AN: tried to find any method on how to form a pact with a Servant (not summoning chant) and could only find the episode where Sieg formed a pact with Astolfo. I tried to improvised and shortened to ridiculous degree and put some explanation too. It was improvised so I hope you won't be offended.

Chapter 23: The Contract

Ritsuka was staring back at Kurumi, while Kurumi stared back at her, her eyes twitching in annoyance. They were both seated on a log, facing each other. [Nightmare] was waiting for her to do something.

But the problem is, Ritsuka doesn't know where to start. She could just do the basic but the problem is Kurumi wasn't a Heroic Spirit. She was still weighing the odds at doing this ritual.

"What are you waiting for?" Kurumi asked her curiously, eyes wandering all over Ritsuka, particularly focused on Ritsuka's glowing command spells. This is the first she saw those markings. "… is there a problem, isn't there?"

"N-no… there's nothing." Ritsuka answered her immediately then gathered her breath. "Ok, let's start." She immediately stood and did something light stretching some joints on her elbow and knees before she raised her arm where her command spells lay.

Since Ritsuka was facing an entity closer to the Heroic Spirit. She firmly believed that the ritual will be successful no matter what. She needed to succeed or else everything will be for nothing. The most important aspect that Ritsuka followed was that she needed to believe herself that she can bring out the miracle, at least for once.

As Ritsuka's command seals glowed brightly, Kurumi could feel the tugged from herself, could be from her mana. It didn't seem to be dangerous and she's willing to look forward for this.

"Oh Spirit from the other world… will you accept my pact?" It was obvious that Ritsuka heavily altered her words and kept it short and straight to the point, unlike the usual chant. She admitted that she didn't have time memorizing the original. As a result, it has made her nervous at that moment.

Nevertheless, her resolve wasn't wavering. She really wanted to connect with Kurumi. They could feel the environment shifted around them as the ritual progressed.

Ritsuka stared at Kurumi as she waited for a reply, or anything. Kurumi understood and nodded in confirmation.

"I do." For Kurumi, it suspiciously sounded like a wedding proposal, but she ignored the connotation for now. She was focused on finishing this ritual as fast as possible for she was feeling weird all of the sudden. Her reply was genuine as she knew it.

As a result, the tug of her mana out of her was greater than she could imagine and she didn't expect it either. Kurumi fainted and felt a great disturbance all over her body. Her body contorted as foreign mana filled her core. It was both orgasmic and frightening at the same time.

Nevertheless, Ritsuka continued the ritual even though Kurumi was down to the ground, her body's flexibility tested to the extent, as if she was possessed by a foul spirit and Ritsuka was the one who was doing the exorcism.

So far, Ritsuka has no problems that might require her to cease this rituals, aside from Kurumi who was now suffering from seizures. As long as Ritsuka could feel her connection with Kurumi, which is already a success for her, then there's no problem.

Ritsuka was worried that Kurumi might hit her head during the episode but rendered concern null because Kurumi was a Spirit; a simple rock couldn't even scratch her, right?

It took them several minutes until all was done.

Their ritual was finished.

The connection was successfully established.

Never have thought Ritsuka that it was successful.

…

She was dreaming of the world not of hers…

A sky brimming of sunshine and clouds and yet at the same time a darkness that was filled sadness and hate…

A land plentiful yet famished…A human stood at the center, looking at the horizon filled with hope but at the same with distraught…

She could not perceive their gender but she could see traces of black and orange…

The human was surrounded by their peers and companions by their journey and yet at the same time they were very lonely…

Inside the human was very empty, null and void and yet they are filled to the brim with hopes, dreams, ambitions, purpose and meaning.

They were always a contradiction for everything and yet at the same time a comparison for everyone.

She doesn't who she is and was curious to know that certain individual identity.

Who are they?

…

Kurumi woke up and looked around. She realized that she was inside of an unfamiliar house somehow. This is the second time she was getting fainted and it was quite frustrating. She was on the soft sofa while a blanket was placed over her body. She tried to move when she realized that someone was sleeping beside her.

It was Ritsuka and she was sleeping soundly. Kurumi doesn't know what to do with her.

She also realized that she was wearing a different clothing. Could belong to any girls from the dorm.

Scathach appeared out of thin air near them and was visibly frustrated.

"Oh, so you're awake… Kurumi." Scathach has distinct difference in her voice, as if she recognized Kurumi in a new light.

Scathach cleared her throat. "…congratulations, you've become Master's Servant."

Silenced followed after that. Scathach was waiting for any words from Kurumi.

Kurumi widened her eyes in shock.

"W-what!?" That loud voice shook Ritsuka awake. The Master of Chaldea was still drowsy until she recovered in a second.

"Kurumi, you're awake!" Ritsuka became alert all of the sudden. She attempted to hug her out of delight when Kurumi expertly jumped away. Ritsuka caught nothing but the wind and herself while her face slammed into the sofa.

Kurumi floated behind the seat and materialized her Astral Dress. Even though it was evident that Kurumi has established a connection with Ritsuka; it doesn't mean that they were of the same ideal. Scathach prepares her spear by her hand but Ritsuka stopped her.

"I stayed true to our deal it seemed to be successful as what you've wanted… what do you want to do now? Control me." Kurumi said as the Zaphkiel appeared behind her, ticking with animosity. [Nightmare]'s flintlock and musket appeared on each hand. She was now fully aware of what's the purpose of the connection.

"Nothing."

Kurumi was confused. "Nothing?"

Ritsuka scratched the back of her head. "Well, the truth is I just gave you an excuse to provide you mana at all times. I don't want you to kill and devour any innocents anymore."

Kurumi was glaring at her. "Are you serious?" Then all of her dangerous weapon disappeared from the air. It is true that her mana expenditures were significantly reduced and that her mana container, that was previously exhausted, was now recovering in a meager time. She just became aware of it all of the sudden. It was kind of stupid that Ritsuka gave her free reign to be supplied with mana and all she need to was not to kill any people anymore. It seemed too easy to broke that rule and yet she wouldn't try to.

"I see you're not lying, though." She remarked. She doesn't know what to do next. Embarrassed or not, she must do something.

"Kurumi, I hope you'll be ok." Ritsuka assured. Kurumi was stunned because she didn't even try to stop and that the Master of Chaldea knew she will get away from here for a meantime.

"…" Kurumi was completely speechless and all she can do was melt into the shadows and get out of the place. She might go crazy for real if she stayed here for a while. She thought she have understood Ritsuka but it turns out that she was more enigma than she ever thought.

Kurumi needed some time for herself, escape from the reality for a meantime. Even without saying anything, she would at least respect Ritsuka's trust on her. She would at least try not to kill anyone anymore, at least if they would not try to pissed her off.

However, one thing for sure is that they would meet again.