Chapter 35 – Second Contract

Selene unrolled her sleeves and tights back up and covered her marks again. Asterios mentioned to her that now with her knowing it was not a curse, she didn’t have to hide them, but she replied by saying that back in her realm most people still believed it was, and these covers were already part of her usual attire after wearing them for so long. He complimented her by saying that they truly fit Selene’s style and looked great on her, making the foxgirl smile brilliantly after receiving the praise.

Miria jumped back to her home and brought a picnic mat for them to rest on, also picking up a few snacks and a jug of orange juice on her way back. Selene wanted to have some input into this too, but Ast reminded her that without a contract she wouldn’t be able to return here.

They sat together and sipped on some juice while talking. It was mostly Selene who spoke more about herself and her past due to Miria’s curiosity. Ast of course didn’t have anything against learning more about their new partner’s life so they spent around twenty minutes chatting. Selene slowly turned back to her composed self from before the lesson, but a hint of respect and proper manners still persisted in her tone.

Before they moved onto the contracting part, Asterios decided to confront her.

“Selene, I appreciate you being this respectful towards me, and I don’t mind you calling me by Lord, but if we are going to be working together, I would really like for you act fully like yourself, without being too considerate of what we would think, in result also distancing yourself from us. We are soon to be partners, equals, no matter who is stronger, wiser, more experienced. These thoughts only hinder proper cooperation. So, I know you are very grateful for me giving you a hint about your condition, but let’s not let it prevent us from becoming friends, okay?”

She listened attentively to what he had to say, nodding along the way. The more they talked, the better opinion of the man she had. Before she could reply though, Miria also added her part.

“That’s right! Master is a really kind and understanding person so don’t worry, he will definitely accept you!” she said with an elated smile, pretty much beaming with happiness.

Selene noticed her sneaking a hand towards Ast’s behind a bowl of fruits and laying it on top of his. He then brushed it with his thumb. It seemed to her that they were quite close as Summoner and familiar, which certainly said well about what kind of master the boy was. She was starting to look forward to working with him not just only because of his powerful energy and exotic knowledge.

“Well then, I will try to not hold myself back, my Lord.” She bowed her head a little. “In return, please do the same. I’ll do my best to be of use.”

“Sure. You certainly will be. A lot.” He smiled and also nodded. “Okay, let’s finish the ritual then.”

Miria stood up first. “Are we going to draw another circle, Master?”

“No need. We can use the summoning one to complete the process. Your case was quite special as there was none or it vanished,” he answered and also got up.

He led them to the patterned circle and invited Selene to the middle while Miria stayed outside of it on the edge to not disrupt the mana flow. The foxgirl knew a bit more about the Summoning Magic than the panthergirl, but she was still very excited to see how it compared to the writings back in the temple.

Since there was nothing to be added to the circuit, Asterios turned towards Selene.

“Now, let’s begin. What is it that you would want to receive as the payment for your servitude?” he asked.

“Isn’t spiritual essence what the familiar gets from the contract, my Lord?”

“You are right, but that’s something I’m obliged to share with you and you have the right to ask for anything else to make the trade fair for both sides. You are, to some extent, becoming my servant, so it’s natural to be rewarded accordingly to your rank,” Ast explained.

Selene brushed her chin. “Hmmmm… is that necessary?”

Asterios chuckled. “You too?”

“My Lord?”

“Miria also didn’t want anything. Haaaaah… what’s wrong with you girls? You are both powerful and awesome but want nothing in return for pretty much getting enslaved. It’s not like it’s certain that I will be able to further help with your body, you know? It’s okay to ask for more.”

“You can ask for headpats!” Miria shouted from behind him.

Ast glanced back over his shoulder and saw his cute partner turn her head to the side to avoid his gaze, but still kept stealing a look or two with her eyes moving back and forth. He sighed with a smile.

“Don’t go assuming that everyone is as big headpat addict as you are,” he said.

“What do you mean?!”

“Exactly what I said, miss my-leg-shakes-when-master-scratches-below-my-left-ear.” He saw her go completely red and chuckled. “So, has this noble lady thought of a request for me?”

Selene pondered. The interactions between the two were really interesting. She was growing curious to know more about them and began noticing more and more signs that their relationship might not be that simple. 

She also wondered if having her ears touched would feel so good as to ask for it in the contract like Miria did since she never had anyone get too close to her after the curse revealed itself. Asterios told her anything was fine, but she still was hesitant. Part of her wanted to try it while the other half worried that it might seem unfitting of her image created in their eyes. But, she got an idea.

“Then, would it be okay if you… took care of my tail from time to time, my Lord?”

Asterios chuckled again. He was starting to think that all Beatstfolk were actually deep down into getting petted even if they didn’t show it, and Miria wasn’t just an oddball due to her adorable and airheaded personality.

“Of course. I’ll make sure it receives proper attention whenever you want. That is if you teach me how to first. I’m not sure if what I learned about beasts has the same impact on beast people.”

「Even though I’m pretty sure it does, judging by Miria’s reactions to my touch,」 he added in his mind.

“Anyway, I won’t ask for anything more if you are comfortable with just this then. I accept those conditions,” he said and the circle started slightly glowing in crimson.

As before, Asterios brought out his ornamental knife and cut his finger. Selene was aware of this step and did the same after receiving the blade. They both dripped a drop of blood onto the circuit.

“Alright. Now we just need to seal the deal. Usually, it’s done with a kiss—”

“ON THE FOREHEAD!” Miria shouted from behind again, this time much louder and more lively.

Selene leaned to the side to check on the panthergirl and that hastily avoided her eyes, seemingly even more embarrassed than from her master’s teasing before. Something definitely was up.

“Just as she said.” Asterios brought her attention back to himself. “Are you fine with that?”

“Naturally. I don’t mind.”

Asterios stepped closer and drew the correct sigil with blood on their foreheads and then Selene lowered her face a bit, allowing him to comfortably place a kiss on the symbol. When he did, the circle flashed strongly again and they felt a connection being established between their souls. Selene was already taken aback by the sheer amount of spiritual essence starting to be shared with her. She expected only a tiny bit of it.

They stepped back from each other and she was met with a kind smile from her new master. And one more thing.

~Is it complete now, Master?~ Miria’s voice resonated in her mind.

~Yeah, it is, but—~

~Thank gods I intervened or she could have made the same mistake as me… ah! It’s not like I’m against you kissing her, Master, but if that would have been her first, like mine, then she might not have wanted to do it by accident. I mean… don’t misunderstand, Master, your kisses are amazing. Always so soft, warm and affectionate. I really love them. A lot. But still, the first time should—~

~Miria.~

~Ah! Yes?~

~She can hear you.~

~...~

Selene listened to the conversation and watched as Asterios tried his best to hold back his laugh after failing to warn the enthusiastic girl and Miria instantly shot her a gaze of pure shock and surprise straight at her, with eyes wide to the brim, freezing completely. Not even her tail moved an inch.

Her smile made the stunned Pantherkin suddenly jerk and run towards Asterios. Soon, she hid behind his back, hitting it with her face creating a loud thump. That finally broke Ast’s composure and made him release his laugh.

“Masteeeeeeeeeer…” the shy girl called to him in a low and embarrassed voice.

“Hahaha, I tried to stop you. Selene is now part of our connection. You need to focus on me if you want to have a private mental conversation now. I haven’t taught you that, because it wasn’t necessary up to now.”

Miria squirmed behind him while clutching his coat and hiding her face in it. Ast bent his arm and managed to somehow brush her cheek to reassure his partner a little. He turned his face to the other woman again.

“Sorry about that. It’s an oversight on my part,” he apologized.

Selene shook her head. “It’s fine. We all make mistakes and I don’t mind. On another note… you two…”

Asterios sighed. He planned to go through this later, after having spoken about it with Miria, but the cat was already out of the bag, literally. He asked her privately to come out so that they could explain their relationship to Selene properly. Miria hesitantly obeyed and moved to his side. Ast started affectionately brushing through her hair at the back of her head.

After a moment, Miria finally calmed down enough to raise her gaze back at the foxwoman. “I… ummm… Master accepted me as his mate so… we are together…” She did her best to speak, running away with her eyes now and then.

“Pretty much that. We haven’t known each other for long, but I just couldn’t ignore her. I hope you aren’t bothered by this fact,” he added.

“No, of course not, my Lord. I was actually starting to wonder if that was the case as you two looked quite close. Ah. I remember now. Some tribes use collars to show their love. I see now,” she rubbed her chin again and nodded.

Miria squirmed when reminded of her little ploy from the past and Asterios smiled at her.

“I’m glad then. And as for the collar, partially yes.”

“Partially?”

“At first, it was only meant as identification for Miria being my summon. You can see the plate on it.” The panthergirl brushed over the badge affectionately. “Only later I realized that it had another meaning. I guess we are now even for not telling the other one about something, right?” He moved his hand to Miria’s ears and scratched behind them, making her blush heavily again.

“Do I get one too?”

“Only if you are okay with it. I’m not going to force you to wear a collar against your will. Theoretically speaking, it’s in the rules for Summoners, but technically, no one can enforce it. Not every beast has to be up for the idea,” he explained.

“Then, as my Lord’s familiar, I shall humbly request one. I have a feeling that I will be able to wear it with pride.” Selene smiled. It was an intriguing idea and she had nothing against it.

“As you wish. We’ll get it next time we visit our friend at the Guild.” He glanced to the side at the catgirl. “I’ll leave filling Selene up on the basics of our bond and other things to you, Miria.”

She shot him a surprised glance. “Eh? Why me?!”

“So that you two can get to know each other better and you won’t be getting all embarrassed around her all the time. And you are pretty much Selene’s senior. Can I leave this to you?”

Miria stared at his face uncertain how to answer. She took a few deep breaths to try and calm herself down and turned to him again. “I’ll do it. I can be dependable.”

Ast leaned forward and planted a kiss on Miria’s forehead, ruining all her effort in stabilizing her heart rate and body temperature. “I never said you aren’t,” he said with a smile. “Well then. If you want to do it mentally, please include me so that I can clear things up if necessary. If there would be something you don’t want me to hear, focus on each other. That will be good training for you too.”

He then left the duo together and started getting rid of the summoning circle and all the other stuff that was left around the area after the ritual was finished. Not long after he began, the girls joined him while speaking mentally amongst all of them. Asterios learned that Selene was aware of some basics about master/familiar connection by listening to them and decided to ask about that sometime later.

After getting rid of all the evidence, well, besides a few trees with a drilled hole in them and a huge, unnaturally cut pan of grass, they headed back for the camp since it was late afternoon. Miria had nothing against Selene riding on her back and she carried both her and Asterios along the way. 

She was a little jealous that the foxgirl was able to experience hugging him from behind while it wasn’t even possible for Miria to do as Selene wasn’t able to morph. Asterios sensed her mood and cheered the girl up by reminding her that she could get way cuddlier with him than their new friend whenever she wanted as she had a much more personal connection with him. He felt Miria smirk at him as she replied that it wouldn’t be like that for long, making him shake his head and chuckle.

On their way, they also talked a bit about their fighting power, roles and such. Asterios and Miria briefly introduced their strong and weak points and a few tactics they used together. It would take much more time to get Selene accustomed to the party. She then shared with them her abilities in a bit more detail until Asterios mentioned that they would practice in the dungeon and it would allow them to learn about each other’s fighting style better.

~A dungeon?~ Selene asked.

~Monster Domain. Humans call them dungeons. Master knows a lot about them. And I really mean a lot. He taught me so many interesting things!~ Miria answered.

~Oh? I do know a thing or two about Monster Domains and now I’m curious about your knowledge, my Lord.~

So they proceeded to exchange information on those magical structures, and truly, Asterios was having way more input into that conversation than Selene did. She eagerly assimilated the new information.

~And I thought I was quite well-versed in them… You are amazing, my Lord. There are things I had never even seen in any book and I have the highest clearance.~

~If I remember correctly, Beastfolk aren’t exactly gifted with specific magics, right?~ Ast inquired.

~That’s true. Most tribes, like Miria’s, can’t do much more than reinforce themselves with spiritual energy and fuel their abilities with it. They are some, like us, Spiritual Foxes, that do have some control over the mana, but it’s not the magic you think of, my Lord.~

~Yeah. All that I know was revealed from decades of magical research. You wouldn’t be able to achieve the same level of understanding without certain spells and utilities.~

~I see. Do you mind if I share what I learn with others, my Lord?~

~Of course not. But I can’t guarantee that it’s exactly the same in your realm. It should be since it’s about spiritual essence and energy, but you can’t know for sure,~ Asterios warned her just in case.

~Thank you. It’s easier to confirm if you know what you are looking for. And I guess I will see for myself when we enter that dungeon. I had visited a few Monster Domains in the past.~

They finally reached the encampment after some time and Miria switched back to her humanoid form. The trio walked through the makeshift streets of the tent city together. It was as busy as usual so barely anyone paid attention to the girls’ ears or tails for longer than just a moment. A few of the men around sent Ast squinting gazes, but he had a feeling that it was more due to the two beautiful women walking by his sides more than anything else.

In front of the place that served as the inn, Asterios explained how narrow the space there was and that they had issues to fit even with the two of them and Selene definitely wouldn’t be up to creating a three-layered sleeping tower with them. She chuckled at the idea and agreed, deciding to return to her own, quite luxurious abode.

“Ah, right. You are a High Priestess so of course, you would have a nice house. I’ve heard that your main town is breathtaking. Do you live there?” Miria marvelled at her.

“Yes, I do. And it’s true. The capital of the Spiritual Foxes Tribe is truly a sight to behold. Especially during the night. If you ever decide to pay us a visit, let me know and I’ll make sure you get the best of it,” Selene said with a proud smile.

Miria’s ears flopped down a bit. “Damn… It’s so far from my village though… Too bad that I can’t just hop out from a portal near you like with Master...”

“Actually…” Asterios stroked his chin while starting to ponder over something and both girls turned to him. “I think you can. Partially.”

“Wait. Really?” The panthergirl looked at him with hope in her eyes.

Asterios went through his thoughts for a moment longer and then nodded. “Yeah. I may not be able to enter the summon’s realm, but other beasts usually were able to get in if the other one opened a portal specifically for them. That’s how I let Mii recover in Tina’s Water Serpent’s realm after she got injured in the past. And also, you two are even from the same world, so it should be even easier as you aren’t suddenly teleporting to a foreign land but just stepping back to your own at a different place,” he summarized his logic.

“So… I should be able to just take Miria with me, my Lord?” Selene asked for confirmation.

“I think so,” he answered with a shrug.

The girls looked at each other in slight disbelief and then shrugged too. Miria already shared with Selene her experiences of traversing the realms back and forth and the latter opened the dark crimson door in front of her. Then, they nodded to each other, and holding hands just in case, stepped into the red mist. They both went through, leaving Asterios alone.

He didn’t feel any weird emotions or any sudden pain from either of them so he concluded that it succeeded. To fully confirm his conclusion, Miria suddenly flew out of the still present portal and crashed against his chest.

“Masteeeeeeeeeeeeeeer! It worked! I got into Selene’s room!” She started jumping up and down while hugging him.

Asterios chuckled and embraced her too. “That’s great. I guess the only downside is that you have to go through me.”

“Indeed, but that’s a small price to pay if I were to be honest, my Lord.” Selene also emerged from the interdimensional door and shared her opinion.

“Definitely,” he replied.

After Miria got embarrassed again from openly cuddling to Ast in front of Selene and some other random people, the duo said their goodbyes to him and went back. The foxgirl invited her senior for a sightseeing trip and a sleepover, and Miria of course instantly agreed.

Asterios was left alone again. This time he was the one getting jealous of his summons. He could only check on the other side through Selene’s or Miria’s eyes and that was not even close to experiencing something by himself. If only he was able to join them, but there was never any mention of a Summoner making it through the interdimensional portal. Up to this day.