These Demons Do it for Free

Chapter 27

After completing my application for training at the Telemachus School, I returned to the village outside the city walls.

I finished my last meal at the inn and went back to my room, hearing some well-meaning advice from the innkeeper, though it didn’t feel very comforting.

That old man, if he was going to offer advice, he could’ve just done it straight. Why did he have to talk about people who couldn’t handle the Abyss and ended up retiring?

I guess it’s because the lives of adventurers who get pushed to an inn like this, in a village outside the city, often end up that way.

It felt like he was trying to say, "It’s okay if you don’t succeed as an adventurer or a sorcerer."

I appreciated the sentiment, but his method didn’t really inspire confidence.

Anyway, knowing that my time in this small room, which I had found cramped and uncomfortable for the last few months, was now ending, it suddenly felt oddly endearing.

"Ah... I need to erase this too."

I had cleaned up once already, but remnants of the summoning circle still remained.

"It’s only been a month?"

It had only been a month since I summoned Seir and became a demon sorcerer.

A lot had changed in that short time.

From being a nobody who couldn’t even use a single spell, living on the streets, to now standing on the verge of becoming a full-fledged sorcerer and a promising adventurer.

I guess this is what they call "a world of difference."

[That’s right. It’s already been a month.]

"Have you been watching?"

Usually, I would converse with Seir in my mind, but today, I felt like speaking out loud.

[Of course. I’ve always been watching. Your growth is remarkable. There’s an old saying, ‘New every day,’ isn’t there?]

Now she’s even quoting ancient proverbs from the East. It’s almost scary.

[Don’t joke, contractor.]

"I apologize."

[Hmph. More importantly, I have good news for you.]

"Good news? Could it be...."

I wasn’t expecting it to be about returning to Earth. I knew I still had a long way to go. I had barely scratched the surface of magic, only beginning to embody its mysteries.

So, what Seir must mean is....

"An expansion of my abilities?"

That must be it.

Out of Seir’s many abilities, I could only use one: the power of teleportation.

Even that was limited to moving myself and objects I was in direct contact with. Compared to Seir, who could move creatures and items from anywhere in the world, my abilities were quite lacking.

As a demon sorcerer, one’s strength is often measured by how precisely they can harness their contracted demon’s abilities and how many of those powers they can master.

If I had developed more magical aptitude, I might have been able to tap deeper into Seir’s powers.

[Unfortunately, that’s not it. While the passage has expanded, it’s still not enough to meet the growth conditions for La Traviata.]

"I told you to stop calling it that...."

[Anyway, we’ll leave the growth of La Traviata for later.]

Seir still refused to give up on the name she had made up for my magic.

[Besides that, you have undeniably grown to a new level.]

Seir explained that my repeated battles and continuous training had led to this growth.

[There are three main ways for a contractor to grow: self-improvement, enhancing the powers I grant you, or lastly...]

"Forming a new contract with another demon."

[Correct.]

My heart raced.

A contract with another demon?

I had never considered it before.

I was satisfied with Seir.

Despite her occasional teasing, I had never forgotten to be grateful.

Since arriving in this other world, Seir had been the one and only being who had truly helped me.

If I were to call anyone my savior, it would be Seir.

Oh, but since Seir is a demon, I guess I should say “savior demon.”

The thought of a demon bestowing blessings seemed odd, but that’s how I felt.

"I’m already quite satisfied with you, Seir."

Who wouldn’t be?

You give me unlimited magic, you create spells for me, and you do it all for free without asking for anything in return.

Seir does it all.

[Hehe, I know. Despite your occasional impious thoughts, I understand that you truly revere me.]

"Then...."

[That’s why I also want to give you more.]

This too was Seir’s blessing.

"In that case, I understand."

The second demon summoning, initiated by Seir’s suggestion.

This time, having already done it once, my hands moved more smoothly as I drew the summoning circle.

"Oh... not bad, you."

"I’m Seir’s contractor, after all."

"Right. If you’re going to summon demons, you should at least have that much nerve. So, this is the offering?"

"Ah... yes, it is."

I looked awkwardly at the offering on the altar.

It was a skewer of fruit, coated in sugar syrup.

A traditional snack called tanghulu.

"Is that so? Well... not bad. I’ll take it."

The moment she spoke, the tanghulu was already in her hand.

I hadn’t even seen her move. The speed was unbelievable.

"Mm. Not bad."

For someone who said that, she had already finished eating it.

"You want a contract?"

"Yes."

"Your level is sufficient. You have the talent to contract with both me and Seir. Or is this place special?"

Maybe both?

...That would be nice.

"Either way, it’s fine. I’ll gladly make a contract, just to experience this world."

"Then the price...."

"The price? Ah, um... hmmm...."

Her previously emotionless expression slowly began to fill with feeling, and by the time she covered her mouth with her hand, her brows were furrowed in thought.

"Ah... I don’t know. It’s been so long since I’ve made a contract. Is a price even necessary? It’s just a hassle. I think experiencing this world is enough for me."

"In that case, I’d be more than happy."

"Oh, wait. I thought of something."

Can’t it be like with Seir?

This is starting to feel like false hope... typical demons.

"Speech. No more polite language. I don’t like it."

Canceled. You’re not a demon.

"If that’s all, I can do that."

"Good. That’s refreshing. Now...."

Unlike Seir, who elegantly pricked her finger to seal our contract, this demon clearly wanted to show off why she carried a bow and arrows. She pulled an arrow from her quiver and stabbed it right into her palm.

Crunch!

The arrow pierced through her palm, and her blood flowed onto the summoning circle.

By mixing our blood, our souls were connected.

"My name is Leraje. The one who pierces the white hide."

Leraje.

The name of my second contracted demon.

The day after Roman submitted his application for training.

He packed his belongings from the inn and returned to the Telemachus School, where Mea guided him to the room that had been assigned to him.

Hekate was absent, busy with other matters.

As the saying goes, "strike while the iron is hot," so Roman and Mea soon left the school building to head into the Abyss.

They stopped by the market to gather supplies before entering.

It was supposed to be a moment for Mea to step in as a senior and guide Roman on what items to buy, but she couldn’t focus.

‘How....’

It had only been a day.

A single day since Mea last saw Roman.

Considering that Roman had left the day before in the afternoon and returned early this morning, it hadn’t even been 12 hours.

How in the world...?

‘His demonic energy has increased.’

The first time Mea saw Roman, she seriously wondered if her senses were malfunctioning.

Roman had contracted with another demon.

That could be overlooked. After all, demon sorcerers increasing the number of their contracted demons was as common as regular sorcerers expanding their magical repertoires.

But this?

This was too much.

‘How did he contract with another noble-class demon... again?’

Out of a hundred demon summoners, only one might summon a demon with a name.

Out of a hundred demons with names, only one might hold a title.

Out of a hundred demons with titles, only one might be of the highest rank.

In other words, a demon sorcerer who contracts with a high-ranking noble is part of the 0.0001%.

And yet, he had contracted with two high-ranking demons?

‘What on earth is he?’

Mea’s understanding of the world was beginning to crumble.