I settle into my usual spot in the library, sprawled across a pile of parchment and old spellbooks. My eyes skim the magical interface before me, scrolling through the system store with a careful precision only I seem capable of.
Crow Summoning Contract… I pause, reading the description slowly. This is perfect for Raven House. Summon loyal, intelligent crows to deliver messages, spy, or even assist in spellwork. A shiver of excitement runs through me.
I don't hesitate. I purchase the contract, feeling the contract materialize in my hands, black ink glowing faintly on the parchment.
Next, I scroll further and spot an ability I cannot pass up: Shadow Clone Technique.
The potential hits me immediately. Another me, capable of working independently on magical experiments, building, researching, or even cataloging spells—and when dispelled, all memories transfer back to me. That's insane. Perfect for everything I'm juggling: the castle, the students, the spells, and my research.
How did I survive without this until now? I think, smiling.
I activate it, feeling the familiar rush of magical energy as a perfect copy of me forms beside the table. She mirrors my movements, blinking and stretching exactly like I do.
"Alright," I say to my clone, excitement barely contained, "you're going to help me organize these advanced wards, start preliminary Raven magic experiments, and catalog every spell we've written so far."
The clone nods, already moving to work without a word. It's uncanny. My mind immediately begins absorbing the efficiency this brings.
With the Crow Summoning Contract in hand, I draw a simple summoning circle and whisper the incantation. A dozen black crows materialize with a soft flutter of wings. Their eyes gleam with intelligence as they perch obediently around me.
"Perfect," I murmur. "Raven House is about to get very interesting."
The clone begins cataloging while the real me experiments, sending crows out for reconnaissance, message delivery, and even small magical tasks. My mind hums with satisfaction as everything begins to move faster than I ever could alone.
Between my shadow clone and these crows, I think, I might actually be unstoppable.
I glance over at Rowena, who's quietly studying in the corner, oblivious to the whirlwind of magic around her. A thought strikes me, and I smile faintly. She's going to love the new Raven magic.