Chapter 4: Take What You Can

"WHAT!" I covered my ears just in time to save my ears from the possible bleeding that my ears might suffer from this banshee in the form of a pink haired child. "What do you mean "No, I won't'? How can you reject me just like that? Why? I thought…"

"It doesn't matter what you thought," I said as I let my hands fall down from my ears. "It's more about what you said than what you thought. I have no plans to become your familiar. I…" I placed my hand on top of the girl's head and stopped her from speaking and interrupting me. "Don't believe you are worth following to the point that I would subjugate myself to become a familiar. Not you little girl. You are not worthy." I pointed at her. "You said it yourself, I'm the representation of your powers that reject you because you're not worthy to wield a force like me."

"Then what do you want from me?" the little girl cried. "I asked you to amend me and you rejected me. You said I have three choices and I choose Amendment of Life and yet you won't do it." Again she's not listening to me and only thinking of what's on top and not what's underneath. She needs to understand that her words will be the deciding factor in all her decisions and assumptions. She used the wrong combination of words and this is the punishment.

"If you don't understand your wording and my disposition you're already proving how immature and contemptible you are of me and even your own powers," I stated solemnly. "You have much you need to learn if you wish to use magic like the many that came before you." I can still remember the many abyssal magic users that I've seen and faced in single combat. The magic of the void is quite powerful.

"I don't understand!" Something that the blue haired girl would understand right away. I can tell just from the short interaction we've had between us. But this girl is still a cute child and has much to learn.

"I won't become your familiar unless I feel you're worthy, which you aren't right now," I added in. "But I will amend you if that is what you'll accept. If not we still have the other two options you can fall back on. The choice is yours."

"But what does it matter!?" The little girl clenched her fist and looked down to the floor with a pained expression upon her face. I watched as tears gathered at the corner of her eyes and fell down past her cheeks. My refusal must have impacted her hard within to the point that it hurt. "Without a familiar I'm…"

I pulled a handkerchief from my pocket and kneeled down in front of her. I despise to see a girl cry and I mean truly cry from the dark emotions known as anguish. Women crying means little to me because they are adults and made their choice but girls in the other hand should be enjoying life not having it weigh them down.

"From what I heard you must be capable of casting magic to continue studying here." I placed a free hand on top her head and lowered her hand from her eyes and nose. I wiped away the tears and snot from her face and brought her attention back up away from the ground. "Don't cry little girl just because of this. Life isn't so simple that such a setback will ruin it." I wiped away the makeup around her eyes and cheeks next. "Even if you're forsaken by your caste or your family you're a free spirit; a human that can make her own code. You're capable of anything once you set your mind to it. Don't bow your head." I pulled my handkerchief back and placed it in my pocket.

"B-but I… if I can summon…. Or even a single spell I'll be…" she stuttered and snorted between sobs.

"I can imagine," I said. I've seen this scenario many times over. I've seen boys and girls, mostly girls, whose family turned their backs one them, sold them off to some lower noble, lived a life as a doll or a possession, and died living anything but their own life. The noble caste are always this droll and it shows. But just because of that this little girl can't surrender herself because of what her family decides. We humans have the power to forge our own path.

"As I said, I'll amend your life until your role is realized. This isn't the end. Only can you truly realize your own potential when you fall. It's best to fall to the bottom so when you finally climb out you'll come out stronger than before." I climbed back up to my feet and pulled my hand from the little girl's pink hair. "Any way I'm restricted to the school grounds until these "inspectors" arrive, correct?" I directed the question towards the headmaster and he nodded.

"That is correct. Even though I know you are human they have their suspicions and that's enough to stage a hunt if you run."

Not that they would catch me before I caught them. I ruffled the little girl's pink hair earning a glare. One so sharp it I felt that if I kept my hand on her head I'd earn a cut for my insolence. For now, I will indulge her not that she believes her teachers are on the good side of useless to help her. "But to clear up some misunderstandings during my time here I'll be lurking around. During this time, I'm going to be your guardian and assistant and if you can prove to me that you deserved to have me as a familiar I will accept becoming your familiar. During this time, some of my own personal tasks will come to pass that might get in the way of how you do things here. It's the same as well when I'm forced to leave the academy once I'm "allowed" to leave. Can you accept this?"

The little girl nodded furiously.

"One more thing," I said before we could move forward in the Amendment process. "That one professor told me of the ritual and how it is yet to be finished. Does it really require a kiss?"

"Y-yes it does, but there is a vow I have to say before I… I can finish it to make you my familiar." Fascinating. Before in the past such wasn't really necessary. It was a simple incantation, trade of blood, and melding of the soul. Simple without any physical contact involved. Such a strange world that sees blood drinkers as vampires instantly.

I turned back to the older man. "When it comes to your rituals who established the summoning and familiar procedures behind them?"

"Oh, that would be our founder. He's a great man named…"

"Is this founder of yours human, beast, elf, or a demon? Do you even know?"

"He's human," the old man began. "Because of him we're not ruled by the Elves this very moment."

"Are the Elves dark in skin like myself, blue, snow white, or I'd say the same color as yourself and the majority of the people here."

"The same skin color as us I suppose."

So the Elves here are not snow, dark, or forest elves then. That leaves one final race and they are by far the most arrogant and annoying to deal with. Their women though can be worth the trouble. I miss Elide and my dark elf companion Chloe. If only I could summon them but I'm unsure if my magic would pierce though the veil to reach the other side.

"Do you all hate elves," I asked already expecting answer and sadly I wasn't disappointed to receive a yes but using ten words instead. "I see. Well then, are we excused?"

The old man blinked before nodding slowly. "You may both leave but mind you, its best you stay close by and not leave the Academy until you've completed your inspection."

"I understand." With that I turned away from the older man and walked to his door. It opened for me and I walked though. "Come along little girl. We have work to do."

Louise's eyes went from me then to the headmaster. "I'm sorry sir and thank you for your time," she said before running up to me. I waited at the door for her and continued to walk once she reached me. I stopped though and looked through the door with one final question.

"In regards to your ritual are there any other sides to it?" I questioned.

"It's a two-part ritual but only is the second part completed when the familiar and summoner have upmost trust for one another. It requires a step past that of normal contact with the lips."

"I've never heard of this," Louise admitted to the Headmaster from below me. "What does this step entail?"

The old man waved in a nonchalant way. "You use of the basic sound dampening spell on the walls of your room before and after for one."

"W-what." Louise looked confused before turning cherry red more and more by the minute. "Y-you mean… you what I think you mean?"

"Of course," the man nodded. "You didn't not know the ritual is a two-part spell. I thought we included that into the curriculum," the old man mused to himself with a stoke of his beard. "No matter, the kiss is the means to make an initial contract with your familiar. There's of course the second part that finalizes the union with a steeper action need in the form or physical union as I said."

"H-him and I… have if he becomes my familiar we have to…?" She stuttered again her face make a tomato green with envy with how red it is.

"Intercourse of course, Miss Louise," he announced cheerfully.

"Whhhaaaat!"

"Usually it would take years for the summoned creature to manifest themselves into the form of a human to complete the final union but seeing that you summoned a man I suppose you wish to move that ahead of schedule once you impress him enough to accept you." Louise's mind finally gave way and she fell back. I caught her and held her in bridal carry. "Maybe really need to look into the curriculum more closely if this isn't known by now."

I looked down to the exhausted little girl then back to the old man and truthfully said, "Maybe a little." I found this amusing on many different levels. If life is like this as her familiar then it might not be as dull as I first thought. "Anyway, that answered my question. Thank you for informing me."

"Before you leave Mr. Jäger I have on finally question for you."

"Being?"

"Are you fully human?" I rose an eyebrow at the question demanding an explanation for such an intrusive question. "Your body is fashioned in a way unfounded by human standards, even with our magic. Your mana pool as well is nearly non-existent and yet you carry a force within you that I feel could trump a triangle mage with ease. Your… effects as well are special and you must be as well to wield them. The more I try to look into you the more I can't see you as human, More a spirit in physical form or maybe a demon. Or maybe an elf in disguise."

I kept my face blank but on the inside I was amused. They must have studied my body when I was unconscious but secrets are better left unknown and my body hides them well. "I'm a Jäger. I'm a Hunter. That's all that matters." Whether I'm fully human or not isn't for him to know or understand. Once I said my piece I left and kicked the Headmaster's door closed and walked away.

To think there was a catch to this familiar contact. Familiar runes are something I'm quite familiar with. After all the matrix on my left arm are a collaboration of runes. The one engraved on my very soul as well keeps me bound to the ancient race of dragons from my world placing me in the hierarchy as a hatchling at best. I am dragon because of circumstances that were entirely my fault. Now I belong to the Dragon Gods in their plane of existence, because like any good dragon, I know when something or someone is stronger than me and I must respect their dominance over me.

The brand on my left palm shows me as the champion of the High elves and their leader. The dark eye on my top of my left hand shows me as the defender of the Dark elf race as their wolf. The marking above that etched along my forearm are like ancient tools to assist me in the use of magic from both sides of the spectrum from the High to the dark elves so I don't have to use a medium like many others do. Runes can do much but they mean you have to render some obedience to whoever branded you. Depending on the runes as well they could be seen as a slavery collar, not that I will be a slave ever again. My right arm though… the realm of the abyss and demons holds the brand upon my arm. These are not runes but a curse. One I've also inflicted upon myself as well.

My awareness turned back to the dark brown nearing black from before. That vault will be easy to crack into to, but that is for another time. With the little girl in my arms I made my way outside of the castle. I noticed this one blonde kid with a rose flirting with another blonde who happened to be a girl. The second one I have seen today in fact. Men like that are annoy in their blatant way of trying to build a harem of sorts or two timing with multiple partners. It's annoying to see and one day it will come back to bite him in the ass. I hope to be there to see it when it happens and he suffers a slap to the face.

Eventually I reached the grounds of the school of magic I appeared in and stopped at the same spot I appeared in. The area is clear with even ground and grass as if nothing happened here like the explosions from the little girl. I and relaxed under the shade of a tree in the distanced and placed the girl down by her collar. One of the few trees in this place I might add, and it was near that little hut Siesta was telling me about where she and I washed the clothes. The girl started to stir when I sat her down under the tree so I took a couple steps back away from give the girl the space I knew she would need. The little girl groaned as she looked around rubbing away her headache. Her cheeks turned red when they happened on me so she is either angry or embarrassed still from the thought of sex.

I don't see what the big deal is it is just sex. I simple roll in the hay every now and again isn't a big deal. I don't really have the opportunity most days and abstain at times as well. I have seen men kill each over just for a tumble in the tent and other ignorant things. My loves in my life will always be my money, my targets, and my equipment and if I add runting to it the other's will be overshadowed, I just know it.

I knelt to the girl's level and at down. "Are you okay?"

"O-of course." I didn't believe her because fainting is never a good sign but I didn't challenge her on it.

"Good. We can't capitalize our union with you asleep," I teased lightly.

The cherry red coloring came back with a vengeance. "That's not happening!" I rose a brow and nodded.

"Good because I have a fair amount to say." The coloring of the pinkette's cheek faded at the seriousness of my tone as I began. "I was told about your problem and your little family by that bald professor as I said once before."

"So what? Do you have something…"

"Little girl." I said forcing the girls mouth shut. "I will now ask you to keep calm and quiet while I am talking to you, again. If you don't I will make you and if you try to rant at me right now while I'm trying to talk I'll sew you mouth shut. So for your best interests at heart, stay quiet. Makes sense?" I glared harshly at the girl and even though she couldn't see my eyes she knew I was sharing straight into her own but she returned with her own defiant glare as well. I meant what I said and was ready to prove it and I have a feeling she knew that which is why she was silent.

"I didn't care about you or what would happen to you if I left to do my work." I waited for her to say anything but keen to my words she remain quiet. "But as I said prior I will assist you in your transition from zero to infinity." Her eyes widened but she excitedly nodded her head. "I should tell you as well that I am an assassin. I take lives for money," I clarified encase she didn't understand me. "I'm a Blood hunter next. That means I have knowledge of the organic body, how to break it, how to make it, and how to control it. Mine is included in this. I've taken care of monsters you are fortunate to have never have never seen."

I took a breath to finalize where exactly I was going with my informal description of my role, part of it that is. "My warning to you is this: If you truly wish for Amendment you will become part of the dark life that I live. The life of a man cursed to fight beasts of nightmares, who kills without remorse or regret, and does whatever it means to survive. Think hard about which you think is the best road little girl. Exile and shame alone to fend for yourself," I rose my left hand up to symbolize this choice. "Or a life of change and never ending struggling with me," I rose my right hand next and balanced the two like a scale to show the "weight" of each choice. Both will change her for better and worst at the end of the day.

"The choice is yours." I took to my feet. "I suppose you'll need a moment to think so for now I'll take my leave." I stepped off to nowhere really with my knapsack in mind and left the girl in her spot. If I'm paid I'll leave her to her life and if she lets me I'll change her accordingly into someone other than what she is now. It would take only a month or less for this to happen and a year for true results.

I walked around the academy and stopped at a spot and looked up. It wasn't hard to spot just where I need to go to get to the vault. I can see powerful enchantments above me in the center courtyard maybe four stories up. I looked up to the middle windows and took a couple steps back. I was around ten feet from the wall now. I think a bale of hay would like nice right here or maybe a basket of clothes to fall in once I begin making my escape but I can improvise.

"H-Hunter!" I glanced back over my shoulder and saw that the Zero was booking it toward me. I turned around with my arms crossed over my chest as she stopped with her hands on her knees. "I…" She panted making my brow raise.

"Yes." The girl stared at me for the longest time.

"You're strong, right? And can use magic?"

I nodded and pondered on why she's asking me this. Then I thought on our earlier discussion. "If a familiar greatly represents the master that summons them it makes me wonder if underneath all that noble talk you hold a good amount animosity in your heart toward your kind little girl."

"No, that isn't true…" she strongly disagreed with my implication.

"Are you sure?" I questioned. "Your noble family basically banished you to this academy of nobles that in turn made you an outcast among nobles. I think after suffering this betrayal from your family as well as the cruel harassment from the children nobles here you feel maybe a little indifferent about them."

"You don't know me so don't act like you do!" She yelled at me.

"Do you even know you?" I returned making the girl falter. I sighed, took a knee, and pat the top of her head. "Most of the time if you can't lean on others you have to lean on yourself. If your family loved you then why are they willing to banish you? If you had any friends then why do they bully you instead of assisting you? Do you even feel that you can stand on your own two feet?" Silence was my answer so I continued on with the punch line. "You are alone in this world."

Louise looked up from her feet again to me. "I am not alone." Her tone sounded resolute and low. "I have someone who cares for me and I for her."

"A friend maybe? That's all well and good but has she been there for you as of late, or are you afraid to go to her for anything?" I questioned further.

"I… She has more important things to do than bother herself with me," the little girl said in a humbled tone. "But I…" The girl took a breath. "Can I become anything but a zero? If I climb up to this place you talked about how do I know I will like the outcome?"

"Little girl, as long as you're with me, you don't need to be afraid of heights. If you fall I will catch you."

Louise seemed to have accepted this. "Then how do we do this? How do I reach that pinnacle?"

"First you have to leave behind your current mindset but that will take time. Come with me." I presented the girl my hand. "Let me see your hand." The girl hesitated but quickly took my hand when I narrowed my eyes at her.

"S-so…Tired," she sighed and looked up to the sky as my spell took effect. "I…falling," I picked the little girl up as she fell over.

"It's okay," I said understandingly. I switched the girl from my chest to back in a piggy carry and started on my way to her room. I took so much energy from her just now and quickly injected a different sort into her as replacement. I took her life energy on top of her mana selfishly replacing it with a bit of my own. I'm sure she'll be sore tomorrow from my energy flowing through her circuits but this is the first of many steps. Her grip around my arms and waist grew stronger to the point that I was confident she could hang on to me so I can begin my climb up.

Louise's Room

I reached the window frame of the room and climbed straight on top. I tried to reassure the little girl with some success if the loosed grip on my neck meant anything. "I-I can't believe Y-you climbed all the way up here! From the ground, no less. What would you have done if I had fell!?" She was still weak from my "action" from before but once I started to scale her school she recovered quickly.

"Catch you," I answered with a slight pant in my breathing from climbing up from building to building of this school then running over the roof tops to get to the little girl's room. "It's just one of those things and a lot faster than going up the stairs… and more exciting."

"That wasn't exciting you lunatic! That was insane!" The little girl clobbered my back with windmill hammer fists that I barely even noticed.

"You'll get used to my own form of insanity in time," I promised her but felt that maybe I just cemented the fact that my insanity is bad. "Especially when you complete your Amendment phase into the Crusades," I reminded her and felt those fists of her stop.

I leaned back and took to the inside top of the window in hand. Subtlety, I pulled us up into the room and just as leisurely I place my new "acolyte" down on her bed. The room seems pretty "common" for a noble. I expect more ornate decorations and bed covering. Mind you these are of good quality but I expected more. I made my way to the wall next to the door and examined the second entrance for basic fortifications and in my inspection, I found this door inadequate. I could kick my way through it with ease. I suppose the creators of this school never factored in the possibility of invasion.

"I-Is this my room?" The girl asked to which I nodded my head up and down. It wasn't too difficult to find. I only had to follow her scent and with that open window of hers it was simple. I just had to put my nose up and follow the trail until I found myself to the source.

"Of course," I responded as I continued my inspection of her room. The walls are thin enough for noise to get through. That old man's word for a silence spell was more than perverted ramblings. If we wish to talk without a listener we will have to enchant these walls or find an alternate way to speak to one another. Maybe a different language or mind talk. Yes, that may work but she needs to trust me. If not the slip into her mind will be more of an invasion and may kill her. I don't wish for her to enter the void just yet.

I noticed the girl giving me a quizzical stare and quickly continued my previous answer from before. "You said you were tired and wanted to go to bed so I got us here to your room as fast as possible." I saw steam fall pouring out of her ears by this point. I felt the animal in me smirk at this piece of meat that knows she's moments from being devoured.

"Oh Brimr, I barely even noticed." She tried to play off what happened before with an uncaring tone and that noble stature of hers back. Adorable. I have half a mind to throw her out the window with a sheet attached to her leg and tied to her bed. That'll fix that pride quick. "I need to get undressed. Can you help me?" She stood before me with her arms out making my brow raise. I would assume that she's old enough to do it herself but being a noble I guess I can understand if something as simple as undressing herself is a lost art.

"Are you sure," I walked up to her and pulled my hood back off my head. Louise though is stubborn and didn't back off.

"Y-you will n-not touch m-m-me like before." She commanded me which made me snigger. I can barely hold it back. "Are you laughing at me!?" Anger quickly replaced her embarrassment.

"Oh," I covered my mouth and shook my head, "No, of course not. Why would I laugh at the little child before me?" Louise's eye turned to plates and during the time she was spacing out she found herself a little more breezy than normal. When she looked down to her naked form that is when I could just barely hold it back.

Usually, I'm more composed than this, but I couldn't help but let that drop around her and the maid Siesta. These two amuse me to the point I have to pick at them. Whenever I smile like a mad man like that it is best to back away from me or loose a kidney, if you're lucky, but they don't understand this yet. I hate to show too much emotion and speak in an emotionless tone most of the time, but messing with this girl is just pure entertainment to me.

Right on cue Louise screamed "Don't look at me!" Then she covered her modesty with her hands which was a waste of time if you ask me. She is like an 11 year old girl in body so there wasn't much to cover in the first place.

"You know little girl when you tell a man to undress you said man seeing you naked shouldn't be all that surprising."

Louise opened her mouth to retort but couldn't find one to use since nothing came out. "Be silent!" She roared at me. She attempted to gain some of that pride and self-respect I took from her, even though I was right and with a swing of the uniform in hand I made sure she knew it.

"Next time you tell a master thief to strip you be ready to be stripped." I swung her panty around my finger as I said this.

"NO, give them back!"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, now give me my clothes back!"

"But I can't give back what I don't have." The little girl blinked and looked back do to see herself fully dressed once more in her clothes."

"B-But how did you…. This isn't possible."

I disregarded her words and continued. "Now, to preserve your modesty, it is best I take a step out to let you undress yourself and get changed. I'll see you in the morning for training in the yard. Have a nice night little girl."

The girl snort, "I'm not little." She said weakly. I think today was too much for her small mind to handle but she'll learn in time.

It was around maybe a little past midnight with the two moons in the sky blessing me with their light. The spirit of the moon has always and will always be one deity that I will give my body too, to use as she saw fit. The spirit of the moon was always in a form of a beautiful woman dressing in simple white robes yet radiated brighter than even the spirit of the sun. She watches me every day and every night no matter where I am in the world. I called up to her but nothing responded because the spirit of the moon doesn't exist here. I find it a shame. Even if I'm in another world I still expected to see something in the way of a moon spirit at least. This world has two moons for underworlds' sake and yet not spirit or goddess that reins over it. I fear I may be in a godless world. That means I have no restrictions and that's dangerous.

I sighed and stood up to my feet. I walked out from the grassy area I was relaxing in and at the same time I noticed the blond boy from before with the rose was talking to another girl, or flirting if I may. It is a brunette this time instead of the one from before that was a blond. Well, this wasn't my business so I left it alone. My knapsack was in mind and I had to get it back somehow.

It's simple really, in every big castle, dungeon, cave, smuggler's den, or cove there's nothing in common with these locations except three things: Men and women to kill that somehow get in the way, creatures of different shapes and sizes to kill that somehow get in the way, and a room full of priceless treasures that await an explorer brave enough to discover it.

First and foremost, I am a master thief that can go anywhere and pick any lock with my handy master key. It was made by the hand of not only a master craftsman but some magic on the side from the dark elves. It wasn't too much magic but just enough to make the mythical "Skeleton key" that supposedly exists somewhere in the world. A key that can open any lock no matter the shape, size, or pattern.

I am a realist so I never believed in such a key just existing in the first place but to create something like it isn't too difficult. Just took four months' worth of blood, sweat, and constant ranting from the craftsman's husband.

"I don't like you being down there with him," and "you should be with me not him most of your days," and other prattle I almost stabbed him in the throat for. For goddess sake the craftsman is a grown up and can do whatever and whenever to complete the job. Getting in-between the two during the production of the "Skeleton key" was a hassle and made a long job longer, but in the end the key was finished and I never had to pick another lock again. I still do on occasion to keep my skills sharp, but most of the time I use my "Skeleton Key" to open impossible locks.

Thanks to Siesta, the lovely maid that seems to have all the answers, she helped me find my way around despite it being so late. My debt to Jean was fulfilled in my eyes when I gave that girl a choice. Something of which I refrain from most of the time.

Od gathered into the palm of my hands and spread around my body. My robes took on a grey and dark blue collaboration and my sash turn blood red. A simple spell to change the pigmentation of my clothing to something else is much easier that buy new outfits to match the scene. I know because before I learned the spell I had to prepare outfit after outfit for every climate and place I visited just to blend in. In a country of mostly greens and blues wearing white, red, or black stands out pretty well. I was forced to adapt to the current fashion through manual labor and a vast amount of practice in tailoring. When I discovered this spell life became all the simpler.

With the shadows around me and the usual light here or there, I flowed through the grounds like a soft gust of wind. Felt but never seen. You know I'm here, but you will never see me as I pass you by.

With use of my seventh sense I searched to find the magic door somewhere in the area. My bluish-purple eyes can see magic and anything magic related a mile off and the big shiny door of great magic wasn't trying on my abilities to see. It was bright in this school of magic and concentrated in certain areas. For some reason I though saw something behind a corner of my mind but couldn't pick up or scent or life force. I couldn't shake this feeling off that I'm not alone but what is watching me right now and how? Maybe magic like the All-seeing Orb my mistress can bestow upon humans but that's unlikely.

I left this thought in the back of my mind for later and continued on. I'm a firm believer of the phrase "What's yours is mine," like any good thief with his grain of salt. "If it's mine then why do I feel that any moment now I might lose it?" I said to myself.

I sensed an aura in the distance moving. It was moving towards the same direction as myself. I could see that someone was moving toward the vault, though not as fast as me, but quickly enough not to arise suspicion. He or she could beat me to the treasure. They'll never overcome me in a snatch and grab job like this in their wildest or wettest dreams.

I doubled my efforts to dodge the guards standing around like suits of armor in the hallway. Just by the lack of a heart beat they're most likely just that, suits of armor. But they've magic within them. Quite possibly they're enchanted to defend the secrets of this school from intruders. There're also the men carrying muskets that are patrolling the grounds I had to watch for. Occasionally, I went outside to scale the wall so I had to be wary of them. I've never been shot with a musket before and don't plan on it either.

In little to no time I reached the room now I need to get inside quickly and take them of everything it can hold on top of my knapsack. It's only fair after all you if you take from me that means I can take from you. I walked up to the magic warding on the wall. An illusion is hiding the door from me but with a wave of my hand the Carnage within me flowed into the sigil holding the illusion together. When the massive vault appeared I forced Od into my left arm while beckoning the spirit of the night to embrace my mind and body. My Skeleton key appeared in my right hand as my body started to darken and turn intangible.

I can see that entering this vault physically is impossible without the real key and no key. That means I have to become one with darkness then unlock the spiritual door so I can phase through. With my Skeleton Key floating into the air I willed it to enter into an indent in the spirit door. With a slow turn the door gave and opened without raising alarm and my body drifted into the Farplane, the world in-between. I drifted through the magic of the wards, through the physical door, and past the spiritual one like a phantom. The Od gave finally before I could lose myself to the night mother's warm embrace. It's a trial to resist the darkness but no matter how enticing her promises of pleasure and power are you mustn't lose yourself to temptation. That's the basics to Demon Taming.

The feeling of solid ground on my feet is the best feeling ever, but what beat that was the room full of artifacts that I am sure if sold to the right person could make me a very wealthy man. My knapsack was hanging on a rack to the side so I picked that up first. I tested its weight and found it much lighter than I remember. I looked into the sack and found it was nearly empty of my priceless and powerfully cursed objects and artifacts. They took all my stuff but lucky for me most of the stuff inside is replaceable except for a couple key artifacts. I've collected much throughout my time as a wanderer.

The Necronomicon was in a case to the right and the Forbidden Scroll that I stole from a Shinto priest in Japan was next to it. These two are only a few of the most important artifacts that I keep on my person no matter what.

I sighed in relief when I found Swift-runner. I touched the grain and he transformed into Isabela. She's emitting a ghastly red haze around her. "I missed you. I'm so sorry." Isabela pulsed warmly when I held her in my arms and almost on cue her bow retracted into the stock and shaft and fit into the dragon leather holster on my back above and parallel with my waist. I sighed and replaced her straps on my waist at the small of my back. This time I won't go anywhere without her on my person, and I will place a faster anti-thief spell on her. I don't pity the man that touched her and lost use of magic because of it. To the void with him or her.

I took my brown canvass and black leather knapsack in hand and the forbidden tome of dark magic I won in a game of chess plus my scroll. I found most of my artifacts around the vicinity of my knapsack which made things easier, but I found some interesting things inside as well. A box was just calling to me and inside of it was tube thing with a trigger like a gun. I closed the case and placed it down on the rack I grabbed it from. The next case I opened was labeled, and a thing called a Black Widow. It looked like a futuristic gun very much unlike the musket of my time and coming rifle as well. I don't like guns much so I left it as is.

I saw so many different things but only snagged a couple things and placed them in my knapsack before I took to the outside of the vault. I slung it over my shoulder and around my waist for ease of access. The physical door was easy to open from the inside with a simple pull of a lever. The door shut closed without problem and the unlocking enchantment faded way leaving the door to lock itself.

I looked back to the door when I heard the subtle steps coming closer to the room. Took to a corner in a slow pace and waited as the door opened wide. Light from the outside brightened up the room but I could see still see who it was that entered the room. I watched with mainly curiosity as the man started to inspect instead of break the wards placed on to it or bypass them. With a simple flick of a rock I could have hit triggered the wards and the result would have been immediate, but instead I waited as the vault opened. I silently made my way to the window to the side leaving the man to do whatever he wanted.

"Impossible." the man mutter with a shake of his head.

I leap out the window in a swan dive straight into a bale of hay that I asked Siesta to place in the immediate area for me not to long ago. She was waiting for me at the bottom with that usual amazed look in her eye at my death defying actions.

"Are you okay?" She asked with her hand out.

I nodded as I began to climb out, but that still didn't stop her from worrying about my safety though. I liked being worried for every once and a while. "Thanks to you," I took her hand fighting the urge to pull her into the hay. "I'm okay." Just because I fought the urge doesn't mean that I succeeded. With a sharp but gentle tug I pulled the girl in to bale of hay.

"Ahh," she yelped as I hid both her and me in the hay with her resting in front of me with my hand over her mouth.

"Shhh, be quiet." I whispered into her ear and pointed up. Even though the straw was everywhere we could plainly see the man above looking out of the window and so followed me down but in a way of levitating and not falling like I did. Poor Jean landed on the ground in front of the bale of hay examining the immediate area and the haystack to the side. The only reason I know it's him is because of his life force and scent. He bypassed the hay smelling of brimstone and fire as strong as a raging Inferno Demons. I'm confident in my abilities enough that is if wanted to kill him I could before he could cast.

Jean walked away to the south in a fast pace. The moment he was out of ear shot and I finally let my hand fall from Siesta's mouth.

"Sorry," I felt terrible for getting her involved in this, but I need a quick getaway and she provided.

"Who was that?" Siesta panted from fear at the man she couldn't see, unlike me who saw everything because of my talent.

"A man that couldn't get what he wanted," I said with a shrug.

"Was that Fouquet," she gulped.

"Fouquet, isn't that a food or something?"

"No, Fouquet is a thief that steals priceless artifacts."

"Oh, so a professional," I jested a bit.

"Yes, I think so." Siesta rustled again but this time on my lap making me gulp.

"That's good to know. I'm sorry I pulled you in all of a sudden." Siesta rustled again and an involuntary groan came out of my mouth.

"Are you hurt? What was that?" She asked.

"Nothing, I'm just a little under the weather," I said in a very poor excuse for my current state. While it's true that I'm sick because my body is fighting off this curse it's not the whole cause of my instability. "And that wasn't anything."

Siesta turned around in my lap to better face me but I swallowed the groan this time. "Let me see." Just when things couldn't get closer she lifted my hood and placed her forehead on top of my own. "Hmm," and hummed with a sweet smile. "You're a little warm."

"Yeah no kidding." I muttered.

"What?" She asked confused and so innocently I couldn't find it in me to educate her without some regret on my part.

"Nothing," I sighed, "we should get out." I was out of the hay in seconds with Siesta by my side. "Thank you for your help Siesta." I looked around and wondered to myself how to make this work. I can't have the guards seeing her or me out here right now. I doubt she can move without being seen like myself as well. I looked back to her smile face as an idea populated my thoughts. "Siesta."

"Y-yes." She stuttered a bit

I got closer and took her shoulders in hand. "I need you to hold on to me for a moment." Her eyes widened and I'm sure she was flushing brightly. "Let me clarify, you see I have to get you and I out of here so the guards don't see us so I'm going to climb up the wall… with you with me." I explained firmly.

"I… Okay," she trembled a bit

"Good," I nodded my head. "Hold on to me and we'll go." I felt arms wrap around my neck as the girl mashed her chest to my own. I took a moment to get a gauge of the size of her bust and stood a bit bemused. Her body is quite nice for a human female. Her breast are amazingly soft and so accessible. On the scale I'd say she's third to Elide the high elf.

I let my hands fall to her hips, "Aaahh." I quickly let go. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to…" "N-no its okay it just surprised me. What do you want me to do next?"

"I need you to wrap your legs around my waist," I instructed her next. I would've thought this sort of thing would be apparent. Without a word, her legs came up and intertwined at my back. I dropped my hands to her thighs and maneuvered her legs further around and her higher up on me. "Are you ready?" Siesta clenched for a second but nodded.

With that I ran to the wall the made my way up it. I used on arm to hold on to her right thigh to make a chair of sorts as I climbed. It was more difficult with Siesta seeing that she was more "womanly" than many of the females here but I made due. I ignored the bouncing of her chest and the softness of her rear. I stayed focused on climbing and not the sweet smell of vanilla in her hair. She was wearing that perfume stuff I could tell and that helped me focus. I didn't like it.

I reached the hallway leading to Louise's room and kicked my way inside without breaking anything. I wasn't seen which is good.

"Siesta, we're inside now. You can let go."

The maid opened her eyes and dropped her legs from my waist. "O-okay." Now that I could see in the light in the hallway she was blushing and looked away from me. Usually I don't deal with woman that warrants me carrying them that close to me. Louise was no problem but Siesta, for some reason I want to climb with this woman on my chest again and again.

"Y-you're staring," she looked away, "at me."

"I can't help it I suppose," I admitted freely with a shrug. She's an appealing female I'd never deny that. "Thanks again Angel. I owe you more and more now it seems. I will pay you back," I bowed my head a bit to the flushed young woman.

"No, its okay. I was only…"

"No, I will pay you back," I said firmly. "You have a good night."

"Good night." She called out as I walked away down the hall. I came to a halt when I saw that one blonde boy from before approach Siesta.

"My beautiful maiden, tell me do you like the perfume I gave you." He said to her.

"Y-yes I did thank you." She said distantly and I rose an eyebrow at this.

The blonde brat looked pleased to hear this. "I would do anything to enhance your beauty my dear so there is no need to thank me."

She wasn't even thankful to him at all. I wager the only reason she wore it is because if she didn't he'd complain and use his noble status to make her job harder.

"Tell me have you thought on my proposal Siatesa." The boy asked while saying her name incorrectly.

Siesta's fake smile waned slightly. "I'm sorry but can I have more time?"

"Of course, I'm in no hurry after all you can't rush love." The boy smiled brightly in one of those charming poses. "Until next time I leave this for you. A rose for a rose." A red rose came out of nowhere which the boy presented to her.

Siesta took and rose with her fake smile and bowed. "Thank you Master Guiche." The boy smiled and made his way to another girl I wager. Siesta clenched the rose in hand and tossed it out the window we both came though. "Baka yarō," she cursed in Japanese before walking off as well.

I mused on what I saw and made my way to the small hut that Siesta recommended I'd go to. It's really none of my business so I left it at that. I yawned then entered. My arm glowed with Od as I sat on the windowsill and closed my eyes with my arms crossed over my chest. The void took me in no time.

A/N: Yes, I love good feedback especially the good point made about the Blond rose kid. That's way overdone and I'm happy that was brought to light. I need to move up to a triangle mage or maybe the coming square mages of the inspection team. Someone to make a fitting spectacle. The bit about him leaving to do his own thing and having Louise lose herself to mind control made me smirk a bit at the thought. So much to do and so many monster OC's to create. I'm eager to get there.

Thanks for reading.