My Own Familiar?
"My own familiar?"
"That's how I ended up joining the manga club and hanging out with Aranemu."
"Heh, already hooking up with guys?"
"I'm a guy too?"
"I'm curious how long you'll keep up that hardcore concept, Kali."
"The problem is you're serious..."
The stormy day of club sign-ups had passed, and we all reunited looking utterly exhausted from our respective ordeals. Everyone was sharing stories about the clubs they'd joined, but our goblin friend Norris looked ghostly pale, probably from getting seriously tormented by her unicorn senior.
"...No, really, she looks actually white."
"That's gotta be one of those divine spells for maintaining purity."
A divine spell from the senior to protect the goblin's virginity? I pitied Norris, who'd accidentally become a self-glowing goblin, as I prepped for class. This lesson was another outdoor practical session.
"What's the difference between taming and summoning?"
"They said it's almost as big a deal as those artificial dungeons, right?"
Beatus gave a nonchalant reply while leisurely wiping her horns with a towel. Everyone else seemed unfazed, but I was extremely anxious after last time, when just talking summoned weird stuff. What if something bizarre pops out? Could the Grand Duke handle it?
<Well, as long as it's not a hero or deity, I could manage.>
"Phew, that's a relief."
<Of course, 'manage' doesn't include keeping your classmates alive.>
"Eek!"
<The boy's power is utterly absurd—completely incomprehensible from an observer's perspective.>
With just a thought, he could reshape reality. That was the extent of his power, which was why they called her the strongest witch in history. If she truly wished to see her mom, she could even create a clone of herself to overcome resistance. She wasn't just claiming to be male out of stubbornness; even with a female body, conjuring a real male organ would be trivial.
Well, even Change didn't fully grasp the principles or logic of witches. For one, their race was so rare, and each had clear limits and restrictions. The second generation had none of those, so honestly, it wouldn't be surprising if the world ended someday out of nowhere.
That's probably why "common sense" and "knowledge" deep in her subconscious blocked it. Or her mother, the first generation, must have put safeguards in place... I wanted to believe that. No way she'd toss a talent this insane into the world without precautions!!! Otherwise, it'd be like dumping it all on me to handle!!!
<It's better that her power doesn't activate just from thoughts or words.>
"R-Really?"
<No control otherwise. If turning thoughts real cost the boy's life as payment, it'd be a raw deal.>
Other witches would need serious resolve, will, and prep for that. And no issue seemed worth trading her life and talent for anyway. Unless a first-generation-sealed archdemon escaped or something.
"Then this summoning class will be totally fine, right?!"
<Summoning requires meticulous procedures above all. Strictly follow them to call your needed familiar. No room for accidents!>
"Yay!"
Change, boasting knowledge rivaling the professor's in summoning. Wiyu Witchcraft took that to heart and headed to the summoning classroom in high spirits.
"Summoning is the art of calling forth spirits or divine beasts with mystical powers through contracts and their costs. With superior talent and capacity, even demons or angels are possible, as is summoning shadows of ancient heroes."
The professor demonstrated by summoning various beasts, calling them soul-bound partners reachable anywhere via contract threads. And standing beside him, Greatsword Puppy raised her hand, summoning a steel steed wreathed in blazing flames, its eyes flashing like it had devoured the sun amid a storm of fire.
"Ahem."
Greatsword Puppy puffed out her chest with her usual cool expression, basking in the mix of envy, admiration, jealousy, and resentment. Honestly, at that level, she earned the brag.
"No competing here."
"Okay, now that I'd wanna see."
Anyway, I begged him not to butt into kids' fights like some petty adult.
"Summoning isn't the only way. Some inherit them through bloodlines, like Ludwig the 27th from this guardian house. Noble families often pass down familiars generationally."
She glanced at me, and all eyes turned to the Grand Duke on my shoulder. He puffed up his chest, beak skyward, striking a I'm so badass pose.
"You can seek contracts yourselves or accept those who come. But today—thanks to our academy—we'll summon familiars matching your talents. As first-years, something beyond your capacity might appear."
Before starting, the professor warned that taking Summoning Techniques in second year would let you handle talent-matched but capacity-exceeding familiars—subtly tempting us.
"Kali, won't your parents show up? Suin cover too broad a range."
"Hmm... maybe... But heads up? Familiars need costs to maintain contracts, so if it's a hassle, you gotta care for their food and environment."
Sounded amazing at first, but Kali's words highlighted the downsides. The Grand Duke was small and cute enough for the dorm, but anything weird would be trouble.
"...Wait, but if it exceeds my capacity? Is that okay?"
way too much in the meantime.>
The massive magic circle on the floor, mana stones in walls and pillars, giant mana orbs overhead—atmosphere alone could summon a goddess. Me and the Grand Duke started getting uneasy. Even the professor was wiping sweat with a towel.
"Professor, any way to tone down the output?"
"Can't risk undiscovered summons going public. Professor's not scared."
"No one said you were."
Friends summoned one by one: spirits, beasts. Kali got a surprisingly cute giant rabbit; Beatus, impressively, a winged angel—who looked conflicted about a succubus-incubus hybrid summoning her and chatted in the corner. Greatsword Puppy just petted her steed... Wait, why was she even here? Not our class. Professor invite?
Orc Zard successfully summoned the tentacle sis I'd called before. Chaos ensued again, but everyone brushed it off like no biggie. My turn.
The circle hummed, pulsing intense light like bring it on.
"Wiyu Witchcraft? Skip the formal chant—just call it out."
<That's right. No need for deities here? If you want a Holy Grail War, I won't stop you.>
"If you're that worried, skip it? You've got the Grand Duke."
<Let the youngest graduate already. Tired of being youngest forever.>
"Damn, fine."
I already had the Grand Duke—why bother? But for that reason? No choice. Arms high, I bellowed, "Anyone! Come out!!"
The circle reacted—landscape sucked in. Space tore open to a bottomless hole, beyond to infinite "Void". Eyes met something there.
Thud.
From the void emerged something gigantic and hefty. From afar, it looked... super cute?
"Uh, it's kinda big."
Too big...? The emotionless chibi figure stared, pressure making me flinch toward the professor—who shook his head: don't call me.
Betrayal? Still, my summon, so I offered a hand: nice to meet you. A soft grip shook it.
"Polite...!! More importantly, it's a doll mask!!"
Deny it all I want—doll mask through and through!! Prodded the face: mouth and eyes were just drawn on!
"Grand Duke, what is this?!"
"...Argh."
Maybe embarrassed, hiding under it? I lifted the huge head aside.
Greeted by pitch-black void nothingness. Hand in would vanish into ebony abyss. Curiosity sated, it reattached its head. Then patted mine: nice to meet you.
"....."
Beyond grotesque—unpredictable, incomprehensible unknown. Empty doll mask moved softly, naturally, like someone inside. Limbs swaying, it wandered joyfully... maybe not that dangerous?
"Uh... so, students who've temp-contracted their summons: practice summoning. Failures: investigate deficiencies. And Wiyu Witchcraft?"
"...Yes?"
Why me singled out for observation diary? Only one with full contract too. No clue what cost, but okay?
<Hm, the link's leaking power like pouring ocean into a bottomless pit.>
"I-Is that bad?!"
<By normal witch standards. For the boy? Like a few droplets vanishing from space—no issue.>
Wait, doesn't massive drain mean this friend's insanely powerful? Grand Duke averted eyes: obeys master, not hostile, fine.
Class over—Greatsword Puppy zoomed off on her fiery steed. Envious stare, and the mask scooped me up, dashing off.
"Ooh, unique ride."
Strength unreal—even with Beatus and Kali hanging on, it bounded effortlessly.
"This isn't the familiar I wanted!!"
At least as a witch, figured broom or cat!!