Azriel walked calmly through the crowd, which still threw him a few amused glances, when suddenly a shout rang out.
"Damn brat! I told you, no succubus!"
The mage instantly raised the barrier, fierce crashes resounding along with a mad, feminine laugh.
Sharp claws scraped against the stone floor, striking sparks.
Azriel chuckled without turning around; he could picture the scene vividly.
Demons were among the few beings truly considered dangerous to deal with, not only because they easily found loopholes in contracts...
But also because they knew how to break through barriers.
After all, demons lived far longer than humans and amassed far more mystical knowledge.
It wouldn't be strange to discover that they themselves had once designed those very barriers.
The crazed laughter echoed for some time until finally the barrier shattered like glass.
The audience held their breath as the demon immediately advanced. The mages however reacted quickly.
Fire, lightning and a lots of dense dust rose as the mages quickly tried to 'placate' the demon.
The audience was concerned for a moment, unable to see the confrontation unfold.
In the dust, the mages immediately grabbed chains tipped with heavy weights and hurled them. Binding the succubus as the chains glowed with white runes.
It took a while, but soon the situation was under control and then the boy laughed.
He had made a bet and won!
"Would you rather be eliminated or sign a contract with me?" The boy asked in front of the female demon who just sighed, surrendering.
"Obsessive-succubus," The scribe said with disgust as the lucky boy signed his contract with her.
"Adult, early stage." The boy laughed upon hearing that.
He was literally the greatest talent of his generation!
"Don't celebrate! Or I swear I'll kill you along with her!" The mage barked furiously.
The boy had taken a massive risk for himself and for everyone else, and in the end, he had achieved something incredible.
He forced a contract on a powerful demon.
"S-sorry, sir, it's just that…" He smiled smugly.
"Soon enough I'll be one of the great names of these lands… after all, when was the last time anyone succeeded with an adult?"
"I'm a genius! Soon I'll rule these lands, whether you like it or not! I'll be your lord! And you'll all be my servants!"
He laughed, intoxicated by the supposed glory awaiting him.
The narrator mage from earlier stormed toward him, eager to slap the arrogance off his face.
But the scribe grabbed him by the arm.
"It's not worth it… and he's right. It's an adult, when was the last time?" He said with regret.
"Probably Paul, one of the greatest rulers these lands ever had, seventy years ago." The narrator huffed in disgust.
"And this one will be our most repulsive ruler." He stepped back with disdain as the crowd buzzed with gossip.
No one knew where the boy had gotten the prayer or the materials.
Everyone had been paying far too much attention to Azriel, and in the end, they had learned nothing.
Far from there, Azriel laughed quietly, his mood light and utterly unlike someone who had just failed a summoning.
If his parents had still been alive, they would've scolded him harshly for such an attitude.
"Azriel…" A middle-aged man suddenly spoke up, in the quiet streets of the rural town.
"sorry… It's my fault… I wish I could've helped more, I'm sorry for that." Martin sighed as he spoke.
"Done what, Martin?" Azriel said, stepping closer and wrapping an arm around his neck like an old friend.
A wide grin crossing his face.
"Was there really anything to be done?"
"I… I don't know." Martin said, then took a deep breath.
"I just wish it hadn't turned out this way. I know that if not for your illness, you would've been our new prodigy."
He swallowed hard before continuing.
"After all, they all know your name. Not a single summoning went by without them glancing at you, and some even went further, asking about you."
He then recalled more and added.
"Even that rabbit looked at your contract before leaving!"
"There must be a chance for you, they might know something!" Martin said, the sunlight reflecting in his eyes, now shining with hope.
But Azriel only laughed, amused.
"Of course, there's always hope…" He said with a smile.
"But first we've got to eat. Man, I really was starving when I wrote that contract."
Martin chuckled.
"How did the cathedral even approve that thing?" He asked curiously.
The cathedral was supposed to provide the contracts, and forging one was impossible.
Azriel's grin widened at that.
"It just so happened a new sister was in charge of the place…"He laughed mischievously.
"And she said I was cute and wanted help getting to know the city." Martin laughed, picturing the scene.
"Another one falling for your lies. I pity those girls." Martin laughed for a moment until he remembered his own daughter.
"But do that with others — don't you even think of getting close to Lena."
"Of course, of course…" Azriel said absentmindedly, not thinking about all the times he had already tried to charm the girl.
"I'd never do that to you!" Martin snorted, knowing full well the boy was lying.
They soon arrived at a modest house in the suburbs of the city.
A home that, though in a poor neighborhood, was clearly well cared for. The two entered in good spirits.
"Are you opening the shop today?" Martin asked him.
Azriel sold noodles from a food cart; he was a cook immensely proud of himself and already well-known in the region.
"No, today's a special day for many reasons." Azriel said, his eyes momentarily unfocused before returning to their usual gleam.
"Everyone has something to celebrate, don't they?"
"I want to enjoy the day with you all. Nell will stop by later too, if you want to bring Lena, I will prepare a feast for us." He spoke cheerfully.
The two girls must have obtained their familiars today as well, and naturally, they would also want to celebrate.
"Sounds like a good idea, but don't you really feel bad—" Martin began, but Azriel cut him off with a sharp look. "
"Understood, I won't bring it up again."
"Well, in any case, I need to fetch Lena." Martin said, stepping away.
"See you in a bit!" He waved as he left.
"See you." Azriel waved back before his gaze grew distant once more.
"Good… I have time now." He sighed, leaving the house again and walking toward an empty alley.
"Hey, kid." He said, eyeing the talented prodigy from earlier. A young woman with long black hair and horns stood at his side.
"Enjoying your new familiar?" Azriel laughed irreverently.
"O-of course… thanks again for that." Simon said nervously.
"It happened exactly the way you said it would… the portal broke and they're repairing it." Azriel's grin widened at the mention.
"And the keystone vanished, right?" he said, chuckling before the boy extended a shiny black stone with inlaid runes toward him.
"Perfect, very good." Azriel looked pleased.
"With this, our deal is done. You pretend nothing happened, and I'll do the same."
He spoke with a professional air, it was clear he had made other "arrangements" in the past.
"O-of course…" the boy stammered several times, unsure of what to do next.
Yet the woman bent down and blew softly into his ear before letting out an enchanting laugh.
The boy swallowed hard, forgetting all about the keystone.