The next morning, I came to the classroom a bit earlier because I was really worried about the destroyed training hall.
Well, the walls and floor of the hall had already been repaired when I got there.
I accidentally heard the conversation of the academy office ladies who happened to pass by. I learned from them that construction was done speedily last night, and repairs were completed in just a few hours.
It seems dozens of repair-specialty magicians and construction dwarves gathered and finished the project in an instant.
It’s Father’s instructions, probably. It made me reflect on the authority and influence of nobles in this world.
After inspecting the training hall, Tina went ahead to the academy central to attend a teachers’ conference, so I went to the classroom by myself.
“Oy you! Yesterday’s magic was so non-standard. Even this One was alarmed, you know.”
“–!?”
As I was daydreaming in my seat, I suddenly heard someone speaking, and my heart jumped.
“Eh, it’s just Youko… Since when were you here? I didn’t notice you.”
The one who spoke to me was Youko, the kimono-clad black-haired girl in our class.
“This One has been here for a long time before you came.”
“Huh?”
I definitely knew I was all alone in this classroom.
Hey, before that, there is something that’s bothering me.
“Youko, were you at the training hall yesterday?”
“Of course!”
“But we didn’t see you do a magic demo. I don’t even remember you being there…”
Ah, wait, I remember now. After everyone had their turn, Tina said only Luke and I remained. I already felt something was wrong with that—turns out it was because of this.
Everyone completely forgot Youko’s existence. Not only that, it was not a short-term memory loss.
Notwithstanding our conversations prior to the class, when the time came for the demo, it was as if Youko’s existence was wiped out from our minds.
“You already saw this One’s magic.”
“What do you mean?”
“Weakening the presence—that is this One’s magic. That’s why nobody was aware that this One was there the whole time. Just like a moment ago.”
“Oh, so it’s magic that reduces your presence?”
“Ah, it is a higher-level one. It has the effect of being less susceptible to physical attacks because the existence itself is being hidden.”
“Wha, what, so there was magic like that…”
“It is not an exaggeration to say that it is magic that belongs solely to this One. That is because nobody else can wield this magic.”
Youko was bragging about her special ability to erase her presence, but I think there’s a lot more to it than just that.
“Hmmm… So, you’re saying the magic accumulated in those tails is a separate kind?”
“What!?”
Youko tried to hide the tails poking out from her back.
“You brat, you are able to see these!?”
“Hmm, just vaguely.”
“My… My tails… They were unexpectedly seen… Should I just obliterate him to shut him up? No… This one’s abnormal, it is not guaranteed I can win against him…” Youko kept on mumbling unsettling words.
“Hey, stop it, will you!? Aren’t we comrades? If you don’t want anyone else to know, I can just keep my mouth shut, you know?”
“It can’t be helped…”
Youko’s face looked so sour; it’s as if she resigned herself to whatever it was that’s troubling her. She came closer, took my right hand, and planted a kiss on the back of my hand.
“Wha— Hey! What are you doing!!??”
“Contract.”
A magic circle—one that I’ve never seen before—suddenly emerged at the back of my right hand. An identical circle also appeared at the back of Youko’s right hand.
I remember seeing a similar magic circle drawn in one of the grimoires I read before. If I’m not mistaken, it is a kind of Master-Servant Contract magic circle that’s used in the eastern island countries.
While I was thinking about this, Youko’s information flooded my mind.
Without noticing it, a Master-Servant Contract between Youko and me was already formed. As a result, Yoko’s identity was laid bare before me, the Master.
Youko is a demon called Nine-Tailed Fox, and she has the ability to shapeshift into a human. Aside from that, she can achieve growth by accumulating magic in her tails.
In this world, a fully-grown Nine-Tailed Fox is feared just like a natural calamity. Youko wanted to efficiently amass large amounts of magical power, so she disguised herself as a human and came to the academy.
After gathering enough power, she planned to use [Coercion Magic] and [Brainwashing Magic] to manipulate the professors and students at will and take over the academy.
“Hey!”
“Fugyu!! Wha, what are you doing, you brat!?”
I was stunned at Yoko’s plans, so unwittingly, I landed a karate chop on her head.
Youko clutching her head in pain was kinda cute.
“That should be my line! You wanted to dominate the academy!?”
“This school is just the beginning! I’m also planning to place the whole country under my thumb! So come, Master, let us dominate the world together!”
“Hey!!”
“Fugyu!! Q, Quit it!!”
Another karate chop.
“Whatever, stop doing dangerous things!”
“M, master, you have all that power—are you really not interested in having an enormous influence? If you team up with me, you’ll have the world in your palm.”
“Nah, I’m not interested in world domination.”
“Wha, what did you say!?”
Youko looked aghast.
“You already noticed my tails! Didn’t it cross your mind to just use the accumulated magic in them for yourself? Isn’t that why you didn’t tell that teacher?”
“Nope, I just wanted to hide it for no particular reason, so I kept mum about it.”
“Master, don’t you understand? The Nine-Tailed Fox’s power is one of the natural disasters of this world! Isn’t it that when you humans notice our existence, don’t you eliminate us immediately, or else keep the power for yourself while it is still immature!? Isn’t that what humans do!?”
“Ah, that’s right.”
“’That’s right’ – Master….”
“Either way, I never planned to use your powers to do evil things, nor did I plan to tell anyone else about you. Didn’t I say that already?”
“Eh, so the contract that I conjured…”
“Isn’t it useless? Even without a contract, I would never harm you. We’re classmates, right? It’s okay to cancel the contract, you know?”
“…can’t.”
“Eh?”
“I used the magical power of one tail in order to form a bond with you since you are of a higher rank than me. The bond is too strong. I can’t severe it.”
“Then, can I just sever the bond myself?”
“I was worried you would rescind the contract and inflict harm upon me, so I made it so that you’ll be prevented from canceling it.”
“Hey… Aren’t you investing too much for a one-sided contract?”
As soon I thought about what kind of contract it might be, the contents of the contract flowed into my head.
Youko will obey all my orders, regardless of what it is, except for actions that will risk her life. In exchange for that, I won’t be able to dissolve the contract, and a desire to protect her will stir up in me.
Upon seeing my contemplative appearance, Youko perceived that I was examining the contents of the contract.
“Do you understand now? This One devoted everything I have, except this life, to you.”
Just like that, a magical creature possessing calamitous powers became my obedient pet…
——————
T/N corner: Now that Youko and Halt formed a contract, I’ll be dropping Youko’s use of “This person/ This One” ☺ Although she continued to use it in the series (constantly speaking in archaic fashion); it’s just too cumbersome to read in English. I’ll also use I/me/you for other characters who speak archaic Japanese☺
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