Chapter 31: Chapter 31: Ambition
Rika was at the door, radiant with happiness, about to enter when she saw Makima sitting in front of the television. The screen showed what seemed to be the reception of the new prime minister, an event that had attracted the attention of many in the country. Rika, intrigued, couldn't help but wonder why her mistress was so interested in politics.
With a light step, she approached, feeling excitement bubbling within her. Every movement of her body was a mix of nerves and joy until she caught Makima's attention. The woman turned around slowly, a smile on her face lighting up the room.
"I did it! I mastered the reverse technique," Rika announced, her voice full of enthusiasm and pride.
Makima raised an eyebrow, showing a mixture of surprise and curiosity. Her expression was evaluative, as if analyzing every word and every gesture of Rika.
"Revert the energy inside you, leaving it there, in your reserves," Makima responded with an almost hypnotic calm, her voice resonating in Rika's mind.
Rika blinked, feeling the pressure of expectation. Concentrating, she tried to follow her mistress's instructions. It was a bit difficult at first; her body seemed to resist the idea of investing energy within herself instead of releasing it for instant use. However, after several attempts and with Makima's attentive gaze on her, she finally succeeded. The feeling of power and control that washed over her was electrifying.
Makima then placed her finger against her palm, and suddenly, a sharp, dry sound echoed through the room, chilling her blood: the sound of a gunshot. Makima's hand was pierced by something nonexistent, and Rika felt a pang of terror as she saw how her mistress didn't react to her self-inflicted wound. However, before fear could take hold, she felt the energy she had held at bay draining, as if an invisible thread had been cut.
"What's happening?" Rika thought, her eyes fixed on Makima's wound, which, surprisingly, began to heal before her eyes. Her mistress's skin was repairing itself at an astonishing speed, as if being restored.
"Good dog..." Makima said, her voice soft and melodious, full of approval. She rose slowly, letting the fresh air in the room caress her skin. With a careless gesture, she stroked Rika, who was completely bewildered. It had been a long time since she had received that attention from her mistress, and for a moment, the world stopped. The warmth of Makima's hand on her head made Rika feel special, as if her place in her mistress's heart was growing.
However, the confusion she had felt began to fade, replaced by a reminder of her true position. "Your new duty is to always keep a large reserve of cursed energy already invested inside you for me," Makima ordered, her gaze fixed and determined.
Rika nodded, feeling that each word from her mistress was a command she couldn't ignore. Although she didn't fully understand the reason behind it, she knew her duty was to serve her, and that loyalty was unbreakable.
For a moment, Rika got lost in her thoughts. She had been away from Makima for so long that seeing her smile and affection made her believe that her mistress was no longer as interested in her. But that illusion quickly faded, reminding her that she was always a tool, an instrument in her service.
Makima, as if she could read her thoughts, continued with a tone that allowed no contradictions. "By the way, don't get too attached to Ieiri. I don't like sharing what's mine, you know that very well."
Makima's words resonated in Rika's mind, and the meaning behind them became clear. The warning was a reminder that her loyalty should always lie with Makima, even if it meant distancing herself from those who tried to get close to her.
Rika felt a strange mix of emotions. She knew her connection with Makima was paramount, but the idea of having to choose between her devotion and the new friendships she had formed filled her with a disquieting sense of conflict. However, she understood that her place was by Makima's side, always willing to obey, always ready to fulfill her wishes. Her mistress's smile was the only thing that really mattered, and Rika was determined to do everything possible to keep that smile on her face.
Makima was lying in bed, the soft murmur of the night enveloping the room. Beside her, Rika slept peacefully. There was something reassuring in her presence, a reminder of the loyalty she had always sought. However, in Makima's mind, a storm of thoughts swirled with growing intensity.
Recently, her servant had achieved something that few sorcerers could boast: she had mastered the reverse technique and, in turn, it was also hers. It was a unique skill, one that gave her control and power that she had previously only been able to imagine. Now, with this new capability, she felt as if possibilities were stretching out before her, vast and unexplored. But this new responsibility also brought a challenge; it was clearer than ever that she would have to work harder to harness her full potential.
Reflecting on the true scope of her technique, her mind focused on the idea that the ultimate potential of her skill was the ability to use the techniques and powers of her subordinates. It was a fascinating concept, but there was something even more intriguing: the possibility of modifying binding vows, one of the oldest and most sacred structures in the world of sorcerers. Imagining the ability to twist a vow so that it was entirely in her favor, with minimal effort, made her feel a surge of excitement and power.
As she considered the upcoming weekend, her mind wandered toward her home. The idea of returning was tempting, but not as a simple family visit. There was a spark of ambition within her. She remembered her relationship with her father and how, when he yielded his will to her, she had gained unexpected control over the members of her clan. That's when the idea began to take shape, a theory she had never considered: what would happen if she established a contract that placed another person's subordinates under her influence?
The prime minister, the highest political figure in the country, became the focus of her thoughts. A smile appeared on her lips as she imagined how she could articulate that plan. If she managed to do what she believed she could, she could access a power beyond mortals and, at the same time, weave a web of loyalty around her, subtle yet firm. It would be like playing in the shadows, where others wouldn't know they were under her control until it was too late.
With each idea that sprang to mind, the excitement grew. This weekend was not just about a return home; it was the opportunity to start a new chapter in her life. She was determined to activate her plan, forge the contract that would grant her dominion over the lives held in the prime minister's power, and, with that, take a step closer to the divinity she sought.
Makima sat up slightly, looking at Rika, and felt her heart beating strongly. The shadows of the night seemed to fill with possibilities, and with each breath, conviction settled within her. This weekend, everything would change; she was ready to prove that her ambition had no limits and that every move she made would be infused with her power.
With one last look at the sleeping Rika, Makima smiled, feeling more confident than ever that her dominance over the world of sorcerers was about to expand in ways she had never imagined.