Chapter - 12

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Chapter - 12: Fairy Familiar

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But in the end, everything had to come to an end. I slowly moved away, giving her time to regain control of herself. After all, I wasn't so heartless as to not show at least a modicum of courtesy towards my new pet.

I watched as she tried to compose herself: her legs were still trembling, and the redness on her cheeks betrayed how affected she was by what had just happened.

Despite her weakness, she stood up with determination and fixed me with a gaze that, although marked by fatigue, had not lost the fire in her eyes. "Now keep your word and free them from the ice!" she demanded, her voice firm, though slightly cracked by emotion.

I couldn't help but admire her inner strength. Even in that state, with her body still shaking and her face flushed, she managed to maintain her dignity and fighting spirit.

There was something about that resistance that I found fascinating, a quality I could respect; at least she wasn't a weak girl who was bent by the first difficulty on her path.

"Certainly," I replied with a satisfied smile, letting my clear satisfaction show. "I've already obtained what I was interested in." There was no longer any need to restrain them.

With a simple snap of my fingers, the guardian mermaids were finally freed from the ice. The cold that enveloped them dissipated quickly, turning into a light steam that dissolved into the air.

The mermaids, still shaken but alive, slowly regained their senses, observing the scene with confused and fearful eyes. For a moment, silence prevailed, interrupted only by the faint sound of water shattering.

Although I had freed them, the memory of the power I had just displayed would remain etched in their minds for a long time to come, and this had to be resolved one way or also.

Aisha ran towards the mermaids, her heart full of relief and joy, enveloping them in a big, affectionate hug. The mermaids, still confused and disoriented from their recent liberation, clung to her, seeking comfort.

One of them, who seemed to be the captain, spoke up. "Princess Aisha, what are you doing here?" she muttered, with uncertainty and surprise in her eyes. Despite the confusion, they accepted her affection without hesitation, as if they knew her well, which made the situation even more interesting.

Now that I thought about it, she was the same mermaid who had led the attack against me, and the one I had mocked while turning them all into beautiful ice statues.

She wore the same armor as the other guardian mermaids, but hers stood out easily due to her long, deep purple hair, flowing behind her like a cascade of silk, further accentuating her presence.

Moreover, the curves of her body gave her a charming and mature appearance, which I had to admit was very pleasant to observe. Unlike the other mermaids, she emanated an air of authority that clearly distinguished her as the leader of the group.

The trident she wielded was sharp and menacing, ready to be used at any moment. Her eyes, attentive and piercing, showed the confidence of someone accustomed to leading and protecting her comrades in battle.

"I'm just happy to see you safe and sound, Nerida," Aisha exclaimed, her voice filled with relief and affection as she warmly embraced her friend.

The air was charged with tension but also with relief, evident in their gestures and expressions. The strength of the bond between them was clearly visible, a deep connection that went beyond words.

Nerida, although visibly exhausted, returned the hug with a smile full of gratitude and affection. Her long purple hair swayed slightly as she shook herself, and her eyes shone with tenderness.

"Stupid girl, I've told you many times not to worry about old me," she said with an ironic tone, though beneath that authoritative facade, happiness at seeing her again was palpable.

"I would never have left you alone," Aisha replied, her voice strong and clear, but laden with an emotion so intense it seemed to envelop everything around them. Those words echoed in the silence, like a vow.

Nerida, still held in the embrace, pulled away slightly to look Aisha in the eyes. The expression on her face was a mix of sincere affection and a seriousness that went beyond mere friendship.

"I know," she said, with a smile that betrayed a slight tremor. "But seeing how far you've gone to save me… it's an indescribable joy. You have no idea how much it means to me."

Aisha shook her head, her smile sweet but resolute. "I couldn't have done otherwise," she replied with a simplicity that left me speechless. "You are my friend, but also my teacher, the person who has guided me all these years. I could never have abandoned you, no matter how difficult or dangerous."

Aisha's words were sincere and full of affection, and Nerida listened with an expression of deep gratitude. Her eyes sparkled with what I could sense was pride, for the young woman she had watched grow and become the person she was today.

"You've always been my favorite student, Aisha," Nerida continued, her voice tinged with emotion. "But today, you've demonstrated something more. Not only did you risk everything to come here and save me, but you have shown courage and determination worthy of a future queen."

Aisha looked down for a moment, struck by the depth of Nerida's words. "I learned from the best," she murmured, feeling the warmth of recognition and affection that her mentor was showing her. "Everything I know, everything I have become, I owe to you and the lessons you have given me."

Nerida looked at her with a sweet, proud smile. "You have always had the strength and courage within you," she said, holding Aisha's hands between hers. "I only helped to bring them out. But today, it was you who showed who you truly are. A leader, a warrior. And that makes you, Aisha."

Aisha felt a lump in her throat but managed to smile despite the tears welling up in her eyes. "Thank you, Nerida," she whispered, her voice full of emotion. "I promise I won't disappoint you."

"What a touching scene," I said with a sarcastic smile, my voice laden with cynicism. "If I weren't so busy feeding my insatiable thirst for power, I might actually be moved."

My jest abruptly interrupted the intimate moment between Aisha and Nerida, breaking the emotion that had filled the air until just a moment ago. As soon as the mermaids noticed my presence, their expressions changed in an instant.

"You!" Delina exclaimed, her voice filled with anger and determination. Her eyes shone with intense light as she pointed a finger at me. "You won't get away with what you've done to us, and you will never again threaten the order of this world."

A disdainful smile formed on my face as I listened. "Oh really?" I replied sarcastically. "And who's going to stop me? You?" The tone of my voice was laden with utter contempt.

Before Delina and the other mermaids could attack me, Aisha moved with surprising speed. In an instant, she positioned herself in front of me, arms spread wide like a living shield.

Despite all the pain and anger she felt towards me, Aisha couldn't allow them to harm me. Since she had become my familiar, her mind seemed geared towards protecting me, no matter the cost.

The mermaids stopped, seeing their princess standing in my defense. Their tridents, ready to attack, lowered slightly, and the conflict in their eyes was as clear as day.

Aisha, still with her arms outstretched, briefly turned towards me. In her eyes was a silent plea for an explanation, as if she were desperately trying to understand what had prompted me to intervene in such a way.

But the words she sought didn't come, and her face remained in a puzzled expression. This suited me just fine, as I had no intention of explaining what I had done to her.

After all, in this magical world, I had well-tested methods for managing and disrupting magical bonds. It was better that she knew nothing about these methods, as the less she knew, the easier it would be for me to maintain control.

A subtle smile formed on my face as I observed the scene. It seemed that everything was going as I had planned. Aisha, despite everything I had done, had chosen to protect me.

Her decision, driven by the unconscious impulse produced by her new runes, was proof that my plans were working. I had gained a valuable advantage that I would use at the right moment.

"What does this mean, Aisha?" Delina asked, her tone betraying her confusion and disbelief. Her gaze shifted frantically between the princess and me, unable to comprehend the meaning of what was happening.

Aisha lowered her arms slightly, her face now marked by an expression of pain and understanding. "I'm sorry, Delina," she said with a firm but gentle voice. "I understand your anger, but I cannot allow you to hurt him."

"As much as I enjoy seeing your relationship," I said, interrupting their conversation with a tone that immediately drew the attention of the two girls.

They turned towards me, alerted by my presence. "I have something to say too." I took a few steps forward, my gaze fixed on them. "Sleep." My voice was low, almost a whisper, as I channeled a low-level hypnotic spell that I had learned from Valtor's vast memories.

With that command, the mermaids began to waver, their eyes closing against their will. Suddenly, like puppets whose strings had been cut, they collapsed one after another onto the ice, fainted into a deep sleep, as I needed them not to interfere with me further.

It was a low-level spell, simple yet effective, designed to induce instant sleep. Nothing spectacular, but perfect for situations like this, where subtlety was essential for maintaining control.

Aisha looked at me, confused and worried. "What have you done?" she asked, her tone wavering between disbelief and fear. In her eyes was a spark of defiance, and I was curious to see how long it would last.

"Don't worry, Aisha," I replied, my tone indifferent as I ignored her accusatory gaze. "It was necessary. I couldn't risk them getting in the way of my objectives."

Aisha seemed about to say something, but before she could, I quickly drew a black claw from my finger with a swift gesture. I ran it over my hand, letting a few drops of my blood fall onto the ice.

And calmly, I began to draw a druidic sigil in the air, tracing intricate lines with my blood. Each movement was precise, the sigil glowing with a purple light as I finished, a gleam that seemed to pulse with a life of its own.

I focused on my goal, firmly pronouncing the word that would give me more leeway in this world: "Dearmad."

The purple light expanded from the sigil, enveloping the guardian mermaids in a glow that seemed to emanate an ancient and powerful force. Immediately, their faces relaxed, and I knew the spell was taking effect.

All memories related to me, those that could compromise my plans, began to fade. All the pain, anger, suspicion, and every negative memory they had experienced towards me dissolved, leaving only what was useful to me.

Aisha watched the scene, tension evident on her face. "What have you done to them?" she asked again, her voice now filled with anguish. "You've manipulated their memories, haven't you?"

"Was it so obvious?" I nodded calmly, showing no remorse. "It was necessary; I had to ensure that none of them could remember what they weren't supposed to. Now they will return to their realm, and all they will remember is that you found and saved them."

Aisha shook her head, incredulous. "You can't play with people's minds like that," she said, her voice cracked with frustration. "It's not right. It's not…"

"Not right?" I interrupted her, my tone growing harsher. "The world isn't fair, Aisha. And if you want to survive, if you want to protect yourself, you have to do what is necessary. Even if that means…"

Aisha lowered her gaze, conflicted. In her eyes, I saw the internal struggle between what she knew to be right and what was necessary for survival. In the end, she said nothing, accepting the reality I had imposed, albeit reluctantly.

"P-Perhaps you're right…" Now, I was certain that Aisha would remain bound to me inextricably, without even realizing it.

"No, don't misunderstand," I interrupted her, as she looked at me with surprise. "It's these runes that speak for you," I said, pointing to the runes glowing on my skin.

Aisha, confused and worried, scrutinized the runes with a troubled expression, her face contorted with tension. Her hands clenched into fists, and a shiver passed through her body as she tried to understand the situation.

"You will go back and tell your family that you found nothing but a completely empty castle and mermaids freed from the ice who remember nothing of what happened."

I approached her, my penetrating gaze boring into her. Aisha did not move, her eyes locked on mine, seeking comfort, explanations, or perhaps an escape from the chaos surrounding her.

"But every time you are away from me," I continued, my voice sinking into her deepest fears, "you will only think of me, one way or another. You will want to return to my side, like a good pet seeking its master."

Aisha flinched slightly at those words, her breathing becoming quicker. "No… it's not possible," she stammered, shaking her head as if to ward off the thought. "I… I can't let you do this… I am not yours…"

My voice grew softer, more insidious, like a whisper caressing her soul. "Isn't it true? Do you hear that little voice in your head telling you to obey every command of mine, not to disobey me? It's normal, you know. After all, this will be how our relationship will function from now on, at least for a while."

Aisha closed her eyes for a moment, her face marked by a wrenching internal conflict. When she reopened her eyes, fear was still there, but there was also something else. A shadow of resignation. "I don't want… I don't want to listen to you," she said, her voice trembling but still resolute.

But the more Aisha tried to resist me, the more the runes on her body glowed with increasing intensity, tightening around her like a suffocating collar. "Why... why can't I resist you? What have you done to me?" she asked with a tone of growing desperation.

"Nothing for you to worry about or know, my new pet," I replied, caressing her cheek with a gesture that was meant to be almost affectionate.

In her eyes, I saw a resigned acceptance emerging as she surrendered to my touch, almost as if she had become dependent on it. "You… you're a monster," she murmured, her voice broken by a mix of anger and despair.

Her words were tinged with a sorrowful awareness, a painful admission of what she was becoming. Yet, despite everything, a part of her continued to fight, even though that resistance seemed to grow weaker and weaker.

"No, my dear. I'm not a monster, I'm just a step ahead of the curve," I replied, amused, with a cold smile that betrayed my satisfaction in finally seeing her confidence waver.

Now I just had to wait for my three witches to return. Finally, I would be able to expand my reach and discover what this vast universe had to offer me.

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Osmosian Sorcerer?: 3 advanced chapters:

patreon.com/Demon_King22

Chapter - 13: Grimm

Chapter - 14: Magix

Chapter - 15: Bloom

A/N: I hope you enjoy the chapter!

On the other hand, if you want to see something specific in the next chapters, or even just have some good advice for the story as a whole, I am always willing to read a comment if it is constructive criticism.

If you see any mistakes, I would be grateful if you would point them out to me, so that I can correct them when I have some spare time, and make the story as complete as possible for myself and especially for you.

To facilitate a clearer understanding, I've retained pictures of the respective characters. Your feedback is always valued, and if you have any suggestions for the upcoming chapter, please feel free to comment—I'll be sure to respond as usual.

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