The night was deep and silent as Kendell quietly slipped out of his dorm room. His roommates, Coli, Luca, and Darren, were sound asleep, unaware of Kendell's nocturnal escapade. He had waited patiently for two hours after everyone went to bed, ensuring the dormitory was steeped in slumber. His heart was racing, not just with the thrill of the forbidden adventure that lay ahead, but also with the fear of the unknown consequences should he be caught.
With careful, silent steps, Kendell navigated the dark corridors of the dormitory. The underground facility of Tilanaz Academy, known for its labyrinthine layout, was eerily quiet at this hour. Every soft echo of his footsteps seemed amplified in the stillness of the night. As he reached the exit, Kendell paused, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves before stepping out into the main hallway.
Kendell's heart raced as he entered the 24-hour library, a treasure trove of knowledge within Tilanaz Academy. The front desk was manned, but the librarian was deeply engrossed in a book, paying little attention to the students. Blending in with the few night owls, Kendell moved swiftly towards the staircase leading to the second floor.
With every step, his excitement was tempered by a sense of danger. He waited until he was sure no one was watching, then quietly ascended the stairs. The second floor was dimly lit, the air thick with the essence of ancient magic. Kendell navigated through the shelves, avoiding the few students scattered around, his eyes searching for something that would aid his journey into Devil Contracting.
After passing a few books that had nothing to do with what he wanted, he found the section devoted entirely to devils. Hastily flipping through the books, he stumbled upon a book titled "Devil Contracts through Rituals," a tome that described a unique type of ritual—one that called forth a devil and bound them to a contract upon their appearance, thus making them easier to control. His eyes widened in intrigue, and he quickly flipped through the pages, absorbing the details.
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[ Would you like to copy the "Devil Contracts - Binding Summon" ritual? ]
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'Oh? I guess it knows the name of this one before I copy it since all the information is right in front of me. Kendell then mentally affirmed, and a notification appeared:
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[ Ritual successfully copied. ]
[ Make this tattoo visible to only the user? ]
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"Yes," he whispered under his breath, focusing on his forearm where he wanted the tattoo. This was a new option, maybe influenced by analyzing the tattoo the Vice-Headmaster had given him. Who knows how he got it but he was sure going to use it so he wouldn't get caught with an advanced level spell ritual. Till this point he was just going to pray and hope no one looked at his back. As the intricate pattern etched itself onto his skin, another notification popped up:
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[ Which devil should be bound to this contract? ]
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A list of devils appeared, each with a name, a brief summary of their powers, and the level of hell they originated from. Kendell's eyes lit up as he scanned the list:
- Cerberon, the Guardian (3rd Circle): Offers protection and strength, skilled in defensive magic.
- Balrog, the Inferno (4th Circle): Wields control over fire and destruction. A formidable force in combat.
- Grimtooth, the Brutal (4th Circle): Embraces sheer physical power and savagery. Known for relentless aggression.
- Draegon, the Whisperer 5th Circle): Excels in secrets and espionage. Can access hidden knowledge and uncover truths.
- Venomar, the Poisoner (5th Circle): Expert in toxins and curses. Can weaken enemies and corrupt environments.
-Zephyra, the Siren (5th Circle): Bewitches with enchanting songs. Influences emotions and thoughts.
- Azmoth, the Deceiver (6th Circle): Mastery in illusions and manipulation. Can alter perceptions of reality.
- Maelok, the Tempest (6th Circle): Controls storms and winds. Master of weather manipulation.
- Shadowveil, the Shrouded (7th Circle): Operates in darkness and shadows. Capable of stealth and infiltration.
'Interesting,' Kendell mused, 'The first circle is the most powerful so I was hoping to be able to call a devil from that circle, but I guess this ritual might not be strong enough to do so. In that case maybe the strongest here is what I should choose.' Kendell's mind hovered over Cerberon, the prospect of enhanced protection appealing to him, however the prospect of being able to use illusions from Azmoth might be the most beneficial since it would distract opponents long enough to set up complex and more powerful rituals. It might not be as powerful but the utility seemed unmatched.
"We noticed you tripped the ritual wards around the second floor, freshman. Come out now and make this easy, or face worse punishment later," a voice boomed through the library.
Startled, Kendell quickly closed the book, his heart pounding. He quickly chose Azmoth and tried to move backwards, further from the noise. Then a white hot burning flashed across his forearm as the tattoo began to imprint itself on him. He realized he was in serious trouble and grimaced. Panic struck him like lightning when he realized he didn't know how much longer he could hold in the pain. Sneaking into the restricted section was no minor offense, so he bit his tongue and tried to distract himself till it was done. He weighed his options—stay hidden and hope to evade detection, or step out and face the consequences.
The choice was made for him when a librarian, accompanied by two security guards, rounded the corner. "There you are," the librarian said sternly, her eyes narrowing. "You're coming with us."
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[ Devil Contracts - Binding Summon, Azmoth: Current Mastery | 1 ]
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'Shit. If I get in trouble this early the Vice-Headmaster might stop helping me since having a troubled disciple would be a bad image. I'm also not ready to give up learning ritualism, maybe I should try this new tattoo...' with a determined look Kendell pulled all the energy he could towards his back.
The librarian looked at him confused, why is this kid acting like he is about to use a ritual tattoo? No first years should have one, even second years wouldn't have them this early in the semester!
Then small bumps appeared on Kendell's head and he dashed away from the guards and the librarian!
"Hey stop right there! Come back right now or you will face potential expulsion!" The guards continued to yell as Kendell ran with all his might before suddenly turning down an isle and pulling all the energy from his back to his forearm and called upon the power of Azmoth... but nothing happened.
'Dammit, is my mastery too low? Wait... they have mentioned that the shadow gate is the way to summon devils for contracts, maybe this ritual works to summon Azmoth but only if the shadow gate is open for him to come out!'
Gritting his teeth Kendell tried pulling some of the energy from his forearm to the large tattoo on his back. The strain split his mind in two, but he kept pushing.
WOOSH!
A small set of jaws appeared in front of him! Without thinking, as if guided by the knowledge stored in the tattoo, he willed the jaws to open. They creaked and began to open revealing rows on rows of sharp, sparkling white teeth that stood in front of a pitch black void.
Fighting the urge to blackout, Kendell pushed all energy he had left into his forearm- the sound of the security guards and librarian growing ever closer.