Age: 9 Years
Lucien had begun tapping into true control, stepping beyond influence and manipulation into magic itself—the ability to rewrite thoughts, alter memories, shape reality within the minds of others.
His first experiment with the Mindwoven Grimoire had gone smoothly, reinforcing loyalty in Rean without immediate consequences.
But control was never absolute, and magic had its limits.
Tonight, he would test a more advanced spell, pushing deeper into the grimoire's forbidden knowledge.
And for the first time, he would face resistance.
---
### Unlocking Deeper Spells
The tome had been partially deciphered, revealing ancient techniques that manipulated perception, bending the thoughts of others into new realities.
Using his All-Seeing Eyes, Lucien continued tracking the magical patterns across the grimoire, breaking down the next level of enchantment.
---
[Grimoire Appraisal – Active]
Mindwoven Grimoire – Mental Intrusion Spells (Intermediate Level)
- Spell Name: Thoughtbinding Whisper
- Effect: Forces an individual to accept an implanted idea as their own thought.
- Limitations: Requires physical proximity for effectiveness; higher intellects resist stronger.
- Spell Name: Memory Tethering
- Effect: Temporarily suppresses specific memories, rendering them inaccessible until the caster releases them.
- Limitations: Extended use causes mental instability if improperly applied.
- Spell Name: Perception Veil
- Effect: Alters how an individual perceives reality for a short duration.
- Limitations: Requires focused mana control; external stimuli can disrupt the illusion.
---
Lucien's gaze settled on Thoughtbinding Whisper.
Planting false truths—shaping beliefs, making people accept what they had never questioned before.
This was true power.
And now, he needed a test subject.
---
### The Second Trial: A Noble Manipulation
Unlike with Rean, Lucien did not wish to test this magic on someone already devoted to him.
He needed a noble, someone skeptical, someone who held their own beliefs—an individual who would allow him to measure how difficult it was to push thoughts into an unshaped mind.
His target was a minor noble from House Nyx, a scholar known for arrogance, dismissive of young nobles, accustomed to undeniable logic and unshakable confidence in his own intellect.
Perfect.
In a quiet library within House Nyx's estate, Lucien approached the scholar, pretending to browse tomes while engaging in light conversation.
"I heard you've been researching trade benefits between arcane scholars and noble factions," Lucien murmured, drawing the man's attention.
The scholar paused, glancing at him with vague amusement. "And what does a child know of such matters?"
Lucien smiled—soft, unreadable, perfectly crafted.
And then, he whispered.
"You've always believed that House Nyx should expand trade beyond noble circles. You've spoken of it before, though others refuse to listen."
The spell activated, unseen energy weaving through the scholar's thoughts, bending perceptions subtly.
The man blinked, his expression shifting slightly—confusion, hesitation, then a faint acceptance.
"Of course," he muttered. "I have spoken of such things before…"
A flicker of success.
But then—
The man winced, his brow furrowing, his hand pressing against his temple as if his mind had suddenly caught onto something unnatural.
Doubt.
The spell had not taken fully.
His intellect was strong, resistant to outside manipulation. The Thoughtbinding Whisper had worked—but not perfectly.
And Lucien had learned something critical.
Magic was not all-powerful.
The truly sharp minds—those who built their perception on unshakable logic—could fight back against intrusion.
For the first time, his control had met its limit.
And that meant his magic needed to evolve further.
---
### A Future of Greater Mastery
Tonight had proven that mental manipulation was not without obstacles.
But obstacles were merely challenges to overcome, weaknesses to refine, barriers to break.
He had seen resistance, but that only meant he needed stronger methods, more precise techniques, deeper understanding.
His magic was advancing, his influence expanding, and soon, even the sharpest minds would bend to his will without question.
Because true control was more than magic.
It was undeniable authority.
And soon, noble society would never even realize they had fallen into his grasp.