This chapter has been redone! With advice on it from a beta!

Thanks E.M PRAETORIAN


Aoi is a Summoner, a mage with the ability to summon demons and command them to serve her. The ability is rather rare with only a small group being born every generation or so. 300 years ago the Council that governed the Mages, regardless of their nationality, had decided to bring these gifted individuals to train and watch over them, as many people sought their power.

Aoi's current destination was Fuuka academy, the academy which trained people in the art of summoning. She was seated in a car with another girl, who seemed rather young to be an awakened Summoner, yet judging by the motionless guardian at her side had been awakened. The girl looked to be about ten years old with blond hair and blue eyes. She seemed to sense Aoi's gaze and edged closer to her companion. Her companion glanced down and just for a moment her pale pink eyes seemed to soften, however she soon returned to staring at Aoi, as if trying to gauge whether she was a threat or not. Her expressionless face, framed by silver hair, openly discouraged talk and so silence reigned.

"We're coming up to the academy gates now," their driver called after another five minutes of uncomfortable silence. Aoi turned her head to gaze out the window. They were indeed approaching the gates. The academy itself was more of a large country house than a school. Vines grew across its front and its stone walls were worn with time.

As they climbed out a young man in a guard uniform stepped out to greet them. Behind her she felt the older of her two companions stiffen as she noticed their guard had a sword buckled to his side.

"My name is Tate Yuuichi, pleased to meet you," he said with a slight bow, "Please follow me, there's no need to bring your luggage, the stewards will take it to your rooms." All three began to follow him.

"What's a matter Miyu," Aoi caught the almost inaudible query from behind her. She smiled, as it seemed the smaller child did speak after all.

"That man is Summoner, Alyssa Ojou-Sama," replied Miyu, just as quietly. They carried on in silence following him until he stopped at a door.

"Please wait in here, refreshments have been provided," Tate shot them a dazzling smile and then left. Aoi pushed open the door and stepped into the room.

The room projected a welcoming aura. There were numerous sofas dotted about and a fire crackled in the fireplace that dominated the far wall. Aoi slumped into one of the sofas and sighed, happy to be out of the carriage.

"Ahh…I'm so glad we're here," she said with a sigh. Then she sat up and looked at Alyssa, who immediately edged closer to Miyu.

"My name is Aoi, Senou Aoi, Nice to meet you," she smiled. Alyssa backed up a little more, until she was almost behind Miyu, and stared fearfully at Aoi.

"M…mine's Alyssa and this is Miyu," she murmured quietly. Miyu guided the young girl over to a sofa opposite Aoi, who continued to smile.

"You are bonded already," stated Miyu, in her toneless voice. Aoi laughed and shook her head.

"No, I'm not. I didn't even know about my powers until that representative guy came to visit," she explained, but Miyu shook her head.

"You have used your powers before. Only once and quite some time ago, but you have used them none the less," Miyu stated.

"I don't remember using them," objected Aoi.

"Most Summoners have their powers awakened in high stress situations, like if you are being attacked. It is likely that you summoned whoever you are bonded to whilst being attacked and forgot due to trauma," explained Alyssa quietly. Miyu turned to her and smiled gently.

Aoi frowned as she remembered the dream she'd had since her sixth birthday. She remembered the feeling of panic and terror as she was chased through the forest near to her home. Trees that had once seemed welcoming now seemed malevolent and evil. She remembered the icy fear as her dream-self tripped and thought, 'Somebody, anybody, Save me.' Then a bright light had surrounded her and a husky voice had said, "Such a cute girl shouldn't be so sacred. Don't worry I'll protect you," and that was when she usually awoke.

She broke out of her reverie to see Miyu turn and stare intently at the door. Alyssa and Aoi turned to look as well. The door swung open and a young woman entered. She had short spiky brown hair and wore glasses over her grey eyes. She smiled timidly at them all.

"I'm Yukino, Yukino Chrysant," she said.

"I'm Aoi Senou," said Aoi motioning for Yukino to come and sit down next to them. Yukino did so and shot a questioning glance at Alyssa and Miyu.

"I'm Alyssa, this is Miyu," explained Alyssa, seeming to gain a little confidence. Yukino sat forward; pushing her glasses up and began to study Miyu.

"A demon?" she asked. Miyu nodded. Alyssa budged closer to Miyu, who smiled at her.

"If I may ask, what type is she?" asked Yukino sitting back. Alyssa glanced at Miyu before looking back and answering.

"Miyu is a Wanderer," she stated cautiously. Yukino's eyes widened and she whistled in surprise. Even Aoi had heard of Wanderers.

"Wow, they have a fearsome reputation," breathed Aoi in surprise.

"Rumor has it that they're killers, pure and simple. Beautiful yet deadly…," murmured Yukino.

Alyssa nodded proudly, but Miyu remained as expressionless as ever. She turned her head to the door indicating that there were new arrivals. Sure enough a few minutes later, the door swung open and two young men and a woman stepped in. It took a moment for them to realize that a young girl with cat ears was currently clinging to the woman's back like a koala bear. The first man introduced himself as Kazuya Krawcyzk, he had light brown hair and blue eyes. The second young man was Takumi Tokiha; he had brown hair and bluish purple eyes.

The two girls were introduced Mai Tokiha, a busty redhead with the same eyes as Takumi. The other girl was simply Mikoto, who had black hair and yellow eyes. She was clearly a Cat demon as she had a tail and cat ears. No sooner had they all sat down again than another stare at the door announced the arrival of one Erstin Ho, a well endowed blond with green eyes. After the introductions their talk turned to their demons. Everyone was especially curious about Miyu. Yukino shyly explained that she had summoned her companion sometime ago; a Bull demon named Haruka, yet had decided it was best to banish her for now and re-summon her later as she often got overexcited. Mikoto had quickly found the food and was making a furious bid to eat all in under ten minutes.

Miyu's head swung towards the door once again, as this time two young women entered the room. One was heartbreakingly beautiful. She had tawny hair and crimson eyes. The second had blue hair and icy green eyes. She glared at everyone in the room and then walked away to sit on a couch not occupied by the main group. The demon followed.

"Well, how rude," muttered Mai. Takumi laughed and Aoi giggled, all the others, bar Miyu, smiled.

They settled down into chatting once more and after a few minutes Mikoto, who had already eaten everything edible, re-latched herself on to Mai, who just sighed and rolled her eyes. About an hour passed and everyone was chatting and laughing like they had known each other for life. The last of their number arrived shortly after. Her name was Miya Clochette; she had brown hair and lilac eyes and a nervous disposition. She also sat aside from the group despite being asked whether she wanted to join.

Before they had chance to resume their talk, Tate Yuuichi stepped into the room followed by a Nun, a red-head with some sort of metal over her fingers and lime green eyes, a woman with short brown hair and another women with red hair caught in a pony-tail. She was alarmingly holding a Labrys.

"I am Tate Yuuichi, as you know, these people will be your teachers," he said as the Nun stepped forward.

"I am Yukariko Steinberg," she stated with her hands clasped together. The short-haired girl stepped up.

"I'm Nao," she explained with an apathetic tone. The woman with short brown hair bowed and introduced herself as Youko Helene. The second red-head waved the Labrys around, before announcing she was Midori.

"These people will be your teachers and you are to respect them and obey them at all times," commanded Tate, seriously.

"Now I will explain your living arrangements. You will each have separate rooms which you will share with your bonded demon. If the ladies will follow me and the gentlemen follow Tate," declared Yukariko gesturing at the door. They all dutifully rose and followed the two teachers out the door. They trooped up a staircase where the men left them at the top and walked down several wood-paneled corridors. Finally they reached a cream corridor lined with doors.

"Your names are on the door. Breakfast is at 8'o'clock please be ready by then," Yukariko explained. They all walked past her peering anxiously at the doors looking for their names.

The next morning, gathered in a room nearby their quarters,

Aoi smiled as Mikoto yawned into her third bowl of cereal, Mai rolled her eyes and dabbed at her face to remove the excess milk from around her mouth. She glanced down the table; Takumi was sat next to his sister and Kazuya next to him. Alyssa was seated some way away in a deep conversation with Miyu. Yukino sat next to Aoi typing on her laptop. Erstin was busy trying to engage Miya in a conversation and the blue haired girl, whose name was Natsuki Kruger, was scowling at her toast and ignoring the antics of her demon, Viola, who was trying her best to attract her attention.

She took a sip of her tea and glanced up as a stern faced old women entered. Her name was Miss Maria Graceburt; she'd collected them all and taken them to the dinner hall for their breakfast.

"Aoi Senou, Yukino Chrysant, Miss Steinberg wishes to speak with you," she announced. Yukino flicked the lid of her laptop shut before shooting a quizzical glance at Aoi, who shrugged and rose to follow Miss Maria. They were lead into a large empty room. The floor had a summoning circle drawn on it. Yukariko stood by the window.

"You two have both summoned your companions before and the spell to re-summon is slightly different than an initial summoning spell. Now Miss Chrysant, Miss Senou who would like to go first?"

Aoi looked at Yukino, who in turn looked rather worried.

"I will," she said stepping forward. Yukariko smiled and handed her a sheet of paper.

"Read from that," she advised. Aoi read the spell through and nodded.

"Tou, Myt, Loh, Fam, Uma," Aoi read aloud causing the circle to glow intensely. The light writhed and huge gust of wind blew around the room. At the centre of the light, which was now blinding, appeared a figure.


Hope you enjoy ^^

Little Trickster