"Double pay?!" Kazuto's mouth dropped as he heard what Kikuoka had just told him.
"That's right, I'll pay you double if you enter this new Underworld. What's more, you can leave as soon as you find out how, though you'll only be able to do so by following the natural route and helping a certain person." Kikuoka explained.
After hesitating a moment, Kazuto asked, "Is it dangerous?"
"Not at all. They don't have any magic that can affect the soul in that underworld."
"Well, if you promise to let me out if I'm in there for too long, then sure, I'll do it." Kazuto shrugged, probably too nonchalantly considering the circumstances. He was being sent into a practically alternate universe with nearly no knowledge of said world, or any idea of what he was supposed to do there besides help a person.
Kazuto then followed Kikuoka over to the STL, where he lied down and put the helmet on.
Kikuoka, walking over to the computer, then began a countdown, "3… 2… 1…"
Kazuto then prepared himself, for whatever awaited him.
Tristain Magic Academy, Summoing Ceremony
He then found himself in the middle of a cloud of smoke, which he hoped was from an explosion, and not a fire, volcano, poisonous cloud, war, battlefield, or the like. It certainly didn't seem like ordinary fog.
Then again, a moment later he found himself among a crowd of kids not much younger than he was, physically in the real world that is. Realizing this, he decided that he should probably check to see what age he was here. He put his hands to his face casually, as if he was scratching at an itch, he noticed he wasn't that much older than they were, so he was likely 17, at least when his height was factored in.
Next thing he noticed was when he looked down, he was in a Black Coat, the Blackwyrm Coat to be exact. He also noticed a weight on his back, his Elucidator and Dark Repulsor were there, and on each of his sides was another sword, on his right, his Night Sky Sword from the other Underworld, and his left held the broken Blue Rose Sword. He also found a few throwing picks strapped to his clothing on his right side, and the Holy Sword Excalibur strapped horizontally on his back.
Sweat dropped from his face, as he thought, "Why do I need this many swords? With this many swords and this black clothing, it would be unnatural not to think I'm hostile!"
He decided as a sign of peace, he'd show his hands, though not put them up, as that would be seen as a sign of surrender, so instead he showed everyone that his hands were empty and that he wasn't holding a weapon, hoping that that would allow negotiations.
"Uhm, do you understand this language?" Kazuto asked, hoping for a yes.
"Y-yes." A bald teacher came up to the front of the children, "Uhm, could you please tell us your name, Warrior? I am named Jean Colbert"
"... Yes, sure. My name is Kirigaya Kazuto, though I'm usually just called Kirito or the Black Swordsman…" He answered, awkwardly as he'd never been called Warrior, he'd been called Warrior-sama by NPCs, but this was different. This was a Bottom-Up AI, a human.
"So, could you tell me where I am, why I'm here, etcetera." Kazuto requested bluntly.
A little girl, who had been looking down as if both ashamed and proud at the same time, took a step forward, looked up, straight up into Kazuto's eyes, and said, "I summoned you to be my familiar!"
After thinking about it for a moment, Kazuto asked, "Isn't that what the slav- sorry, I mean 'pet' of a wizard, witch, sorcerer, sorceress, mage, etc. is called?"
"It's not slavery!" The girl shouted.
"Would I be getting paid? Would I have the right to quit? No matter how humanely a slave is treated, they're still a slave without these two rights." Kazuto argued, "And am I right that familiars aren't typically paid or given the right to quit?"
The other students were glaring at either Kazuto or snickering and laughing at the girl. Well, either one of those, or cowering in fear. Even if they were mages, the guy in front of them was carrying 5 heavy looking blades, and it still looked like he was unencumbered.
"Calm down Miss Valliere," Mister Colbert attempted to calm her down, and he explained the idea of familiar to Kazuto, "A familiar is a loyal servant, typically a pet, of a mage. Slavery is not allowed in the country of Tristain. Of course, you could arrange a salary with your mage, if she accepts. But, I must say, it is impossible to break the contract a familiar sets up with their mage. But, by a mage and noble's honor, the mistreatment of a familiar is seen as a huge disgrace." While he did say that, he was thinking, "Though there has never in recorded history been a human familiar. So there is no saying how mistreated you'd have to be for it to be a disgrace…"
A dark grimace suddenly grew upon Kazuto's face, as he said, "Under a couple conditions I will agree to this contract. I was told to go with the flow after all…"
[Author's Note: Italics in quotes that is not completely in italics is a whisper. For example, 'Talking Talking. Whisper.' vs. 'Thinking.']
"Wh-what are they?" The Valliere asked, sighing in relief simultaneously with the rest of the class.
[Author's Note: A word in bold is in emphasis. If it is also in italics it is in disgust]
"One, you are not to commit any unforgivable crimes, such as murder without good cause (Self defence, the victim committing an unforgivable crime, war, etc.), slavery (though having servants is fine), torture, rape, sexual assault, or the suppression of natural rights. Two, you are not to pawn off, steal, take, or damage any of my possessions without my permission. You may borrow one of my possessions in emergency without asking for my permission, though I doubt you'll be able to carry most of them… My third condition is, that you may not touch the sword on my left side without my permission, and that I may use a private place while cleaning it. My final condition is that I have the right to have a salary and the right to quit at any time I wish as long as I have good reason. The good reason could include mistreatment, abuse, or you having gone against one of the prior conditions. Do you agree to all the previous conditions?"
"How rude! To believe that such a noble would do something such as rape or sexual assault, how offensive!" The Valliere, who had been taken aback, shouted, but was quickly calmed down by Mister Colbert, "I- I agree to your conditions. I, noble of the Valliere Family, hereby swear, that should I wish to keep the human familiar known as Kirigaya Kazuto, I shall not commit an unforgivable crime, I shall not pawn off, steal, take, or damage any possession of his without his permission. I shall only borrow his possessions in case of emergency. I shall not touch the sword of his that currently is sheathed on his left side without his permission. I shall provide a private place for him to clean the sword currently sheathed on his left side. I shall provide him with a salary. And I agree that should I mistreat or abuse him, or should I go against one of the prior conditions, he has the full right and authority to leave his position as my familiar behind. So swears Louise Valliere in the name of her honor as a member of the noble ranks of the Kingdom of Tristain."
"Now Miss Valliere, please proceed with the Ritual of Summoning." Mister Colbert ordered authoritively. It seemed he wanted it done before Kazuto could change his mind.
"Kirigaya-"
"My given name is Kazuto." He corrected her. He had figured out that these people were Westerners, so they put their given name first.
Confused for a second, she corrected herself, "Kazuto, please kneel down and close your eyes."
Assuming that both parts were part of the ritual, he did as she said, kneeling down and closing his eyes. He felt a wooden stick, which he assumed was a wand, touch his forehead, and he heard her chanting, "Pentagon of the five elemental powers, grant your blessings upon this creature, and bind it as my familiar," He then felt something both warm and… wet? Touch his cheek.
It was definitely a kiss.
Taken aback, Kazuto leapt backwards, grabbed for Elucidator, and shouted, "What the hell was that?"
Everyone took a step or two back from where he stood, besides Mister Colbert and his new master, who told him, "That was the summoning ceremony, you don't really think I'd want to waste my first kiss on you, did you?"
"You'd be surprised at how many have tried…" Kazuto sighed with a resigned voice, letting go of the sword on his back, and suddenly looked curiously at his hand that was now burning in agony. Of course, having been in life or death battles with actual pain, Kazuto felt that it wasn't actually that painful, barely enough to wince, which he did, "Hey, what's with the painful feeling on my hand…?"
His hand was literally steaming.
"'T-those' are runes. They're a mark that signify that you're a familiar."
The two of them looked slightly taken aback by the fact that he didn't seem to show much of a reaction to the pain, besides asking curiously what the cause was, and a slight wince.
Mister Colbert went closer to Kazuto slowly, as if trying not to incite any reaction, and looked at the hand that had been burning, "Well done, the Servant's Contract is now bound. It's a very precise contract, this one. I must say, that these are some very unique runes." Then a few moments later, he shouted, "The summoning rituals are now complete, all students are dismissed."
As that was said, a red haired, well endowed, girl with long red hair, and a girl that was even shorter and younger looking than Louise with blue hair, both walked up to them, though the blue haired girl was reading as she walked.
The red haired lady was greeted with a sneer from Louise, "Kirch."
"Congratulations Louise, you have summoned a marvelous familiar."
Kazuto wore a deadpan as he made sure not to look at her breasts, thinking, "They're as large as Sugu's, so don't look!"
The young blue haired lady snorted at his determination.
Looking both pleased and displeased, pleased that he could resist Kirche's temptation, though displeased that he couldn't do it fully, as he was blushing and looking away.
Louise spat at her, "Why you…"
"Ara~ I don't plan on doing anything… … for now…"
Suddenly, her, and everyone else besides Louise in the class, flew off to go off to their next classes, causing Kazuto to look down, blushing slightly, and muttering, "Don't these nobles worry about perverts peeping under their skirts from below?" while thinking, "They can fly without wings? Sheesh."
"Right, we're going." Louise sighed.
"Can't you fly as well?" The familiar inquired, then seeing her face grow more angry, he sighed, "Of course you can't. It would be too much trouble to have me summoned by someone who could fly, wouldn't it Kikuoka-san."
"Just shut up and follow me." Louise shouted.
In her room...
"I don't think I should tell her about me being from a different world as of yet… I'll tell her I'm from a different continent. And if she mentions the fact that our languages are the same, I'll tell her it's probably something to do with the ritual of summoning."
"So, you're from another continent? Which one?"
"It's called Asia. My country's name is Japan." Kazuto answered truthfully.
"Stop joking, there are only 3 continents. Halkegenia, the continent of the elves, and the continent to the east of the elven continent." She rolled her eyes.
"Sorry, but until now, I'd never even heard of those three continents. But isn't it possible that my continents have only not been discovered by yours? Just because you don't know of something after all, doesn't mean it doesn't exist." Kazuto countered.
"I suppose. So, is it to the North, East, South, or West?" She asked.
"Ameture, how would I know that when I don't even know where Halkegenia is?" He rolled his eyes.
"Tche, then answer this, how come you know Halkeginian?" [Language of Halkeginia]
"I don't know, maybe your summoning magic?" He shrugged, "Or maybe the people who colonized Asia were the Halkeginians, but they never were able to return due to a shipwreck?"
Louise shrugged as it seemed plausible, and then started taking off her clothing.
Wearing a deadpan expression, he muttered, "Do the people here have no modesty?"
She blinked at him twice, and asked, "Whatever do you mean?"
"I'm a male, and you're a female. Even if you are eig- err… five years younger than I am, you've still gone through puberty."
She fumed in anger, "I AM NOT A TWELVE YEAR OLD! I AM SIXTEEN!"
He blinked twice at her, blushed slightly, then looked away, "Then your people really do lack modesty."
"My people do not lack modesty! There is no one in this room besides myself so it is fine!"
"Then what am I? An Asparagus?" Kazuto asked, his eyebrow twitching in annoyance.
"A dog, that's what you are! Nothing more than a dog. You do whatever I say and tell you to do, so long as it doesn't go against our agreements."
"Oi, oi!"
Next morning...
"Cookberry pie… itadakimasu…" Louise muttered quietly, still asleep, as Kazuto stood beside her bed, contemplating his situation.
"Kikuoka-san did this on purpose. I know it. He knew I'd be treated as trash, and did this as some sort of joke! No, I can't leap to conclusions. Anyway, I'll wake her up, then as soon as I can get away from her, I'll see if I can still do sacred and sword arts. If not it isn't that big of a deal. I've memorized many of the motions, and my physical strength is probably much higher than either my ALO, SAO, or Underworld avatars. If not, there is no way I could carry all five of these swords all at once." Kazuto deduced.
"Now, what to do about the brat… well, I guess I'll do what she says as long as it is reasonable." Kazuto reasoned, then shouted, "Oi, Lady Louise Valliere, it is time for you to wake up."
"Hmm? Wh-whaa~? What is it? Huh?! Who are you!?" She suddenly shouted, shocked at seeing an unfamiliar face.
"Tche, I'm your new familiar, Kazuto Kirigaya, commonly known as Kirito. At the very least remember my face, if not my name!" He growled.
"Oh, alright Kazuto. While you're up, bring me my uniform and underwear." The overly arrogant noble magess ordered, "When you're done, clothes me."
"Now would be a good time to test out if I can use my magic, but better do it under my breath so she doesn't ask questions if it fails." Kazuto figured, then muttered, in English, quietly, "System Call, Generate umbra element, Adhere possession, Object id, Unknown, Object Class, id=clothes, Object Specifics, id=underwear, id=uniform, Area distance, 5 meters, Area barrier, Room, Discharge."
As darkness extended from Kazuto's fingers, Louise growled, "What are you waiting for you dumb famili...iar…" She then stopped speaking as she saw the clothing fly towards her familiar, and then before reaching his hand, redirect to where he gestured towards, which would be Louise's arms. White as bones, Louise murmured, "A… mage…"
Kazuto then gave her a wry half-smile, "Now, are you willing to clothes yourself? As an engaged man, I don't wish to have to clothes a woman, no matter how young she looks."
"Y-yes." Louise nodded, still nonplussed by what she had just seen. Her, Louise Valliere, had summoned a human for her familiar, which would normally be seen as a disgrace, but this was no ordinary human, he was a magic knight with strength that may go beyond imagination, and if not, was certainly still amazing, and with magic that was unknown to her. But that wasn't what mattered to her.
What mattered to her was that she had summoned a familiar with more magic skills than her herself, the master.
If she wanted to stay sane she could no longer think of themselves as master and servant. She didn't know what or how to think of him.
"For now I'll at the very least keep myself as master, and him as servant, but I can no longer see himself as a dog below me." She decided, then, slowly, realized that she was dressed in only her undergarments with a handsome magic knight possibly more powerful than her fiance, and definitely closer in age, and more so, that he was male, "Kyaaaa! Get out now!" She shrieked, throwing a pillow at him, then reaching for her wand, and beginning to chant a spell.
Simultaneously, they shouted, though Kazuto a half-moment afterwards, having needed to hear the first syllable to deduce the opposing element, "Cast, Whip of Fire, Flame Lash!" "System Call, Generate Cryogenic Element, Form Element, Shield Shape, Counter Thermal Object, Discharge!"
The spells of the two parties, as they started, ended simultaneously. How, as Kazuto's spell's chant was much longer? Kazuto, with his life or death experience, along with long days spent practicing, coupled with Louise's slowness to allow elegance, caused them to finish their spells simultaneously.
Five balls of cold form upon Kazuto's fingers, and flew forward, forming a large wall in the process, which stayed in the air, levitating a foot or two off the ground. Simultaneously, energy gathered for half a second then shot forward, shattering the ice, then melting it, causing a minor flooding of the room.
"Ahh! I'll fix it. System Call, Generate Thermal Element, Form Element, Ray Shape, Counter Aqueous Element, Discharge!" Kazuto seemingly chanted in Louise's mind, not knowing is was less of a chant and more of a very detailed description of the spell used.
Five orbs of heat appear on Kazuto's hand, quickly dimming as the heated light flew everywhere where water was soaking into furniture, carpet, walling, floor, and more. The water quickly dried, having evaporated into steam.
"I'd suggest you leave a window or two open, that way the steam will… exit the room." Kazuto had decided it was better not to use scientific words in a society that still had nobles and probably weren't that far away technologically from the other Underworld.
Louise, looking embarrassed, nodded, and glared, "Get. Out. Now. The dining room is at..." Louise then gave him the directions as she shoved him out the door.
Having left the room, Kazuto then followed her directions to the dining room.
Next time…
Kazuto shows his magic, and the reactions are mixed to say the least.
Louise's teasing gets even worse, people saying she's so bad at magic, even her familiar is better.
Mr. Colbert discovers some secret that Kazuto (Or his contract) holds
Kazuto meets Siesta, and grudgingly tells her about how his and Eugeo's Valet's were sexually assaulted.
Kazuto duels Guiche, doesn't even uses his swords or magic in the duel.