Demons: inhuman beings from the depths of Hell.
They bring about calamity and
defy all laws of reason and logic.
They adore the darkness, the night, lust,
and flame, and curse all that is human.
Yet despite knowing that...
...I still can't help but think...
...that she's wonderful.
THE DESPERATE MAGICIAN AND THE IMPRISONED DISASTER
Alto Goldfield, I'm sure you're already expecting this
result, but your score on the summoning exam...
ALTO GOLDFIELD
FIRST-YEAR
AT THE
ORTIGIA ACADEMY
OF MAGIC
...is zero points.
It pains me to say that,
despite your perfect scores in all other fields,
you cannot advance to your second year
if you cannot form a contract with a familiar.
Forming a contract with a familiar
needn't be such a large hurdle.
Some students have passed
by forming contracts with rhinoceros beetles.
Unfortunately, unless you can successfully
summon something, there is nothing I can do.
You must form a contract with a familiar
before tomorrow's faculty meeting.
Or else you will repeat the year.
How'd it go, Alto?!
Lilia...
What'd the teacher say?
LILIA
KUDELFEYT
I have to make a contract with something
by tomorrow, or I'll get held back.
Wh-what?!
I'm going to give him a piece of my mind!
Hold on, Lilia! At least put the rock down first!
He's right. Second-years need familiars
for tons of class activities.
I know, but are you just gonna accept this?!
You worked so hard all year...
This is the Ortigia Royal Academy of Magic.
I studied my butt off to get in,
then worked even harder to do well...
But this is the one thing I can't pass.
I mean, he gave me an extension until tomorrow,
so I'm gonna give it another shot!
Let me know if I can help at all!
Thanks.
I said I'd give it another shot...
But I already TRIED summoning beetles.
What else is left for me to try?
Compatibility is essential for successful summoning!
Maybe I should try summoning something
really weid or unique this time.
Ow!
A book?
Where'd it come from?
What if it's a weird summoning book
that just HAPPENED to fall on me?
It looks pretty old.
Yes! It IS a book of summoning magic!
It's pretty beat up, though,
so I have no idea what it'll summon.
Hey, the magic circle is still legible!
Please work for me!
By bonds of blood and the moon as thy guide,
Drink of mana, of life, and become my thrall,
To partake in the universe by my side,
Bid me thy name and heed my call.
Huh?! I-it's never worked before!
Yes!
I-if thou desirest my blood, then bid me thy name!
My blood is yours!
I did it! I summoned something!
Are you the one who let me out of there?
Um, uh...
She's not human... So what did I summon?
Forget that, right now she's-
You're...
You're naked!
Aww, look at you, you sweet, innocent thing!
Ow!
What, did you not know who I was
when you summoned me?
You want me to do something for you, right?
Um, uh...
Go on, tell me.
I'll do WHATEVER you want.
What the hell?! How did I end up like this?!
What do I want her to do?
I... I want...
I want you to be my familiar!
What?
How is his mana so potent?
I formed a contract...
That you did.
Well, a contract is a contract.
In exchange, I'll be helping myself to some of your mana.
She's draining my mana!
I am Vermeil, and I am what you would call a demon.
I do hope you'll be kind to me, Master.
I'm your master...?
Command me as much or as often as you like.
I'll do ANYTHING you want.
Anything?
Then...
...could you please put on some clothes?!
What?!
You strange little creature.
You'd really prefer me in clothing?
Oh! Unless you're a kinky wolf in shy sheep's clothing?
Can we stop talking about that?!
I would, but not much
that fits your small stature will fit me.
I accidentally brought some of my sister's clothes!
You can wear those!
They're in the bottom drawer!
Will this do?
Yes, that'll do!
And so, after my first successful attempt at summoning,
I found myself in THIS crazy situation.
Hmm. I see. This is an academy of magic.
And that's how a sweet boy like you
summoned me here?
What a fun story this is turning out to be.
Though it makes sense.
With the mana you possess,
most familiars wouldn't dare approach you.
Huh?
My, you're not aware?
Your mana is extremely potent.
"Too potent" would be far more accurate.
To most beings, it's as lethal as poison.
I-is that why...?
I like it nice and potent, however.
U-um... Vermeil, you're a demon, right?
That's right.
I'm an evil demon. A VERY naughty woman.
Demons are powerful illusionary beings
that have been feared by mankind for eons.
Some demons have destroyed
entire nations all on their lonesome.
U-um, if you see what I'm like,
then why'd you decide to be my familiar?
Why?
I mean, you could break the contract if you wanted...
That's true.
Frankly, I could have killed you right then and there.
Huh?!
But I was trapped in that book for a very long time,
and you helped me escape.
So technically, I owe you.
Being your familiar's a cheap price to pay for freedom.
Wh-why did someone trap you in there?
Oh, are you interested?
Do you want to know why I was sealed away?
Because I did LOTS of naughty things.
But can a demon really be my familiar?!
Vermeil, you're a bad guy, right?
A bad guy? I'm a BAD GUY?!
Sorry, I didn't mean to be rude!
It's just such a cute way to put it!
But yes, you're right.
So this thing-er, person, is your familiar?
Yeah, I know...
Alto Goldfield, I know you were desperate
to advance a grade,
but claiming a human woman is your familiar
is a step too far.
You know we don't allow guests on campus.
Are you deaf?!
I told you, I'm Alto's familiar!
You teach summoning magic,
you should know what it looks like!
See?!
Y-yes, that is a familiar's contract,
not a spell of servitude.
But never in the annals of history
has a human made another human their-
Who cares?
I didn't want to be summoned to some weird place,
either, so buck up and say I'm his familiar!
V-very well.
Alto Goldfield, with this, I can say
that you pass your summoning exam.
Yay, now I can be a second year!
Of course!
Just one thing.
Are you truly amenable to this arrangement?
To being his familiar?
Eh, it's too late to turn back now. I don't mind.
All right. Get back to your seat.
Yay!
Who the HELL is she?!
Hey, Vermeil? When we're at school, could you, uh...
C'mon, it's no big deal.
I can't help it...
What is wrong with Alto?!
I was up all night worried sick about him!
Master Goldfield, would you be so kind
as to refrain from that behavior during class?
Good! Get them to stop right now!
Oh? So many other students have their familiars
sitting on top of them.
Yet you're going to pick on poor Alto? You monster.
And isn't one of the school's doctrines
is "Live life alongside your familiar"?
Please turn your attention back to the tomes before you...
We win!
Give me a break, here...
You haven't beaten me yet!
I'll admit, I'm glad he'll be able
to advance to the next grade with me...
C'mon, Alto, give me some more of that thick,
potent stuff inside of you!
Now...
Now hold on a second! What are you two doing?!
Lilia Kudelfeyt, go stand in the hall.
I REFUSE to accept this!
Alto! What the hell is up with THAT?!
Who is this woman?
I could ask the same of you!
Just who the hell is she?!
You think you should pretend to be a human?
Yes. I know it's strange coming from me,
but many humans despise demons,
academies of magic all the moreso.
Luckily, average mages cannot see through my veil.
All I need to do is hide my horns.
This will make things easier for you, and for me, too.
So...
This is Vermeil. She's my familiar.
I'm Alto's familiar!
And that's why I'm asking what the hell is going on!
Huh? L-Lilia?! H-hold on a second...
Alto...
I challenge you!
Let's resolve this with a duel!
If I win, you will leave that lascivious familiar of yours
in your room unless needed!
A duel?
Um, how do I put it. It's a school thing...
Formal Duels
Ortigia Academy of Magic,
Statute 7: Dueling Etiquette
Conflicts between students are to be resolved via
strictly-regulated duel to prevent discord
Formal Duels. Ortigia Academy of Magic,
Statute 7: Dueling Etiquette.
Conflicts between students are to be resolved
via strictly-regulated duel to prevent discord.
So the loser has to do whatever the winner says?
Exactly! You won't be hanging off him like that
for much longer!
Now what? Lilia's never been one to compromise...
Why compromise? Just duel her.
If we win, then you'll have to do whatever Alto wants!
It's only fair. Just one request from him. Sound good?
Wh-whatever he wants?
But, but we're still just students!
But, but if Alto wanted...
No, I couldn't!
No, c'mon, you dummy...
Wait a sec!
Fine! You're on!
Familiars are allowed to participate in duels,
but if you don't want to get hurt, you'd better step aside!
Summon!
Let's go, Sylpheed! Let's punish that big dummy!
Wow, she can summon
a high-class wind spirit at her age?
Our combined spellcasting is extremely powerful!
You're tough, but not tough enough to dodge this
without a familiar's help!
Give up, Alto!
And while you're at it...
...tell me everything about that woman!
Lilia! That could seriously hurt!
Shut up and take it!
Block! Dodge!
No, I don't have time!
Vermeil?!
I'd love it if you could trust me a little more.
You ARE my master, after all.
No-! Watch out!
Yes, a direct hit! I hope you learned your lesson!
How...?
Was that all for your attack?
Then it's my turn now, little girl.
What?
No!
LILIA KUDELFEYT: LOSE
Lilia Kudelfeyt loses!
All right, we won!
You have to listen to us now.
I-I know.
I managed to keep my lips safe...
I-I have no choice.
I'll do whatever you say.
Only because I have no choice.
I lost, after all. I really have no choice!
I want you to be friends with Vermeil!
Huh...?
Same goes for you, Vermeil! No fighting!
What? But I didn't do anything.
I said, no fighting!
And promises made after duels cannot be broken!
F-fine, then...
I can't say no to Alto, anyway. I'll be friends with you.
Let's be friends, ma'am!
"Ma'am"? That's a funny thing to say,
especially after I CRUSHED you.
You're pretty strong, MA'AM.
I hope they really CAN be friends...
I'm exhausted after a day like today.
Could you please try not to cause trouble?
Aww, you know it wasn't all my fault.
That girl's in love with you, you know.
No way. She's just an old friend.
And lately she's always mad at me
for the weirdest things.
But she can be nice sometimes.
I did pretty well back there. Don't I deserve a treat?
Huh? A treat?
A little bit of your mana.
Um, uh, Vermeil?!
Wh-why do you even need to drain my mana
in the first place?
Oh, about that.
Being sealed away for centuries
has made me quite weak.
Frankly, without you, I probably wouldn't be able
to retain a physical form.
Whoa, really?!
But your mana is especially potent.
It's a real big help, you know.
Yeah, I know THAT.
I thought contracting with a demon would be scary,
but it's just kind of normal.
Like, I'm getting so much for so little.
Oh, please, it's not normal at all.
Normal humans couldn't handle our power,
even with a contract.
Either they burst from the inside
or die from having their mana completely drained.
That's what happens when you sell your soul to a demon.
But you have what it takes
for a demon to want to serve you.
If kissing is too annoying...
There are more effective ways of draining your mana.
Want to give it a go?
I'm fine with kisses, thank you!