Hubertus’ grin widened. “Now, onto my first wish. Make me a demon. Give me the power to make deals.”

“Very well,” said the first demon, his voice smooth and businesslike. “But first…” With a flick of his clawed hand, a scroll materialized before Hubertus, its edges glowing faintly with embers. “Sign here, here, and here.”

Hubertus didn’t hesitate, his movements deliberate as he scrawled his signature in the required spaces.

“Perfect,” the demon said, his grin baring jagged teeth. “Now that the formalities are out of the way, let’s begin.” His gaze shifted to the glowing lines of the binding circle. “But first—be a good sport and break that, would you? Don’t worry, I’m bound by the contract. I can’t harm you until the terms are fulfilled.”

Hubertus studied the demon carefully, then nodded. That much I already knew.

With a swift motion, he dragged his foot across the fiery lines, smudging the intricate sorcerer’s triangle. The flames sputtered and died, leaving the room dimmer and eerier than before.

“Good,” the demon purred, stretching his shoulders as if shaking off invisible chains. His violet eyes gleamed. “Now, let’s make you one of us.”

The first demon turned toward the second, his clawed hand weaving through the air. Slowly, the second demon materialized more fully, his form grotesque yet captivating. His leathery blue skin shimmered like oil under faint light, and his jagged, bony wings stretched wide, casting twisted shadows across the walls. His glowing amber eyes darted nervously toward Hubertus and the syringe that appeared in the first demon’s hands.

Without a word, the first demon stepped toward the second binding circle. The glowing lines dissolved as he dragged the syringe through the edge of the triangle, breaking its hold.

The freed demon recoiled, panic flashing across his face. He turned to flee, his wings beating furiously—but it was too late.

The first demon struck with precision, driving the syringe deep into the center of the second demon’s chest. Right where his dark, twisted heart pulsed.

A guttural scream tore from the second demon as his body convulsed, black essence spiraling into the syringe. His form cracked and shattered, dissolving into ash that scattered like dust in the air.

The first demon turned, the now-glowing syringe clutched in his clawed hand. He approached Hubertus, his steps deliberate and heavy. Without hesitation, he plunged the syringe into Hubertus’ chest, driving its otherworldly contents into the mortal’s heart.

Hubertus gasped, the surge of demonic essence coursing through him like fire. His human body remained unchanged, but he could feel it—deep inside, his very being was reshaped.

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Power.

The ability to forge deals now pulsed in his veins. He willed a scroll into existence, and it appeared before him, ready for his signature.

Hubertus smirked. Perfect. He turned to the first demon, his voice calm and deliberate. “Thank you. Now, onto my second wish.”

The demon’s fiery eyes narrowed. “And what might that be, mortal-turned-demon?”

“I want the ability to change form,” Hubertus said, his smirk widening.

“Oh, ho,” the demon rumbled, his fiery gaze narrowing. “You desire that as well, do you? But tell me, mortal-turned-demon, do you know the price of such power?”

Hubertus didn’t flinch. “Yes. I won’t be able to escape the entrapment of a binding circle.”

The demon’s grin widened, revealing jagged teeth. “Good. At least you’re aware of the chains that come with such freedom.”

He turned toward the pile of ash that had been the second demon. With a wave of his clawed hand, the ash rose into the air, swirling in an ominous spiral around him. The glowing fragments compressed under an unseen force, condensing into a gleaming, black diamond that pulsed faintly with an inner light.

“Here,” the demon said, holding the diamond out to Hubertus. “Eat this.”

Hubertus didn’t hesitate. He placed the diamond in his mouth, its surface cold and smooth against his tongue, and bit down. The moment it cracked, a surge of fire coursed through his veins, a searing, electrifying power spreading from his heart to every corner of his body.

His skin darkened, taking on a leathery, obsidian texture that rippled like liquid shadow. His frame grew taller, broader, as jagged horns spiraled out from his skull, curling toward the heavens. Violet flames erupted around his shoulders, licking the air as his hands morphed into clawed gauntlets of pure malice. His bull-like face mirrored the first demon’s, his eyes blazing crimson and his voice rumbling with new power as he let out a guttural laugh.

Then, with a slow exhale, Hubertus began to shift again. The flames around him flickered and died as his massive form shrank back into a human silhouette. His skin regained its pale, smooth complexion, though faint veins of black shimmered under the surface, like cracks in porcelain. His eyes remained sharp and calculating, though now flecked with an unsettling crimson glow. His grin was wider, almost feral, and his presence seemed to ripple with an unnatural aura.

Hubertus inspected his hands, now human again, and smirked. “Perfect.”

The demon watched him, his face twisting with unease.

“Okay, now onto my final wish,” Hubertus said, his tone light and conversational.

“Alright,” the demon growled, his tail lashing the ground. “What do you want?”

Hubertus’ grin widened, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “I want to become your apprentice.”

“What?!” The demon staggered back, his voice rising in disbelief.

This was not how it was supposed to go. He had planned to kill this newly formed demon as soon as the deal was concluded, reclaiming the snake and walking away with his prize. But now, this cunning human had outmaneuvered him yet again, forcing him into a position he couldn’t easily escape.

The demon’s fiery eyes narrowed, his voice a low growl. “You’re a bold one, Hubertus van Schnecken. Let’s see if you can survive what it means to learn from me.”