The Rules of This World

Morning light filtered through the tiny window of Priyam’s cramped quarters. He sat on the edge of the stiff wooden bed, his golden eyes calm and calculating.

He had spent the entire night observing. Listening. Learning.

Despite his current powerlessness, he knew one undeniable truth—knowledge is power.

And so, he had silently absorbed every piece of information he could.

Halkeginia. The land of magic and nobles. A world where those born with the gift of magic ruled, while commoners were seen as little more than tools.

Four elemental magics—Fire, Water, Earth, and Wind—formed the foundation of this society. And above them all was the legendary Void Magic, long thought to be a myth.

Priyam scoffed. These fools relied so much on their “gifts” that they had never even considered the possibility of strength beyond magic.

How laughable.

A knock on his door interrupted his thoughts.

"Get up, peasant!" came Louisa’s irritated voice.

Priyam stretched lazily before opening the door.

Louisa stood there, arms crossed, her sapphire eyes sharp with impatience.

"As my familiar, you are required to attend to my needs," she declared. "You will carry my books, clean my quarters, and assist me in my studies."

Priyam raised an eyebrow. "So, in short, I am your servant?"

"Exactly."

Priyam smirked. "How unfortunate for you."

Louisa’s eye twitched. "And why is that?"

"Because I do not serve."

Her fingers twitched toward her wand, but she took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

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"Enough of your arrogance. Follow me. Now."

Priyam chuckled and followed her.

For now.

---

An Unruly "Familiar"

The grand dining hall of Tristain Academy was filled with noble students enjoying their breakfast.

Priyam followed Louisa inside, immediately feeling the weight of hundreds of judgmental eyes on him.

Whispers filled the air.

"That’s the commoner familiar."

"Disgraceful."

"How can someone like him exist in our academy?"

Priyam ignored them. He had heard such things before—back on Earth, power was determined by wealth and influence. Here, it was magic. The foundation was different, but the arrogance was the same.

Louisa took her seat at a long table, while Priyam stood behind her.

"You will stand there silently until I have finished eating," she ordered.

Priyam smirked. "Like a well-trained dog?"

Louisa shot him a glare. "Exactly."

Without another word, she turned her attention to her meal.

Priyam simply stood there, hands in his pockets, watching.

Then, an opportunity presented itself.

A servant—an actual servant, dressed in the academy’s uniform—approached Louisa’s table, carrying a tray of food.

But just as he stepped forward, he tripped.

A bowl of hot soup flew through the air—heading straight for Louisa.

Gasps filled the room.

Louisa barely had time to react.

But then—

Priyam moved.

Effortlessly, he caught the bowl in one hand before it could spill, his movements fluid and precise. He glanced at the servant, whose face was pale with fear.

Priyam smirked. "Clumsy."

He placed the bowl back onto the tray and turned to Louisa.

"If you wish to command me, master," he said, his voice slow and deliberate, "then at least ensure that you are worth serving."

The dining hall fell into stunned silence.

Louisa's face burned with a mixture of embarrassment and rage.

"You—!"

Before she could speak, another voice cut through the air.

"Impressive reflexes for a commoner."

The nobles turned toward the source of the voice.

A young woman stood there, her presence commanding immediate attention.

She had long golden hair, emerald-green eyes, and an aura of refined authority. Her uniform was embroidered with the crest of House d’Este, one of the most powerful noble families in the kingdom.

She was Isabelle d’Este, top student of the academy and a direct descendant of royalty.

She approached Priyam, her gaze evaluating him like one would inspect a rare artifact.

"You are different from the others," she mused. "What is your name?"

Priyam met her gaze without hesitation.

"I am Priyam," he said. "Remember it well."

Some nobles gasped at his audacity.

But Isabelle simply smiled.

"I believe I shall."

Louisa clenched her fists.

First, this commoner had insulted her. Now, he was attracting the attention of Isabelle d’Este?

Unacceptable.

Completely unacceptable.

---

A Test of Will

That evening, Louisa stormed into her chambers, dragging Priyam behind her.

She slammed the door shut and turned to him.

"You will stop this nonsense at once!" she demanded.

Priyam tilted his head slightly. "Nonsense?"

"You will not speak unless spoken to! You will not mock me in public! And you certainly will not entertain the attentions of nobles above your station!"

Priyam smirked.

"And if I refuse?"

Louisa's wand was in her hand in an instant, the tip glowing with magical energy.

"Then I will punish you."

Priyam stepped closer, completely unfazed.

"Go ahead."

Louisa hesitated.

Why?

Why did this powerless commoner not fear her?

Priyam’s golden eyes bore into hers, unwavering.

"You are mistaken about one thing, Louisa," he said. "You may have summoned me, but that does not make you my master."

Louisa’s breath caught in her throat.

"A master is one who commands not through power, but through respect."

He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice to a whisper.

"Tell me, Louisa… have you earned mine?"

She had no answer.

She couldn’t even speak.

For the first time in her life, she felt powerless.

And Priyam simply turned away, walking toward the small room where he was forced to sleep.

"Good night, Louisa."

She could do nothing but watch as he left.

For the first time…

She wondered who truly held the leash in this contract.

---

End of Chapter 3