"I'm not a demon!!"
Levan, the tall one, frowned. His truth magic was sensing that she believed what she said but that there was more to be said that she wasn't saying. "Then what are you?" He continued.
The woman hesitated, then responded, "Human."
This time, the truth magic inside him buzzed with all sorts of warnings. "What kind of human?"
She looked pained. She responded too quietly for him to hear.
"Speak up, woman," he demanded.
"I'm a freaking carnivorous human, alright?!"
The truth magic buzzed affirmatively, but again prompted that there was more. "What kind of carnivorous human? It would save us a lot of time if you'd tell us all you know."
The woman sighed as if ashamed and rubbed the bridge of her nose with both hands. After a moment, she replied. "I don't know why you need to know this or how you know I wasn't saying everything, but fine. I guess I'm allowed to tell you. I'm a carnivorous human with a Chaos Dragon bloodline."
Satisfied, Levan gave a nod. "Alright Seth, you take it from here. She qualifies as a demon."
Alesha looked up sharply and felt dread in her bones. She… qualified as a demon? Why did that matter? What was happening? She had a feeling she wouldn't like what came next.
The younger man straightened himself and spoke clearly, enunciating every word, and she could somehow tell that each one was backed by magical authority. "Demon, tell me thy name."
Against her will, she responded, "Alesha Jane Williams."
"Alesha Jane Williams, I hereby offer a contract to thee. I require thy services and loyalty in full for the next eight days. State what price thou wilt require."
Alesha's mind raced. This was a Demon Summoning?! What kinds of 'services' would they require of her? What kinds of things could she ask?!
"What kinds of things am I allowed to ask? Am I allowed to decline and go home?" she tried to say. Instead, nothing came out.
Still, the boy seemed to get the message. How was that possible?
"You may request gold, sustenance, magic power, or favors, and no, you are not allowed to return home without contracting with me. In the case we cannot make a deal, my master will slay you where you stand." the boy stated authoritatively.
[Ask for food, magic power and to be able to act of your own free will while here,] the System interjected.
Having no better ideas, and feeling intimidated by the death threat, Alesha responded, "In return for my services, I require sustenance, magic power and the freedom to act of my own free will while I am here."
The boy thought for a moment. "Sustenance and magic power I can offer you freely. What would you do with the freedom to act of your free will? Tell me everything you intend." These last words came with a compelling force Alesha found she could somewhat resist.
"I intend to explore this world a little, and live as more than a simple caged beast. I am not a beast and will not be treated as such," she replied, omitting the part about feeding Korak to two people tonight. She still had to complete the quest, after all.
Levan's truth magic had, unfortunately for the school, worn off halfway through her response, so he couldn't tell that she had left something unsaid. He was paying too much attention to her words and didn't notice; otherwise, he'd have cast it again and asked her to repeat herself. Instead, he gave his student a nod to affirm she'd told the whole truth.
Seth took his master's nod as permission and continued. "Then, Alesha Jane Williams, I proceed with the contract. In return for sustenance, magic power and the freedom to act according to your will so long as it does not contradict my own, you will serve me with all your loyalty and strength for the next eight days. Upon completion of this contract you will be sent back to your own world. Do you accept?"
"I accept," Alesha responded, feeling a grave aura of finality to the words.
As soon as she spoke them, a red ghostly collar materialized around her neck, a decent-sized chain fading into thin air as it went towards the boy. Only about 5 links were visible.
Realizing she didn't know either man's name, she asked, "So can I know your names now?"
Adjusting his robes and smiling almost imperceptibly, the younger one said, "My name is Seth, and I'm your Contractor, if that wasn't obvious. I'm a student here at Arkshire Academy for Dark Wizards."
"And I am Levan, his instructor. I aid each student in summoning their first Demon prior to the exam. Seth, I'll leave the rest to you," he said, checking a magical watch. "I must help the next student with their Summoning."
"Thank you, Master Levan."
Before leaving, the instructor leaned down and whispered in the boy's ear, "This one is unusual. She technically qualifies as a demon, but only just, so you'll need to see if she can get stronger before the exam. I don't want you to fail because your … quirkiness summoned something so deviant from the norm. Good luck, my boy!"
With a pat on the boy's shoulder and a swish of his robes, the man left the room.
Seth turned to Alesha and clasped his hands behind his back, a pose that seemed perhaps too sophisticated for a boy his age. He looked to be in his mid-teens. "Alright, Demon, now to explain why I summoned you."