Ethan was speechless for a moment; he did not expect to be faced with a marriage proposal under such circumstances. He thought for a moment, but he couldn't find the right answer.
"It's a tempting proposal, Yassmin," he finally said. "I need time to seriously think about it."
Yassmin nodded, understanding the magnitude of what she had offered.
"You have a week, Ethan. But remember, together we could be unstoppable."
Ethan nodded, knowing he had to carefully weigh all the implications before making a final decision. Yassmin's offer was not only tempting but could completely redefine his future in the magical world.
A couple more hours passed discussing minor details, and Ethan took the opportunity to ask more questions, obtaining valuable information about the power structure among wizards, the unwritten rules of their society, and the ethical and legal boundaries some preferred to ignore. Although it wasn't something they openly discussed, Yassmin hinted that many high-level wizards operated beyond the reach of human laws, following their own rules and codes.
Finally, Yassmin said goodbye, leaving him alone in his office. Ethan stood staring out the window, absorbed in his thoughts. Yassmin's proposal was a game-changer. A marriage of convenience would grant him access to resources and power he had never imagined, but it would also bind him to her in a way that could limit his freedom.
While pondering the implications, Ethan focused on another crucial topic: his new power. The fusion with Apophis had significantly increased his physical and mana capabilities, and this was reflected in his necromancy skills. Additionally, he had acquired shadow magic from the demon, an ability that manifested in his capacity to manipulate darkness. However, while he recognized the potential of this new ability, his true focus remained on necromancy.
Necromancy, combining technology and magic, offered unlimited possibilities. That's where he saw his true future. His new mana capacity allowed him to control a greater number of undead and animate corpses with even greater precision and strength. Now he even had the possibility of learning new types of summons that he previously ignored due to the lack of mana.
He reflected on his first magical-technological creation: the autonomous skeletons, devices that combined magic and cutting-edge technology to endow the undead with astonishing intelligence and efficiency. The big problem with them was the constant need for mana. Although he now had more of it at his disposal, his goal remained to make these skeletons soldiers that didn't depend on anything.
Previously, he was thinking of using some type of magical artifact similar to the one he bought on the Mysticweb, which allowed him to recover mana progressively. This gave him the idea of creating, or buying, something similar that would act as a mana battery for the skeletons. Thanks to Yassmin, he discovered that his theory wasn't far off. Although it was somewhat different and needed a bit of study, seeing that it was possible excited him.
Necromancy had always been a controversial practice, and its combination with technology would only increase the distrust of other wizards. But for Ethan, the true potential of necromancy gave him the confidence to challenge established norms and explore the unknown.
As the night progressed, Ethan finished reviewing his skills and began to consider how he could use them to gain an advantage. Yassmin's offer remained tempting, but he knew he needed a contingency plan in case things didn't go as expected. Shadow magic could be useful for espionage and covert operations, while his advanced necromancy could provide a formidable military force.
He thought about the people who had supported him so far. Sara, his assistant, had proven to be incredibly loyal and capable, and Ethan knew he could count on her to help him implement his plans. He was even already planning to introduce her to magic. Unfortunately, there was no one else with talent around him.
Ethan also considered the possibility of creating his own organization. Thanks to his company, he had a place and a cover to gather interested parties without raising suspicion. Unfortunately, it was very complicated to convince someone to join him, as he had little to offer yet.
Yassmin's offer remained a key element in his mind. A marriage with her would give him access to a level-A world, and that was not something he could easily dismiss. Moreover, it would give him the prestige necessary to form a force under his power. But at what cost? He knew that Yassmin was ambitious and probably had her own plans and agendas. Joining her would mean committing to her vision and objectives, something that could limit his own freedom of action.
Finally, Ethan decided that he needed more information before making a decision. He would spend the next week researching more about level-A worlds, their resources, and how he could use them to his advantage, as well as how to acquire one.
He got up from his seat and went to his desk, where he began to make a list of tasks and objectives for the coming days. He knew that the decision he made in the next week could change his life forever, and he wanted to make sure he was fully prepared.
Looking at the illuminated city, Ethan felt a mixture of excitement and determination. The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear: he had the power and ambition to shape it according to his will. Now, he just needed to make sure he made the right decisions to achieve his goals.