The notification arrived unexpectedly while Dominic was comfortably making a cup of tea in his small, cluttered kitchen.
He sensed it first, a sudden warmth ignited within the bond thread that connected him to Florence. Unlike Theresa's, which resonated steadily and familiarly like a gentle hum in the background, Florence's bond was newer, more unpredictable; its energy danced and crackled with vitality.
Now, that crackling had become more intense, tinged with something fresh and exhilarating, signaling a new development.
```
[BOND MATURATION — FLORENCE MARK]
[BOND LEVEL 1 ACHIEVED]
[THE ANOINTED DEMON OF WAR ACKNOWLEDGES YOU]
[MINOR POWER SHARING UNLOCKED]
[NOTE: SINCE SHE'S GOING TO CONTINUE CALLING YOU MASTER, WHY NOT PLAY INTO IT?]
```
He read the same page twice, the ink blurring slightly with his damp fingertips. Steam rose lazily from his ceramic cup, forgotten in his hand as he stared into its swirling surface.
