"There are days that define the future of a man," Said a robust man wearing his sacred cloak in front of an audience in the temple.
"Not every day is memorable, but believe me, I've lived long enough to say with certainty that today is unlike any other day."
"Perhaps a few years from now you won't remember the faces of your friends, nor even the girl you like right now."
"But still, as if seared into your mind with burning iron, you will remember today."
He paused, his gaze wandering over the crowd of young people before him, who waited anxiously.
As for the few adults among them, bored though they seemed. Even their boredom carried a solemn air.
He coughed before speaking again.
"Today you have reached sixteen years of age. Judged capable and conscious enough."
"You will now have your first chance to form a contract with a spirit."
"But of course, if this were such a common and ordinary act, we would not need an audience."
He then gestured to another mage, who quickly poured his energy into the runes surrounding them.
The runes soon glowed with a mystical blue. Lighting up one after another toward a portal made of uneven stones.
A black vortex swirled at its center, trying to devour everything around it.
"The first contract holds a special place in our hearts, in the hearts of all the mages of the continent. For this is the contract of a Familiar."
"A magical spirit that will accompany you throughout your journey as a mage."
Suddenly, a cloud of mystical smoke formed on his shoulder, and from it appeared a jade eagle, its cyan-colored eyes gleaming.
The bird moved its head swiftly upon his shoulder as he stroked it.
"I'll just give you one piece of advice, but you'd best not try lying to them." The man let out a muffled laugh.
"They know more about you than you know about yourself."
"The spiritual world, after all, doesn't care much for secrets."
"And if they don't know, well, in that case, it simply means they have no interest in you."
"They know everything you do, everything good or bad within you. Your entire mindset is like an open book to them. "
"And as such, they will tell you whether you are worth anything or not."
"Whether you have talent or are merely another face in the crowd."
"But you should already know that, you were judged qualified, after all."
He laughed, staring at the reckless youths before him.
"You are qualified, aren't you?"
For a few moments, the youths glanced around nervously, swallowing hard.
"Y-yes!"
One of them blurted out, and quickly, in a cacophony of voices, they all shouted loudly that they were more than capable.
"Good, that's what I thought." The mage chuckled and took a deep breath.
"I'll warn you only once, boys and girls, spiritual beings are dangerous, very dangerous!"
"Most of them will try to attack you the moment you step into the magic circle. So stay away from them."
"Only interact directly after the contract!"
He said this while pointing to a runic circle surrounding the portal.
"And also, for the love of all that is sacred, I don't want any demon incidents!"
"I'm tired of dealing with people summoning those damned creatures!"
He spoke exasperatedly, only to hear laughter from a boy with glasses and oily skin in the crowd.
"That goes especially for you! Yes, you, greasy kid!"
"I know your type, you love summoning succubi, thinking life will be wonderful afterward."
"But it's a trap!"
"Never have I seen more controlling spirits than them. Everything becomes a reason for jealousy."
"I've never seen anything like that…"
He grumbled for a moment, then stepped back.
"Form a line and bring forth the goddess's contracts. No official contracts, no summoning!"
He shouted one last time, as the line began to form naturally.
Soon, a girl approached the portal.
In her hands she held a contract that seemed to be made of gold, gripped tightly.
Behind her hung a small leather pouch. Slowly, she stepped forward toward the runic circle.
Each step made her heart pound hard against her sternum.
She knelt in front of the portal and opened her pouch, arranging a few materials before her.
The first was a candle half red, half jade green.
The second material was the scales of an abyssal serpent
The third a finely polished piece of jade.
Then she began to enchant:
"I pray for the spirit that wanders the unfounded."
"The spirit that constricts and devours fools."
"The spirit with the brightest scales of all."
Suddenly, the candle's flame flare, Glowing with a greenish light as the black vortex roared.
A thin mystical bridge forming between the two.
And then, just as suddenly, a cry was heard.
A serpent screamed, thrashing, and in the next instant, its head broke through the portal.
Its massive fangs looked as though they wanted to devour the world.
Its white scales reflecting the sunlight like snow.
Its red eyes and green markings demanded attention.
Slowly, the snake coiled around itself, scanning the surroundings with a furrowed brow.
"Foolish little human, was it you who summoned me?" the serpent spoke slowly, her voice dripping with disdain.
"Y-y-yes-s-s," the girl stammered, sounding more like a snake than the serpent herself.
"So…" The serpent said impatiently.
"..."
"I have already called you a fool once. Do you need me to say it twice before you end this summoning?"
The serpent said, rising over the world, as though nothing the girl could say would change her verdict.
"Lady Serpent…" the girl said, swallowing hard.
"I know I am not worthy of you, you who are the most beautiful serpent in this world, an exceptional matriarch."
She spoke, trying to appease the serpent, who slowly curled her lips into a smile.
"But I believe, among your lesser children, there may be one whose potential I could raise. And so, I ask you to help me with a Familiar contract."
The serpent swayed her head side to side, thoughtful.
"Well… you were polite, and certainly I do have useless, good-for-nothing children," She said cheerfully.
The girl had pressed all the right buttons to amuse her.
The serpent then lowered her head, drawing closer to the magical formation.
Her eyes near the girl's face, who for a moment wavered between fear and curiosity.
"Then come to my realm, step into the circle. I will introduce you to one of them, and there we shall speak further…"
Hearing these words, the girl smiled, her heart opening.
The serpent's eyes continuously drew her in, hypnotic.
And for a single moment she rose, attempting to step forward into the runic circle.
"Mind magic! Activate the formation!" Suddenly, a barrier flared, clashing with something.
The serpent recoiled, her head snapping back in pain, tongue flicking with disdain.
"Worth the attempt," The serpent said.
Her voice emotionless, after trying to lure the girl into the spirit realm where surely her end would have been grim.
"Are we making a deal or not, you glorified sausage?"The mage from before spoke harshly.
"Of course, I only wanted to try something better first." The serpent returned to her usual arrogant tone.
"Human flesh is rather valuable, you know?"