"No strings on me" is the thought that comes to my mind as I close my Shade-thing. My life now has very few strict requirements. So long as I keep getting summoned, I'll have the money to survive here.
Not that I want to survive here, specifically. But I'll worry about moving later.
I have a sense for how full my Crystallizer is, and it's still almost empty. I don't know what that means for how much is in there, but I'll wait a while before emptying it - I'm somewhat concerned that it'll be as small as a grain of sand and I'll lose it. I suppose that wouldn't be a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but still.
Beyond that, I'll need to exercise. Whatever I get summoned for, it won't be conversation.
And that's about it, I think? For doing my job better, it would help to learn some skills. And doing my job better - being better on my Path - besides being something I simply want to do, will also give me Path advancements. They'll never include knowledge, but can include ways of gaining knowledge, like that language comprehension one. They'll never include spell patterns, but can include things that assist with casting spells. I even already have one, though I don't know how to use crystallized mana.
And, come to think of it, I'll need to buy a nice set of clothes. Nice enough that people won't ask questions when I wish to sell crystallized mana.
That decided, I lay down and open my Shade-thing fully. What do I call it, anyway? The common name for the ability is Shadebound, but it seems like an odd name for an arcane organ. I'll call it my Shadepouch. It's a bit better.
A few minutes later I'm gone again.
- - - - - - - - - -
The intent is a small task.
The next thing I'm aware of is someone poking me in the head with a stick. It's the kind of thing I'd object to if I could, verbally and by pushing it away. But such responsiveness seems to be beyond my Shade.
There are three robed humans around me, talking loudly about something. Arguing, I think? It doesn't last long, and then they push me into the middle of a magic circle. In front of me is a small table and two vials. The three chant something and the circle extends upwards into a shimmering pink barrier. My Summoner directs me to pour one of the vials into the other.
- - - - - - - - - -
I blink awake. I'm kind of hoping to learn something from these other worlds, but it seems most of these summonings are going to be either menial labor or sudden death. Or in the most recent case, both. Maybe I should have taken language comprehension - then I'd at least be able to understand what they're saying.
Barely got anything more in my Crystallizer as well.
It's also the first time I wanted to do something and I couldn't. The first time I was summoned, I did something before I could think about it, but this is different. It's a clear reminder that I'm not actually there - while I'm quite aware of what happens over there, my Shade does not have all that I am.
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I glance out the window. I chose my Path around midnight, and judging by the light of the moon, it hasn't even been two hours. I feel a slight drain on my energy while my Shadepouch refills - taking only a few seconds - but I'm still not tired or hungry, and I'm not going back to the mines, so I guess I'll keep going.
- - - - - - - - - -
The intent is combat.
In front of me is a wolf, though smaller than the first one I'd seen, and behind it is a girl, maybe my age. The moment I become aware of them, they're both in combat stances, but then the girl gasps and rushes over to me, saying something. I hear a girl behind me - my Summoner - start talking as well. The girl in front of me yanks my hair and stares at my eyes while my Summoner looks at my face from my side.
I want to do... something. I'm not sure what, but it's not something my Shade can do.
Soon enough they return to their positions, both girls shouting something at the same time - to attack.
The wolf barks and charges me. I move forward slowly, right arm extended in front of me. The wolf tries to bite my hand, but I yank it out of the way and, as the wolf's maw passes, I slam it's ear.
I keep pushing it to the left as I move right and manage to avoid it's claws. As it touches back down I move to it's side, then on top of it, wrapping my arms around it's throat and my legs around it's fore-legs. It gets it's hind-legs into my legs, but I ignore it and squeeze.
My lower legs are a mess by the time I manage to choke out the wolf, but I do manage it. I sit to the side, unable to stand, as I watch the wolf discorporate into black mist, and then the mist fades away.
I look up to see my Summoner, her face white, her mouth covered by her hands, and I get the impression that this fight left more of an impact on her than it did on me or the wolf.
- - - - - - - - - -
As I return to my home, still lying on my bed, I feel my Shadepouch refill. It seems to have taken less energy than last time. Still small in any case, but I suspect that dying takes a bit more out of me.
I'm not bothered by the fight. In part, I'm sure, it's because my Shade only has so much of me. Responses and sensations like pain are... not so much? Difficult to describe, but certainly lesser. In part, I'm also very aware that no damage lasts - it's only damage to my Shade, not really me.
The girls, though... I suppose to observers there's no difference to see. There's still cutting and bashing and choking, still blood - though it discorporates quickly after shedding. If they've never seen such things before...
And as for the girl who pulled my hair - definitely one of the more aggressive reactions to me being albino. Still, I don't resent her for it. She's cute.
I'll do another.
- - - - - - - - - -
Again, I find myself standing across from a Summoner and a Shade - this time a huge, bull-headed thing with an axe to match. I hear a loud slap behind me. Turning around I see my Summoner - a young man, though definitely older than me - with his hands over his reddening face. Then I see our connection - is 'seeing' correct? I'm not seeing it with my eyes, exactly, but - I digress. Comparing it to other connections, it seems crooked somehow, and yet also stronger. More mana. I've heard of miscasts, is that what I'm looking at? Surely he doesn't intend for me to fight this thing.
Another voice off to the side, this time a big man with a large, gray beard. He's in full lecture mode. The opposing Summoner is radiating smugness, and his creature somehow seems annoyed. I wish my Shade could display annoyance.
Around me are more humans dressed the same as the two Summoners, whispering to each other, all around the same age. A school, then? My Summoner waves his hand-
- - - - - - - - - -
And I'm back in bed. There's been a bit too much fighting and dying for my liking. Can't I just move some boxes again?
I groan and sit up, placing my hand on my chest. That last summoning gave more to my Crystallizer than the rest combined. Now then-
As with my Shadepouch, it doesn't take much rooting around to find some new metaphorical lever in my mind to pull - one that empties my Crystallizer into my hand. It sparkles a mesmerising blue. I can't tell how much the little pebble is worth, but it's surely more than I've made in one day before, and I'm sure I can keep going for a while.
A while after I sleep, anyway. It's something I should probably do before the sun rises.