As the evening approached, he made his way to the Vice-Headmaster's private practice space, a location where he could perform his more secretive endeavors without interruption or prying eyes.
Tonight, he was set to make a new contract with Azmoth, a pivotal step in his development as a ritualist and in realizing his ambitious personal ritual, "The Perfect Escape."
Arriving at the practice space, Kendell prepared the area, ensuring all necessary elements for the summoning were in place. With a deep breath, he activated the Shadow Gate Circle, a swirl of dark energy appeared in the shape of a beasts maw, opening to reveal a portal between realms. From the depths of the portal, Azmoth, the demon of illusions, emerged, his presence as imposing as ever.
"Ah, Kendell. I was wondering when you would call upon me for this contract," Azmoth rumbled, a sly smile on his demonic visage.
"I need your help, Azmoth," Kendell began, his voice steady despite the nerves he felt. "I wish to form a contract with you to incorporate a fraction of your power into a ritual I'm creating – 'The Perfect Escape.' It's an illusion-based ritual to misdirect and confuse my opponents."
Azmoth's eyes gleamed with interest. "Intriguing. I'm pleased to see you delve into the art of deception. However, every contract comes at a price. What do you offer in exchange?"
Kendell knew this was a critical moment. "In exchange, I offer you insight into human emotions and experiences through me. As I grow and face various challenges, you'll have a front-row seat to the complexities of human nature."
Azmoth pondered for a moment before nodding. "Almost a fair trade, Kendell. Your unique perspective shall be a source of amusement and knowledge for me, but I would like one more favor. Allow me to pull a small portion of your emotion every time a significant event happens. Over time you will slowly lose the feelings of emotions, but only over the course of many years of use. This is a delicacy here in hell so I would love a good source of it.Let us formalize this agreement."
Extending his infernal hand, Azmoth summoned a burst of dark flame, shaping it into a complex, ever-shifting symbol – the mark of their contract.
Kendell nodded in response and placed out his hand.
Kendell readied himself as the symbol, now a tangible force, branded itself onto his skin, searing with a heat that was more than just physical. It was a weight, a commitment to a path that he couldn't turn back from. The symbol overlayed the original binding symbol of the deciever.
[-----------------------------------]
[ Contract with Azmoth Formed. ]
[ 'The Perfect Escape' ritual now available for synchronization. ]
[-----------------------------------]
Azmoth grinned toothily and vanished back into the depths of hell. Kendell then drew his custom ritual on the board in front of him, eager to absorb this new ritual.
[-----------------------------------]
[ Ritual Circle Detected: Would you like to place this tattoo on your body and sync? ]
[-----------------------------------]
[-----------------------------------]
[ Where would you like to begin engraving the tattoo? ]
[-----------------------------------]
The pain was intense but brief as the system seamlessly wove the ritual into Kendell's very essence. He felt a surge of energy, a sign that the ritual was now a part of him.
Kendell focused on integrating 'The Perfect Escape' into his system. He could feel the ritual settling into his being, a new tool in his arsenal.
[-----------------------------------]
[ 'The Perfect Escape' Ritual Engraved. Current Mastery: 1. Increase mastery? ]
[-----------------------------------]
Without hesitation, Kendell confirmed, and the ritual's mastery began to increase, his understanding deepening with each passing moment.
The pain shot into him with a flash, but this was nothing compared to the binding summon ritual. Getting to mastery level 2 was feeling easier with each attempt.
After a few more seconds of pain the feeling began to subside.
[-----------------------------------]
[ 'The Perfect Escape' Current Mastery: 2 ]
[-----------------------------------]
Exhausted yet exhilarated, Kendell made his way back to his room, the events of the evening replaying in his mind.
He checked his panel again once he got to his room to see the list of abilities at his disposal.
[-----------------------------------]
[Jared Martel, reborn into Kendell Hecrule]
[Rituals]
[Tatiana's Energy Control : Current Mastery | 1]
[ Elemental Reading: Current Mastery | 1 ]
[ Body Enhancement Ritual, Form Demon I: Current Mastery | 2 ]
[ Body Enhancement Ritual, Form Demon 2: Current Mastery | 1 ]
[ Body Enhancement Ritual, Golden Demon's Enhancement: Current Mastery | 1 ]
[ Body Enhancement Ritual, Dragonov's Mastery: Current Mastery | 1 ]
[ Body Morphing Ritual, Skarlix's Serpent Form: Current Mastery | 1 ]
[ Body Morphing Ritual, Skarlix's Assassin Form: Current Mastery | 1 ]
[ Body Morphing Ritual, Skarlix's Sovereign Form: Current Mastery | 1 ]
[ Shadow Gate Circle: Current Mastery | 1 ]
[ Devil Contracts - Binding Summon, Azmoth: Current Mastery | 3 ]
[ The Perfect Escape - Azmoth Contract Ritual: Current Mastery | 2 ]
[ Seal of the Deceiver ]
[-----------------------------------]
[Forbidden Rituals]
[Forbidden Rituals: Planar Transfer: Attempts Remaining | NULL]
[-----------------------------------]
With a smile he fell into a deep, dreamless sleep, the energies of the day and the ritual work taking their toll.
The following morning, Kendell awoke with a renewed sense of purpose. After his usual morning routine, he met up with Celia and Coli to prepare for the upcoming week. Their study session was a blend of discussion, practice, and strategizing.
"So, how has making your own ritual going Kendell? Was your club able to help?" Celia inquired, her eyes curious.
Kendell smiled, "It was enlightening. I've made some progress with my own ritual. It's called 'The Perfect Escape.' Still a work in progress, but it's shaping up nicely."
Coli leaned in, interested. "That sounds cool! Can you tell us more about it?"
Kendell explained the concept of his ritual, leaving out the details of his contract with Azmoth, "What about you guys how are the custom rituals going?"
They both shared a look and then looked back at Kendell, and almost in sync responded, "Nope!"
They laughed and said they were kidding. Celia then drew her ritual circle on the board in their study room.
I plan on making something that is going to compliment my body enhancement rituals as they are, the goal is to shift the enhancement to different body parts- just like my pervious idea, however now I want to not only shift it but make it unnoticeable to the opponent."
Kendell nodded, impressed, "That's a great idea Celia, if you pull that off you would be much more powerful than you already are. The surprise factor alone would be very strong."
Coli nodded along. Celia beamed with the praise, "It still isn't finished and needs a lot more work, I am hoping that my club seniors can help me next time I see them since I won't be busy fighting haha. Ok your turn Coli, what are you trying to create?"
With a devilish grin he moved back and began drawing a ritual in the air. The air hummed with energy that felt like electricity as he got closer to finishing the symbol.
As the ritual circle was filled with ritual energy the room began to buzz and Kendell began seeing lines of color in his vision. The colors began to become more solid and blocked part of his vision.
The harder he concentrated on the rest of the room the more his eyes were pulled to the lines, and the stronger the lines became. Concentrating even harder made more lines begin to appear.
Then just like that it was over. The room was clear of lines and Coli was grinning like a fool, "So, how'd you like my curse?"
Celia looked at Coli in utter shock, "Your curse? You designed that?"
He couldn't stop grinning, "Eh almost. Remember how I went to the Fey club earlier this week? I began bonding with a Fey that could control lightning and earlier today I was talking with my senior and they guided me with making a ritual fueled by the power of this Fey."
'Woah, he's almost doing what I'm doing. Coli might become a strong rival.' Kendell thought with smirk, 'He will definitely be helpful in the team fights, and to help push me as we grow here.'
Coli continued his explanation, "The Fey is a lesser Fey, however they offered to contract with me. I seem to have an affinity for their magic and with the help of that senior we formed a contract and placed her magic into a curse ritual. The curse makes it so that the more energy you make go towards your eyes for concentration, the stronger the electric currents going to your eyes become. Which makes your retinas temporarily have too much charge and your vision is compromised, and the more you try and concentrate the worse it gets!"
Kendell's jaw dropped, "Coli that is so powerful, how in the world are you able to handle that with such little training?"
Coli's grin finally disappeared, "Well two reasons, one the cost is pretty heavy. I lose 30 seconds worth of childhood memories per second it is cast. Secondly, I am only able to concentrate on one other small spell while I keep this one going, and I can only keep this going for about five seconds right now."
Celia nodded before chiming in, "That is very powerful as long as you don't use it on the same opponent a lot. Overtime they might figure out how to counter it. Also, five seconds isn't enough to cast anything powerful enough to knock out your opponent."
Coli nodded, "I know, I am still going to work on it but it's good progress for right now. Unfortunately, until I can tattoo it making my strength with it progress will be incredibly difficult."
The trio then delved into their studies, sharing tips, and ideas, their camaraderie strengthening with each passing hour.
As the day wore on, they took breaks to practice their respective rituals, helping each other refine their techniques and strategies before ultimately heading home for the night to get some sleep before the next weeks worth of classes.