Maxwell was adapting to his new life of aristocracy. The great halls, the large library, the open courtyard. Maybe this isn’t so bad. He concluded.

“This way Master Ignard,” said Marco. Maxwell nodded. Marco had knocked on his door randomly saying there was a surprise he wanted to show him. There were boxes and sacks of flour piled against the wall. All manner of dried fruits hung from the ceiling. Wine bottles were neatly stacked against the far wall.

“So what was it you wanted to talk to me about?” asked Maxwell.

“You’ll see,” said Marco.

The door to the storeroom violently slammed shut. Maxwell jerked his head behind him at the noise.

Standing in front of the closed door was a girl. She wore a simple blue dress in the same color as Marco’s outfit. She had striking blue eyes and raven black hair. A bead of sweat went down his back. He had a bad feeling about this.

I need to do what I can to diffuse the situation.

Hey, you must be Amelia,” he said politely.

The girl smiled in response. Normally when someone smiled at Maxwell he would find it soothing and if it was a girl he might even feel a flutter in his chest. Her smile made him feel uneasy. It’s not that it was fake and didn’t reach her eyes- it certainly did. It’s that her eyes were staring at him menacingly.

He he, I’m in danger.

The oil lantern that had been illuminating the room died with a hiss. The storeroom became enveloped in darkness.

Maxwell’s feet were kicked out from beneath him, sending him to the ground. Ropes bound his wrists and legs.

“What the hell are you doing!” he shouted rearing his neck but a hand pushed his face into the ground, shoving his words back into his mouth along with a mouthful off the wooden floor.

He heard the flick of a matchstick and the glow of the flame. The room was lit up once more.

He felt a foot on his back.

“Who the hell are you!” demanded Amelia and Marco in unison.

“You’re certainly not Ignard!” spat Amelia. “Some kind of demon?!”

“I don’t know wha-”

He was flipped over onto his back, in the same instant Marco held a knife to his throat.

“If you even think about uttering any falsehoods, be prepared to perish!” She pressed the blade into his neck. Maxwell couldn’t help but gulp in fear. A single drop of blood rolled down the blade.

“Why don’t you make us stop,” said Amelia.

“What do you mean to make you, how exactly do you expect me to do that?” shouted Maxwell.”What’s your problem!”

Amelia scoffed.

“So you’re not Ignard and now I know you’re not a demon. A demon would have been able to read the flow of mana of our brands and command us.”

“Yes, yes, that makes complete sense to me,” said Maxwell mockingly. Another jab to his rear silenced him.

“Ow, you can just say stop!” complained Maxwell. “Communicate, please,” he begged. “I’m good at listening.”

What am I doing? Wondered Maxwell. I should just be quiet and do what they say, why am I running my mouth?

“Here’s the complete truth, I don’t really know what’s going on.. I was reincarnated - no not reincarnated. I had a past life and I ended up dying and now I’m in this Ignard’s body, I don’t really know what’s going on and -”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“You possessed Ignard’s body, is he trapped inside there as well-” demanded Amelia.

“Look, I don’t know!” He shouted. “I don’t know where he is, I don't know what’s going on. Less than a day ago my life was normal, then I was ripped to shreds by some sort of creature I met god or something and I’m in a world completely different from my own. There’s no internet or wifi, no movies, I’m not used to not having my phone. I miss hamburgers and chocolate. My friend died too and it might be my fault! And… and!” Maxwell didn’t mean to rant but somehow it all had just come out. Before he knew it he was holding back tears.

His abrupt pause left a silence in the room.

“It sounds like you’ve been through a lot,” said Amelia at last.

“Yeah,” pouted Maxwell.

“Well, we need to do something,” said Amelia moving on. We have several courses of action we could potentially take.” She raised a finger.

“One, we kill him and dispose of the body.”

“Wait, wait up,” exclaimed Maxwell. “Let’s not go with that one,” he protested.

“It was just a potential option but do you have any inputs?” asked Amelia.

“I mean no not really…” he said but as the words left his mouth an idea popped into his head.

“A compromise- No Mutualism. We can mutually benefit each other, we can be allies,” said Maxwell hurriedly. He still wasn’t sure exactly what he was trying to say but the more he talked the more it formulated itself. Come on brain work harder! He urged himself.

“If you spare me we can work together. You’ll have an inside man.”

“Stop confusing us with your terminology, what’s an inside man?” said Amelia.

“You guys don’t want to be here right? I’ve seen how they treat you.” He said. Maxwell felt the pressure on his rear lessen. “I can help you gain freedom, nobody suspects that I am not Ignard. In return all I ask is that you help me from acting or doing anything out of character, I don’t have any of his memories so I might do stuff he wouldn’t.”

Marco turned to Amelia. “He’s got a point,” he said to Amelia.

Amelia sighed and moved her foot from Maxwell’s rear.

“If you even think of crossing us there’ll be hell to pay,” she warned. Maxwell gave a sigh of relief. I knew I could always rely on my mouth to get me out of a tough spot.

They untied him and dusted him off.

“There, all good,” reassured Amelia. “How do you feel?”

Maxwell massaged his shoulders. “Actually -... I feel fine.” I would have thought that tousle would have left me feeling way worse.”

Amelia nodded expectantly. “That’s for a reason. Unfortunately, it’s important that I tell you this despite what detriment it may cause to us. We couldn't hurt you even if we wanted to. She reached over her collar and pulled it down slightly. A black circle with wavy marks emanating from it was tattooed on its side. A black sun. he observed.

“This brand prevents us from actually harming someone of the Vanderbilt household.”

“Well why did it still damn hurt when you tied me up?” asked Maxwell.

“Well, that’s because we’re experts.” said Amelia winking.

“I’m too afraid to ask,” said Maxwell.

“Anyways,” continued Amelia. “ We need you to at least know how to activate and dispel the violence pact. Additionally there’s the command pact which allows you to command us forcefully.”

“What happens if you resist that?” asked Maxwell.

“It causes us great pain.”

Maxwell smiled cheekily. “How do you activate that one again?”

Amelia smiled. This smile would have been quite nice if it hadn't been for the fact that she was twirling a razor sharp blade between her fingers.

Maxwell cleared his throat nervously. “Just kidding of course, how do I do it?” He felt excitement building up inside him. This would be his first time using magic. This is what every child has dreamed of doing.

“You simply utter the phrase: I Ignard Vanderbilt command you to …… and then you say your order,” she explained. “When dispeling the violence pact it's equally straightforward. Simply say: I Ignard Vanderbilt dispel or activate the violence pact.”

“I see.” said Maxwell.

Maxwell went through all the words, with Amelia guiding him the few times he forgot the specific phrasing. She explained usually the phrasing isn’t that important but in this case it was. Eventually he was able to get everything right.

“Is that all?” asked Maxwell.

Wait there’s actually one more thing.. Disable the violence pact for a minute,” said Amelia.

Maxwell nodded. He closed his eyes in thought as he recalled the words. He uttered the words. “Ignard Vanderbilt dispel the violence pact.” He felt the surge of mana rush through his body. His body glowed purple-red for a moment before returning to normal once more.

“First try, nice!” he exclaimed excitedly.

“Excellent,” said Amelia.

“What are you going to teach me now?” he asked expectantly.

Amelia smirked before driving her fist deep into his stomach.

Maxwell doubled over dry heaving. He lost touch with the world. The corners of his vision blurred. He tasted blood in his mouth. All thoughts had been knocked out of his mind except for one. Why would she do that? She had not been holding back on that punch.

“What did I do to deserve that!” he groaned on all fours.

“Nothing, I've just always wanted to do that to Ignard,” she said happily. “Man did that feel good!” she exclaimed. She sounded as if she had just taken a hot relaxing bath.

“Marco, you should try it as well, it's really refreshing!” she said while gesturing at Maxwell with a closed fist.

“No, I’m good,” he said awkwardly.

“Hmmm, maybe next time, “said Amelia. “It’s really nice

“I hate you all,” gasped Maxwell between groans of pain.