"Alright, kiddo, time for bed. Sleep tight, good night~"
"Okay, Grandma~"
After Grandma shut the door and left, Stein set the milk down and glanced at the sealed book, deep in thought.
During his little test earlier, it became clear that his grandmother couldn't see the true nature of the Sealed Book. She couldn't even hear Spineru's voice.
"Do you believe me now?"
Spineru's voice sounded fatigued. He couldn't understand why this child was so cautious.
"We're expending what little magic we have just to communicate. If you're going to continue debating, and our magic power depletes completely, let me explain how to sign the contract first."
"If you still decide against it, at least write down the method for signing the contract and store it with the Sealed Book."
As Spineru spoke, he seemed more and more exhausted. Was he actually growing weaker, or was there truly so little magic left?
"...Um, don't you have a magic wand or something?"
Stein now believed about 70% of what Spineru had told him about the Sealed Book. No, maybe 60%. Still, he had no other way to verify it. But he recalled that in *Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle*, Sakura had a sealing staff.
"Well, there is a sealing staff, but it can only be granted once you sign the contract..."
"The book that hides the power of darkness, I sign a contract with you in the name of Stein Robert..."
Following Spineru's instructions, Stein placed his hand atop the sealed book and recited the incantation to finalize the contract.
For now, there didn't seem to be any inconsistencies with the Sealed Book. For his own safety… maybe it wouldn't hurt to try!
After completing the chant, Stein felt a force stirring inside him. He visualized the incantation he recited manifesting into a contract, and when his name was about to be branded on it… the contract failed.
"Eh? What just happened?"
Both Spineru and Kerberos gasped in unison.
"Oh, I was just testing to see if there were any loopholes. Now I see that you weren't lying."
Stein cleared his throat, maintaining his composure.
"The book that hides the power of darkness, I sign a contract with you in the name of Stein Robert..."
"Eh?!"
When Stein's name was branded this time, Spineru and Kerberos's reactions were even more shocked.
"What's wrong? I followed the instructions."
"No, it's nothing…"
Within the Sealed Book, Spineru and Kerberos exchanged glances. Was *this* the key to unlocking the book? Crowley truly set the strictest of criteria to keep outsiders at bay!
"From now on, you are the Clow magician we serve. We will assist you with all our strength!"
"And I'll summon you both as soon as possible."
After the contract was sealed, Stein became aware of the Sealed Book's current state. It was running low on magical power. The two guardians were too depleted to even take on their energy-saving forms.
Stein also learned of the guardians' attributes—Kerberos embodied the Sun and Western magic, while Spineru represented the Moon and Eastern magic.
He instinctively gained the ability to open the Sealed Book. As he lifted the cover, a stack of Clow Cards lay neatly in the book's center, with the sealing staff in its dormant form resting on top.
"Hm?"
Stein picked up the golden sealing staff, holding it in his palm.
"Has it always looked like this?"
"The appearance of the sealing staff changes according to the magic power of the contractor. What you're holding now is the Dark Staff once used by Crowley."
It was Kerberos who answered.
"It seems your magic is quite compatible with Crowley's dark arts, Stein."
"Crowley's Dark Staff... By the contract, reveal your true form!"
The head of the dormant staff had the sun fully enclosed by a crescent moon. When fully released, the sun's section expanded, with only the sun's central circle still wrapped by the crescent. Sunlight spikes pierced through the crescent moon.
Stein gave it a test swing, noticing how well-suited it was for close combat.
Once fully unlocked, the staff adjusted its size based on the user's height. It was still taller than Stein by a head, but its slim proportions made it manageable.
Standing in front of the mirror, Stein examined his reflection—pajamas on, wielding the Dark Staff.
Should he feel relieved or disappointed that becoming a Clow magician didn't involve a costume transformation?
Let's give the Clow Cards a try next, he thought.
"Before you do, Stein, I need to remind you—you're still too young. Your magic power isn't yet sufficient to use the Clow Cards freely."
Spineru's voice echoed from the Sealed Book, still floating in the air.
"Your magical power will increase with age, through honing your skills, and studying magic further. For now, you can only use a Clow Card once a day. Any more would be dangerous."
"Just once? Does that include the 'Void Card'?"
Stein scanned through the Clow Cards, but couldn't spot the Void Card.
"The Void Card is still sealed. Even touching it will expose you to its immense power. You would vanish from this world entirely, even if it didn't intend to harm you."
The guardians weren't surprised that Stein knew about the Void Card. After signing the contract, the information left by Crowley flowed into Stein's awareness—knowledge even the guardians didn't possess.
"The Void Card embodies nothingness, which is the opposite of what the other fifty-two Clow Cards represent. To wield it, you need extraordinary magic power and must also create the fifty-fourth Clow Card—'Love.'"
"'Love,' huh? Got it."
"Out of all fifty-four Clow Cards, only the Love Card… Wait, aren't you going to ask about it?"
Kerberos's voice wavered with confusion.
"With my current abilities, knowing more won't help me gather the Love Card right away." Stein smiled knowingly.
"But if you want to share what you know, I'm all ears, 'Lil Kerb.'"
"Wh-what? Calling me 'Lil Kerb' is a bit…"
Stein's mind flashed an image of a small, bashful creature, covering its face.
"Eh~"
"I could call you 'Spin' instead."
"Eh?!"
The bashful creature in Stein's mind multiplied, and he suddenly found himself looking forward to the moment when he could summon these two amusing guardians.
He wondered if cats, toads, and owls were allowed at Hogwarts...
"Ahem. The Love Card isn't included in the Clow Cards because love can't exist alone without people."
After a while, Kerberos finally found his voice again.
"Everything in this world will eventually return to nothingness. Only love can counteract that."
Stein sighed in awe. As soon as he said it, he felt a faint surge of power within. Something hidden deep in his heart surfaced, filling him with peace and joy.
"That feeling...?"
"Wait, can you already sense the Love Card?" Kerberos's voice was tinged with surprise and a bit of regret.
"If only you had more magic power, you could've used this opportunity to forge the Love Card!"
( End of the chapter)
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