Fools Paradise

Walking past the rest of the class, Caiman smirks and stops at the circle. He turns around and proclaims.

"You all chose items close to you without realizing what this was all about."

He pulls out a small sack from his coat and shows it off.

"I on the other hand have chosen something that would bring me power."

Turning back to the circle he places the sack in the center before stepping back. He had prepared for this for years. He knew exactly what item he would use. Dragon bone dust, a powerful conduit for summoning powerful Familiars. Pass down from his family since the beginning of his lineage.

"Come to me Dea, I command you to appear before me!"

"As you wish master." A delicate voice responds.

From the circle the sack is opened and the dust inside swirls around to create a dark mist. The mist begins to form into a dress starting from the bottom up its black and white design slowly until it forms a young pale girl with long black wavy hair. In her hand is a large tome with black swirling mist mixed in the cover.

She stares at the young man who summoned her expressionless and unmoving. Caiman walks up to her and grabs the book from her hand. She stares at him and smiles.

"You understand the price that comes from my book do you not?"

"I know that it holds the power I need and that is all that matters."

"It holds more than that master."

Opening the book Caiman's eyes widen as images invade him. The book closes and Caiman is surprised for a moment. He stares at Dea and she gives him a blank expression.

"Do you understand now?"

"I will fight it."

"You will succumb to the same fate as your kin then."

Returning to his classmates Caiman ignores the looks his concerned classmates give him. They did not see what he saw. He knew this power came with a cost. He was willing to pay it.

Steel claps his hands together and calls out to the class.

"Wittorf, you're last. Step forward and begin your contract."

Taking a deep breath in Wittorf tries to calm himself. He is shaking from the anticipation. It was finally his turn. He wanted so badly to summon something cool, something interesting, something unique. But what words would he use? He was too excited to even think of anything.

Stepping up to the circle he took his pendant off and placed it in the center. Stepping back Wittorf thought for a second just how he would call his new partner.

"Welcome to-"

The circle begins to glow suddenly. He had not even finished his incantation. What was going on? The circle glows and sparks shoot out. Voice call out in Wittorfs head back and forth.

"Not yet I still have work to do!"

"You sold our freedoms!"

"You don't understand a think Fargus!"

"I know I'll enjoy this!"

Screaming can be heard as the circle sparks even more. The white sparks turn red and ominous. Out of nowhere a man appears on the floor in the circle and the sparks disappear. The man is wearing a brown trench coat and has grey hair. He struggles to his feet, Wittorf runs up to help him.

"Are you okay?"

"Where am I?"

The man looks up at Wittorf and squints.

"Who are you, what am I doing here?"

The class is surprised at the outcome. This was kind of scary. But mostly it was concerning to Wittorf. Had he failed in his summoning? This familiar looked alright but why did he get summoned so violently? Steel walks up to the two and looks at the Familiar.

"Do you know where you are?"

"I-I don't know…"

"This is the grand academy in the land of humans."

"Land of humans… I had something I needed to do."

He was worried now Wittorf could tell there was something wrong with this man. He seemed to have some kind of amnesia. This was certainly not something Wittorf was expecting.

"What's your name? Mine is Wittorf."

Extending his hand towards the Familiar. The man takes the young boys hand and shakes it slowly while looking around confused.

"Nil."

Steel was not sure what to do but he needed to check something.

"Do you have something for your master?"

"Master?"

"This young boy in front of you is your master now."

Staring into Wittorfs eyes, Nil could see a connection between them. Something sparked in his mind and he realized he was supposed to give his master a book. Something to signify a contract. But where was this book?

Searching his person, Nil could not find anything. He reached into his jacket and felt something paper like. Ah ha! He found it. He pulls it out and presents it to Wittorf with confidence!

Wittorf and Steel were shocked. The young boy looked worked up and the teacher was irritated. He could not believe what the Familiar had pulled out. It was a magazine called "Pleasing my Master." On the cover was a scantily clad cat girl Familiar.

Grabbing the magazine and throwing it on the ground Wittorf was flustered. This was his special day and he was finally meeting his partner, and this happens? Was he not meant to do anything unique? Was he really forced to fail in everything he did?

He slowly regained his emotions as he looked at the scared and confused Familiar. It was not the Familiars fault that this happened. He was just summoned out of nowhere to serve some kid. He needed to see It from his perspective.

"How are you feeling?"

"I guess I feel alright."

Class was over and Steel informed the class that they needed to get to know their Familiar. They needed to spend tomorrow with their new partners to learn all that they can.

"Wittorf, I need you and Nil to come with me. We have to see the Headmaster."