After explaining to Leo how she came to arrive on this world, died multiple times, and finally became a necromancer with her own tower, the Lion looked whiter than usual. It didn''t help with the Murder Door chiming in every couple of minutes, although he probably relieved the tension a little. Or as best as a sentient door that can talk can.


    Either way, Leo left with a lot on his mind. The guard captain, didn''t say much during his departure. Only that he''d be back. Sarah wasn''t in chains though. Not yet at least. There was always the possibility that might change on Leo''s return.


    But for now she was free. A free Necromancer. A free Necromancer with a level ten tower waiting for her to make a decision.


    The notification hovered before her. Choices for upgrades. Upgrades not purchased through souls, but due to her home reaching a milestone. The tower was waiting for a direct upgrade.


    Tower of Death: Level 10


    - The Threshold of Ascension. You have accepted the Tower''s gift, forging a bond that transcends mere ownership. The structure, now a living extension of your will, prepares for its next metamorphosis. It will not simply grow, but become you. The Tower awaits your command. Choose a path from the options below, only one can be selected.


    Forced on, Sarah thought immediately, scathing at the choiced word granted. She was also confused how the tower leveled with her since it was higher level than she was and the whole becoming one thing. The upgrades though? They were something else.


    Scrying


    Enchanting


    Teleportation


    Each upgrade came with its own description. They were all overlooked as Sarah immediately chose teleportation. Deciding it would be the best and not because she was still upset that Ariel could do it and she couldn''t.


    The tower groaned. Changing to fit Sarah''s needs. Nothing physical had changed when it was finished, however. There was only a notification.


    Congratulations! You have acquired a new skill: Teleportation


    - Once a day, you are able to teleport to your tower regardless of location. A spawn point must be set for this skill. This mana used in transport is subsidised by the tower.


    It wasn''t what she wanted, but it was good enough. Magic. Actual magic that didn''t involve death. Granted she had earned the skill through her tower, but that was neither here nor there. Sarah could finally teleport.


    She set the anchor next to the (Immortality) before jogging down the stairs. It was only when she arrived at the door did she stop. Worry preventing her from going further.


    She had saved the city. She knew that. Leo had even said so himself. But it was the way she''d saved the city that was gnawing on her. More so because Leo had been there when she used the souls.


    It was all very fucked up.


    Instead of going out, Sarah took stock of the upgrades she had hammered out to stop the ritual.


    There were quite a few since she invested all the souls Azrael held. A few monsters and cultists, but mainly mercenaries, all recently added to his pages, had saved the city. It was kind of ridiculous. Sarah remembered a quote, victory was won on the backs of others. Although, it was souls in her case.


    Trial of the Severed Soul:


    - A mental trial where participants confront their deepest fears and regrets manifested as spectral entities. Illusions become increasingly personalized and challenging based on the participant''s past.


    - Reward: 100% boost to Wisdom or Charisma, or immunity to psychic attacks


    - Duration: One week


    The first upgrade was a trial. It was vastly different to the first two that had been created. To start with, it only granted a buff. No permanent increases seemed harsh compared to the others, but the fact it last a whole week made up for it.


    Trial of the Risen Flesh:


    - A physical gauntlet against waves of reanimated corpses with varying strengths and abilities. The Overseere can alter the composition and difficulty of the undead horde.


    - Reward: Permanently increased Strength, Strength buff, or temporary regeneration.


    That was more like it. Similar to the chess and riddle trial, this one offered small increases to the stat mentioned. Maybe due to the tower leveling, or something to do with her Overseerers, she didn''t know, the maximum value had increased from +2 to +5. The buff still only lasted a day though.


    Trial of the Whispering Void:


    - A trial of stealth and agility, navigating a maze filled with invisible, sound-sensitive wraiths. The maze''s layout and wraith behavior change unpredictably, forcing adaptation.


    - Reward: Increased Agility, Agility buff, improved senses, or temporary invisibility.


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    That one was a kicker. Sarah wasn''t sure whether it would do more harm than good. The invisibility was almost guaranteed to be used for something unscrupulous. Even if it only lasted for fifteen minutes, it was long enough for an idiot to get themselves in trouble. She hoped no one would pass that trial.


    Trial of the Bone Forge:


    - Concept: A trial of magical aptitude, requiring participants to manipulate and shape bone fragments into constructs under pressure. The quality of the bone fragments and the complexity of the required constructs escalate with each stage.


    - Reward: Increased magical potential, or temporary magical shielding.


    Sarah knew immediately that this Trial would be a money maker. Another without permanent increases, but increased magical potential in a world rife with magic was bound to draw in mages in the masses.


    - Trial of the Stolen Lifeforce:


    - Concept: A trial where participants must drain the lifeforce of captured creatures, while avoiding having their own lifeforce drained. The creatures captured increase in strength and have abilities that counter the participants.


    - Reward: A boost to all stats, but with a risk of permanent stat reduction if failed.


    What an absolute shitter! An increase to all stats, but you''ve you''ve got to drain life force to get it. Who''s going to be able to do that trial? And we''ll look evil for even advertising it. Other than herself, there weren''t any Necromancer''s around to take that trial and Sarah lamented the wasted reward. As master of the tower, she couldn''t take the trails herself. Or she could, but wouldn''t earn any rewards. She sighed and continued.


    The Ossuary Library:


    - A library filled with books bound in bone and written in blood, containing forbidden knowledge and necromantic rituals. Books can whisper secrets or project illusions, and some contain sentient magical traps.


    That was... Something else. Sarah wasn''t sure what, but there was no chance of her stepping foot in there anytime soon.


    The Soul Forge:


    - A dedicated chamber for refining and manipulating souls, allowing for more potent soul-powered constructs and enchantments. Allows for the creation of soul-bound items with unique properties.


    Nor there.


    The Crypt Gardens:


    - A garden cultivated with necromantic energy, where corrupted plants and fungi thrive, providing ingredients for potions and poisons. Plants can have symbiotic relationships with undead creatures, and some release spores that have magical effects.


    If it had just been a garden, Sarah would have been thrilled. Her upgrades so far, however, were grating on her nerves.


    The Shadow Observatory:


    An observatory equipped with lenses that can peer into the Shadowfell and other planes, allowing the Necromancer to gather information and predict events. Can be used to enhance divination spells and scrying.


    She had no divination spells, and had chosen to forego scrying in favour of teleportation. A moved she didn''t regret. Wherever Shadowfell was, it could damn well stay there for all she cared.


    The Resonance Chamber:


    A chamber that amplifies the Necromancer''s connection to the undead, allowing for greater control and range of necromantic spells. Can be used to create a network of undead spies and scouts.


    Fair enough, that one has it''s uses, she conceded. The features name was also the most normal so far by a mile, not sounding even the slightest bit evil. Spies and scouts she could do with, even if they were undead. Sarah imagined an army of undead mice and pigeons relaying information through some magical BS mental link.


    It was a nice distraction.


    The Blood Fountain:


    - A fountain that dispenses magically enhanced blood, that grants temporary buffs, or can be used in rituals. The blood changes properties based on the phases of the moon, or the amount of souls that the tower has absorbed.


    That was immediately moved into the master room away from prying eyes. They''d just stopped one Cultist from blowing up Grower, Sarah wasn''t about to be labeled the second. She already had one dark tag lining her mantle and didn''t need another.


    Soul Infusion:


    - The Necromancer can infuse objects or creatures with souls, granting them enhanced abilities or sentience. Soul-infused weapons can drain lifeforce, and soul-infused armor can regenerate.


    Was that what her robes were? Soul infused? It seemed likely as they had the repair feature. The same could be said for her staff.


    Bone Weaving:


    - The Necromancer can manipulate bone fragments with incredible precision, creating intricate structures and traps. Bone constructs can be animated and controlled remotely.


    Shadow Puppetry:


    - The Necromancer can manipulate shadows to create illusions, control creatures, or even teleport. Shadows can be used as conduits for necromantic energy.


    Spectral Armor:


    - The Necromancer can create armor from solidified shadows and spectral energy, providing enhanced protection and mobility. The armor can phase through solid objects and absorb magical attacks.


    No wonder Necromancers are looked at in contempt. Not only do they raise they dead and shit, but they''ve got a lot going for them if they embrace the class, she thought. Which most would. Sarah, coming from another world with different views and opinions on life, was more of an anomaly than the everyday Necromancers of this world.


    Necrotic Aura:


    - The Necromancer can emit an aura of necrotic energy, causing decay and disease in living creatures. The aura can be channeled to enhance necromantic spells or weaken enemies.


    Definitely dangerous.


    Death''s Embrace:


    - Further embracing power is embrace death herself. If you hold her enough, she might just hold back.


    It was a buff, because she didn''t already have enough of those already and could hardly control her current ones when all were active, but this one was extremely vague. The more Sarah leaned into the dark side,the stronger she would grow, or something like that, she added to ease herself.


    Thankfully, that was the end of the necrotic upgrades courteousy of the tower. It wasn''t the last upgrade, however.


    The Soul Golem:


    - A massive golem constructed from bones and bound souls, serves as a powerful guardian.


    There was also this.


    The Bone Pile:


    - The remains of those who die near the tower are collected and stored for the master''s use.


    And this.


    Other improvements to the general living quarters of the tower''s current residents were also improved but not worth noting. Nicer bedrooms, more bathrooms, and larger rooms that felt like they shouldn''t fit where they sat was about the lot.


    With everything checked off, Sarah gave up on the idea of going out. She went back to her room and waited. It wouldn''t be long before Leo returned, she assumed. The full weight of the law behind him.


    She had never asked for her class, but she was still accountable for it and her day would soon come. Sarah could only hope they would be lenient.