A New Encounter, New Knowledge
"Greetings, young master. I am Yurihen Hiridi, your tutor as of today. I look forward to working with you."
"Hello, teacher. I'm Albert Shadow, eldest son of the Shadow family. It's a pleasure to meet you. And this is my familiar, Apis."
"Meow~"
Huh...? Why does that cat have wings? Were there demon beasts like that?
"Then let us begin today's lesson. Since it's our first day, we'll start light — I'd like to see where your abilities currently stand, Albert."
When Yurihen reached out to the empty air, a small pocket of space opened, and from it he drew a transparent crystal orb.
"This is the Crystal of Observation. A magic tool that reveals your maximum mana capacity and the quality of your mana once you feed it blood and mana. We'll be using it for your test."
Albert poured his blood and mana into the orb, which promptly shifted to a deep navy blue as a number appeared above its surface.
"Your mana quality is excellent. At only five years old, a color this deep promises a bright future. As for your total capacity — around 125,000. That's certainly a great deal for your age, though compared to the quality of your mana, it's a little lacking. But no need to worry. Total mana can be increased plenty with magic tools, and with diligent training you'll raise it without trouble. Your future is bright, Albert. Teaching you will be a rewarding experience."
"Thank you, teacher. If it's all right with you, could you measure Apis as well?"
"This cat, you mean? Hmm... I can tell it's a demon beast, but I've never actually measured one before. Let's give it a try."
So a drop of Apis's blood was placed on the orb. At once the crystal darkened to a pitch black, and the number that appeared was 125,000 — exactly the same as Albert's.
"This is truly astonishing. Even for a demon beast, a color this dark shouldn't be possible... Could this cat perhaps be a demon?"
At those words, Apis and Albert both averted their eyes.
Apis, what do we do? Maybe we should just tell the teacher the truth?
I was thinking the same thing. We're going to know him for a long time — might as well be honest.
"Yes, teacher. Apis really is a demon. But he's not bad at all, I promise. We're family!"
"Ah, I see you've misunderstood me, Albert. I don't think badly of it at all — I'm simply curious. Humans who have contracted with demons have existed since ancient times, but this is the first time I've seen one where the human holds the dominant position. Demons are beings that worm their way into a human's weaknesses, strike a bargain, and claim their soul in return... Apis, was it? This little one is unusual. Very unusual indeed."
Thank goodness. It seems the teacher has no intention of doing anything to us. What a relief...
I think so too. Master, you really found a good one.
"Ahem. In any case, let's continue the test. As you can see, Apis's total mana and yours are perfectly identical. No matter the nature of a contract, that simply doesn't happen."
Yurihen stared at Apis for a long while, then turned his gaze on Albert.
"Hm-hm. No matter how I look at it, I believe it must be that. Ordinary demons and humans trade because each needs something from the other — but Apis, it seems you've forged a soul contract with Albert. If Albert dies, you die. If you die, Albert will suffer terrible agony, though he will survive. It's as though the two of your souls have been synchronized."
Apis, is that really true? That's far too dangerous — if I die, you die too. Why would you do that?
I don't really know myself. Someone was calling me, so I just followed, and there you were. And the moment I first saw you, I knew — ah, this is my master. I'm sorry... Master... Please don't throw me away.
How could I ever throw you away? Don't say things like that. From now on, we're together, Apis. I'll never die — not for your sake. I swear I'll protect you.
Master... Thank you. Thank you so much. I'm a bad familiar, and yet you accepted even someone like me. Thank you, Master.
And so Apis and Albert held each other for a long, long time. Yurihen, watching from the side, thought:
Whew... the mood has gotten awfully intense in here. What do I do? Suddenly I feel awkward just standing here.
He became profoundly, unbearably uncomfortable.
Meanwhile, in the village of Kurara, Yuna's family was preparing for an outing.
"Yuna, are you all ready to go?"
"Yuna, come along now, dear. Your mother and father are waiting."
"Mmm, just a little longer — I'm almost done!"
Today was the day Yuna's family would sell the crops they had harvested all season. It was also, for the first time in her life, the day she would visit another village.
"This is your first time leaving the village, Yuna. How does it feel?"
"I'm so happy! I'm so excited! But why are Auntie Nobibi and Sister Shinonu coming with us?"
"Ah, those two are coming along to protect us. There are all sorts of dangerous things outside the village, you see. They're going to keep us safe."
"Ohh, I see! Thank you, Auntie Nobibi, Sister Shinonu!"
"That's right, Yuna. You'll be good and listen to your auntie and your sister, won't you?"
"Yes!"
And so Yuna set off for Filisi, the neighboring village.
"Wow, Mom, there are so many people! What is everyone doing here?"
"The people here are being inspected before they're allowed into Filisi. You never know — a bad person might try to slip in. So they check, just in case."
"Aww... but we're not bad people. Can't we just go in?"
"Even if we're not bad people, the gatekeepers don't know that, do they? So we have to wait here with everyone else."
"Okay..."
This is so boring... I want to play with my friends. Oh right — Mom and Dad said I can't call my friends out when there are strangers around...
"Aigoo, our Yuna looks terribly bored. How about this — once we're inside the village, you and I will walk around together, just the two of us."
"Really? Mom, can we really look around?"
"Of course. Filisi has more than you could ever imagine."
"They have all the chicken skewers you love, Yuna, and mountains of other things to eat. When we get there, we'll stuff ourselves with all the good food~"
"Yes, Mom, Dad! I can't wait!"
And so Yuna waited for the line to shrink, happily lost in daydreams.
Sarah, head of the Shadow family, was now alone with the newly hired tutor, Yurihen.
"Teacher, how is my son? Did he show talent for magic?"
"Yes, my lady. Albert possesses truly extraordinary talent. The kind of talent that could earn him a contract with a demon, no less."
"So... he told you after all. I'll be blunt, then. I would like everything concerning Albert kept strictly secret."
"I understand completely, my lady. Albert's talent is remarkable, and unlike anything else — I know perfectly well what worries you. But I have no intention of spreading it about. It would be a great embarrassment for my own student to be branded a heretic. On the name of Yurihen Hiridi, I will carry this secret to my grave."
"Hearing you say that much puts my mind at ease. I look forward to our continued partnership, teacher."
"And I, my lady. The pleasure is mine."
And so Albert's two guardians acknowledged one another.
About ten minutes after Yurihen left the room, Isaac came in.
"Honey, are you all right? Why do you look so down?"
"Honey... Your woman is me alone, isn't she?"
"Why would you even ask? Of course I belong to you and no one else. What's gotten into you? Is it because of Mr. Hiridi?"
Sarah said nothing, simply closing the distance to Isaac in slow steps and settling into his arms. Then she nodded quietly.
"Oh, Sarah, what is there to worry about? Didn't you already settle everything with Mr. Hiridi? That's why you hired him as Al's tutor in the first place, isn't it?"
"I know, but I never imagined that woman's own brother would come in person..."
"Haah... who's the child here? Sarah, are you really that anxious?"
Sarah nodded silently again. Isaac let out a sigh, then spoke.
"Sarah, if you're that worried, then I understand. As your husband, I can't just stand by and do nothing! I'll come home early today. I'm going to prove that I'm your man and yours alone!"
"Oh?... You mean it? Tonight? We haven't done it much since Al was born, you know?"
"All the more reason! They say frequent nights together keep a couple's bond strong. I'll cast a soundproofing spell in the bedroom, so come home early..."
"All right. I'll come home as fast as I possibly can. Wait for me!"
"I will. I'll be looking forward to it, honey~"
And so the night at the Shadow household deepened.
Meanwhile, in the reception hall of the Secree family estate, an old man was in private audience with the head of the house. He was Ramu Searseeker of the Arceus Kingdom — former Royal Mage Commander, former head of the Searseeker family, and the man hailed as Humanity's Strongest Mage. He had just begun a closed-door conversation with the Secree family head.
"What a long life I've lived, to see this day. The whelp who once came to me begging to learn every manner of magic — all to steal the heart of a man with a lover — now has the gall to summon me as if I were her errand boy. Have I grown old, or has the world simply changed?"
"I'd say the world has changed, Master. Growing old certainly hasn't weakened you, has it? And while I may have been a little brat back then, the me standing before you now is most certainly not one."
In that instant, two colossal masses of mana collided, and the air itself began to churn.
"Ha! You certainly don't lack the gall to be called a brat."
"Haah... You truly are my master, all right. To radiate this much mana at your age... You're remarkable, truly."
"Yes, yes. Now — where is this daughter of yours? Even for you, if the girl has no talent, you won't be raising her. I trust you understand that?"
"Of course, Master. I expected you'd say exactly that, so I've prepared everything. This way, please!"
Iris, quietly cultivating her power in meditation, was stirred from her focus by the presence of two approaching people.
"So this child is your daughter?"
"Yes, that's right. What do you think?"
"Tigers beget tigers — that is the natural order. But this one has surpassed the tiger. Good. She'll be worth raising. From this day forward, I am your master. It's a pleasure, little one."
"The pleasure is mine, Master."
This is where the real beginning starts. The day I kill that woman and take everything that belongs to Yuseong is not far off.