Ray sat on the edge of his bed, eyes distant, mind restless. The determination to change his fate burned brightly within him, but one question refused to leave his thoughts.
"Where did G go?" he murmured.
G… the name still echoed painfully in his mind.
G was the Raspel Ray had in his previous life—the one he had never officially contracted with. Unlike others who were proud to show off their Raspels, Ray had always hidden his. And for good reason—G wasn't just any Raspel. It was an S-grade Raspel, something beyond rare.
As a child, Ray had always been terrified of G. Every night, he had been haunted by the same dream—a shadowed figure calling his name, whispering things he couldn't understand. Sometimes, he saw himself standing in a vast field of darkness, with G before him, extending a hand. But the moment he tried to take it, something unseen dragged him back.
He'd wake up gasping, drenched in sweat, his heart pounding. There was always a voice in those dreams—cold, emotionless, warning him not to make a contract with G. Over time, the dreams became routine, and the voices became ordinary. He learned to live with them, pretending nothing was wrong.
But now… silence.
Ray blinked and touched his chest. No voices, no shadows, no cold presence. For the first time in years, his mind felt peaceful—empty, in a good way.
"So this is what normal feels like…" he whispered, almost smiling. "I forgot what it was like—to not feel haunted."
The sense of calm was strange, almost unnatural to him. But as he sat there lost in thought, the air around him shifted suddenly.
A strange light flickered before his eyes, swirling into a shape. Within seconds, a figure appeared—white and faintly glowing, like a ghost made of moonlight.
Ray blinked in surprise. "A Raspel?"
He could feel the familiar bond-like energy radiating from it. His instincts confirmed what his eyes already knew—this was indeed his Raspel.
The figure floated in front of him, silent but composed. It looked exactly like G, down to the same shape, the same expression—but pure white instead of deep black. That contrast made Ray pause.
"It looks just like G," he whispered, studying the entity carefully. "Only lighter… maybe it's a light-type Raspel."
Before he could think further, a glowing screen appeared in front of him.
Would you like to name your Raspel?
Ray stared at it for a moment. "A name?" he muttered. He thought back to G—the shadow that had once haunted him. Maybe this time, he should give it something simpler. Something that carried no fear.
After a short pause, he typed the letter B.
Instantly, another screen appeared: Are you sure you want this name?
Ray nodded slightly and pressed Yes.
As the confirmation flashed, the white Raspel blinked slowly, as if awakening. Its hollow eyes met Ray's, filled with quiet curiosity.
"So…" it said softly, its voice light and almost playful, "you're the one I'll be bonded to now?"
Before Ray could reply, the Raspel glided closer, stopping right in front of him. It tilted its head and peered at him from different angles, as if appraising a strange object. Then, unexpectedly, it leaned forward and flipped upside down, staring at him with a mischievous grin.
"So you're my human, huh?" it said. "Not exactly impressive. Pretty average, to be honest. Your stats are low—even for a beginner—but I guess I can work with it."
Ray stared at the entity, stunned by the casual tone. "…You're not exactly polite, are you?"
The Raspel smiled. "You'll get used to me."
Ray looked at him carefully. This one was nothing like G. G had always felt dark, heavy—like an omen. But B's presence felt… warm. Safe, even. There were no frightening dreams or whispers this time. Only light.
He thought quietly, Maybe this is fate's way of giving me the opposite of what I had before. G was darkness. B must be light. If I ever encounter G again in this life… maybe B can stand against him.
He smiled faintly at the thought and said aloud, "You don't seem bad, B. So, are you going to ask me about my goal now?"
B tilted his head, pretending to think, then shrugged. "Doesn't really matter, does it? Whatever your goal is, you'll have me now. I can get you anything—power, wealth, status. You just have to make the contract."
Ray chuckled softly. "You sound confident."
"Of course," B replied with a smirk. "With me around, you've hit the jackpot."
Ray locked eyes with him, his tone serious now. "Then don't regret what you just said. You'll help me with anything I want, right?"
B grinned again. "Yeah, yeah, don't worry about it. I've dealt with a lot of humans like you—ambitious, uncertain, dramatic. You'll fit right in."
As if on cue, another glowing screen materialized between them.
Would you like to form a contract with Raspel "B"?
Below it, the conditions were stated:
Goal: Anything Ray wishes for—except the harm or killing of B.
Ray stared at the glowing text for a long moment. His heart raced, but this time, there was no fear. No whispers. No resistance. Only clarity.
He smiled quietly. "I guess it's time."
He pressed Yes.
The moment his finger touched the command, a flash of light filled the room. The contract seal formed around them both, golden patterns swirling before sinking into their chests. B's white glow flared brighter, and for a heartbeat, their energies merged.
Then the light faded, leaving the room silent again.
Ray stood there, breathing slowly, staring at the spot where B hovered. The air felt heavier, yet somehow, calm.
"So… it's done," he said.
B smiled faintly. "From today, you're my partner."
Ray nodded, gazing into the faint glow. "And from today," he replied softly, "we start changing this world."