A Dangerous Magic

than spent a considerable amount of time reviewing the Mysticweb catalog, trying to find the perfect magic to learn. The selection was overwhelming: from pyromancy to mind control, passing through alchemy and druidism. However, each option seemed to have its own dangers and limitations. He needed something that would provide him with a significant advantage in a short period, without relying too much on external resources.

Ethan continued browsing through the catalog. He found a book titled "Introduction to Pyromancy," which promised the ability to manipulate fire at will. He also saw another on "Advanced Telekinesis," offering the control of objects at a distance. Each seemed tempting, but something inside him told him to look for something more powerful, more extravagant.

After several hours and dozens of discarded options, Ethan found a book titled "Arcanum Mortis: Fundamentals of Necromancy." The description read: "Unlock the power of the dead and control the forces of the beyond. Warning: this magic may have unintended consequences." The cost was high, 7,000 gold coins, but Ethan felt an inexplicable attraction to this power.

"Necromancy..." he murmured to himself. "Is this the best choice?"

Before making a decision, he decided to investigate further. He immersed himself in the comments and testimonials on Mysticweb, seeking the experiences of other practitioners. He found stories of success but also accounts of catastrophic failures. Some users mentioned how necromancy had given them power, while others warned of the dangers of losing control over the dead.

Finally, Ethan decided he had to take a risk. He couldn't afford to be weak in a world full of unknown dangers. With a sigh, he clicked the buy button and purchased the "Arcanum Mortis," leaving himself with few coins.

"You are making a mistake, Ethan. Necromancy will consume you if you are not careful," Phis warned, with a note of genuine concern in his voice.

"I've already made my decision. I didn't get what I have without risking my life in the process; it's no different now," Ethan responded firmly.

This time, the PDFs didn't arrive, and a message saying "your order is on its way" appeared instead. After an hour, a dark figure knocked on the door of the room where he was staying. It was a tall man with deep eyes and an aura that radiated power and malevolence.

"I see you have chosen the path of necromancy, young Blackwood. My name is Malakai, and I am the owner of Mysticweb. I came to welcome you," said the figure in a deep, resonant voice.

Ethan swallowed, feeling a mixture of fear and surprise.

"What do you want from me?" he asked, staying calm.

"I want nothing from you, Mr. Ethan. I am here because it is rare for a new member to join and invest so much money. You should know that even if people enter this hidden world every day, they all struggle due to insufficient resources. But do not let that bother you; take your book. And before I go, let me offer you a warning. Necromancy is a lonely and dangerous path. If you wish to continue, you must be prepared for the consequences. The dead do not always allow themselves to be easily controlled, and there are forces in this world that will destroy you if you are not strong enough."

Ethan nodded, understanding the gravity of Malakai's words.

"I am willing to take the risk. I am not afraid of making mistakes."

Malakai smiled, a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"So be it. But remember, Ethan, power always comes at a price. And in necromancy, that price can be your own soul. But above all, keep choosing Mysticweb."

With those words, Malakai's figure vanished, leaving Ethan alone in his room, with the grimoire in his hands.

Ethan knew he couldn't turn back. He had chosen a dangerous path, but he also knew it was the only one that would allow him to survive and protect himself in this new and terrifying world. Determined to master necromancy, Ethan immediately began reading the book's contents.

As he delved deeper into the text, he realized that necromancy was not just a set of spells but a philosophy and a way of seeing the world. The texts spoke of the balance between life and death and how a true necromancer must respect this balance to avoid being consumed by the forces they unleashed.

With the help of Phis and his guidance on using mana, Ethan began his first practices. The first step was simple: he had to find a small dead animal to practice. Ethan went back to the lithium mine. There, with the help of a trap provided by one of his employees, he caught a bird with some effort. Carefully, he brought it back to his room and placed it on a table. The bird was a hornero [A bird type from Argentina]; thanks to its size, it was easy for Ethan to kill, and he did not hesitate in doing so. Following the book's instructions, he drew a protective circle with salt and recited the words he had memorized.

"Exsurge et serva me," he murmured, feeling a chill run down his spine as if something left his body.

To his surprise, the bird began to move. Its wings flapped, its empty eyes slowly opened, and the color of its feathers darkened to a sad gray. Ethan felt a mix of euphoria and terror at seeing his first success. The bird was under his control, but he constantly had to provide it with mana, though the amount was minuscule.

In the following days, Ethan practiced tirelessly, perfecting his control over the dead. He couldn't attract too much attention, so he only used small animals without taking the next step. In addition to the initial hornero, he now controlled three more horneros and a slightly larger specimen, such as an Andean flamingo.