In another place, in another time, there exists a world unique from our own. The world of Extoria, a world with strong links between five worlds that surround it. Mana swells between these worlds which can be utilized be the denizens of these worlds. Through the act of summoning, creatures from these other worlds can be brought to Extoria to act as familiars to the summoner.

In the present day, summoning is now a common occurrence with almost all inhabitants of Extoria matched with their own familiars. It’s become a tradition that every year those who have reached the age of 18 participate in a ceremonial ritual where they receive their own familiar that will always stay by their side for life.

Our story focuses on one of these participants. The young man’s name was Eugene, and he had a scrawny build with messy black hair and sporting round glasses. He was currently waiting in line with all the other eligible participants, his expression was filled with nervousness. The reason for this was that he was both anxious and excited to receive his own familiar. After all it’ll mean soon, he’ll be having someone around that will be living with him and always be around him. Maybe then he’ll finally have someone to hang out with.

Eugene wasn’t exactly the most popular student at his school. Being an unusual case of having little control over his magic, he had a low success rate in conjuring even the most basic spells from his classes and was severely mocked for it. To make matters worse, they find his affinity towards Beastmen weird, as there was the belief that Beastman are nothing more but the most common and simple familiars to summon. All this makes everyone want to avoid him, leaving him lonely at school. He was hoping this ritual would help change that.

As he continued to wait in line, watching as each person perform the ritual, Eugene started to ponder what his future familiar will be. Each individual upon their birth is born with a certain affinity to a certain world, most have only one while there are a rare few with two. There are also rumors of people in the past having been able to have an affinity for three, though it’s mostly nothing more than a rumor.

While Eugene was deep in thought, there was a sudden tap on his shoulder. He was a bit surprised as he pulled out of his own head and as he looked behind him, he noticed behind him was one of the Demihuman, a sub species of humans who while still looking human had animalistic qualities like ears and tail. This one was as skinny as Eugene was, with ginger red hair and white skin, he had what looked to be red fox ears and tail.

“H-hi… uhm…I think the line is moving…”

“Oh, uh right my bad eheheheh…”

Eugene immediately caught up with the group falling back in line, with the fox Demihuman right behind me. There was an initial awkwardness and silence between them at first afterwards but Eugene, seeing an opportunity, decided to talk with him.

“So…isn’t it exciting we’ll be getting our own familiar soon?”

The Demihuman was taken aback by Eugene talking to him but there seemed to be a small glint in his eyes as he responds “Oh! I-I guess…. though I doubt I’ll summon anything other than a Beastman considering I’m a Demihuman…n-not that I really mind them…” The fox then looks away shyly, trying to hide his blush.

Not noticing his reaction Eugene continued the conversation, enjoying getting to talk to someone “I’m sure whoever you get is going to be awesome” he said in encouraging tone.

“Anyway, my name is Eugene what’s yours?” Eugene offers his hand for a handshake.

“A-Alphonse... it’s really nice to meet you…” The fox man nervously replies as he shakes his hand.

Feeling the air of awkwardness the two began to chat some more, as the line continued. They both had a nice smile on their face as they continued to talk.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“O-oh you like Beastman too?”

“Sure do, I’m hoping to get one myself.”

“M-me too…”

Soon enough the instructor in charge of the ritual began to call out “Next in line come forward” The person in front of me, a young woman, stepped forward to the platform and prepared, the young man being curious over how it works decided to watch.

“Now please step over on the center of the drawn pentagram and we will begin.” Following his instructions the woman stepped on the platform and the instructor began to chant. The words coming out of him were hard to figure out, it was like he was speaking a different language. It was having an effect though, the woman suddenly began to glow white, her expression filled with surprise and awe. The glow was getting brighter but just as quickly fades away, in its place the woman stood, holding onto a white crystal as it began to reshape resembling a small wand with a white jewel at the base. It was her mana crystal.

She was enjoying her new wand, clearly enjoying its form. After taking her time admiring it, she then noticed a figure standing near her. To her surprise what stood in front of her was a beautiful young man, with two angelic white wings and a halo encrusted with a small yellow color jewel. The man slightly bows to her as she jumped with glee, it seems her new familiar was an angel from the world of Genesis.

The two walked off the platform and began to chat with each other and joined the others who had summoned their familiars. Now it was Eugene’s turn, seeing how close he was to summoning his familiar, anxiousness was filling inside him. However, he got a silent good luck from Alphonse as the instructor called him over.

As the young man stepped over at the platform, standing on the pentagram, the instructor began to speak, “Now I will begin the incantation, close your eyes and focus. Picture in your head the creature you wish to have by your side, develop a connection and bind it with a link, it can be anything from a chain to a simple string.”

Eugene nodded, understanding his instructions as the instructor began the ritual chant as the young man closed his eyes.

Out of nowhere it felt like everything around him was disappearing, and everything was going dark. Suddenly he found himself floating at an endless vortex in space. It was strange, he should have been panicking, but instead he found himself strangely calm and relaxed. He tried to call out but there was no noise coming out, and nothing responded, everything was silent.

He figured this was probably part of the ritual and this was the moment where he would have to decide what his familiar would be. It was difficult though, there were so many ideas in his head on who he would want. He always liked the idea of having a big strong Beastman at his side to protect him, but also fun loving and a blast to hang out with and who could relax on the couch with at times.

He also considered a cool looking Dragonoid, he heard that some of them were even ninjas. Just the thought of a scaled ninja protecting him from the shadows was the most impressive thing ever. Plus, he heard they can be really loyal too.

There was also the idea of having a mechanical companion around, now this may sound a bit ridiculous to some people, but Eugene always loved the idea of having a robot butler around to help take care of him. It was a bit embarrassing to admit though, so he never really brought it up and it’s not like there actually is a robot butler out there for him anyway, but you never know.

He just couldn’t decide, they all sounded like a great idea to him! It was too difficult for him to pick just one, Eugene sighed to himself over his indecision and wished he could have all three. Though deep down he knew what he really wanted most of all was some true companions that would stick by his side.

As soon as those thoughts crossed his mind there were suddenly multiple voices reaching out to him. They all sounded uniquely distinct, but they all spoke the same words.

“So, you wish to make a contract with me?” they all asked in unison.

“Y-yes” was all he could muster, finding it interesting his mouth was now making sounds.

There was a bit of silence for a bit, as if the voices were deciding whether to agree to answer or not but eventually, they responded.

“Then let us form the contract.” As soon as those words were spoken three different hands began to reach towards Eugene from the vortex. They all wanted to grab his hand and Eugene in turn floated towards them but as he drew closer, he felt intense pressure. It almost felt like it was pushing him back, the pressure getting stronger the closer he got, but Eugene wouldn’t give up.

“I’m this close to finally having a companion of my own! I won’t let this stop me now!!”

With all his strength Eugene pushed through and slowly but surely, he made it, the three hands all grabbed his hand together. Red strings begin to form from their pinkies and connect to one another as the voices all speak.

“Now the link has been established. Greetings, my summoner.”