"So, this is the final step." Alaric gazed at the spirit core within the magic circle before him, satisfaction glinting in his eyes.
"Giving your blood and the power of time to a creation… is that really possible?" Pandora's expression held unease.
"The power of time itself is already beyond limits. To bestow it on a mere virtual soul born from a personality, can it really endure such a burden?"
Since learning magic, Pandora's knowledge had expanded greatly. With one glance, she had seen the flaw in Alaric's experiment.
"A virtual soul alone, of course, would never suffice." Alaric smiled faintly. "But who said this is only a virtual soul?"
"Wh–what?" Pandora's lips parted slightly.
"You mean… creating a real soul? That's impossible, isn't it?
You once said that the only way to turn a virtual soul into a real one is for it to remain in contact with a true soul over a long span of time."
"Yes, you're right." Alaric nodded, then declared with pride.
"But that's not something that can stop me. It's true this contact requires the accumulation of time. But… what if I compress that time?"
"Compress…? Don't tell me you mean to use your, " Pandora's eyes lit up.
"Exactly. Time magic." Alaric's confidence brimmed.
"Others cannot achieve this, but I am different. I command the power of the Temporal Dragon. Manipulating time is nothing more than child's play for me."
He explained further: "I'll accelerate the flow of time between myself and the spirit core, allowing a short period of contact to equal centuries.
That way, the virtual soul can grow fully into a real one. Within the spirit core, the Temporal Dragon's essence blood will resonate with my power.
Under magical constraints and the resonance of time magic, the blood's time-bound force will emerge, granting the soul a nature detached from the time axis.
This will forge a tenuous yet profound bond with time.
True, it's not a Temporal Dragon and won't master time flawlessly, but that's fine. I've already planned for this. I'll craft a magical artifact to help it wield the ability."
But instead of awe, Pandora's reply was tinged with bitterness.
"My dear… I'm jealous."
"What?" Alaric blinked, baffled.
"You're treating this, this maid you're creating, so well. Giving her your blood, even preparing magical artifacts for her.
You never treated me half so sweetly when you were pursuing me. Don't tell me you've got… other intentions?"
Damn. How could this woman be so sharp?
Naturally, Alaric would never admit the small indulgence he harbored in his heart.
"You're overthinking it. I simply want our future head maid to have the strength to manage the entire castle." His tone was impassive.
"And really, what I've prepared for her is only a few artifacts. Look at you, every artifact you wear was forged by my hand. Have I not done enough for you?"
At that, Pandora's expression softened.
"Alright, alright, I know you love me. Don't be mad, hm? Be good, mwah…"
After placating him with warmth and affection, Pandora finally allowed Alaric's focus to return to the spirit core.
"Then, the final process begins." Alaric's gaze sharpened as he began chanting.
Pandora quickly retreated several steps.
She had no intention of risking a few lost years of youth to time magic, even if, at her current state, the years would leave no mark on her appearance.
A faint, nearly colorless radiance flared. The space around Alaric and the spirit core blurred, devoid of dramatic light or spectacle.
But beneath this modest display lurked the terrifying passage of time, enough to turn oceans into deserts, mountains into dust.
Pandora watched in alarm as the wooden pedestal beneath the core rotted away at visible speed, crumbling into black residue.
Metal vessels nearby rusted rapidly, collapsing into useless fragments.
"How much time… did you just accelerate?" she whispered in awe.
It was more than she imagined.
Alaric had accelerated the flow over five millionfold. One minute outside equaled a hundred years within.
Finally, the blur dissipated. The spell ended.
No longer was there a fabricated, virtual soul within the core. What now existed was a real soul, born of immense temporal accumulation.
Alaric felt it clearly, it was akin to his own, a soul untethered to the time axis.
Though still brushing against time without fully belonging, it had the capacity to twist its laws under certain conditions, yielding wondrous effects.
"Now… it's time to bind it with mana and bring it to life." Alaric's excitement trembled in his chest.
Though achieved by unorthodox means, this was still a true soul, created before his eyes through magic.
The creation of souls was a realm forbidden even to gods.
And this one, this one was born wholly of his will, sculpted by his vision.
"Then, arise, being born of my blood!" Alaric's power entwined with the core. This was the only spirit he had forged without the aid of a magic tower, a true, direct link.
Light blossomed. A slender, elegant female form emerged, coalescing around the core.
Silver hair cascaded as a striking young girl materialized before Alaric's eyes.
Kneeling on one knee, her voice calm yet resolute, she declared. "Head maid, Sakuya Izayoi. By your creation I am born. I greet my master."
Though her tone was cool, Alaric still discerned the respect, intimacy, and devotion woven through her words.
"Excellent, Sakuya. Welcome to this world." He stepped forward and helped the girl to her feet.
But Pandora rushed in first, hastily draping a blanket over her bare form.
"My dear, are you some kind of pervert? You didn't even design clothes for her? That has to be intentional."
Without waiting for a reply, she turned to comfort Sakuya.
"Be careful, Sakuya. A girl's body must never be shown carelessly."
"Yes, Miss Pandora," Sakuya replied serenely, as though nothing unusual had happened.
"But Master is different. A maid's body belongs wholly to her master. However he chooses to admire it, there is no problem."
Her gaze shifted to Alaric. Hands clutching the blanket's edge, she seemed ready to cast it aside.
"If you deem this body pleasing to the eye…"
"N–no need." Alaric quickly shook his head. "Sakuya, your body is indeed wonderful. But a maid is cutest when she's wearing her uniform."
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