Chương 2: The ceremony of summoning a familiar

Tristain Magic Academy was one of the best academies. It was a majestic building located on top of winding hills amidst lush forests. The scions of many noble families from different countries studied magic here.

-Damn, failure again... - The petite girl muttered faintly as she headed to her room. She was very upset, and there was a note of desperation in her voice.

This girl's name was Louise. She was the youngest daughter of a duke, so she had a heavy burden on her shoulders since childhood. To make matters worse, Louise had no talent for magic, which made her feel inferior. However, she tried not to show it to outsiders, even despite the endless ridicule.

-Tomorrow I will prove to you that I am better than all of you! My familiar will be the most incredible. - Louise said solemnly, thinking that she was alone with herself. However, this turned out not to be the case.

-HAHAHAHAHA!

Suddenly, a shrill laugh reached Louise's ears, making the girl blush instantly. Louise knew immediately who that laugh belonged to. Turning around, she saw in front of her a tall, buxom beauty with tanned skin and red hair. There was another little blue-haired girl with an expressionless face standing behind her.

-Kirche... - Louise muttered softly, trying to hide her embarrassment.

Seeing that Louise was confused, Kirche continued: - Louise, aren't you laughing at your own words? You are a complete zero in everything!

-It's none of your business! - Louise replied fiercely.

-Louise, aren't you tired of embarrassing yourself and your family? Why don't you marry some old nobleman and have a baby with him? You'll be much more useful that way. - Kirche continued to mock Louise, trying to hurt her as much as possible.

-I'll decide what to do myself! It's none of your business! - Although Louise was used to constant ridicule, Kirche's words infuriated her.

-Yes, yes... But remember, tomorrow is your last chance. Am I not right? - Grinning, Kirche left Louise alone with her thoughts, and she walked on, accompanied by her friend.

Frustrated, Louise slowly wandered to her room. She understood that summoning a familiar was her last chance, but she was not sure of success. Back in the room, Louise changed into her sleeping clothes and fell on the bed.

-My familiar will be the best... I will prove to everyone that I am not useless... - Imagining in her mind what her familiar would be like, Louise fell asleep.

***

The next morning, Louise and the other sophomores went to the eastern part of the academy, where Professor Colbert was waiting for them. He was a middle-aged man with a bald spot on his head. Mr. Colbert was holding a large wooden staff in his hand, which was immediately noticeable, and the wizard was also wrapped in a robe as black as night.

-Today is one of the most important days in your life. You will summon someone who will be your most loyal companion throughout your life. Even if your familiar is mediocre, you can only accept it. - Professor Colbert spoke in a serious tone, increasing the excitement among the students.

-If you are ready, take turns approaching the pentagram and begin the call! - After Colbert's words, the students hesitantly began to approach the pentagram painted on the ground.

After about an hour, most of the sophomores completed the draft. The results were different: frogs, moles, someone was even able to summon a beholder. But Tabitha stood out the most, who was able to summon a dragon, which caused admiration and envy from other students.

-The fire salamander... Good job, Miss Zerbst, you've summoned a wonderful familiar! - Kirche's familiar was the fire salamander, for which Professor Colbert praised her. Although the salamander was not as impressive as the dragon, it was undoubtedly a strong familiar. In response to the praise from the professor, Kirche only smiled seductively.

-Has everyone finished the summoning? - Colbert asked the students, glancing at them.

-No, not all of them! Louise hasn't tried yet! - Kirche said sarcastically, not giving Louise time to hide among the students.

-Miss Valliere, come to the pentagram and perform the summoning ceremony. - Mr. Colbert said in a calm voice, mentally preparing for an explosion. Louise was quite famous among all the professors for her lousy abilities in magic, as well as for the fact that each of her spells ended in an explosion.

-Come on, Louise! You said so confidently yesterday that you would summon the best familiar! I can't wait to see who it will be! - Kirche said with a mocking smile. At her words, the crowd of students started laughing at Louise. Because of this, the girl blushed with embarrassment.

Under the mocking gazes of the other students, Louise slowly approached the pentagram. She was afraid of failing, so all her movements looked extremely uncertain. Exhaling and gathering her thoughts, Louise began the call.

-Great spirit of the five elements, hear my call and reveal to me my familiar from the vast expanses of the universe. - Magic began to flow out of Louise's wand, making the pentagram under her feet glow. Everyone around was surprised and thought that Louise had finally managed to cast a spell without exploding.

However, a few seconds later, the space inside the pentagram exploded, raising a cloud of dust that engulfed Louise. Fearing for their lives, all the students instinctively took a few steps back. When the dust settled, there was another person besides Louise within the pentagram. It was a young man. Torn and bloody clothes, as well as a sickly look on his face, indicated that the man was in a terrible condition.

-Those who have healing magic, help this person! - Although Professor Colbert was surprised, he quickly took control of the situation. Although he was a stranger, he was apparently Louise's familiar. Therefore, Mr. Colbert, first of all, asked the students to help him.

-Miss Valliere, do you mind if we move him to your room? - Professor Colbert turned to Louise, to which the girl only nodded slowly. She was obviously shocked by this situation, as she had never heard of human familiars before.

'Is this my familiar? But why is he human? And the most important thing... Why is he in such a state?'

~~~

Sorry for not posting anything for so long, I was busy preparing for the exam, which is why I didn't have time. I hope for your understanding