After mentally recovering from the chaos of meeting the Vice-Headmaster again, Kendell walked through the dimly lit corridors leading to the dormitory- located in the underground facility of Tilanaz Academy. The stone walls, illuminated by flickering candles, cast long shadows, giving the passage a mysterious allure. Reaching his room, Kendell discovered, to his surprise and delight, that he was roomed with Coli.
"Hey, Kendell! Looks like we're roommates!" Coli exclaimed, a wide grin spreading across his face.
There was a central room that was bare save a small couch in the center and a few desks on either side, however two smaller rooms lay in the back of the central area- the leftmost of which Coli said was theirs. Their room was modest yet comfortable, with two beds on opposite sides, a shared desk in the middle, and a large window that somehow looked out into a magically illuminated underwater scene, creating a tranquil atmosphere. Kendell's side of the room had a personal touch, with the original Kendell's belongings still in place: books on ritual magic, family photos, and various trinkets.
Their other two roommates, Luca and Darren, were stark contrasts to each other. Luca was quiet and studious, with an affinity for Fey Binding according to his lineage, his side of the room adorned with sketches of fey creatures and plants. Darren, on the other hand, was boisterous and energetic, most likely a Devil Contractor in the making, his side of the room a chaotic mix of training gear and devil-themed posters.
As Kendell settled in, his thoughts wandered to his path in magic. The Shadow Gate tattoo on his back and the interaction with Vice Headmaster Jania had stirred a deep curiosity within him. Despite the potential dangers, he felt a gravitational pull towards Devil Contracting. The power and wide range of opportunity it offered resonated with him, and he made a mental note to explore this path further.
After a night of restless sleep, filled with dreams of magical circles and unknown energies, Kendell woke up to a new day at Tilanaz. He and Coli headed to breakfast, meeting Celia along the way.
Over breakfast, the trio discussed their schedule for the day. "So, first, we have homeroom with Professor Falis," Celia said, checking her notes. "I hope he shows us more of his magic today."
"I heard he can summon devils from the deepest circles," Coli added, his eyes wide with excitement.
During homeroom, the classroom was abuzz with excitement as students clamored for a demonstration from Professor Falis. Known for his expertise in Devil Contracting, his demonstrations were always a highlight of the day.
"Alright, alright," Professor Falis finally acquiesced, a knowing smile on his face. "Let's see something a bit more... advanced."
The lights dimmed as he began to chant in a deep, resonant voice. Intricate symbols flickered to life in the air around him, forming a complex ritual circle. Kendell and his classmates watched, spellbound, as the symbols glowed brighter, their energy pulsating through the room.
With a final incantation, a burst of dark energy erupted from the circle. The energy coalesced into a spectral figure, a devil made of pure, flickering energy. It hovered above the ground, its form shifting and changing, casting eerie shadows on the walls.
"This," Professor Falis announced, "is a higher-level summoning. Observe the control required to maintain its presence here." His focus was unwavering as he manipulated the energy, guiding the spectral devil in a slow, mesmerizing dance around the room.
The devil's energy was both terrifying and beautiful, its form an ever-changing display of raw power. It moved with a grace that belied its malevolent nature, each movement a testament to Professor Falis's skill and command over the dark forces. As the creature passed over each student they could feel their very life force slowly pulled towards it, but as it passed their soul snapped back into place. The experience was horrifyingly beautiful. Students whispered in awe, some taking notes, while others simply watched, trying to absorb every detail of the spectacle.
After a few moments, Professor Falis concluded the demonstration. He whispered another incantation, and the spectral devil dissipated into thin air, the energy it was made of returning to the void.
"As impressive as this may seem," Professor Falis said, turning to face his students, his expression serious, "remember, power like this comes with great responsibility. Devil Contracting is not a path to be taken lightly. I am sure you all felt it but that being sucks the soul out of those I chose- this is truly a being of death."
The room erupted into applause, the students visibly impressed and inspired by what they had just witnessed. Kendell felt a rush of excitement and a hint of apprehension. The power of Devil Contracting was alluring, but the dangers it posed were now more real than ever. However, Kendell was too deep in thought to hear his professors final comment.
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[ Ritual Circle Detected: Would you like to place this tattoo on your body and sync? ]
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'This is both the best power I have seen so far and the most fearsome... if I try and use it and fail I feel like it could take my own soul. Better to skip this for now, maybe I can ask for a demonstration another day, it's just to risky right now.'
As the class continued, Professor Falis took questions, diving deeper into the intricacies of summoning and controlling otherworldly entities- but mostly brushed off the important details for when our instructor in that field will get to it.
Next, they headed to the Body Enhancement Rituals class, taught by Professor Varex, a towering figure with an intense gaze. "This class is about strengthening your physical and magical resilience," he began, his voice booming. "Ritual magic demands more than just mental prowess; your bodies must be as fortified as your minds. The first step in doing so, is to enhance your current maggot strength. Follow the instructions as I call them!"
The professor faced the class and drew a ritual circle in the air, however this one was infinitely easier to comprehend than the previous circles in other classes. It was a simple circle with a straight line through the center, followed by a small arch of runic figures.
"Now! I know you haven't used a ritual for real yet so here is the crash course! Take some of the powder in your desks," The professor paused as all the students found what he was talking about, "now place your hand into that powder and draw this circle in the air, you should feel a slight tingle all over your body if done right. Once you feel that tingle, push all energy you feel around you towards it till you start to feel a sharp influx in strength- that is how you will know it is working. Now begin!"
The class was rigorous, pushing Kendell and his classmates to their limits. They practiced channeling magical energies to enhance their physical capabilities, a process both exhausting and exhilarating. 'Wow this ritual is so much more difficult than the ritual given to me by the Vice-Headmaster, I can't feel any energy flow moving towards this circle!' Kendell couldn't believe the extreme difference in rituals, the Vice-Headmaster truly was gifted if she made it that much easier of a spell to use.
After watching his class struggle for what felt like countless minutes to the students, Professor Varex looked at each of them and yelled, "Alright alright, stop your rituals. Let me show you how it is done properly now that you have a little experience with it, that should help you detect what I am doing differently than you and what you need to do to succeed."
As he spoke the room was covered in a chilling aura, as if all the energy in the room abandoned it. As Professor Verax finished his circle he immediately began to swell, his arms began to fill out and become bulkier, his shoulders broadened, his legs seemed to be bursting at the seems and two small horns appeared atop his head glowing with an unexplainable golden light.