Lucius's counseling session had gone as good as it could have and all of the people had accepted his proposal. They were very enthusiastic about the new life and the duties that they would be having.

Since these people already made quite less, this work was an upgrade to them anyway, as Lucius was paying them far more than what they originally made. That, combined with the moral obligation that they felt now, made them the perfect followers.

Of course, Lucius wouldn't just trust them from this and was intending to put the mark of obedience on each and every person. And that was exactly what he was doing right now.

About two days had passed since the new followers had been added to his fold and they all had moved to the building that Lucius had chosen as the 'Reeducation center'. There were quarters where they could live if they wished to do so, while they could also live in their already existing houses.

Though the ones that were going to be the 'Teachers' were going to stay in the Reeducation center extensively and would not be living outside of it. Once the criminals were brought here they would be put in individual cells where they would first undergo individual counselling.

After a certain threshold was reached, they would all be collected together before their official 'education' would start. Lucius had made a very detailed plan so that the new followers would not have any problem, though Lucius was intending to find a few substances that could act as 'learning supplements' as well.

Lucius was sure that if he was given enough time and resources, he would be able to make something himself, but he would prefer if there was something that already existed in this world.

Frankly, it would save him a lot of time and money if this was possible. Of course, all this was only for the initial stages when Lucius's own Hell energy stores were low. Once they increased, he would be able to convert more and more people every day.

And for that very thing, he was in the Reeducation center. This was a room that had been selected as his office and two people were currently standing here along with Lucius. They were none other than Kiana and the old Man Johan.

"You called for me, Young Lord Asher?" Johan asked.

"Yes, I did mister Johan," Lucius spoke respectfully, making the old man feel even more humble and delighted.

"Please young master, I do not deserve a title like that from you. Just calling me Johan will do," The old man requested.

"Sure, I shall call you Johan from now." Lucius replied with a smile.

"So what was it that you desire of me, Young lord Asher?" Johan inquired.

"I know that everyone is willing to follow me and wants to do their best. But even among them, I feel that certain people are deserving of more." Lucius replied.

"More? What more can we deserve?" Johan questioned.

"I believe certain people among you all deserve to become my closer confidants," Lucius answered.

"I… this… this would be a great honor, my lord!" Johan stammered, almost failing to speak.

"And for that, I have selected you to be the first one. You had suffered a lot and were also the first to swear your fealty to me and thus I believe you deserve to be the first." Lucius stated.

"This honor… I am pleased to receive it. I assure you, my lord, I'll do my best and won't ever let you be disappointed till I live!" The old man spoke up, emotions apparent in his voice.

"Very well then. As a sign of trust, I shall show you something that only two other people know in this world as of now. And you will be the third," Lucius replied.

Johan felt overwhelmed by this and had not expected to receive such a chance.

"What is it, my lord?" Johan asked with excitement in his voice.

"I shall show you… my gift." Lucius revealed.

Johan's eyes went wide upon hearing this. Till now everyone believed that Asher was gift less and this was a fact that had been established a long time ago, undisputed since then.

"My lord has a gift, too? MY LORD HAS A GIFT! PRAISE BE TO ETARA!" Johan said out loud.

In response, Lucius extended his hand and showed it to Johan. 

~shua~

A red glow appeared on his hand that looked dazzling to the man. It was like blood by far more stunning. The red glow flickered before directly coming out of Lucius's hand and swirling around his body.

"Give me your hand, Johan." Lucius spoke.

"Absolutely, my lord." Johan hurriedly gave Lucius his old and wrinkled hand.

Lucius firmly held the old man's hand and activated the spell matrix of Mark of obedience.

~HONG~

Johan felt a buzzing in his ears for a moment, before he felt a strange energy enter his hand. The energy pricked him slightly, but it didn't feel too bad. After a few seconds, the energy entered deep into his body and disappeared.

Lucius smiled and turned his hand that was clasped onto Johan's revealing the top of Johan's hand.

"This… my lord…" Johan muttered.

"This is your sign of devotion. As long as you have this, know that I will be watching over you." Lucius spoke in a gentle voice.

~drip~

~drip~

A tear slid out from the corners of Johan's eyes as they dripped onto the table below.

"I am the happiest I've ever been in my life today." Johan said. "I'll be sure to treasure this and will do so till I breathe my last breath." He declared.

'Oh you will, Johan… you will…' Lucius thought to himself.

~Crack~

The spell matrix that was within Lucius's mind space also shattered after this, showing the delay from before. 

'At least the stability is increasing now. Hopefully, it won't be long before I'm able to use spells three times before the spell matrices collapse…' Lucius thought to himself.