“Alright, let’s summon Aim, the 23rd in rank, today.”

The day after I learned the Binding Spell, the day I had been looking forward to, the day to summon Aim, arrived.

Also, school was off today, so I could train all day.

“To do that, I need to dismiss Orobas first…”

“Masteeeer!!! Please don’t dismiss me!!”

As expected, Orobas didn’t want to be dismissed.

Well, it’s fine.

Now that I’ve learned the Binding Spell, I think I can manage summoning two demons at the same time.

Alright, first, I’ll open the page in the spellbook where Aim is listed.

Then I’ll be mindful of the flow of magical energy and create an image in my mind.

But, how do I imagine it?

I don’t know what Aim the demon looks like.

But, I could vaguely feel the magical energy unique to Aim coming from the page in the spellbook.

I tried to imagine pulling that magical energy.

“--I command thee in the name of Norman. Appear like a whirlwind, and show your form within the magical circle. Come here from anywhere in the world, and answer all my questions with reason. And appear in a peaceful form, without delay, and make my wish a reality. I summon thee. In the name by which all things obey, the name at which the four great spirits all overturn, and the wind trembles, the sea flees, fire is extinguished, and the earth is shaken, and all spirits of heaven and earth and hell tremble, I command thee. Come forth -- the 23rd in rank, Aim!”

I thought I could omit the incantation earlier, but since this was only the third time summoning, I recited the whole thing just to be safe.

Then, the magical circle in the room began to glow.

It seems to have worked.

What appeared from the magical circle was a handsome man.

He had flowing blonde hair, a prominent nose, and sharp eyes.

He was handsome by any standard.

“You called me? It was you?”

His voice was raspy, not matching his handsome appearance.

“Uh…”

There was a reason I was confused.

At first glance, Aim appeared to be simply a handsome man.

But, there were two strange things about him.

First, his right hand was a cat’s head.

Second, his left hand was a snake’s head.

The cat’s head was the one talking.

The handsome man kept his mouth closed, not changing his expression.

“Hey, answer me quickly! Human!”

It was the cat speaking again.

Is the cat on his right hand his main body?

“Yes, that’s right. I, Norman, summoned you.”

“To summon and control me, this presumptuous human! Should I burn you to ashes?!”

He was rebellious.

But, perhaps, it’s the correct appearance for a demon, considering how strange Furcas and Orobas are.

“Youuuuuu!!! What an insult to my Master! Even if my kind Master forgives you, I won’t forgive you!!”

“Hmm, is that the perverted Orobas?”

Ah, so even from the demon’s perspective, Orobas is considered a pervert.

“Orobas, calm down, I’ll talk.”

“Yes, I understand, Master.”

Orobas stepped back.

He’s a bit weird, but he does listen to me, so that’s good.

“Oh, so you’ve summoned two demons at once. Seems like you’re not just a regular human.”

It seems Aim acknowledged me a little.

“Aim, I summoned you because I have a request. Will you hear me out?”

“Say it, I’ll hear you.”

“I want you to teach me Fire Magic.”

“Hmm…”

Aim pondered for a moment, then answered.

“No.”

It seems like negotiations have failed.

“Listen, human! Hear me out! Yes, I’m good at Fire Magic! And I love fire! But I love burning buildings even more!! I’ll burn this house down first!!!”

“Oh no, he’s gone wild!”

I need to quickly chant the Binding Spell.

But, the Binding Spell takes time.

My house will be burned down before I can finish!

“Master! Leave it to me!”

Orobas leaped towards Aim.

“You! Are you trying to interfere?!”

Aim tried to fight back, burning Orobas with fire. But, Orobas brushed aside the fire and wrapped his arms around Aim.

Now’s my chance!

“--I command thee, the 23rd in rank, Aim. I bind thee. Stop immediately, and cease all actions. Obey only my commands. If thou dost not obey me, I shall curse thee in my name, and take everything from thee.”

“Guf!”

I said this, and Aim froze.

Phew, I barely managed to avoid the house burning down.

“Aim, I’ll allow you to speak.”

“It’s been a while since a human made me look like a fool.”

Aim said this, glaring at me.

“Aim, I would like to have a friendly relationship with you.”

“I’m not like that pervert, Orobas. There’s no way I’d befriend a human.”

Is this the typical demon mindset?

But, I don’t want to force demons to obey me.

What should I do?

“Then how about we use each other? I want to learn Fire Magic from you. Is there anything you want from me?”

“So, you want to be equals…”

Aim pondered this.

“My desire is simple. I love burning buildings. I love seeing humans scream and writhe in agony as they die in burning buildings. Will you fulfill that for me?”

That’s impossible.

There’s no way I can do that.

But, if I say I can’t, Aim won’t teach me Fire Magic.

“Aim, I want to master demon summoning. If I master it, I will be recognized as a magician. As a magician, I might have the opportunity to participate in a war. Then, I might be able to fulfill your desire.”

I think to myself, ‘What a vague promise’.

“Hahaha, human. You need to learn more about negotiation.”

Aim said this, his eyes filled with defiance.

It seems like negotiations have failed.

“Human, is it true that you want to master demon summoning?”

“It’s true, but…”

“Why?”

When he asked that, I thought to myself, ‘Why, indeed? Is it to get back at my parents and the students at school, the ones who called me useless?’

No, that’s not it.

“It’s fun. I couldn’t use magic that everyone else could do, for a long time. But, now I can finally master my own magic. It’s really fun.”

“You find it fun to master demon summoning? Kuhahaha, it might be interesting to see your fate.”

“Uh, so you’ll cooperate?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Yes! Finally, I can learn Fire Magic.

“Aim, you’re free.”

I said this, releasing the binding on Aim.

“Nice to meet you, Aim.”

I extended my right hand.

But, upon further consideration, Aim’s hands are a cat and a snake, so a handshake is out of the question.

“Don’t get any ideas, human. I said I would cooperate, but I don’t have any intention of befriending you.”

Aim said this and turned away from me.

He doesn’t seem interested in shaking hands with me anyway.

“Masteeeeeer!!! I’m so moved by your noble spirit!!!”

Suddenly, Orobas started crying.

I wonder what part of this exchange made him want to cry…

“This guy is seriously messed up.”

Aim muttered.

Yeah, I agree with Aim.