorin.

The lich snarled, dual-casting a surge of necromantic tendrils and frost-bound spikes to ensnare and strike at his foes. Mio split her focus, manipulating the shadows to sever the tendrils while launching another Destruction Wave at the advancing spikes. The clearing trembled under the clash of magic, frost and darkness colliding in a dazzling display of power.

“You dare to challenge centuries of mastery?” Aelorin roared, his glowing eyes narrowing with fury. He raised his staff again, channeling a powerful burst of Ice magic directly at Mio.

She sidestepped with fluid precision, using Flight to propel herself upward and avoid the brunt of the attack. Hovering above the battlefield, Mio raised her staff, her expression unyielding. “Centuries of stagnation, maybe,” she said, her voice cutting through the chaos. “Let me show you what progress looks like.”

She cast Chains of Light, radiant bindings shooting out to entangle Aelorin’s frostbound undead. The chains glowed with intense brilliance, immobilizing the creatures as the Death Knight tore through them with ruthless efficiency. Its greataxe cleaved through frozen limbs and fractured bones, the battlefield littered with the remnants of Aelorin’s minions.

With his forces dwindling, Aelorin turned his focus fully on Mio, his skeletal frame trembling with suppressed rage. He cast a desperate spell, summoning a massive wave of jagged ice that surged toward her. Mio countered with a sweeping motion of her staff, casting another Destruction Wave that met the ice head-on. The clash of magic sent shockwaves rippling through the clearing, shattering the frozen surge into harmless fragments.

The Death Knight seized the opportunity, its massive form closing the gap between it and the lich. Aelorin raised his staff to block, but the Death Knight’s greataxe came down with bone-crushing force, shattering the staff in a spray of splinters. The lich staggered, his icy armor cracking under the relentless assault.

Mio descended, landing gracefully behind her Death Knight. She raised her staff one final time, her voice steady and resolute. “This ends now.”

The Death Knight swung its weapon in a powerful arc, the strike connecting with Aelorin’s chest. The force of the blow shattered his armor completely, his skeletal frame disintegrating under the impact. The lich let out a final, guttural snarl before his form dissolved into a cloud of dark energy, spiraling into the phylactery that pulsed faintly in Mio’s hand.

The clearing fell silent, the oppressive chill lifting as Aelorin’s presence faded. Mio tightened her grip on the phylactery, her gaze steady. “And now,” she murmured, her eyes gleaming with determination, “you’ll serve me.” Aelorin’s essence writhed within, clawing against its confines as if resisting what was to come.

Mio strode to a secluded spot near the edge of the clearing, away from the battered remains of the undead minions and her silent Death Knight. She knelt, her eyes narrowing as she held the phylactery aloft.

“Let’s see just how obedient you’ll become,” she murmured, her voice low and cold.

She steadied herself, splitting her focus into several mental threads. One thread prepared the spell Vassalage, weaving the intricate web of Necromantic energy necessary to bind a soul to her will. Another thread monitored the phylactery itself, ensuring Aelorin’s essence wouldn’t escape prematurely. With precise movements, Mio channeled her mana into the phylactery, the glow intensifying as the spell took hold.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

The air around her crackled with power as the spell worked its way into the phylactery, reaching into the depths of Aelorin’s soul. For a moment, the lich’s voice echoed faintly, a sharp, defiant laugh reverberating in her mind.

“You think to enslave me?” Aelorin’s voice hissed. “Your arrogance matches your power, little mage. You’ve achieved much, but I will not kneel.”

Mio’s lips curved into a faint, humorless smile. “You’re wrong about one thing,” she said, her tone sharp and unyielding. “This isn’t about arrogance. It’s about control.”

She tightened her grip on the phylactery, pouring more mana into the spell. The resistance from Aelorin’s essence grew stronger, his presence lashing out like a storm trapped within the artifact. But Mio didn’t waver. Her determination was as boundless as her mana, and she focused every thread of her will on bending the lich to her command.

Slowly, the defiance in Aelorin’s voice began to falter, replaced by frustration and a begrudging acceptance. The phylactery’s light shifted, the chaotic pulses stabilizing into a steady, rhythmic glow.

“You’re… relentless,” Aelorin said, his tone bitter but subdued. “Fine, mage. You’ve proven your power. What do you want of me?”

“Information,” Mio replied, her voice calm but firm. “I need a location—somewhere remote, a place beyond the reach of any kingdom’s control. Mountain ranges, valleys, anywhere that would make a good stronghold.”

There was a moment of silence before Aelorin’s voice returned, softer now, edged with reluctant respect. “There is a range to the east, beyond the borders of this kingdom. Rugged, inhospitable, and far from prying eyes. Few dare to venture there.”

Mio nodded, the faintest hint of satisfaction crossing her face. “Good,” she said. “Now, let’s make you useful again.”

With a final surge of mana, she completed the spell. The phylactery pulsed brightly, the energy within spiraling outward as Aelorin’s essence was pulled from its confines. Dark tendrils of magic coalesced in front of Mio, weaving themselves into a skeletal form encased in a faint shimmer of frost and shadow. The lich’s body reformed piece by piece, his icy armor glinting under the moonlight.

When the spell ended, Aelorin knelt before Mio, his skeletal head bowed. The defiance that had marked him before was gone, replaced by a subdued reverence.

“I am yours to command,” Aelorin said, his voice steady but resigned.

Mio regarded him coolly, her expression unreadable. “Good,” she said. “Then rise. We have work to do.”

Aelorin obeyed, his towering form standing silently beside Mio as she turned her attention back to the clearing. Her Death Knight loomed nearby, its imposing presence a testament to her growing power.

For the first time since arriving in this world, Mio felt the full weight of her potential. With Aelorin under her command, the possibilities stretched before her like an uncharted horizon. The kingdom might not yet know it, but the first stone in her grand plan had been set.

She allowed herself a small, satisfied smile. “Let’s move,” she said, her voice quiet but resolute. “We have a destination.”

With her command, Mio cast Travel by Light, summoning the moon’s pale glow to envelop her party. The clearing dissolved in a cascade of luminous threads, reforming into a new scene—the rugged expanse of a remote mountain range. Jagged peaks clawed at the sky, their slopes barren and unforgiving. A bitter wind howled through the crags, carrying with it the sense of isolation Mio had sought.

“This place will do nicely,” she murmured, surveying the harsh terrain.

Aelorin’s hollow voice followed. “You chose wisely, master. These mountains have kept many secrets over the centuries. Few venture here, and none linger.”

Mio nodded, her mind already racing with possibilities. She planted her staff firmly into the rocky ground, the faint hum of her mana intensifying as she split her mental threads. Each thread began weaving spells simultaneously, her mastery of multitasking evident as she cast Manipulate Earth and Perfect Creation together on a monumental scale.

The ground beneath them trembled as her magic took hold. Stones groaned and shifted, ancient foundations bending to her will. Massive slabs of rock rose from the mountain’s surface, forming towering walls that stretched skyward. Arched windows and parapets appeared as if sculpted by an invisible artisan, intricate and foreboding. The mountain reshaped itself around her vision, the jagged terrain smoothing into a formidable plateau.

Aelorin and the Death Knight stood silently, watching the transformation unfold. Mio’s staff pulsed with light as she worked tirelessly, her boundless mana driving the magic forward without hesitation. Fortress towers spiraled upward, their spires tipped with jagged iron. A colossal gate took form at the base of the mountain, reinforced with layers of dark stone and embossed with intricate runes designed to deter intruders.

The landscape seemed to bow under the weight of her magic, the once-untamed mountain now crowned with a stronghold that radiated both power and menace. The entire structure was shrouded in an aura of shadow and mystery, a perfect reflection of Mio’s growing dominance.

Sweat beaded on Mio’s brow, but her resolve remained unshaken as she focused on the finishing touches. Grand halls, reinforced walls, secret passages, and hidden chambers—all crafted with precision. The stronghold’s main tower loomed high above the rest, its peak piercing the clouds. It was a symbol of authority, designed to inspire awe and fear in equal measure.

After what felt like hours, the mountain fell silent once more. Mio stepped back, her chest rising and falling with controlled breaths. The stronghold stood complete, an imposing masterpiece of magic and willpower.

Aelorin broke the silence, his tone filled with reluctant admiration. “Your ambition is unmatched, master. This fortress… it is a marvel.”

Mio turned to face him, her gaze sharp. “It’s more than a fortress,” she said, her voice steady but laced with purpose. “This will be our castle.”

She gestured toward the towering stronghold, her expression unyielding. “The castle of the first Demon Lord.”

The declaration hung in the air, carrying with it a sense of finality. Aelorin bowed his head, his skeletal frame exuding a new sense of loyalty. The Death Knight remained stoic but imposing, its silent presence an unspoken vow to defend this creation.

Mio looked out over the landscape, the winds tugging at her cloak. For the first time since arriving in this world, she felt the weight of her aspirations solidify into something tangible. The castle was more than a refuge or a base of operations—it was a declaration to the world.

She turned back to her companions, her lips curling into a faint, determined smile. “We’re just getting started.”