Small Steps
Lucius judged that the spell matrices were increasing in stability, but were not entirely strong enough to support another use of the spell. If he wanted to put a mark of obedience on another person, Lucius would have to make it again.
'At least this time it was easier since Johan was accepting of it from the start.' Lucius thought to himself.
The Mark of Obedience was a peculiar spell that needed the agreement of the person it was being cast on. But this was a condition that was a bit flexible depending on the agreement of the person.
If the person was devoted to the caster, the spell would work near instantly and would cause no pain to that person except for the pricking feeling upon initial entry of the Hell energy. But that was normal and could not really be avoided.