The room was silent, save for the faint hum of the floating chandeliers outside. Priyam sat on the edge of the ornate bed, his mind racing. The mark on his hand—the so-called "binding seal"—still pulsed faintly, a constant reminder of his predicament. He stared at it, tracing the intricate runes with his fingers. They glowed faintly, as if alive.
Astrid, the silver-haired girl, stood by the door, her arms crossed and her expression unreadable. Her glasses caught the light, obscuring her eyes, but Priyam could feel her gaze on him. She was studying him, analyzing him like some kind of specimen.
"So," Priyam began, breaking the silence, "what now? Am I just supposed to sit here and wait for Princess Evelyne to order me around?"
Astrid tilted her head slightly. "For now, yes. You are her familiar, after all. The binding seal ensures your obedience, whether you like it or not."
Priyam clenched his fists. "And what if I refuse? What happens then?"
Astrid's lips curled into a faint smirk. "The seal will enforce her will. Painfully, if necessary. It's not something you can resist."
Priyam's jaw tightened. He hated this—being treated like a tool, a possession. But what could he do? He was in a world where magic was real, and he had no power of his own. At least, not yet.
The mark on his hand pulsed again, stronger this time. Priyam winced, clutching his wrist. The warmth he had felt earlier was growing, spreading through his body like a slow-burning fire. It was uncomfortable, but not painful. In fact, it felt... familiar, as if it had always been there, dormant.
Astrid noticed his reaction and stepped closer. "Interesting. The seal is reacting to you. That's unusual."
"What do you mean?" Priyam asked, his voice strained.
"Normally, the binding seal is a one-way connection. The master controls the familiar, and the familiar obeys. But in your case, it seems the seal is... adapting to you. As if it's trying to draw something out."
Priyam frowned. "Draw something out? Like what?"
Astrid adjusted her glasses, her golden eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Mana, perhaps. Or something else entirely. You're an anomaly, Priyam. A human from another world with no inherent magical ability, yet the seal is responding to you. It's fascinating."
Priyam didn't find it fascinating. He found it terrifying. The last thing he wanted was to be some kind of experiment. But before he could voice his concerns, the door to the room burst open.
Evelyne stood in the doorway, her platinum blonde hair shimmering in the light. Her violet eyes were sharp, her expression cold. She stepped inside, her heels clicking against the marble floor.
"Astrid," she said, her tone icy. "What are you doing here?"
Astrid didn't flinch. "I was merely observing your familiar, Your Highness. He's quite... unique."
Evelyne's gaze shifted to Priyam, her lips curling into a sneer. "Unique? He's a commoner. A failure. I should have known the summoning ritual would go awry."
Priyam glared at her. "Hey, I didn't ask to be dragged into this mess. You're the one who summoned me, remember?"
Evelyne's eyes narrowed. "Watch your tongue, familiar. You belong to me, and I will not tolerate insolence."
Priyam opened his mouth to retort, but the mark on his hand flared, sending a sharp pain through his body. He gritted his teeth, his words caught in his throat.
Evelyne smirked. "That's better. Now, come with me. You have duties to attend to."
Priyam wanted to refuse, but the seal's power was overwhelming. He had no choice but to obey. He stood, his body moving against his will, and followed Evelyne out of the room.
Astrid watched them go, her expression thoughtful. "Interesting indeed," she murmured to herself.
---
**The Academy Grounds**
The academy was a sprawling complex of towering spires, grand courtyards, and lush gardens. Students in elaborate robes moved about, their conversations filled with laughter and gossip. Priyam followed Evelyne through the grounds, his presence drawing curious glances and whispered comments.
"Who's that?"
"Is that the princess's new familiar?"
"He looks so... ordinary."
Priyam ignored them, focusing on the path ahead. He hated being the center of attention, especially in a world where he was so out of place. But there was no escaping it. He was Evelyne's familiar, and that made him a spectacle.
Evelyne led him to a secluded courtyard, where a group of students had gathered. They were practicing spells, their wands glowing with various colors as they cast fireballs, summoned water, and created barriers of light.
"Pay attention," Evelyne said, her tone sharp. "You may be a commoner, but as my familiar, you are expected to assist me in my studies. That means learning the basics of magic."
Priyam raised an eyebrow. "You expect me to learn magic? I thought I didn't have any mana."
Evelyne smirked. "You don't. But the binding seal allows me to channel my mana through you. It's a crude method, but it will suffice for now."
Priyam frowned. "So, you're going to use me as a battery?"
Evelyne's smirk widened. "Precisely. Now, stand still."
She raised her staff, and the mark on Priyam's hand flared once more. He felt a surge of energy flow through him, his body tingling as Evelyne's mana coursed through his veins. It was an odd sensation, both exhilarating and uncomfortable.
"Now," Evelyne said, her voice commanding, "cast a fireball."
Priyam blinked. "What? How?"
"Focus on the energy within you and will it into existence. It's simple, even for a commoner."
Priyam hesitated, but the seal's power compelled him to obey. He raised his hand, focusing on the warmth in his chest. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, a small flame flickered to life in his palm.
The students gasped, their eyes wide with astonishment.
"He did it!"
"But how? He has no mana!"
Evelyne's smirk faltered, replaced by a look of surprise. "Impossible..."
Priyam stared at the flame, his heart racing. He had done it. He had cast a spell. But before he could revel in his success, the flame grew larger, spiraling out of control.
"Stop!" Evelyne shouted, but it was too late.
The fireball exploded, sending a shockwave through the courtyard. Priyam was thrown backward, landing hard on the ground. The students screamed, scrambling for cover as the flames spread.
Evelyne raised her staff, her expression furious. "You idiot! What did you do?!"
Priyam coughed, his vision blurred. "I... I didn't mean to..."
Before Evelyne could respond, a voice rang out, calm but authoritative.
"Enough."
The flames were extinguished in an instant, as if they had never existed. Priyam looked up to see a tall, regal man standing at the edge of the courtyard. His silver hair and piercing blue eyes gave him an air of authority, and his presence commanded respect.
"Headmaster Alaric," Evelyne said, her tone respectful but tinged with frustration. "I apologize for the disturbance."
The headmaster's gaze shifted to Priyam, his expression unreadable. "So, this is the summoned familiar. Interesting."
Priyam felt a chill run down his spine. There was something about the headmaster's gaze that made him uneasy.
"Come with me," Alaric said, his voice calm but firm. "We have much to discuss."
---
**End of Chapter 2**
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