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1000 Lives of the Demon Lord
Chapter 3: Dividing the Self

Chapter 3: Dividing the Self

Mio stirred awake as the first rays of dawn broke through the forest canopy, casting dappled shadows across her makeshift campsite. The previous day’s practice sessions replayed in her mind, each spell flowing naturally, confirming that her boundless mana and resilient new body were indeed real. Despite her successful attempts, she knew she was barely scratching the surface of her potential in this strange world.

Sitting up and gripping her staff, Mio took a steadying breath. Her boundless mana gave her power beyond what any ordinary caster could wield, but controlling multiple high-level spells at once had pushed her focus to its limits. Her thoughts returned to a spell she had only ever considered as an experimental concept: Mental Division. She had designed it to split the mind into separate, semi-autonomous channels, each capable of managing independent tasks. If she cast it permanently, each thread could monitor a separate spell or focus on maintaining powerful magic. She wouldn’t just be powerful—she’d be her own team of spellcasters, casting multiple spells without strain.

The risks were high. She had only ever written Mental Division as a temporary enhancement, meant to last mere minutes in her game’s combat rounds. But if she was to explore this world and leave an impact, she needed a way to manage her immense power without taxing her mind every time she cast a spell.

Steeling herself, Mio raised her staff, channeling her boundless mana into the spell. She let her breathing slow, focusing on the flow of mana within her. She closed her eyes, picturing her consciousness as a single stream of energy flowing through her mind, concentrated and cohesive. With one whispered command, she visualized splitting that stream into multiple threads.

“Mental Division,” she murmured, sending a pulse of energy inward.

A shiver rippled through her as she felt her consciousness separate, one stream branching into two. A second, distinct awareness bloomed in her mind, like an extra set of eyes watching from within. With one part of her mind, she focused on casting a Light spell, forming a steady orb of golden brightness above her palm. With the other, she watched the flow of mana, observing its consistency and strength.

It was surreal, like standing at the center of a web with different parts of herself weaving around it. She pushed further, splitting her mind again, forming a third channel. The pressure increased, a tension building in her skull as her mind adapted to the new structure. She focused on maintaining balance, breathing deeply as the third thread settled into place.

With her third thread, she cast an Air spell, creating a swirling breeze that lifted her hair and leaves around her. She smiled, feeling the thrill of wielding three spells at once, each with its own dedicated thread of awareness. The complexity felt like conducting an orchestra, each part of her mind responding to her direction, yet independent.

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She wasn’t finished. Gritting her teeth, she visualized a final split, one more thread that would grant her four separate streams of consciousness. A dull ache bloomed behind her eyes, but she focused, guiding her mana as it stretched her mind’s limits. When the fourth thread took hold, she felt a new sense of clarity, her mind organized into separate yet interconnected channels.

Opening her eyes, she felt the world with a new perspective. Each channel held an awareness, a presence that allowed her to interact with the world from different angles. Testing the spell, she cast Water with her first thread, forming a sphere of liquid that hovered beside her, its surface reflecting the morning light. With her second thread, she kept the Light spell steady, illuminating her surroundings. Her third thread maintained the Air breeze, the soft wind whistling around her. And with the fourth, she summoned Earth, raising a small mound from the ground, shaping it with precision.

Four spells, four thoughts, each controlled without effort. Her boundless mana flowed through each channel, empowering the spells with ease. For the first time, Mio felt as though she had unlocked her full potential.

She continued to practice, weaving between different schools of magic with each thread. She summoned a Necromancy spell, forming a shadow guardian that hovered protectively nearby, watching her with hollow eyes. The guardian took form easily, each detail crisp as she maintained it with her first thread. She cast Illusion with her second thread, creating a duplicate of herself that mimicked her movements perfectly. With her third thread, she raised a wall of Earth as a defensive barrier, and with her fourth, she manipulated Water to flow around her, coiling in a protective sphere.

The harmony was exhilarating, each spell balancing the others. Her mind felt stronger, like each channel amplified her control, letting her cast spells in seamless succession. She began to realize that her magic wasn’t just about casting—it was about maintaining control, about using her boundless mana to shape reality.

But as she held each spell, Mio felt a subtle strain, a reminder that Mental Division required mental endurance, not just mana. After a few minutes, she released the spells, her mind returning to its original state. She took a deep breath, feeling both the thrill of success and the weight of her power.

As she rested, Mio thought of how the spell would impact her journey. With Mental Division as a permanent enhancement, her potential for spellwork was limitless. She could summon powerful creatures, cast protective barriers, even manipulate the elements all at once. But each thread of consciousness would require training, an endurance she would need to build gradually. She would need time to refine this ability, mastering her divided mind to reach the heights of her potential.

With a renewed sense of purpose, she rose and scanned the forest around her, each of her thoughts sharp and ready. This world, with all its mysteries and dangers, awaited her exploration. She held her staff high, feeling the weight of her abilities settle around her like a mantle.

Her curiosity bit at her as Mio considered if she could now control multiple high-level spells too. This would require further experimentation.