Preprations [1]

Making preparations for the summoning ritual was easy. I mean, well, as easy as it could've been.

It mostly required drawing strange glyphs and runic circles with salt on the ground. Drawing was something I was very good at. Always had been. So, it didn't take much effort.

I also had to draw some more glyphs on pieces of paper and stick them on the walls of my apartment. These were what the book described as protective wards.

These wards could subdue a demon's magic long enough for the summoner to escape if the being they summoned tried to attack them. This doesn't happen often, but precaution is better than cure.

Or in this case… precaution is better than being mauled and having your soul devoured by a demon from hell.

Anyway, ritualistic preparations were done. The circles were drawn, the candles were placed where they needed to be, the wards were set throughout the apartment, and I was mentally prepared.

All that was needed now was a contract.

If I understood correctly, the book said that the summoning circle would be instilled with a binding vow the moment the summoner dropped their blood on it.

The binding vow would then force the summoned being to accept the contract offered by the summoner. But for all of it to happen, there needed to be a contract.

So, I took out a few A4-sized sheets from the computer desk that also functioned as my study desk and grabbed a pen.

The book warned about many things. It went into great detail about the do's and don'ts. But one thing it emphasized repeatedly was that the summoner should always make sure that there were no loopholes in their contracts.

After the binding vow's effects wear off, the contract would be the only thing keeping the demon from actually harming the summoner and potentially running amok in the mortal plane.

Demons, most of them at least, were master manipulators. Breaking people's will, corrupting their innocence, torturing them both physically and mentally, and playing with their faith was literally their job.

They wouldn't shy away from exploiting any loopholes in the contract. Thus, it was better to have none.

But then again, we are mere mortals. We aren't perfect. If even gods can make mistakes, then who are we? No, I'm not being philosophical. That was literally a line from the book.

So, anyway, the book said to prioritize our own safety above all else. Even our goal.

Now, that was another thing I needed to worry about—a goal. Summoning a demon should have a goal. What should mine be?

Well, if I really do end up summoning a demon and proving that magic is real, then my goal should be simple…

Learn magic and be great at it!

A simple goal, but that was all I ever needed in my life! To perform real magic!

So, with all that in mind, I began crafting a contract.

•••

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Demon Familiar Contract

This agreement ("Contract") is made effective as of [08/27/2024], between [Kael Livingrail] ("Summoner"), and the demon entity summoned by the Summoner ("______").

1. Purpose:

The Demon agrees to serve as a familiar to the Summoner, providing assistance and guidance in accordance with the terms outlined in this Contract.

2. Safety:

a. The Demon agrees to prioritize the safety and well-being of the Summoner at all times and above all else, even at the cost of their own life.

b. The Demon shall not engage in any actions that may cause physical harm, emotional distress, or endangerment to the Summoner or any associated individuals.

3. Duties and Responsibilities:

a. The Demon shall provide guidance, knowledge, and assistance to the Summoner in matters related to magic, occult, and other areas of expertise possessed by the Demon.

b. The Demon shall accompany the Summoner upon request, offering protection and guidance during rituals, ceremonies, spellcasting, and other supernatural activities.

c. The Demon shall respect the boundaries and limitations set forth by the Summoner and shall not engage in any activities without prior consent.

4. Termination of Contract:

This Contract can't be terminated until the conditions for its fulfillment are met, i.e., the goal of summoning the Demon is completed.

5. Compensation:

a. The Summoner agrees to provide offerings and sustenance to the Demon in order to help it maintain its form on the mortal plane.

b. The Demon shall specify its preferred offerings and sustenance, which the Summoner shall provide to the best of their ability.

6. Confidentiality:

The Demon shall not disclose any personal or sensitive information regarding the Summoner to anyone without explicit consent.

7. Goal:

The goal of this summon is for the Demon to help the Summoner reach their full magical potential and help them become highly skilled in the field of arcane arts and mystic knowledge.

8. Entire Agreement:

This Contract constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.

9. Execution:

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Contract as of the date first above written.

Signatures:

[Kael Livingrail] (Summoner)

[___________] (Demon)

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Wow, okay!

I never forged many—or any—slave contracts, but I think I did a pretty good job on my first try. Maybe I should consider becoming a contract lawyer after graduation.

Heh, no, I'm kidding. Too much work, too little money.

But yeah, back on point, I was really satisfied with the contract I had forged on my first try. The pinpoints and tips mentioned in the book helped, but I added a few touches of my own.

For the next two hours, I read the contract over and over again, but I couldn't find any exploitable loopholes.

At the back of my mind, I wondered if I had given the demon too much freedom. But then the book mentioned how granting the summoned entity a bit of free will could sometimes work out in the summoner's favor.

Besides, if anything ever goes wrong, I have clauses 2a, 2b, and 3c to protect me from any foreseeable harm.

Yeah, no matter how I looked at it, the contract seemed solid.

Okay, now I just needed to wait for the items I had ordered before I could start the ritual.