Ainz sat on his throne in the grand hall of Nazarick, his skeletal fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest. His mind churned with thoughts of the future—his plans, his enemies, and the power he had yet to unlock. Despite his overwhelming strength, Ainz knew that he had only scratched the surface of what was possible in this world. As powerful as he was, there were still abilities and skills out there that could rival his own. The idea of constantly evolving, constantly improving, tugged at the back of his mind.
Suddenly, an idea struck him—an idea so audacious, so bold, that it made even the Overlord pause. Why not create a device capable of copying the skills of others?
He sat up straight, his eyes glowing with a newfound ambition. The notion was simple, but its implications were vast. If he could devise a method to replicate the skills of others, he would no longer be limited by his own magical repertoire. He could acquire powers from any foe he encountered, from any ally that pledged loyalty to him. This device would be the key to unlocking abilities beyond even his wildest imagination.
Without wasting time, Ainz summoned his floor guardians, his most trusted and powerful subordinates. They gathered swiftly in the hall, each one bowing deeply before him as they arrived. The atmosphere was tense, as they could sense the gravity of their master's thoughts.
Once they were assembled, Ainz addressed them. "I have a new task for you all—one that could change the very nature of power as we know it."
Albedo, as always, was the first to speak. "Anything you desire, my lord. We exist only to serve you."
Ainz nodded, his eyes glowing with calculated resolve. "I have been considering our future, and how we might continue to grow stronger. Despite our current power, there are skills and abilities in this world that could rival even us—powers we do not yet possess. But what if we could? What if we had the means to copy the skills of others and make them our own?"
The guardians exchanged brief glances of shock and admiration before turning their full attention back to Ainz.
"Copy... skills, my lord?" Demiurge's voice dripped with curiosity. "Such a device would be nothing short of revolutionary."
"Indeed," Ainz continued. "It is not enough to merely overpower our enemies. We must adapt. We must evolve beyond what even the most powerful beings in this world are capable of. If we can create a device that allows us to copy skills, then Nazarick will reign supreme in every possible way."
The room was filled with silence as the gravity of Ainz's words sank in. For a moment, there was only the sound of the flickering torches that lined the walls of the great hall.
Aura was the first to speak, her eyes wide with awe. "That's an incredible idea, Lord Ainz! If we could copy any skill we come across, no one could ever stand against Nazarick!"
Mare, standing beside her, nodded hesitantly. "Y-yes, with such a device, we would be invincible."
Ainz raised his hand to quiet the room. "However, there are challenges to this. Creating such a device will not be easy. We must find a way to tap into the very essence of what makes a skill unique, and then transfer it to another individual."
At that moment, Demiurge stepped forward, a smile on his face. "My lord, if anyone can accomplish such a task, it is you. With your intellect and the combined resources of Nazarick, I have no doubt that we will succeed. Perhaps we could use the Nameless Book of Spells to aid in the construction of this device. It is a world-class item, after all, and its powers may provide the foundation we need."
Ainz's eyes glowed even brighter at the mention of the Nameless Book of Spells. It was an item of immense power, one that he had acquired in his earlier days. Though he had not fully explored its potential, he knew that it held the ability to manipulate reality itself, much like the other world-class items in his possession.
"Yes, the Nameless Book of Spells could indeed be the key," Ainz mused aloud. "With its help, we may be able to craft a device capable of copying skills and transferring them to others."
The floor guardians all nodded in agreement, their admiration for their master growing with each passing second.
Shalltear grinned, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "With such a device, we could crush anyone who dares oppose us, my lord. I cannot wait to see it in action!"
Albedo, standing beside Shalltear, smiled softly. "Your brilliance is unparalleled, Lord Ainz. You continue to inspire us all with your foresight and ambition."
Ainz, though feeling a bit awkward at the excessive praise, accepted it nonetheless. He had grown used to his guardians praising him for every decision he made, even when he wasn't entirely sure of the outcome himself. Still, this time, he was confident that this plan would work.
"Very well," Ainz said, his voice echoing through the hall. "Let us begin. We shall use the Nameless Book of Spells to craft a device capable of copying skills. However, there will be a limitation. If the target's mental strength exceeds my own, the device will not function. Furthermore, skills that are unique in nature, like the Great Sage, may be impossible to replicate. We must proceed with caution."
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The Creation of the Skill Replication Device
Over the next several days, the guardians worked tirelessly under Ainz's direction. The Nameless Book of Spells was brought forth, its pages ancient and filled with forgotten knowledge. Ainz carefully studied the arcane symbols within, combining their power with his own vast knowledge of magic. Together with the guardians, they began to craft the device—a small, intricate object that would become a symbol of Nazarick's future power.
The process was long and arduous, but with each passing hour, the device began to take shape. A strange energy filled the room as the magic from the Nameless Book infused the object, imbuing it with the ability to copy skills from its targets. Ainz, surrounded by his guardians, guided the process with a steady hand, using his knowledge and the guardians' expertise to ensure the device would work as intended.
As the final enchantment was placed upon the device, a soft glow emanated from it, casting a pale light over the room. Ainz held it in his hands, feeling the raw power coursing through it.
"It is done," he said, his voice filled with a quiet satisfaction.
The guardians all looked on in awe, their eyes wide with reverence for their master's accomplishment.
Demiurge stepped forward, bowing deeply. "As expected of you, Lord Ainz. You have once again surpassed all expectations. This device will change the course of history."
Ainz looked at the device for a moment longer before turning to his guardians. "With this, we will gain even greater power. But remember, we must use it wisely. There are still forces in this world that could pose a threat if we are careless."
The guardians nodded in unison, fully understanding the importance of their master's words.
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A New Dawn for Nazarick
With the device now complete, Ainz knew that he was one step closer to achieving his ultimate goal—total domination. The power to copy skills would give Nazarick an edge that no other kingdom could hope to match. It was a weapon of untold potential, one that could tip the scales in any battle.
As he stood in the center of the great hall, holding the device in his hands, Ainz felt a surge of excitement. The possibilities were endless. With this new tool at his disposal, there would be nothing in this world—or any other—that could stand in his way.
And yet, deep within his mind, he knew that this was just the beginning. There were still many challenges ahead, many powerful enemies that would need to be dealt with. But with the guardians by his side and the power of Nazarick behind him, Ainz was confident that victory was inevitable.
"Let the world tremble," Ainz thought to himself as he gazed out over his loyal guardians. "For Nazarick's reign has only just begun."