Getting one's hands on a book about [Summoning Magic] had proved to be as difficult as one would think it would be, with none of the vendors that Fran and Archer had previously purchased books from having anything on the subject.
This had forced them to go to the Adventurer's Guild Library and request looking at the information they had there.
Archer hated this for two reasons. First, because they weren't permitted to bring the books with them, and had to either memorize or copy all the information they needed. And second, because there was a log of who looked at what books. No doubt, the old elf will find it very interesting that Fran looked up a beginner's guide on summoning magic and then returned to the city with a familiar in tow within a few days.
Well, there wasn't much to be done. While Archer's skills gave him ample knowledge about the mechanics of this world's summoning magic, it didn't tell him what exactly to expect. Without looking things up, he wouldn't have known about the [Christening] spell within [Contract Magic] or about the need for a Familiar Tag, so that they could enter cities without everyone freaking out about the Demonic Beast they had summoned.
However, after leaving the city area and preparing themselves for the summoning, Archer found that things weren't exactly as shown in the book.
According to his research, they would have to either find a catalyst to assist in the summoning, or have some kind of contract with an individual of the race they planned on summoning. However, as Archer equipped there max level [Summon Kin] skill, he found that there were already options available to them as a list of possible candidates came to mind, each and every one of them either a Demonic Wolf of some kind or a Fiend, including Imps, Lesser Demons and Demons.
It had been a bit of a surprise to him to find out that Demons as a race were not evil in this world, but really just a race of battle junkies with loose morals, which acted as the agents of the Goddess of Chaos, a fickle Goddess who sought to prompt evolution within the world by constantly shaking things up.
Archer wasn't sure how much he liked being blessed by such a Goddess, but he understood that she wasn't evil. The dungeons she created with actually quite beneficial to mankind, as they not only provided resources, but also training and magical equipment that surpassed what could be made by some of the greatest smiths in the world, allowing humanities fighters to get strong enough to deal with the threats that might otherwise destroy it. However, that didn't change the fact that thousands had died because of such places.
The Goddess of Chaos wasn't so different from the Will of Humanity, pruning off the weak and the diseased so that the whole can survive. It all came down to if you believe that the ends justify the means.
Regardless, the Goddess's blessing could explain the presence of Fiends on their possible Familiar's list. As could Fran's interactions with the Demon in the Dungeon, her unwittingly forming a pseudo contract with him when she told him her name.
But Archer couldn't think of any reason for the Demonic Wolves. Yes, he had sometimes been teased and called a bloodhound, or the dog of humanity, but he hadn't ever done anything to for a contract with one. He wasn't even particularly into dogs. He had always been more of a cat person.
Still, they would need to pick out an appropriate partner. Something that was more difficult that Archer originally intended. Since he wanted the summon's to be more of a faithful companion for his young Master, and always by her side, rather than something summoned to battle before being dismissed.
This was an issue because of just how large and intimidating most of these Demonic Beasts were. Because it was supposed to be a faithful companion, Archer was leaning heavily towards the Demonic Wolf option, but they were too large to be house friendly, or even city friendly.
A C-rank Demonic Wolf, regardless of its subrace, was as tall at the shoulders as an african elephant. They wouldn't even fit in the streets of the city. D-rank wolves were smaller, but still the size of an ox. They might be able to fit in the streets, but they would still scare the people in the streets.
If they wanted to have a Familiar that could freely move around the city with Fran, they would have to go all the way down the totem pole and use an E-rank beast.
[I suppose it can't be helped.] Archer said with a sigh. [What kind would you like? It seems that they are colored based off of there elements. So there is earth yellow, wind green, water blue, fire red, dark black and light white.]
"Hm…" Fran said, seeming to consider it, but when she finally made up her mind, she picked something completely different. "Demon. C-rank. Best option."
[...Fran, I don't think walking around town with a Demon would work out well.] Archer said, imagining Fran walking into the Guild Hall with the Demon they fought in the dungeon flying behind her. The giant hulking beast tearing a hole in the wall because the door is too small before grinning madly as he eyed up the nearby Adventurers the way a butcher eyes a fat pig.
Even if she did make him her Familiar, there was no way in hell people would let them walk around the city with him. They would have a better chance convincing the guards to let them bring a group of zombies into the city.
"This one good. [Racial Mimicry] skill." Fran explained.
[Oh?] Archer searched through the list of Fiends and found the one Fran had been talking about. While it hadn't been what Archer had in mind… it did show promise. While Archer couldn't see the exact stats, some of the skills related to its type were made available to him.
(Extra Skill: Racial Mimicry | The ability to change one's physical appearance and magical signature to imitate that of another race.)
It was a C-rank Demon that seemed to specialize in illusion-type magic and sneak attacks. Which was odd, since [Illusion Magic] lay in the domain of [Light Magic]. It was not the kind of thing usually associated with Demons.
[Are you sure that this is the one who want? Once we summon them, that's it. We will have used up all the allowance that the summoning system allows us until they die.] Archer cautioned the girl.
Summoning Magic was odd, as you couldn't just summon to your heart's content as long as you had mana available. A mage was only capable of contracting so many Demonic Beasts, depending on their level [Contract Magic] and the power of the individual monsters. WIthout Extra Skills or a Job made to support summoning, they would only be able to have a single permanent Familiar of rank C.
And if the Demon they summoned had the [Control Immunity] skill, they might never be able to depend on it. Or worse, it might run off and they would have to hunt it down before it could cause trouble.
"Nn! Intuition. This one's best." Fran said. It appeared that the Demon they had faced in the dungeon had left a lasting impression on the girl, leading her to want to have a Demon of some kind as her Familiar.
[...If you say so. We will see how this goes.] Fran was stubborn once she had made up her mind. And as Archer didn't actually have all the answers, his only recourse was to help assist her with her choices and protect her in the case of fall out. There was no progress without risks, and Fran was right, this did look like their best chance at getting a high rank ally. Even if an E-rank wolf seemed like the safe option for being around the city, they would never be able to bring it out into the battlefield. [I'll start the summoning, so be ready.]
"Nn."
To summon a C-rank Demonic Beast, 500 units of mana should have been enough, but Archer doubled the amount, just to be safe, since his nature as a Sword Element user would probably weaken the Summoning spell anyways. This would still leave them with 2500 mana to deal with whatever it was that was summoned.
[~Summon Kin: Demon!] Archer mentally shouted as he finished the spell. The magic circle for the summoning magic appeared before them and out of the circle rose a figure… one a lot smaller than they had been expecting.
The Demon they summoned looked like a petite young girl, though not so young as Fran, perhaps fifteen or sixteen years old. And while the Demon they faced in the dungeon's entire body was not quite proportioned the same way as a normal human's, even when you disregarded it's scale, this Demon could have been mistaken for a normal human girl, if it wasn't for her bluish skin, bat-like wings, unusually sharp teeth, and the black horns growing out from just above her ears.
Her ashen grey hair would have been around shoulder length, if it hadn't been tied up in a ponytail, and she was dressed in rather minimalist clothes, with just a brown cloth skirt and a bandage wrapped around her small chest.
She floated up out of the circle, and suspended herself a good two feet off the ground before opening up dark golden eyes to look down at them… then she blinked in surprise, and responded in a rather… unexpected fashion.
"Oh, you're sooo adorable!" The Demoness giggled as she gushed over Fran. "You look like a cute little doll."
"Nn…?" Fran tilted her head a little, not sure what to make of the sudden display. Seeing her reaction, the Demoness flushed in embarrassment.
"Oh, shit. I screwed up. Um… Let me start over!" The girl said before making a display of coughing into her hand, though Archer could hear the spell words she was really saying.
Suddenly, the winds began to bellow, and a strange mist appeared around them as the sky turned a blood red. The Demoness started to chuckle, her wind magic causing it to sound eerie as it echoed around them. "Fufufufu. You have done well, summoner! Not many would have the power to call upon a Demon of my stature! But tell me, do you have what it takes to make me your Familiar!?"
Queen of Demons
Race: Super Fiend (Divine Beast)
Status: Super Demon Form
Level 99/99
HP: 999999 MP: 999999 STR: 99999 END: 99999
AGI: 99999 INT: 99999 MGC: 99999 DEX: 99999
Skills: Unknown
Unique Skills: World Ending Death Laser
...You know, if you are going to fake your stats page in order to make something intimidating, you should at least make it believable. Archer hadn't even realize it was possible to create false information to guard oneself from Appraisal, but even without knowing it was possible, there was no way he was about to believe what he was looking at.
Still, it didn't seem like the Demoness was about to simply consent to becoming a Familiar.
This was honestly to be expected. The Demons were a race known for being battle junkies, so it was only natural that they would challenge their would be master's to prove themselves. And since the other party was a C-rank, it wasn't likely they would be able to bind them if they were unwilling.
If they wanted to use their [Contract Magic] on her, then they would need to first weaken her so that she wouldn't be able to fight back… Or so Archer through.
Fran hadn't exactly known what the Demoness meant when she said 'do you have what it takes', and had come up with a completely wrong conclusion and acted upon that conclusion.
The Demoness seemed as surprised as Archer when Fran reached into their [Dimensional Storage] and pulled out a large picnic basket, which Archer had prepared for the trip. "We have lunch." Fran said, holding up the basket.
"Oh my Goddess, this is amazing!" The Demoness cried between mouthfuls of her fourth plate of curry, tears of joy running down her cheeks. "Who knew that swords were so good at cooking!?"
"Nn! Archer's curry, best!" Fran heartily agreed.
...Archer had no words for what he was watching, as the two gluttons had already eaten enough food for ten men and showed no sign of slowing down. It was a good thing he had cooked in bulk and stored it inside his [Dimensional Storage] in order to keep it fresh, as they had already polished off the picnic basket he had prepared.
Rather than showing their stuff in a contest of strength, the two were bonding over an ample feast, and once they had finished, they both flopped down on their backs, rubbing their full stomachs with looks of complete bliss on their faces… or at least on the Demoness's face. Fran's expression remained fixed, though the way she gently rubbed her stomach conveyed an advanced level of comfort.
"Mr. Sword, that was the best meal I have had in my entire life. All thirty minutes of it." The Demoness said happily.
[...I'm glad you liked it.] Archer said as he took another look at the young lady's stats.
Demoness
Race: Fiend (Demonic Beast)
Status: Normal
Level 1/40
HP: 351 MP: 540 STR: 146 END: 152
AGI: 200 INT: 232 MGC: 301 DEX: 148
Skills: Acting: Lv4, Darkness Resistance: Lv7, Light Resistance: Lv5, Poison Resistance: Lv5, Wind Magic：Lv4, Dark Magic：Lv8, Light Magic：Lv6, Illusion Magic：Lv4, Sword Arts：Lv3, Sword Technique：Lv1, Presence Concealment：Lv6, Shadow Lurk：Lv7, Dread：Lv1, Flash Step：Lv1, Action Muffling：Lv6, Mental Resistance：Lv4, Night Cover：LvMax, Shorten Chant：Lv8, Night Vision, Automatic HP Recovery, Automatic MP Recovery, Shapeshift, Disguise Voice, Disguise Appraisal, Hardened Skin, Magic Manipulation
Extra Skills: Racial Mimicry
Titles: Demon Baroness
In all honesty, the stats weren't all that high, when compared to a few other C-rank Demonic Beasts that Archer had dealt with, but there seemed to be more to it than that.
From what he could tell, the stat for those with humanoid forms were lower than the more beast-like Demonic Beast of equal rank. Perhaps having thumbs and the potential to use tools and weapons meant you could get away with having stats that were 30% lower on average. They were still a good deal higher than the C-rank Adventurers back at the Guild hall, her totals were actually higher than even Fran's, if just barely.
And to be honest, he was impressed with her little display earlier. Though a little over the top and corny with the acting, she had used her [Shorten Chant] skill to perform several different spells of multiple elemental types in just a few seconds. Though her use of such powers to put on a show was extremely immature, basically being a large waste of mana, it did show a considerable amount of skill. The girl was powerful… though she was also kind of a goofball.
[If you don't mind me asking, when you say all thirty minutes of your life, what do you mean by that?] Archer asked.
"Huh? Oh. Well, most Demonic Beast, rather than being born, just kind of happen. Our souls all wait inside of the world's mana flow, waiting for the conditions for our appearance to be met, and when it is, we just kind of pop into existence." The Demoness said, making a popping sound with her lips in order to illustrate this. "Then, when we die, our souls return back to the flow of mana until the next time."
[I see. So us summoning you caused the conditions to be right for your rebirth.] Archer said.
"Something like that. Most of our experiences and skills from our previous lives are lost, left behind in the Magic Stones when we die. So I'm not sure if rebirth is the right word for it." She casually explained with a shrug. "I can't remember anything about my previous lives. So I'm basically a brand new person."
[Then I guess I should have baked a birthday cake.] Archer joked.
"Cake…" The Demoness said dreamily.
"Familiar?" Fran asked as she rolled over and propped herself up on her elbows.
"If it means I get to eat like this all the time, then you bet!" The Demoness replied before glancing at Archer with a big smile. "Hey, could we have some of that cake to celebrate?"
"Nn!"
[...A Demon just sold its soul for my cooking. I'm not sure what I am supposed to think of that.] Archer mumbled to himself before giving himself a mental shake. [I see what I can do about the cake. It is nice to have you on board. Shall we perform the [Christening]?]
"Go ahead. I'm kind of excited to find out what my name is to be." The Demoness said, her eyes sparkling… Archer was pretty sure she just casted magic in order to get that effect.
[Alright. Your name is 'Art'.]
Archer had decided on the name ahead of time. The book suggested that the summoner plan on a name that is short and gender neutral, since the summoner rarely had the chance to check for gender before the [Christening]. While Art was generally a male name, it could be considered the shortened form of either Arthur or Arturia. Archer supposed that the term 'gender neutral' called up memories of the King of Knights.
As soon as he actually saw the Demoness, the name Rin became tempting, but the Servant was half convinced that if he named a Demon after the girl, Rin would find a way to cross the boundaries of reality in order to hit him for it.
"Art?" The Demoness said softly as he hair began to glow and her magic power started to rise. Fran and Archer watched as the Demoness's hair changed from ashen gray to a shimmering midnight blue color. "I like it!"
[I'm glad.]
"Nn."
Art
Race: Demon : Fiend (Demonic Beast)
Status: Contracted
Level 1/40
HP: 381 MP: 570 STR: 161 END: 167
AGI: 220 INT: 253 MGC: 325 DEX: 163
Skills: Acting: Lv4, Darkness Resistance: Lv9, Light Resistance: Lv7, Poison Resistance: Lv6, Wind Magic：Lv6, Dark Magic：LvMax, Darkness Magic：Lv2, Light Magic：Lv9, Illusion Magic：Lv6, Chaos Magic：Lv4, Sword Arts：Lv5, Sword Technique：Lv2, Presence Concealment：Lv7, Shadow Lurk：LvMax, Shadow Traveral：Lv1, Dread：Lv2, Flash Step：Lv3, Action Muffling：Lv9, Mental Resistance：Lv5, Night Cover：LvMax, Shorten Chant：Lv9, Night Vision, Automatic HP Recovery, Automatic MP Recovery, Shapeshift, Disguise Voice, Disguise Appraisal, Hardened Skin, Magic Manipulation
Unique Skills: Predation Absorption Lv7
Extra Skills: Racial Mimicry
Titles: Demon Baroness, Familiar of the Sword, Familiar of the Wolf God
Just as the book said, the [Christening] had drawn out more of Art's latent powers, increasing her stats and skills by a little… a little. That was supposed to be a little? It was about a 10% increase for most of her stats. Many of her skills also increase and she gained new ones.
Archer hadn't even come across a skill called [Chaos Magic] before while poking around magic books, though it seemed to be the junction magic between Light and Dark. She had also gained a Unique Skill, Predation Absorption.
(Unique Skill: Predation Absorption | Allows the user to absorb a small percentage of the stats of whatever they eat. Stat increases are applied during level up. Rarity 9.)
...She was a Demon of Gluttony! This explained so much!
Well, regardless of the strangeness of the Skill, it meant that she would probably get very strong in the future as long as Archer continued to feed her properly. She did just eat around 1% of a Moonlight Dragon in that last meal of their, so Archer supposed he would see what kind of results that had once the girl leveled up.
What he really found strange was the titles. Familiar of the Sword he could understand, but what was this about her being the Familiar of the Wolf God?
Well, that could be figured out later. For now, he had a girl who was green as grass on his hands, regardless of what her stat sheet might say, and he couldn't have that.
[Fran, help run Art through the basic warm ups while I prepare some equipment for her. Sparring practice starts in thirty minutes.] Archer said as his blade lifted up from the ground.
"Nn." Fran nodded and started to get up.
"Oh, I'm going to get to have some fun already? Lucky!" Art said with a huge grin.
[I hope you feel that way once we are done. It is going to be a two-on-one fight, you two against me. I won't go easy on you.]
"As if you could scare me. I am a Demon. We live for a good fight."
(Six hours later)
"He's a monster. A sadist. A demon." Art whimpered as she lay spread eagle on the ground.
"Archer: merciless." Fran said in agreement.
"Even working together, we couldn't get a hit on him. I've never been so embarrassed." It had been especially humiliating for the young Demoness, as she had spent the first few minutes performing flashy and powerful magic, only to run herself out of Mana after the first few minutes.
After that, Archer had proceeded to lecture her about the importance of passing one's self as he kicked her butt. Fran faired better, but she was still no match for that doppelganger.
His stats had been lower than theirs, and it had been a two-on-one fight, so why, why was it so freaking one sided AGAINST them!?
Regardless of their advantages, he beat them down, and then used healing magic to get them back up onto their feet, just so he could beat them down again. "I don't think that there is anything in the world that could get me to leave this spot right now."
"Nn." Fran nodded her agreement.
[Fran. Art. Dinner's ready.]
In a flash, the both of them were on their feet and rushing towards the temporary stone house that Archer had created for their short camping trip. Inside was a large table with a wide spread of food, and in the center of it all, was a large white cake.
[Happy Birthday.] Archer said as Art stared at the thing.
He had actually done it. He had actually baked her a cake. How many demons could honestly say that their master had baked them a cake before?
Art couldn't help herself. The Demoness's lip trembled before she smiled wide, showing her sharp teeth. "You're the best, Mom."
[...Mom?]
Archer's current Self-evolution Points: 117
Frescko: "Seeing how Archer is trying to make a God Blade, shouldn't he put points into the Blacksmith skill? Maybe get it up to Divine Blacksmithing, could make the weapons stats stronger."
That might have been something Archer would do, if he didn't consider it a complete waste.
In Archer's mind, the points are meant for [skills] that couldn't be gotten any other way and that are absolutely necessary or just too damn convenient. Thing's like [Water Breathing] when you need to go to an underwater dungeon, or [Transformation] to let him move around independently. He could spend the 45~65 points necessary to get the [Divine Blacksmithing] skill, or he could just actually blacksmith and get the level's for free.
He also has a certain level of contempt for [skills] that grant knowledge of something that he is already knowledgeable about. Like how the knowledge he possesses from his reality marble is so much greater than [Divine Sword Arts] has proven to be thus far. It's the reason he's choosing to train Fran in swordsmanship instead of just buying her the max level of [Sword Arts].