The biting cold of the North Pole was unlike anything Mervin had encountered, even at the South Pole. Icy winds tore across the barren landscape, carrying a sense of ancient mystery. The loyal skeleton crew—Skeletons #1, #2, #3, #4, and the ever-charismatic Kelly—stood in a semicircle around Mervin as he planted the flag of Grin Hollow into the frozen ground.

  "There," Mervin said, stepping back and admiring his handiwork. "The Necromancer and our research now spans both poles of the planet. Take that, doubters!" He adjusted his frost-covered goggles, glancing at Kelly. "How’s our equipment holding up?"

  Kelly, easily distinguishable by the small bow tied around the cervical vertebra, gave an exaggerated thumbs-up. Its jaw clattered as though it were trying to say something, but Mervin waved it off.

  "I know, I know. You're tired, Kelly. We're all tired. But we’re about to make history."

  Mervin crouched by his equipment—a complex array of enchanted devices built to measure necromantic leyline activity and its interactions with the planet’s magnetic field. This experiment, if successful, would revolutionize both necromantic theory and Grin Hollow’s technological advancements.

  As Mervin activated the primary device, a faint hum filled the air. A necromantic crystal embedded in the machinery began to glow, pulsing with a rhythmic green light. The skeletons leaned closer, their bony heads tilting in curiosity.

  "Now," Mervin said, adjusting the dials, "if my calculations are correct, the North Pole’s magnetic properties should amplify necromantic energy. Watch closely."

  Skeleton #3 leaned in too closely and accidentally knocked over a small rod connected to the apparatus.

  "Careful!" Mervin barked, scrambling to reset the device. "You’re worse than Potabeau…sometimes.’"

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  The device emitted a sudden *clang,* and a surge of green lightning arced through the air, striking Skeleton #4. For a moment, the skeleton stood frozen, its bones glowing faintly. Then, with a dramatic flourish, it began to spin one of its arm bones in circles like a magnetized compass needle.

  Mervin blinked. "Huh. That’s... unexpected."

  Kelly clapped its hands, clearly delighted by the spectacle. Skeleton #1, not wanting to be outdone, struck a dramatic pose, pointing toward the North Star as if attributing credit for the discovery.

  "Focus, everyone," Mervin said, suppressing a laugh. "This is serious. I think... I think we’ve stumbled onto something incredible."

  He adjusted the dials again, and the device projected a faint green aura that spread across the icy terrain. The field illuminated invisible lines of energy, spiraling outward in intricate patterns that mirrored the planet’s magnetic field.

  "The leylines," Mervin whispered, awestruck. "The necromantic energy is enhanced by the magnetic field here. It’s like... like they’re in harmony."

  Mervin stood, pacing as he processed the discovery. "If necromantic energy can be amplified by magnetism, then we could use this principle to power devices, stabilize long-distance communications—"

  Kelly raised a hand, pointing to the Necr-adio strapped to Mervin’s pack.

  "Yes, Kelly," Mervin said, his excitement growing. "The Necr-adio! If we enhance it with magnetic alignment, we might be able to communicate with Grin Hollow clearly, no matter how far away we are."

  Skeleton #2 clattered its jaw and began tracing a circle in the snow, perhaps attempting to illustrate Mervin’s concept.

  "Exactly!" Mervin said, nodding enthusiastically. "This discovery could redefine necromancy as we know it. We’re not just raising skeletons and reanimating corpses anymore. We’re talking about harnessing the fundamental forces of the planet!"

  Skeleton #3 suddenly fell over, its arm pointing straight at the apparatus, which was now glowing brighter than before.

  "What now?" Mervin muttered, rushing back to the device.

  The crystal pulsed, and a new pattern appeared in the energy field—a vortex-like spiral centered on their location. Mervin gasped.

  "The pole isn’t just a magnetic nexus," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "It’s a necromantic nexus too."

  As the realization sank in, Mervin turned to his skeleton crew. "Do you understand what this means? With this kind of energy, we could revolutionize everything—transportation, communication, even reanimation techniques. Azrath and Potabeau will be thrilled!"

  Kelly gave him a double thumbs-up, while Skeleton #1 started doing a celebratory dance, its bones rattling in rhythm. Skeletons #2 and #3 attempted to join in, though #3 fell apart halfway through and had to be reassembled.

  Mervin laughed, the sound echoing across the icy expanse. Despite the cold, his heart was warm with pride. They had done it. They had unlocked a new chapter in necromantic science, one that would shape the future of Grin Hollow—and possibly the entire world.

  As the auroras danced overhead, Mervin made a silent vow. "We’re just getting started," he said, tightening his grip on the Necr-adio. "The North Pole is only the beginning."

  Behind him, Kelly nodded as if in agreement, its skeletal hands adjusting the little bow on its neck. The loyal skeletons might not speak, but they shared Mervin’s determination. Together, they would carry this discovery back to Grin Hollow—and perhaps change the world forever.