Leyla walked out of the gate with a spring in her step. Everything seemed to be going her way today, from the target practice to finally passing Zeptik's little test. He always required her to make something on her own before he'd teach her anything else. He said it was because he was too busy to think up new stuff, but Mirriana said it was because he was a better editor than inventor.

She grinned remembering his face when she'd asked him if that was true.

“Mirri! I'm here! What are we doing today?”

She flounced down the hall into the lounge before freezing. The room was destroyed, tables and couches overturned. Even the walls bore cracks and scars and a thin haze of smoke hung over everything. She hesitated for a second then proceeded slowly into the room. Picking her way over the wreckage of the furniture she called out again.

“Mirri? What happened? Anybody here?”

A shadow threw itself off of the wall above her head and landed next to her with a thump, revealing itself to be a man in black clothing. The lower half of his face was wrapped in bandages, as were the hands that held wicked looking knives up to her throat. She jerked with fright before tears welled up in her eyes and she cringed away.

The man's eyes widened suddenly and they snatched back their knives but didn't lower them.

“Holy shit kid, what are you doing here? How did you even get in here?!”, the man gave her a concerned look, “You hurt? Anybody following you?”

He fired a murderous glare down the hallway behind her as she hurriedly shook her head.

“N-no. I'm not hurt. What's going on?”

“Shit. Kid, do you know where you are? What's the last thing you remember before now?”

“I was leaving my lesson…”

“Those sick bastards. Okay, kid you're gonna be okay but I'm gonna have to check you real quick. It might feel kinda weird for a second but it won't hurt okay?”

Leyla stared at her feet as the man rapidly performed a series of hand gestures before closing his right eye as the left glowed red. Her skin prickled intensely for a few seconds before the man released the spell and lowered his knives and sheathed them. He stepped forward and patted her on the shoulder encouragingly.

“Don't be scared, it's gonna be okay. What's your name?”

“Leyla, sir.”

“Aww, nah. I'm not a sir. Call me Derrek.”

Leyla nodded fearfully as she looked around the room. The little fire merrily consuming a pile of cushions was starting to flood the room with acrid smoke and Derrek took a moment to dump an illogical amount of water on it out of a small vial and extinguished it.

“Derrek, what happened? It's scary here.”

“Uh…there was a bad guy, girl. Woman. Really nasty. Works for a really really bad guy. We're here to…uh…tell you what, let's just get you out of here okay?”, he clumsily dodged the question as he zipped through another set of gestures before pausing expectantly.

After a moment he was still standing there with the same expectant expression on his face before slowly frowning and trying again. He cursed quietly under his breath before pulling up his sleeve and checking a large bracelet set with a multitude of jewels. Leyla fixed him with a quizzical look as the dark stone room slowly began to clear of the smoke.

“No!”

Derrek suddenly cried in anguish as the gems in his bracelet began to wink red, each a few seconds apart. He stared in horror as the final few three held steady over long silent moments before two flipped from green to red almost simultaneously and the last followed a second later. His gaze went blank for several seconds before he straightened up with a big smile, letting his sleeve slide back down his arm.

“Leyla, you'll be okay. Something scary is gonna be here in a second, but I'm gonna lead it away down the hallway. You just hide right in here and don't make a sound, okay?”, he slid off the bracelet and pushed it onto her arm as it shrunk to fit her.

“My friends can find this, and they're gonna use a cool magic spell to bring everyone wearing them back home. Tell them Derrek says it's not worth it, okay? Say it back to me, quick.”

“Derrek says it’s not worth it?”, Leyla asked timidly as Derrek pushed one of his daggers into her hands to her surprise.

“Take that too, just in case. If you hold it really tight and stay really still it'll make you super hard to see, just don't make any noise. Now go hide, go, now!”

Derrek turned to leave, holding the remaining dagger in his left hand as he retrieved a handful of wicked looking throwing needles from a pouch on his leg. Green light swelled in the hall and Leyla heard the sound of space warping as the gateway she’d entered through began to link the rooms. He entered an impractically low ready stance but held it perfectly, motionless as a serpent about to strike.

The point of the dagger all but touched the back of his neck as Leyla stabbed downward with both hands and all her weight thrown behind it. Derrek’s skin rippled and he rolled away like water as Mirriana’s wings unfolded from her body and reformed into a long gown as she laughed happily. She sprang to her feet and beamed at Leyla, who returned the grin with one of her own.

“Wow you wrecked the whole room! Everything's all smashed!”, Leyla exploded into laughter and Mirriana followed suit a moment later.

“Well, what did you do wrong?”

“I used your name…”

“That's right. If the enemy happens to know our names and hears you use them they'll know you likely aren't a slave or prisoner. They'll be more inclined to use you as a hostage than simply try to protect you.”

Leyla sighed and tried not to roll her eyes as Mirriana lectured her about everything she did right and wrong during her little scenario for the day. First and foremost she kept repeating that she simply should have left when she saw the room.

“Nothing stopped you from going right back through to the Hall. If something looks wrong, come get one of us, don't go yourself sweetie.”

“But then we wouldn't have had our lesson and Teacher said after I'm done for the day we're gonna talk about Contracts!”, Leyla whined piteously as the wicked looking dagger she held drooped with her sadness.

Mirriana blinked in surprise but smiled soon after. She strode over and collected the dagger from Leyla and gestured for her to wait as she tapped a hoof twice on the floor. The room hummed a bit and reorganized itself, smashed furniture slowly snapping back together before drifting into place. Even the burned cushions regenerated and flew to their respective couches.

“Oooooh, very exciting Leyla. We've known you were ready since Greystone but Master does things in his own time. That man will triple check his fifth backup plan, I swear”, Mirriana sat on the couch and invited Leyla to join her with a wave.

“I’ve been super careful since then! I even practiced all my magic on my own, even the boring stuff! I wanna get stronger like you guys!”

“You will dear, but be careful Leyla. Some things will get easier but some…well, I'll let Master explain it. Would you like me to braid your hair? It's wild again.”

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“Yes please!”, Leyla replied happily as she turned around to make it easier.

“We've got time for a story if you want, Leyla. I'll ask you questions about it later, as always.”

Leyla quite enjoyed Mirriana's stories and she agreed wholeheartedly as the succubus began to carefully braid her hair while they sat together. This time the story was about three Kings that hated each other. Each of them thought theirs should be the only kingdom to control a magical tree; despite the fact that all three of their kingdoms bordered the huge mountain it grew on. Leyla thought that was stupid, since you could just grow more of the trees and voiced her opinions loudly.

“Well child, the tree wouldn't grow anywhere but the mountain. Now stop fidgeting, you pulled this bit all crooked, let me do it again.”

Leyla grumbled a bit but listened intently as the tale turned to war and all three kingdoms fell into battle over the trees. They seized and lost control of the mountain multiple times before they began to call for their allies to intervene on their behalf. The story ended with all the trees being destroyed when the mountain became the scene of a disastrous battle between almost everybody. All over a dumb tree.

“That was a good story, Mirri, but I think it was a fake one. Even if it was a magic tree they could still share, why fight over it like that?”

“It was a silly time, child. Now, we're done for the day. Run along and find Master, I can feel you getting ready to bolt anyway.”, Mirri playfully teased as she finished the elaborate pattern of braids she'd started in Leyla's hair.

Leyla sprung up and gave Mirriana a quick hug before stretching a bit and walking out of the room. She broke into an undignified run as soon as she left her line of sight and dashed for the door as if it would disappear. She could hear Mirriana’s voice speaking to someone behind her as she activated the gate with a frantic shout.

“BATHROOM!”

_____________________________________

The enormous blazing eye floated unblinking before Kallio, who sat cross-legged on the floor before it. The intricate pattern of the runes and arrays on the ground under the Warlock drew the eye into spiraling depths that almost seemed to repeat themselves in the same space. The two stared silently at each other with equal fire in their gazes before the eye spoke.

“Ah, and I had so hoped you'd finally died.”, the voice bounced in from random directions midway through every syllable.

“Nope, and guess what? You owe me. Plus interest, but I'm willing to forget that as long as you pay me today.”

“What do you want, Warlock? I shan't agree to a thing before you state your intentions.”, the creature replied crisply.

“I'm recognizing my apprentice today. The old way. I'll be throwing my weight behind her Offer as her Instructor, for better or worse, and it's going to affect what comes sniffing around.”

“...that is a surprisingly reasonable request. This apprentice must be a genius. I see. I shall only allow the most powerfu-”

Kallio shook his head and cut the eye off, “A genius yes, but a child. The most powerful are exactly what I'm trying to avoid. Even I couldn't handle a 10 year old with a Pit Fiend as her first contract, that's too much trouble.”

“I agree to your request. I require your specifications. Be exacting, after this our business is concluded. Should you call upon me again, we shall be dealing on equal terms.”

Kallio nodded brusquely and began speaking as if he had already chosen his words carefully in advance.

“First Soul-Binding appropriate entities only. No runts, only variants and only the rarest ones. Err on the side of growth potential. Nothing from Lust, she's a child.”, Kallio rattled off within a few moments, “I have an aura imprint for you to sample to check for compatibility. She’s too weak to form another contract for some time so I need the best.”

The Baleful-Eye glowed red as it examined an ugly and heavily stitched together teddy bear for several minutes in silence.

Kallio remained motionless as the dead the entire while as he considered what was to come. Leyla was too young for her soul to bear the strain of more than a single Contract. To counter the inherent danger of specializing in forbidden magics she needed something that could actually defend and support her, as well as grow with her. A Mindless demon, all that would usually answer a fledgling Warlocks summon, would not do. It took years for the Mindless Ones to develop their individuality, and even then they always strongly resembled their baseline.

“I have thoroughly analyzed the sample provided. You are a clever one, in providing your apprentice such an enormous boon and priceless ally so early, you secure an enormous debt. I had never entertained giving gifts as a way to endebt someone.”

“I genuinely want her to succeed.”

“Is that because she reminds you o-”

“Silence or suffer.”

The Baleful-Eye seemed to calculate its odds for a full second before bobbing understandingly and making one final statement as it simply faded away.

“I depart. Only the most worthy shall be allowed to examine your disciples Offering. I look forward to learning of your death once more.”

“Just see it done.”, Kallio said to an empty room as he stood. His staff floated to reclaim its spot by his side as Virax extended a tendril of warped space in the direction that the Eye had occupied hungrily.

“I'm tempted to let you follow him, but he's not dumb enough to try and cross me knowing you could. He'll do his job. Let's go, I'm sure Leyla is waiting already.”

Virax sent a ripple of acknowledgement to Kallio as space folded around them and they were gone.

_____________________________________

Let sat straight back and focused as Teacher paced up and down the room before her as he spoke. The large Grimoire hung from a sash about his waist as he held his staff in his right hand, tapping it along the floor with every other step. Sometimes Teacher used big words, but she worked hard to be present and mindful. She was taking this as seriously as she could, determined to succeed.

“A Warlock's art is not that of the Summoner, though they may generally appear similar. Whereas a Summoner both creates and sustains a construct forged with mana, it will never be truly sapient nor a separate being.” Kallio stopped momentarily to fix her with a stern glare that immediately mollified when he saw she was paying rapt attention.

“Warlocks do not create our partners, we provide an anchor to this reality by binding the entity to our own souls. This is a dangerous, sometimes deadly process for the foolish, and it is permanent.”

Leyla paled a bit at the thought of binding something like Zeptik to her soul for the rest of her life. She scrunched her face bravely and discarded the trepidation as Teacher watched. She had worked hard for this, and Teacher would be helping. She silently scolded herself for being a baby as Teacher continued with an approving nod at her expression.

“The binding consists of three layers: The Contract, The Offering, and The Naming. First, we will decide the terms that you offer your potential servant. These are the basis for your entire relationship for the entirety of the Soul-Bind, likely your entire life. As your instructor I have decided your Contractual Offer myself. I assure you it is impenetrable, do you consent to offer it?”

“Will you explain it all to me later?”

“Of course child, quite a reasonable request. In the meanwhile rest assured it is a version based upon the ones I myself use that we created specifically for you.”

“Yes, we can use it. I trust you Teacher, you always help me. You're a good person.”

Kallio blinked a few times at the sudden affection before starting up again as if nothing had been said, though he ruffled her hair on the way past as he stalked up and down before her.

“Step two is The Offering. You will enter the circle and I will acknowledge you as my apprentice and present your terms for inspection. Many entities will likely come in hopes of accepting your offer.”

Kallio continued almost in the same breath as she shushed her questions until he finished speaking again, “It will feel as if there are dozens or more people in the room with you, unseen. They will all be trying to get your attention however they can. Do not be afraid, simply allow yourself to relax and ignore them. Cast out with your senses like I taught you and call to the one that feels right.”

“Teacher, will I be able to tell which one is the right one so easily? There's not a wrong one is there? What happens if-”, Leyla’s questions began to gain speed as she asked them before she was shushed again.

“Yes, you'll feel it. You're looking for mana that feels as similar to your own as you can find. The closer the match you can find the better. I doubt you'll have trouble with any of that.”, he finished cryptically as he took the Grimoire off his sash and tossed it into the air where it simply hung.

It opened slowly as pages turned themselves to a page with a large Imp illustration that promptly came alive above the book as a proper illusion, toes and tail even curling around the book realistically.

“The third stage is The Naming. When you have selected one of the entities you focus on it, then feed it a bit of your mana and it'll feed a bit of mana back. When enough mana has mingled you speak its name and the contract will bind you together.”

“That's it?”, Leyla asked suspiciously, “and I'll be a Warlock then for real?”

“An apprentice Witch, yes. Oh don't give me that look child, it's just the way things are named. Few schools of magic are threat enough to have many names, be proud.”

Leyla considered that before nodding, “I'll be a Witch, then? Even if I'm a little Witch?”

“Yes child, you will truly be my apprentice in more than just name. You are a diligent student, Leyla, and the youngest I have ever considered fit to perform a Contract. We are all very proud of your hard work. Now, we will review some of the lesser demons, as it is important to. . .”

Leyla barely noticed as the Grimoire spat out image after image of different variations of minor demons as she knew most standard ones already. Her head swam with possibilities as she grinned back at the corpse brilliantly as he began long-winded lecture.