Magnus Arcanum
Chris slowly approached the skeleton sitting on the throne, the eerie glow of the room casting long shadows across its remains. His body ached, barely able to hold itself upright after the exhausting battle with the dungeon guardian. It wasn't just the physical toll; it was the overwhelming feeling of being so close to something he barely understood. The eerie stillness of the room was unsettling, yet something about it pulled him in, as if the air itself wanted him to approach.
Despite his injuries, he stepped forward with slow, deliberate movements. His eyes locked on the skeleton, seated proudly in an almost regal pose, holding a book and a letter. For some reason, Chris couldn't help but feel a chill down his spine. He reached out with shaking hands and took the letter first.
It was a simple parchment, but the quality of the writing was pristine. The ink, though faded with time, still looked fresh, as if written mere moments ago. He unfolded the letter carefully, his mind racing with questions. As he read, it became clear:
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"To the one who has reached this place… My successor."
Chris's brows furrowed. The words were more than just a greeting; they held weight. His fingers tightened around the letter as he continued reading.
"If you are reading this, it means you were able to reach my chamber, and that alone proves you are worthy. This dungeon does not allow just anyone inside—it opens only for someone who walks a path similar to mine. A man of ambition, of vision, of… refined tastes.
In other words, someone worthy of inheriting my legacy. The best in the whole world Magnus Arcanum's legacy"
Chris blinked. "Was this some kind of joke? Who the hell was this person?"
"But before you get any delusions of grandeur, let me make one thing clear—you are nothing compared to me. The so-called 'trial' you went through was a joke. A simple test, nothing more. If you struggled even a little, then you have a long, long way to go before you can truly stand where I once stood.
After all, I was a genius. A prodigy among humans. I was born with mana reserves that dwarfed even dragons. My magic was unrivaled, my spells unbreakable, my power limitless. Had I been born as anything other than a human, I would have ruled the world."
Chris stared at the words in disbelief. This guy… he sounded like the definition of arrogant, but somehow, the words hit him harder than they should have. It wasn't just arrogance—it was self-assured pride in his abilities. This was a man who had lived his life in absolute confidence, convinced that he was destined for greatness.
"I spent my life pursuing perfection. And what is true perfection, if not a harem of beauties from every race?"
That was my ambition. To create a collection of the most exquisite, most powerful, and most devoted women this world had to offer. And with my magic, I succeeded.
For years, I carefully selected my harem—elves, beastwomen, demons, angels, even a mermaid. Every race, every type of beauty. Each one was bound to me, their hearts and souls linked to my will through spells more advanced than any that had come before. They loved me, worshiped me. I was their everything.
But I made one mistake.
I underestimated their will.
You see, my spells were powerful—powerful enough that none of them could break free on their own. But among them was one woman who could resist in secret. One who was too strong, too clever. She pretended. She played the perfect role, masking her hatred behind a false smile.
Her name was Selvaria, the Dragon Empress.
She was my strongest, my most prized harem member. And in the end, she was my downfall.
For years, she played the part of my most devoted lover, whispering sweet nothings into my ear while plotting against me. She waited, biding her time, searching for weaknesses in my magic. And when she found one, she did not break free alone.
She freed them all.
One by one, she released the others, turning them against me. By the time I realized what had happened, I was surrounded. My once-loyal harem had become my executioners.
And even with my immense power, even with all my magic, I could not fight them all at once.
I had no choice but to flee
I retreated here, into the depths of my dungeon, and spent my final days perfecting my spells. Making them stronger, unbreakable. If I had just had more time, if I had just improved them sooner...
I would have never lost.
But now, my story ends here.
And yours begins.
Heed my words, successor. The magic I have left behind is stronger than anything this world has seen. If you wield it wisely, you will never suffer my fate.
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At the bottom of the letter, attached by a thin silver chain, was a ring. It seemed to shimmer with a power that Chris could feel even without touching it. His fingers instinctively reached for it, and as soon as he held it in his palm, a surge of energy rushed through him. It was as if the entire room itself responded to the ring's presence. He quickly glanced back at the letter.
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"This ring contains the culmination of my life's work. By wearing it, you will possess the same mana reserves as me. You will no longer be shackled by the pathetic limitations of humanity. With it, you will stand above all others.
But remember—mana alone does not make a king. It is how you use it that matters. And that, successor, is something you must prove on your own."
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Chris felt his pulse race. The thought that he had been chosen, that the mage had seen something in him that no one else had, filled him with a strange sense of purpose.
The last sentence stood out to him:
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"You must treat those who come under your control with love. As you take the reins of power, remember—they must be your everything. Should the bond weaken or falter, they will become disillusioned. Worse still, they might even lose the will to live. So be kind, be tender, and be just."
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Chris looked down at the ring once more, his mind racing with thoughts of what to do next.
With this power, he could finally control his destiny. But what was a king without loyal subjects? What would be the point of gaining all this power if he couldn't form the right connections? He glanced back at the skeleton—Magnus Arcanum, the prodigy who had lived and died by his own rules.
And Chris was determined to follow on those footsteps and create a successful harem for himself
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He turned his attention to the book. The hypnosis spells were clearly the centerpiece. But one particular line stood out to him.
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"Healing Magic – Body Restoration and Enhancement."
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Chris's heart skipped a beat. This is exactly what he wanted right now due to the aftermath of the trial and it wasn't just about recovering from wounds; it was about improving the very essence of his being. His appearance would shift, become sharper, healthier. His skin would clear, his hair would shine with health. And with the power to heal himself, he would be unstoppable.
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A smirk tugged at his lips.
He was no longer just some lowly human. With this ring and book the future was his to control. And it all started now.