Sanctuary: Safe Haven

While the five shock troops were casting their summoning spells in the sanctuary's arena, Olivia, Cynthia's eager assistant, snuggled a little closer to her mentor. Her curiosity had been piqued by the demon summoning experiment, and she couldn't hold her question back any longer.

Leaning in, she whispered softly, "Master, based on the reports from Black Thorn, what actually happens when you summon a demon using all three available options?"

Cynthia, who had been watching the summoning process with her usual sharp focus, turned to Olivia, her voice low and cautious. "According to the records of Black Thorn, it's extremely dangerous. When they summoned a demon using all three methods—blood, mana cores, and monster corpses—they succeeded in summoning a particularly powerful demon. There's a hierarchy among demons, as you know. The three common rankings are low-ranking demons, high-ranking demons, and greater demons, with greater demons being the strongest we can usually summon."

Olivia nodded, following along.

"But," Cynthia continued, "what most people don't know is that there are demons far more powerful than greater demons. They are known as Demon Nobles, Demon Dukes, Demon Kings, and at the highest level, Demon Archdukes. According to the records, the Black Thorn summoners unintentionally called forth a Demon Noble. It took four saints to kill that demon, and it left thousands dead in its wake. Demons of that caliber crave chaos and destruction. That's why Braris has emphasized over and over again—under no circumstances should all three methods be used simultaneously."

The two women fell silent for a moment, watching as the shock troops continued their summons. The demons summoned today had been mostly manageable, but the risk was always present. Demons, after all, were creatures of chaos. Continue reading at My Virtual Library Empire

As the day wore on, the results became clear: the most efficient way to summon a demon was through the use of mana cores combined with monster blood and corpses. Summoning a demon using only one's mana was too taxing and dangerous. Even the shock troops, with their sizable mana reserves, were nearly drained after summoning just one demon. This left them vulnerable, a dangerous situation considering that demons could sense weakness and might attempt to overpower their casters. The presence of Zephyros, the mighty dark wolf guardian, was a crucial safeguard during these experiments. His dark affinity allowed him to suppress any demons that might get out of hand, ensuring the shock troops' safety.

Braris took meticulous notes throughout the day. He observed that the more abundant the offerings, the stronger the demon summoned. In one particular case, a shock troop offered a large quantity of high-ranking mana cores and a considerable amount of monster blood. The result was the summoning of a greater demon—a Hell Snake. Its massive, coiling body left scorched earth wherever it slithered, its infernal heat setting fire to the ground in its wake. On the other hand, when lesser offerings were made, the demons summoned were noticeably weaker, their power levels directly proportional to the quality and quantity of the offerings.

Another crucial observation Braris made was the nature of the demon beasts versus the intelligent demons. The demon beasts, such as Hellhounds and Hell Serpents, were far easier to control. They could follow simple commands with ease, and with the right caster, even a mere thought was enough to relay instructions to the summoned creature. Casters with a summoner class could form bonds with their demon beasts, establishing loyalty over time. Once loyalty was formed, the demons would diligently follow their master's orders. Summoners, it seemed, had an inherent advantage in commanding these beasts, as their natural affinity for binding creatures translated well to demon summoning.

The demon beasts also exhibited a unique trait—they could remain hidden within their caster's shadow. Regardless of their size or form, the creatures could retreat into the shadows, waiting to be called upon when needed. This made them highly versatile and efficient, allowing the summoner to carry their demonic companion without anyone knowing. No matter how large the creature was, be it a hulking Hellhound or a serpentine Hell Serpent, it could easily slip into the shadows, blending seamlessly into its master's presence.

One critical finding Braris noted was that each demon or demon beast would only show loyalty to the one who summoned them. They refused to obey anyone else and would even attack another person who attempted to command them. This trait made demons fiercely loyal to their summoners, but it also made them dangerous if left unchecked. Any attempt by another to issue commands to a summoned demon could result in chaos, as the demon would lash out in anger at the perceived trespass.

As the experiments progressed, more shock troops were called upon to assist. They summoned demons using a variety of offerings—mana cores, monster blood, and in some cases, their own mana. Overall, it became clear that summoning demon beasts was far more practical and manageable than summoning intelligent demons. Many of the intelligent demons that were called forth were crafty, arrogant, and hostile. Some had even tried to kill their summoners on sight, their disdain for mortal beings clear. The demon beasts, however, were simpler in their purpose. They followed orders without question, making them far more reliable in battle.

As the day drew to a close, Braris gathered his findings. The shock troops, though exhausted, were exhilarated by the experience. They had witnessed the raw power of demons firsthand, and they knew that the sanctuary was now equipped with a new, powerful weapon in its arsenal. The ability to summon demons and demon beasts would undoubtedly tip the scales in their favor in future conflicts.

Cynthia and Olivia returned to the research lab later that evening, their minds buzzing with new ideas. Cynthia, ever the perfectionist, was already thinking of ways to refine the demon summoning process, to make it safer and more efficient. Olivia, still brimming with excitement, couldn't stop talking about the possibilities.

"You know, master," Olivia said with a grin, "this could be the breakthrough we've been waiting for. Imagine what we could achieve if we perfected this process!"

Cynthia, though cautious by nature, couldn't help but smile at her assistant's enthusiasm. "Yes, but remember, Olivia—demons are unpredictable. We have to proceed with care. One mistake, and everything could go wrong."

Olivia nodded, her grin fading slightly. She knew her master was right. But still, the possibilities were endless. The sanctuary was on the cusp of something great, and she couldn't wait to see where this research would take them.

As the last of the shock troops filed out of the arena, Braris gave a final nod to Cynthia. "We've made good progress today," he said. "But this is only the beginning. There's so much more to learn."

Cynthia agreed. The sanctuary's power was growing, and with it, their ability to defend themselves against whatever threats lay ahead. The demon summoning experiments had been a success, but there was still much work to be done.