Countdown to System unlock

With only a few short days left of preparation before my system unlock, I have long since completed any and all experiments I can think to run. The first of three books father provided for me is completely full of experimentation notes, the second is similarly filled with transcribed spells, while the third currently functions as a personal journal.

The simple day-to-day journaling doesn't concern me much at all, but If I start to make any detailed notes of sensitive information I will have to consider a code or cypher. Regardless, my experimentation notes are unimportant and unlikely to be replicable in the first place. A cipher would only provide protection from short-term snooping.

My attempts at further understanding my own situation have yielded significant results. The interference I’ve been feeling during times of high stress, powerful emotion, or magical memory, has been occurring with increasing regularity as I get closer to my birthday.

Interactions with my parents have brought me quickly to anger, and while the fury is truly coming from inside me it still feels foreign somehow. Similarly, when Leigh progressed past the level 25 threshold and unlocked her new [Spirit Smith] class, I was filled with a sense of rage and jealousy I couldn’t quite explain. The intrusive thoughts are unwelcome, but I can’t pretend they don’t exist.

‘She squanders the gift of power and spends her days in a forge. What is she waiting for? If I had system access I could actually pursue knowledge of this era. Why is she so content to live a provincial life?’

I have to stomp down those thoughts every time they start bubbling back up. The lingering influence of an incomplete soul transfer? Or something else? The question keeps me awake at times, and I lack the necessary means to investigate further. It’s frustrating beyond measure. I can do nothing but sit and wait these last few days.

Mother and father won’t even allow me to help with preparations, they treat it like the whole thing has to be some surprise and even seeing the hint of a stage will ruin the whole ordeal. It’s asinine but refreshing, having someone care about you to such a degree. I know how exciting it was for everyone when Leigh got system access, so I don’t want to ruin this for them.

However, Leigh is a far more consistent fixture of the village than my own reclusive habits make me. As a result she’s significantly more well liked than I am, so I don’t expect the same turn out. ‘Even if those fools in the village knew well enough to grovel, their sycophantic pleading would only ruin the day’. No. I have to remind myself they just don’t know me as well, I’m more of a homebody, it’s nothing they’ve done.

This morning though, with only a few days left to make preparations, Dad stops me on my way up to breakfast and pulls me aside to talk. “Good morning bud.” He smirks, wrapping me in an inescapable hug and ruffling my hair. “I’m done helping your mom and Leigh set up for the party this week, so I just wanted to know if there was anything you need my help with before your big day?” His offer comes at a perfect time, as I’ve recently been considering that topic.

“Yeah, actually. My mana regeneration can support about three summons right now. I’ve been thinking about raising another type of undead and then doing a summoning contract like I showed Leigh” I explain softly to Daniel, restraining myself from rolling my eyes when he visibly cringes as the idea of more necromancy.

“I need a dead hawk for [Reanimate Animal], the contract I can take care of on my own.” I explain while Daniel looks visibly uncomfortable. “I don’t need it right now, just in the next few days” I dismiss the conversation and head inside. After a short breakfast and meaningless chatter with Mom, I head back down into the basement to do my ritual.

A few weeks ago Leigh’s new familiar, Cinder, finally got enough experience to ‘class up’, though technically being a monster he experiences a species upgrade instead. The little burning boar is no longer and [Ember Piglet] and instead is now a [Coalfire Pig]. Leigh didn’t share either of the species specifics with me, I assume they fit her contract well enough. What rankles me however, is the excruciatingly slow rate of her growth. If I had system access I wouldn’t rest until a summoned familiar caught up to me in level, it’s just inefficient.

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The lack of system access has reminded me of my own ability to take a familiar though, and with us both starting at level one, the lack of system access may not matter much. Which is what brings me to the basement. I know of a few things that attract the type of spirit I want, and darkness is first and foremost among them. Everything else I have prepared ahead of time.

Shutting the door behind me, Cain joins me at the foot of the stairs curiously unprompted. I give him a quick pat on the head and double check my list of offerings.

Dust of decay, the earth of the grave. Between the unkempt cellar and Cain I think I have that covered.

A token of love, taken without notice. There are few people in the village I can steal from without being immediately caught. The remnants of Leigh’s family forge being the sole exception. I found a small lock box engraved with her mother’s initials tucked away beneath her bed. A gift from her father to his wife. At least I plan on returning it.

A symbol of trust, under false pretense. I have to hope Leigh’s bracelet and my secret past qualify for that, though I’m unsure the spirits will be able to tell.

Blood of a Mage, given in sacrifice. The last component.

With haste, I draw the summoning circle loosely in the dust of the cellar’s dirt floor. I’m only worried about contracting the right spirit, the efficiency of the spell is secondary. I can help them grow alongside me. My strength will be more than enough.

With the preparations complete, I beckon Cain to my side and prick my finger against his fangs. A single drop of blood falls into the circle as I begin chanting the familiar words. I’ve transcribed [Cirune’s Summoning] enough times in my first life, and reverse engineered it this time. It was one of the first spells I copied in a haze when I learned of the ability. I can recite it in my sleep if I must.

I entoned the words carefully, each syllable ringing in the dark. When the incantation finishes, the temperature drops immediately, the chill seeming to darken the room even further. In the silence that follows, I hear my teeth chatter against the cold.

A voice like silk breaks the trance.

“Hello child.”

“Hail noble spirit. I am Andras Telmire Gregori, I am Vincent Stesk, Mage of two lives, man of two worlds. I seek a contract with a spirit of the [Abyss]” I call out into the darkness. Two pinpricks of silver light shine in my vision, slitted feline eyes in the unchanged darkness.

“I know these things. I know you. The Aether whispers with your stories.” The spirit responds, their voice light with a soft chuckle. “I am a spirit of many forms, [Abyss] is one of my elements. I seek entertainment in payment for a contract.”

The implications of multiple stories makes me wonder what the spirit truly knows, but I can’t back down now. My goal is right at hand. “How would you wish to be entertained?” I ask, needing specifics before I agree.

“Your 18th year comes soon enough, and with it great many things. I will observe you until then at least, and if my suspicions prove correct I will observe you after as well. You will pay 60% of my mana costs for the first year, and upon your 19th cycle we can negotiate again”

All of this was well within acceptable lines, though the knowledge of the spirit is troubling.

“Will you freely share your information with me before or after my system unlock? Tell me what you know?”

“I will not.” The spirit answers immediately, pausing for a tense moment. “If you learn things on your own however….” They continued, letting me draw my own conclusions to their intent. Capricious shadow spirits aside, it’s a good summoning contract.

“I accept” I whisper, giving a shallow bow to the darkness.

You have formed a contract with [D̵̛ͅa̶̡̞̓̿r̷̡̺̱͐̐̈̽̏k̸̤͐͑̀͆͜ ̶̢̬͉̱̯̾̀̄̅̎M̵̛͍̯̆̍è̷̢̧̫̘̜̎͝s̷̙̳͓̒̎̏̌s̶̙̬̮͒͂̊̕e̴̛͔̩̣̦̟̋̓̾̕ņ̸̮͖̌ḡ̵̼͋e̵͔͇͈͑̊͂r̵̡̮͠ - lvl ??].

Soul binding initiated…

Soul binding complete.

Please name your new familiar.

“Hello. Sigil”

“Hello, Andras.”