2 The Mark of Contract

In the Headmaster's office, the professors sat at attention behind the Headmaster. Kaius and the mysterious girl sat in two chairs facing them, appearing obviously uncomfortable with the situation.

"Now that everyone is here, why don't we start," said the Headmaster in a gentle voice, "Kaius, this is an unusual situation, one that I have not come across in all my years as headmaster of this school. As far as I know, there is no other similar situation recorded in history."

"Headmaster, what 'situation' are you referring to. If it's about my failed summon, the school rules clearly state that I am allowed another try," Kaius countered.

The Headmaster shook his head, smiling. "You are right, the school rules do say that, but only in the situation that a familiar does not appear after an attempted summon. However, your summoning did not fail. Rather, I would say it is a successful one. After all, your familiar is right beside you, is she not?"

"My familiar...?" Kaius glanced at the girl next to him, who stared back with a thoughtful expression, "Are you telling me that this girl is my familiar?" His expression clearly indicated his anger. "This must be a mistake!"

"Now, now, Kaius, are you saying that you would rather admit that you failed your summoning than to accept that she is your familiar?"

"..." He couldn't respond to that. His flawless record was tarnished either way. There were two possible scenario: his summoning had failed to bring a familiar, and this girl just happened to appear from a completely different event; or his summoning, which aimed for a demon, brought him a human-looking girl instead. Both very unlikely and undesirable.

"From my point of view, it seems that this young lady was the result of your summoning. This is indeed a peculiar turn of event, given that the magic circle you used are targeted to a demon from another world. In theory, it's not possible for a human to be sucked in." He paused, his eyes fell on the girl who showed some understanding after this explanation. "What is your name, young lady?"

"...Platina," she answered back in a low voice.

"A very fitting name," he smiled good-naturedly, his gaze fixed on her maybe-silver-possibly-platinum-colored hair before continuing, "Usually, only forbidden summoning would be able to summon a human, but I have observed the process with my own eyes and I am confident that nothing illegal had gone on during the process." Kaius heaved a small sigh of relief at this. He had feared that there would be a consequence for this girl's appearance, but now, it appeared he was not in any immediate danger of expulsion.

"I still do not understand what happened to have her appear like this. Do any of you have any idea?" the Headmaster asked the professors sitting behind him. They all shook their heads in response.

"If I may," Platina said, gaining everyone's attention before telling her side of the story, "Right before I was transported here, I was engaging in a battle with a demon and killed it. Maybe that demon was supposed to be here instead?"

"If that is true, then it is a very unlikely event. Kaius was trying to summon a very powerful familiar, the amount of magic he put in would warrant a high-leveled demon, the kind that people would not dare come near. The one you killed cannot be that powerful," said a professor, shaking his head in denial.

"I agree, there is no way a scrawny girl like you can kill my familiar," Kaius chimed in before feeling Platina's glare on him. He ignored it and kept going, "Headmaster, I do not know what happened, but may I try to summon a familiar again? I believe this must be an accident and I can do better next time."

"No Kaius, the Bureau of Magic has made a very strict rule regarding summoning. A mage can only have one familiar at a time."

"She is not my familiar. I'm sure there must be a mistake!"

"As much as I hate to do this, I must agree with this guy, I am not a familiar!"

"Can you say that when the proof of your contract is on your hands?" The Headmaster indicated to the intricate circle imprinted on the back of both Kaius and Platina's right hands.

"W-What is this thing?" Platina squeaked, rubbing it and tried to get it off. "I don't want a stupid tattoo on my hand!"

"It's not a tattoo, you idiot! That's the Mark of Contract," Kaius hissed back, glaring at the mark on his own hand.

"This is the proof that a familiar contract has formed between you two. Platina is marked as Kaius' familiar in the duration of the contract."

"B-But I can't be a familiar. I have to get back to my own world! I have work to do, places to be, reports to write! I can't be stuck here." Platina panicked. Next to her, Kaius was also in a similar state regarding his now ruined academic life.

"Calm down, both of you. I'm sure it is not that bad. The duration of the contract is only until Kaius graduates in two years' time. Platina is welcomed to stay at this school until then. When the contract runs out, you will be returned to your world," the Headmaster soothed, but it didn't help in the least.

"I-Isn't there any way to terminate this stupid contract?! I can't stay here for two years!" Platina cried.

"Sorry, but terminating a summoning contract is against the law and extremely dangerous. Attempting to do so may cost both of you your lives. Summoning magic is not something you can play with. It is much safer to wait until the contract ends. That way, nobody's life will be in danger."

"..." Silence echoed around the room. All of its occupants realized the weight of the situation. There was nothing they could do to change it and the master-familiar pair grudgingly accepted. They spared a glance at each other, their eyes exchanged distaste at the other while the professors silently looked at them.

Heaving a sigh, Kaius nodded, indicating that he had given up. On his side, Platina showed a forlorn expression, her eyes resting on the Mark of Contract as if willing it to go away.

The Headmaster broke the silence in a cheerful voice, "I'm sure both of you are very tired, a summon can be very strenuous after all. Why don't you both go back to the dorm and rest. We will continue this conversation tomorrow. Professor Clea, would you mind walking them back to the dorm. Be sure to tell the dorm manager that Kaius' room will have a new occupant. Thank you."

The woman in red-rimmed glasses nodded and led the pair outside. The professors started to dismiss themselves after bidding the Headmaster goodbye. They all needed a rest to prepare for the impending headache this strange summoning would bring in the future.