Chapter 17: Group Practice (3)

A servant beast contract is a binding master-servant relationship between a sorcerer and a beast, forming one of the long-standing systems in Eterna Online.

However, the concept of a servant beast in this game is quite broad.
It can be a spirit, a spiritual entity itself, or in special cases, even a demon.
Essentially, the range of possibilities is almost limitless.

Among these, without a doubt, the most efficient option is contracting with a spirit.
But as good as the efficiency is, the process of contracting with a spirit is equally troublesome.

‘Normally, a spirit contract at this stage is out of the question.’

Sub-Quest: Spirit Contract

To contract with a spirit, you need a spirit stone that matches the spirit’s attribute.
You also need to max out your affinity with the spirit.
Moreover, you must not eat or drink anything for 24 hours before the contract.

That’s not all.
Preparing for the contract itself is a hassle, but the contract process itself is even worse.
In the game, you have to connect with the spirit for 12 hours straight, and at least three observers are required during the contract ritual.

Normally, a servant beast contract at this stage would be unthinkable.
Especially for a high-grade contract like Zelus, which has picky tastes.
I don’t have something as valuable as a spirit stone right now, and building affinity itself takes an excruciatingly long time.

But one day, a single post uploaded to the official community completely overturned the existing paradigm.

Post Title: [How to Contract with a Spirit the Easy Way]

The content was nothing short of shocking.
The attached video showed a spirit contract being completed in just 10 minutes without any quest.

‘I never thought the entire contract ritual would be just ceremonial.’

The method to coerce a contract from a spirit is simple.
First, you take a character overwhelmingly stronger than the spirit along with you.
Then, you intimidate it.

Ultimately, the most important aspect of a contract is the mutual agreement between both parties.
This strategy became known as the <Nuckle-Coerce Strategy>.

[ …Hic ]

Now comes the crucial part.
Zelus usually acts dignified, putting on airs of grandeur.
But once defeated in battle, it becomes pathetically miserable.

By now, he must be trembling uncontrollably from the overwhelming force of Arteo.
In other words, this is the perfect time to form a contract.

“I-Is this fox…?”

Aisha seemed to have roughly figured out Zelus’ identity.

“Shh.”
“……”

Zelus was shivering pitifully.
I strode confidently toward the cowering fox.

“Hey.”
[ …Wh-What do you want, human…! ]

His white fur was bristling with tension.
His eyes, flickering with pure magical light, quivered slightly.
And his tail, drooping on the ground, looked utterly dejected.

It’s clear.
This guy is scared stiff.

[ H-How insolent…! ]
“Cut the crap.”

Whoosh—!
A high-temperature flame flickered in my palm.
Zelus’ eyes trembled even more violently.

“Do you want to make a contract or not?”
[ …R-Reject! How dare a mere human…! ]

He bared his teeth in a threatening manner, his tail raised high.
Despite his size, the display was more cute than intimidating.
But it was clear he was refusing.

‘Maybe I need to push harder?’

Just as I was about to increase the magic output—

“Quite a cute little pet you have there.”

Arteo approached from the side, tilting his head as he met Zelus’ gaze.

And then…

[ ……Hic! ]

Zelus started to back away hesitantly.

Ah, right.
Come to think of it, I shouldn’t be the one threatening him.

“Arteo.”
“Ha ha, yes, what is it?”

A sly smile stretched across his lips.

“Would you like to make a contract with this guy?”
“A contract? You mean a servant beast contract?”
“Exactly.”
“Hmm… It’s quite a tempting offer, but…”

The reason Arteo couldn’t finish his sentence was simple:
He already had a contracted servant beast.
Since he had snuck in to kidnap the Saintess, revealing the existence of his servant beast would be a burden.
I had already taken that into account.

“Odette, how about you?”
“That weak, weird spirit? Not interested.”

Odette refused as well.
In the first place, because of her overflowing holy power, it’s impossible for her to contract with a regular spirit.

That leaves…

“Hey.”
[ …… ]

I leaned my face closer to Zelus.

“Would you rather make a contract with her?”
[ Her…? ]

Zelus turned his gaze.
And soon, his eyes met Aisha’s.
With a slightly flushed face, Aisha shyly waved at Zelus.
She looked like nothing more than a pure-hearted girl.

“I’ll give you 10 seconds.”
[ W-Wait a minute, human!! ]
“10… 9…”
[ How dare you threaten me…!! ]
“…7 …6 …5…”
[ I-I won’t accept this! ]

Backing away step by step, Zelus eventually collapsed to the ground.
No matter how you look at it, he didn’t have a shred of dignity befitting a high-grade spirit.

He’s having a full-on panic attack right now, but his thoughts will soon change.
The attribute compatibility between Aisha and Zelus is simply perfect.

An ominous-looking squinty-eyed guy and a pure silver-haired maiden.
There’s only one choice he can make.

“3… 2…”
[ F-Fine! I’ll make the contract, just stop…! ]

A grin spread across my face.
See? You should have just agreed sooner.

[ Sniff… ]

Tears welled up in Zelus’ eyes.
Now’s the time.

[ 3-Star Magic: Psychokinesis ]

I manipulated the magic to catch the tear before it hit the ground.
Quickly, I opened the prepared glass vial and captured the tear inside.

“Ha ha!”
Success.

“Um… Is there something I should call you?”
[ You mean my name? Call me Lord Zelus. ]

Zelus sat perched on Aisha’s shoulder, scratching his face with his hind legs as he exchanged his first words with her.

“Lord Zelus, my foot. Just call him Whitedog.”
[ S-Shut up, human! ]

What’s wrong with the name Whitedog?
It’s cute.

“Nice to meet you, Zelus. Let’s get along.”

Aisha carefully greeted him, probably feeling a bit overwhelmed.
It’s likely her first time contracting with a spirit, so everything must feel new.

[ Hmph! Do you think I would yield to such a sham contract… ]

Kiiing—!!
As soon as Zelus made eye contact with Arteo, he let out a cute squeal and hid behind Aisha’s neck.

“That noisy spirit next to noisy Aisha. The worst.”
“W-What… The worst, you say…! Odette, did you just say that out loud?!”

After Zelus’ declaration of surrender, the contract proceeded without a hitch.
As long as both parties agree, making a contract itself is not that difficult.

Furthermore, there’s no need for an expensive Spirit Stone.
The water from the lake and Aisha’s magic were more than enough.

Of course, the contract process consumes a fair amount of the contractor’s magic, but since Aisha is practically overflowing with mana, it wasn’t a problem.

I glanced down at the display on the bracelet.

———————————————————————–

[ Points ]

1st: Luke Richter and 3 others (+38 points)

2nd: Van Beonar and 3 others (+30 points)

3rd: Aileen Rouge and 3 others (+18 points)

—————————————————————————

1st and 2nd place.
We’re ahead, but the 8-point difference is small enough to be caught up at any moment.

‘As expected from the crown prince.’

From the beginning of the semester, Van Beonar had been diligently building his connections, leveraging his status.
Thanks to that, his squad was catching up at a threatening speed.

The successor of the Magic Tower,

The next Alchemist Association president,

A direct descendant of the War Hero.

He cherry-picked the most talented students from S-Class, so it’s no wonder they’re giving us a run for our money.

“Let’s move. If we keep this up, they’ll catch up.”

We had spent too much time on the Zelus subjugation.
From now on, we need to widen the gap to secure a stable first place.

As we hurriedly moved towards our next destination, Aisha’s small voice echoed in my ear.

“Um, Luke…”
“…Thanks.”

I smirked.
Glad she knows to be grateful.

“If you’re that thankful, help me out when I need it later.”

“Of course! I swear on the name of Rustichel!”

Apparently dissatisfied with the contractor’s thank-you, Zelus growled and grumbled.

[ Don’t thank that rascal human, thank me instead. ]
“Thank you too, Zelus.”
[ Mmm. That’s more like it. ]

A pretentious spirit despite being a coward.

As the episode progresses, the Rustichel family naturally becomes involved.
Therefore, building rapport with Aisha in advance will make future interactions with the Rustichel family much smoother.

Moreover, the head of Rustichel is a genuine daughter-obsessed parent.
All of this preparation is essentially insurance for the future.

“Where are we going next?”
Odette’s question came from behind me.
I chuckled as I answered.

“We’re going to starve out the second-place team.”
“…What?”

The key to this group assignment is preemptive action.

The plan is simple.
We’ll preemptively occupy the hunting ground that the Crown Prince’s group is targeting.
Before they arrive, we’ll snatch every point available.

I already have the entire route and their target locations mapped out in my head.
Of course, I would know—this isn’t my first time pulling this kind of stunt.

“First place is ours.”
“…Luke, you’re really strange.”

I don’t care if they call me despicable.
In games, being called a dirty player is the highest form of praise.