In his long existence, Aselith had encountered countless curiosities. So many worlds with so many interesting things. So many people with so many different viewpoints and magical accomplishments. So many creatures that walked the lands. It would be hard to keep track of it all.
Not for Aselith. Not for a dresili. Their memories didn't work like that. It was why he knew he had never been on this particular world before.
"I suppose we should come to an understanding of my terms of service." He said to the young mage that summoned him.
She was such a curious thing. Magic was in her, there was no doubt. Magic from her blood. It was grown and refined—her summoning him was a testament to that.
This world's magic was a bit strange, from what he could tell of the other young mages. They all had a certain scent, to put it in human terms. His summoner's friend and the bald mage were similar. The fat, blond boy was similar to his summoner, though their respective powers were as different as night and day.
But the pink-haired girl…she was unique. Something for Aselith to look into later. It wasn't as if he had any real time constraints.
"Terms?" His summoner asked. She was wary of him, as any summoner should be. That was especially true in this case.
"Yes." Aselith gave her a slight nod. "You failed to establish any upon my summoning, or keep me contained in a binding circle until you did so."
While her expressions were fairly muted, Aselith could see the fear pass over her. If she hadn't intended to summon a dresili, Aselith could understand why she didn't set anything up. That wasn't to say there was no measure of control over him. The strange runes that appeared on his body gave off a constant, though minor, persuasion effect. It was rather cute.
"What terms?" The summoner asked.
Aselith lifted a hand. "Oh, general duties and conduct from me, compensation from you. Some specific actions and their costs can be discussed ahead of time for when an opportunity arises."
He was genuinely curious what she would ask of him.
The young mage stood there for a few minutes, thinking over what to say. It was a little strange to see this in action. Normally, the summoner would have everything planned out already, sure of themselves that they worded everything correctly. The second-rate mages were, at least. First-rate mages knew that was unnecessary, since the implicit meaning of their spoken words would be woven into the spell. Provided, of course, their force of will was strong enough to compel a dresili with the binding. Second-rate mages might not be strong enough, which would lead to terrible outcomes for them.
"Don't hurt anyone." His summoner said first.
"Well, I can't promise that. If someone truly offends me, I must take action." If that was her first term, she likely wouldn't have the stomach to pay for it.
"Don't kill anyone." She corrected her statement.
"Kill no one?" Surely she knew what he was trying to say.
"Don't kill anyone unless I order you to…provided they do not greatly offend you."
The young summoner caught on quick. "What is considered 'anyone'?"
"Humans. And their familiars." She responded.
This told Aselith two things. First, based on her reaction, there were other sapient creatures on this world. Second, they were considered less than human. Another thing he would need to look into.
"Self-defense being another exception, of course." Aselith added. While he doubted a human mage would give him that much trouble, it was important to give him such an exception.
"If actually necessary." The summoner said. She truly was learning quickly.
"Very well. What else?"
"Kirche." She started, her eyes hardening for a moment. "You can't harm her in any way. She's the girl—"
"Yes, yes." Aselith waved her off. It was simple enough to determine who she meant. "I saw your concern for her. Worry not. Your friend is safe from me, as is her child."
"…What?"
"What?" Aselith looked at her, confused at her confusion.
"What child?"
"Her child."
"You mean her familiar?"
"No, her child."
"Kirche doesn't have a child."
"Really? Strange." Women changed during and after pregnancy. That was a fact Aselith was intimately familiar with. For that girl to have such physical proportions…well, it mattered little to him. The smallest of potential curiosities revealed. "My word stands."
The summoner slowly nodded. "Your services? Your abilities?"
It seemed she wanted to know a few things before discussing payment.
"I understand the term 'familiar'. Attend you, perform minor tasks, and defend your life should it be necessary." There was something in her eyes when Aselith said that last part. "As for my abilities…"
He held his hand up. In it, a blazing ball of fire erupted.
"I can wield this in a plentiful amount, with a few other elements in a lesser way. Additionally, my physical strength should be on par with the mightiest of your martial warriors. I have a few other abilities that might be of use."
The summoner watched as he extinguished the fire in his hand. "Does that make you a mage as well?" She asked.
"Not as you know one, most likely. I don't craft spells, but I do wield magic." He said. Hearing those other young mages chant those flight spells gave him an idea of what this world's magic was like.
"Hm." The summoner nodded.
"Is that all?" Aselith asked. "No specific tasks you might have for me? An item you wish to obtain? A destination to reach? A person to kill?"
There it was again. The spark of something in her eyes. She wanted someone dead. Well, of course she did. She summoned Aselith without any other connection, so it had to be that.
"No." Despite what he saw, the summoner shook her head.
"Very well." Aselith let it drop. There was plenty of time to gain that information. "Then, for payment, I desire two things. First is to learn all I can of this world's magic. My sorcerer is always interested in learning about the magic of other worlds. I suppose I could spend some time here learning about that for her."
"Sorcerer?" The summoner asked, seeming to become more relaxed as they spoke.
"Another type of dresili." Aselith brushed off the explanation. "The second thing is power. For your purpose, it will be through souls. Surely you have some enemies whose deaths are allowed."
"That…is acceptable." The summoner said evenly.
"Oh?" Aselith smiled. This girl was interesting. There was hardly any hesitation. Did she truly have many enemies? Or were creatures with souls more prevalent than he initially thought, and she had no problem acquiring them?
No matter what happened in this world, it would hardly be dull.
Author's Notes:
The negotiations are underway.