The next day, I began my studies on spirit summoning.

First, I delved into a grimoire detailing spirit summoning.

However, spirit summoning was written with the premise of summoning the spirits of the dead. The problem was how to adapt this to summoning demons.

“Since demons and spirits are both spiritual entities, wouldn't it be worth trying the same method?”

This was Crocell’s opinion.

“But what about the relic?”

We needed a relic connected to the spirit, like the twin swords used for Nene.

“In that case, the grimoire ‘Goetia’ might serve as a substitute,” said Crocell.

“Really…?” I asked.

“‘Goetia’ is not just a grimoire. It should also act as a bridge connecting the summoner and the demon.”

I see.

Originally, a grimoire was just a guide for learning magic. Once you mastered its contents, the grimoire became unnecessary.

But ‘Goetia’ itself held magical power.

That meant it acted as a bridge between the summoner and the demon.

“Then, let’s try performing spirit summoning, replacing the relic with ‘Goetia’.”

I drew a magic circle for spirit summoning and placed ‘Goetia’ on top.

The book was open to Crocell’s page.

“--I command you, in the name of Norman, to come forth. You shall quickly reside within my flesh. Fill me with your knowledge and power. You shall faithfully grant all my desires within the bounds of your authority. Come forth -- Forty-ninth, Crocell!”

In an instant, Crocell vanished from sight.

“Huh?” I exclaimed.

And then,

“Ugh!”

My body felt strange.

I remembered the burning sensation of a foreign entity entering my flesh when I had absorbed a part of Aim.

But this was incomparable.

It was hundreds of times more painful than that time. My whole body was overwhelmed by agony.

“M-Master! A-are you alright?!”

Orobou panicked and rushed towards me, seeing me collapse on one knee.

“Gah!”

I coughed up blood.

A thick mass of blood sputtered from my mouth.

My eyes overflowed with tears, sweat poured from my hands, and my feet spasmed.

I’m going to die…

I couldn’t bear it anymore and collapsed to the floor. The thought crossed my mind.

“Masterrr! Remember what happened with Aimmmm!!!”

I heard Orobou’s desperate cry.

That’s right, how did I overcome that pain with Aim?

I concentrated the scattered magical power in one place.

Similarly, I closed my eyes and tried to feel the magic.

“Ugh…”

A vast amount of magic flowed through my body like a muddy current.

Sensing the magic, I felt nauseous again.

It’s impossible to gather so much magic in one place!

But, I’ll die if I don’t do anything.

I can’t die yet!

Because I haven’t mastered magic yet!

I gritted my teeth and poured my willpower into controlling the magic flowing through my body.

Perhaps the moment my consciousness faded, it would be my death.

It was a battle between my consciousness fading and my ability to control the magic.

The battle raged within my body.

“Masterrrrrr! Do your besttttttt!”

Hearing Orobou’s yell, I realized my consciousness hadn’t vanished yet.

I desperately listened to Orobou’s voice.

Focusing on it, I endured the pain, desperately trying to hold onto my consciousness.

And I gritted my teeth, struggling with all my might to control the magic.

The battle lasted for hours…