Crimson Domain: Magecraft Ascension?

The steward's voice was low and detached as he explained the scene before them. "You see, Norris, the mindless undead are herded to facilitate their evolution. Those without any noticeable talent or difference are subjected to a relatively strict experience."

The steward's voice drew Norris's attention back. "The experience can vary, but it often involves a dedicated shepherd who implants information in their souls and then puts them in danger. They're forced to follow their instincts and the methods implanted in their minds to survive."

"They're forced to manipulate mana with their bones," the steward continued, "and wear armor that uses that is used as a node to gather mana. This process makes them stronger and tougher over time."

Norris's gaze snapped back to the undead, his eyes scanning the scene with renewed interest. He noticed that the undead were mostly skeletal warrior undead, their empty eye sockets seeming to stare into the distance.

Norris nodded, taking in the steward's words. He then fell silent, observing the undead with sympathy. Most of this talentless undead would most likely be mortals. Mortal in your previous life, going through the gu process of the death realm and transported to other realms where you might end up bottom of the food chain. No control over your life like a raft drifting in the sea.

The undeads seemed to be adapting to their surroundings, their movements becoming more fluid as they navigated the landscape.

As for those with special talents, they were left free-range, as their instincts might make them seek out what they believed was best for them. Most of them were professionals in their former life, and this made them more spiritual than their peers, who were mostly mortal. Through instinct left in their souls, they can instinctively handle the energy of the death realm to fight in the way they instinctively did.

Norris's eyes narrowed as he took in the scene, his mind racing with the implications of what he was seeing. The gu system made by the rules of the death realm meant that most of the undead who survived were elites to say the least. In this war he would have to be very careful. Of course there could be some late bloomers who would be transported to other realms. For the death realm it doesn't matter. In fact the more the better. After all he has eaten all the meat, let the other realms drink soup.

As they walked, the wraith who had been guiding Norris notified him, "I'll show you to your new quarters, Mage Norris, I hope you enjoyed the little tour of the crimson domain" the wraith said as he led Norris to his residential area.

Norris nodded, his eyes scanning the surroundings as they made their way through the Crimson Domain. The air was thick with the scent of decay and death, but Norris had grown accustomed to it.

They eventually arrived at a building, its walls adorned with intricate carvings that seemed to shimmer in the flickering torchlight. The wraith pushed open the door, revealing a dimly lit hallway beyond.

"Your quarters are at the end of the hall, Mage Norris," the wraith said, its voice . "You'll find everything you need within. If you require anything, don't hesitate to ask."

Norris nodded, his eyes never leaving the wraith's face. He sensed a hint of curiosity beneath the wraith's stoic exterior, but it was quickly suppressed.

With a final nod, the wraith turned and disappeared into the darkness, leaving Norris to make his way to his new quarters.

Norris in his quarters thought for a long time about how to get the most benefit of the power he had been given while not garnering resentment. Thinking of everything he had seen today, he decided to make a battle group; a mage battle group. In this town of warriors, the easiest way to convince them is through the fist and achievements forming the so called glory.

Having resolved to form the mage battle group, Norris wasted no time. Over the following week, he used his authority within the territory to rally the Mages for a meeting forum set once a day over the course of the week.

The mages in this town were divided into two invisible factions. The first group consisted of older undead mages—stalwart, stable, and unambitious. They were the epitome of the word stable, lacking the drive for change and were content with the status quo. Moreover, their close ties to the warriors made Norris wary. Unable to fully trust them, he decided to relegate them to logistics roles.

The second group, in stark contrast, was made up of the newly evolved sentient undead mages. Young, hot-blooded/hot-mana-ed, and brimming with ambition, they each harbored unique goals and dreams. Most to return to the world of the living to finish unfinished dreams. Recognizing their potential, Norris decided to form a mage battle group, harnessing their fervor for the challenges ahead.

Leveraging his position and influence in the territory, he created a forum that brought together the mages. It was a delicate process, requiring careful diplomacy to avoid stirring resentment while ensuring cooperation.

The meetings served as a platform for Norris to understand the strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations of the mages. He observed their dynamics closely, noting the tension between the two factions. Through calculated interventions and persuasive tactics, Norris began laying the groundwork for separating then and relegating them to the roles he envisioned.

Norris saw significant benefits from this new battle group. He saw an opportunity to improve access to necromantic texts, acquire rare materials, and secure other valuable resources. His ultimate goal, however, remained clear to him: to amass enough resources to establish his own noble domain.

Pushing back his chair, Norris stood and took a deep breath, grounding himself in the certainty of his decision. He donned his robes with care, wore a tag that he prepared, and strode out the door with purpose. His destination was fixed—the administrative building. He was about to get cash out and level up.

Norris entered the drab administrative office, the air thick with the scent of old stone and decay. A bored clerk gazed up at him, its sunken eyes uninterested, as it sat behind a desk adorned with intricate, glowing runes. The runes pulsed with a faint, eerie light, casting flickering shadows on the walls.

"What can I do for you, Mage Norris?" the clerk asked in a flat tone its voice echoing off the cold, dark stone. It's soul flame briefly flickered after taking a look at the conspicuous badge Norris intentionally dorned for identification.

"I've come to request funding for the mage battle group," Norris stated firmly, his tone calm but authoritative. He met the clerk's hollow gaze, making no attempt to disguise the weight of his request. "I hope there isn't any problem". Norris knowing he wasn't well liked had to stand his ground.

The clerk remained silent, its expression as still as bored as ever. After a moment's pause, it gave a curt nod. Without a word, it raised its skeletal hand, conjuring a small, ethereal orb that hovered above its palm. The orb began to glow with a soft, blue light as the clerk imbued it with magical energy.

"Your request is noted," the clerk said with it's hand holding a bone with runes, its voice still devoid of emotion. "Here's proof to the authenticity of the request. Go to the treasury with this and you shall get what you need".

The orb vanishing and the bone collected, the clerk returned to its dazed look. Norris sensed a hint of contempt from the clerk, but he didn't let it faze him. This clerk might just be like this to everyone, "Thank you," he said neutrally. And turned to leave after not getting a reply from the clerk. He got out and was on his way to the next destination.

***

The path to achieving his dream was going to be very tough as he would need to micromanage his accounts very well, scraping any little profit for his own use and making profits where there might not be any while still supporting a mage group. Though the future ahead might not be comfortable, for now there's something that gave Norris anticipation. He'd embarked on a journey to the Arcum visiting Orum'thik in search of powerful war spells this time instead of personal spells. And this time he was loaded.