"Absolutely everything. I want to know everything!" Michael insisted, directing his request toward David. He settled onto the floor, crossing his legs, his taller frame contrasting with David's shorter stature.

"For the next twenty to twenty-four hours, time is our only currency," David stated with conviction. "Your bounty remains active. The Adjudicator's intervention has deterred any audacious attempts to claim it. I'll delve into the relevant specifics as we converse. To start, let's dissect the events of the last twenty-four hours leading up to the initiation of the bounty, beginning from the night prior."

To all of this, Michael nodded in response to and thus the word flow commenced.

"The onset of your behavioral spikes, illustrated by the uncharacteristic kiss with the girl and the altercation with the other boy, is an example of a phenomenon known as the infamous 'Breach', often triggered when the Magick of Demonic Contracts seizes control of you, the Client. In simpler terms, the Demonic Contract resides within the Client, a mortal typically lacking the ability to manage any form of Magick manipulation. The Demonic Magick embedded in the Contract accumulates and erupts, guided by the design of the Demonic Entity. Demonic Entities, usually unaffected by the passage of time, adhere to an agenda of extended bounty, given their nature and the unique structure of Demonic Contracts. The legitimate period for the bounty spans roughly half the time from its signing to the anticipated breakout."

"There are two possible outcomes to a bounty. The first is to be claimed. The Demonic Entity reclaims what it bestowed, typically taking possession of the Client's soul, and in return, providing a nominal reward to the individual who successfully executed the bounty. The alternative is to survive the active term and enjoy a Grace Period, equivalent to a year for every day the bounty was active. In your case, the bounty is valid for two days, representing half the time elapsed from when you signed the Contract to the breakout that occurred last night. Consequently, your Grace Period will span two years. During these two years, no intelligent entity will dare to harm you; otherwise, the Entities from both Demonic and Divine Dimensions would unleash upon them a fate far more severe than your current comprehension allows."

David smiled, not due to any humor in his words but in anticipation of Michael's imminent question, intercepting it before it could be voiced.

"The Entities of both Dimensions frequently operate within the Material Dimension, wielding an influence unmatched by any other foreign Entity. This privilege is bestowed by the Rational Reality – an overarching form of 'Sentience' that holds little relevance to most. In essence, any transgression related to this privilege could result in the termination of one or both Dimensions' access to all Material Dimensions."

"Just to clarify," Michael interjected as David paused, signaling he wouldn't delve further into the topic of the Grace Period. "For the next two years starting from Sunday morning, I can rest assured that no one will pose a threat to me, my family, and friends?"

"Indeed. It will be two years hence when the Demonic Dimension, along with any others seeking to exploit, resumes its pursuit. At that point, to hold your ground, you'll need to undergo the Second Metamorphosis."

"You mentioned it earlier – Metamorphosis. What precisely is it? A form of empowerment? Evolution? Transformation?"

"In simple terms, it's a step forward. Not an evolution, as it can regress. Not a transformation, as it can plateau. And a 'power-up'?" David shook his head. "Yes, perhaps. A partial aspect of it. Give me your hand." David, more like seizing Michael's hand than waiting for a response. "Would you care to divulge your newly acquired 'stats'?"

"You were able to discern it because you sensed it?" Michael didn't consider it a topic to conceal, nor did he think it was possible, given the sudden surge in his stats. Activating the Condition Rune, it materialized between him and David, visible only to his eyes.

Name: Michael Mir

Age: 23

Race: Human

Status: Under Demonic Contract, Symbiosis (OFF)

Health: 3350

Magick: 3350

Magick Ions: 335

Physique: 335

Psyche: 335

Insights:

Worm: Sight (Second Stage)

Abilities:

Worm: ???

"I'd say it was your demeanor that gave you away when you appeared after Galeward," David smirked. "The truth is, you were and still are emanating something. Luckily, you hadn't undergone a Metamorphosis yet; otherwise, you might have inadvertently harmed your family. It's crucial for someone at your level to keep things in check. The simplest method is to ensure every bit of Magick Ions is safely tucked into your heart, forming a serene and composed Pool of Magick Ions. Now, what do you see?"

"Well," Michael began describing the content of his Status Window.

"That much?" David shifted his gaze from Michael, contemplating.

"What do you mean?" His reaction seemed off to Michael. "Are you surprised by the extent to which my stats grew, or did it happen because you planned it?"

Michael tried to retract his hand, but not only couldn't he free it from David's grip, but he also couldn't budge the other man's hand a millimeter.

"I plan a lot, including the measures necessary to keep you and your family safe, and you all are," he answered calmly. "We'll discuss that as well. But first, Metamorphosis. Eject a particle of Magick Ion from your palm."

"What the hell are you talking about?!" Michael snapped, attempting to stand up. David still didn't release his grip, and a bubble of Magick, which the younger man had missed, materialized around the two, muffling their conversation... or rather, the one-sided yelling. "That monster drained my body dry! I was a foot and a half past death's door! It could've gone after my parents! My brother! Let me go!"

David finally let go, and Michael stepped back, only for his vision to blur, and his head collided with something hard. When he regained consciousness, he found himself looking up and sideways at David. Indifference adorned the man's face, as if he were a butcher glaring down at his livestock. One hand might as well have been gripping a sharp knife, for the other had already affixed his face to the Magick-layered floor.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"A man short on time should do all his growing quickly," came that regal and imposing voice. "This is not a reprimand. It is one of the few lessons to continuously ensure your life that I afford you," he released Michael. "Outbursts leave you vulnerable in body and spirit."

Michael shot David a withering look as he sat back up. Seeing David waiting for his hand once more, he suppressed his discontent and reluctantly extended it, only to be snatched again.

"Eject a Magick Ion."

At this point, Michael couldn't discern from David's voice whether he was commanding or merely stating. Unwilling to throw another question into the mix before clearing everything else, he complied with the instruction.

'A single Magick Ion,' he concentrated. String moved in circles in his upper body. He sensed Its temperament… mocking him?

'How can controlling one Magick Ion be more difficult than a bunch?' It required effort to succeed and then to maintain that success.

Five centimeters above his palm, a solitary Magick Ion floated, invincible, lacking the pale azure it glows in his Pool of Magick Ions, but undoubtedly present.

"Metamorphosis is…" David stretched. "A higher quality of being."

A fading hue of silver and red Magick Ion shot from his palm next to Michael's.

"It's not the color that sets us apart. The First Metamorphosis is the foundation. Between those striving for it and those that have attained it, the distinction lies in the stability that is straightforward when comparing Magick Ions. Follow up in the Second Metamorphosis onwards, that's when the quality establishes itself in the 'power-up' and more."

The fading silver and red Magick Ion vanished rather than sinking back into David's palm. He released his grip on Michael, who also relinquished his control over the invisible Magick Ion.

'Magick Ions are at 334, and Magick is at 3340,' was the sole indication that he was down a Magick Ion. 'It doesn't feel like I completely lost it,' he thought, grabbing at his heart. 'It's warm?'

"There are imperceptible thresholds to the Pool of Magick Ions. Every Magick Ion gained and then used up won't push your progress back. Unless you refill it, the Pool of Magick Ions will either recover it on its own, at a subjective cost. How is your Physique and Psyche?"

Just as David asked, the warmth in Michael's heart turned into a tinge of physical and mental pain. Checking the two stats, they were each down a point.

"This demonstration was only to give you the first idea of what Metamorphosis involves. Handling Magick Ions can be detrimental, which is why you need to convert them to Magick. What the Condition Rune shows us is the estimated Magick you have, should you convert all Magick Ions. Replenishing Magick only costs time."

By the end of the explanation, Michael's Magick Ions and Magick had returned to their original sums. Only Physique and Psyche were still down a point each, and when it came to time, David abstained from offering his Potions.

"Can't I use Magick Ions Potions to cover the loss?"

"You can, but those Magick Ions are artificial. Relying on them too much might lead to an overdose, detrimental to your Pool of Magick Ions. Many make this mistake, resulting in a permanent blockade for Metamorphosis. Another issue is the cost. Even if you make them yourself, the ingredients are not easy to come by. You need to know the right channels, and the results are still artificial."

Michael lamented, "Then, will you teach me how to recover Magick Ions and convert them?" He steeled himself before asking.

"What you've just asked for is essentially a Path. A portion of one, but nonetheless a Path. My way won't be of assistance. Call it 'personalized'. Others won't provide it for free. It won't be long before offers come to you. Let's leave the matter aside for now. Even without a proper Magick application method or a Path, your Pool of Magick Ions naturally undergoes conversion, too. Albeit a small percentage, it's sufficient for the Condition Rune and parlor tricks."

"A Path is what I need to achieve the First Metamorphosis and the rest?"

"Yes."

"And Paths would be offered, but you want to save this subject for the end?"

David acknowledged with a nod.

"Alright… I believe I've grasped enough about Metamorphosis. If there's no other matter you've yet to bring up, may I ask my question now?" Michael inquired.

"Ask away," there was no doubt in David's mind about the question lingering at the tip of Michael's tongue.

Michael inhaled through his nose and exhaled, his eyes fixed on David. "Tell me, why did you deliberately put me and my family at risk?"

"Because it was a calculated decision."

"So, you were one hundred percent certain that I would survive, and nothing would happen to my family?"

"You've misunderstood my meaning. Why would I permit a First Level Metamorphosis Vampire into your home if I already knew the outcome? And it wasn't to alleviate the tension of confronting numerous opponents."

"Then what did your calculation entail?" Michael's irritation grew, and he had to rein in a potential second outburst.

"The correct settings to determine your worth. Or, more accurately, the worth of your Worm, String," David pointed at his chest, a gesture aligning precisely with the location of String. "Its limitations when it consumes another, much like what happened with Mason and now Galeward. If the target must be at your level or an above Metamorphosis, then they're also considered 'fair game'. In my calculation, I orchestrated your encounter with Galeward specifically due to his stealth ability and severe wounds, making him too desperate for recovery to notice any anomalies when String enters him."

"You did all this just to test String..." Michael muttered. "If that was your intent from the beginning, to aid me in this predicament I created, I would have gone along with it if you had asked and promised not to involve my family…"

"Placing you in different rooms wouldn't have guaranteed your family's safety, even if I had the material to create another secure space. Furthermore, if you were destined to fail the test and I abstained from attempting it, you might have survived the night, but your understanding of the power gained through the Demonic Contract would have been severely limited. In the short term, there were no discernible benefits to aid your progress to the Second Metamorphosis. Fast forward two years, instead of meeting a swift demise now, others would have likely tormented your family to capture powerless you – a possibility that still lingers, but it's now confirmed that you stand a better chance of not being labeled 'powerless' when things go south after the Grace Period."

David cut his palm, creating a bleeding wound. "Bring your hand here again. Let's see if Galeward was careless or if String can overpower a First Level Metamorphosis once within their body."

Michael found himself taken aback. He hadn't anticipated David directing the test at himself, an unexpected move that left him momentarily speechless in his quest to comprehend the powers of String.

In a mirror of David's action, Michael hesitated briefly before using his Magick to fashion an invisible blade on his finger, preparing to make the cut. 'He's inviting you. I don't think he'll do anything to hurt you, and it's not like we can defy him. Go,' he instructed String.

String hesitated within his chest, displaying uncertainty until David connected their wounds. Michael faintly sensed String's state, a subtle whisper of "Hunger". The small Worm darted across his chest and arm before burrowing into David.

Before Michael could react to the absence of String or grasp what was happening with David, a flash of red stabbed his head, and he was forcefully thrown back. Swiftly, David moved to catch him before he collided with the wall, breaching it and startling his family. Fortunately, the area around where they sat was shielded by his Magick.

"Focus, Kid, Michael. Passing out during a backlash is far worse than enduring the strain!" David sternly instructed.

Michael writhed in David's arms, his mind unable to form a coherent thought, much less heed David's warning.

He didn't find himself awake by choice. Instead of returning to his body through the same path, String shot from his Pool of Magick Ions to his bloodstream like a fiery serpent. Badly injured, it resorted to Symbiosis (ON) to survive, subjecting Michael to a long, excruciating torment.

"How long?" Michael wiped his mouth when he could finally muster the strength to sit up. Empty glass containers scattered around him bore witness to what David had forcibly administered.

"Almost four hours."

'Symbiosis (OFF),' Michael commanded. Though String was recovering, the hours of agony had eroded his sympathy. 'I convinced you to go, but there wasn't really a choice for either of us. He's the stronger one, and you cooperate on whims, right?' He spoke to It. 'We're stuck together, but our stats are stable, and I need a short break from this… us.'