Chapter 673: Shoulders that Bear

Chapter 673: Shoulders that Bear

Alex had to be meticulous, checking a diagram for the summoning circle he was drawing.

It had to be perfect.

The afternoon had found the young wizard in his laboratory, bent over his desk, sketching a magical circle for a new fifth-tier spell

Summon Planar Ally, the very first relational contract summoning spell he would ever cast. And he was almost ready to cast it. Professor Mangal had worked with him, helping him prepare for this nextvery important stepas a summoner.

Until nowthe method he used to call allies was subjugation style summoning magic, making sure to treat the summons with respect. Not that he would have ever treated his summons with anything but respect, but if it ever happened and they wanted to get away from him, there was no danger of them escaping his control, as long as the spells were cast correctly. Those types of spells had a downside though; anything he summoned was limited in power.

The most powerful entities he could conjure were greater elementals, celestial dire tigers, and other monsters of a similar strength. While they were still mighty creatures, and would likely devastate many Ravener-spawn

they would also fall short when it came to standing against powerful priests or warriors of the hidden church. Even against certain Ravener-spawn,his summoned monsters were often torn apart with ease, nevermind the churchs human monsters.

If he wanted allies that could do more than just serve as a brief shield against monstrosities like the First and Third Apostles, hed need some with a lot more power.

Both Binding Style and Relational Style Contract Summoning would give him allies with that level of power, but creatures like that would also bring a certain amount of risk with them. Those spells, by their very nature, allowed greater freedom to any ally he summoned. And if the entity wasnt boundwillinglywith a relational contract, or tied unwillingly, in a binding one, the end result could be chaos.

Before such bargains or bindings were struck, anything he called would have to be contained within a perfect summoning circle; the slightest flaw could mean a very angry, very powerful monster escaping, taking vengeance on the summonerhim.

So, thats where the need for perfection came in.

Almost done, he told himself, calling on the Mark. I think this construction is about as strong as I can make it He paused, noting an image the Mark was showing him. ah, the left side of the circle was more symmetrical last time. Id better draw it again

Suddenly, he heard a knock at the door.

Alex! Selina called. Theres a message for you!

Coming! he called back, teleporting to the top of the stairs and unlocking the door. His sister stood there, holding a butterfly-shaped messenger construct.

Thanks, he said. Huh, that must be from Professor Jules. She really loves her butterflies doesnt she? He looked at Selina with a raised eyebrow. You didnt open the message, did you?

She rolled her eyes. Youve been spending too much time locked away down there. Im not about to start opening your letters, Alex, she said, taking the folded parchment from the construct and handing it to her brother.

Thanks, Selina. Alex unfolded the letter.

Whats it say? she asked.

His breath caught when he read what was written by Watcher Hill on behalf of herself and Professor Jules.

Come to Professor Jules office at the University. Do not attempt to go to Greymoor. Theyve made their move.

Signed, Watcher Hill and Professor Jules.

He swallowed. Selina, whatre your plans for the day?

Um, I was going to go to Abuelas house. Why?

You can go, but get Claygon to go with you, Alex said. Theresa should be back soon. I need you to tell her that they might be coming.

Selina gasped. You mean She mouthed the words. the church?

Yes, Alex said. Im not going to lie to you, Selina; youre old enough to know whats coming for me. For us. Im going to try andOof!

She jumped on him, holding on like shed never see him again. I know you have to go, but be careful. Be careful.

I will, he promised, hugging her while mentally contacting his golem.

She looked at him with sadness. I remember when I first met you, you were this skinny, enthusiastic young man. It seemed all there was in your head was curiosity, alchemyand that brilliant mind of yours. Her eyes drifted to his shoulders. Your shoulders are so broad now, in many senses of the word; your burdens have been heavy. And all because some dead god wanted children to fight his battles.

She looked at Alex. Its alright to be scared.

Ive prepared for this, professor, Alex said.

Its alright to be scared.

I cant be, Ive got too much to do, I

Its alright to be scared.

Im not scared, Im angry, if anything! Alexs voice rose. I mean, who do they think they are, calling you out? Demanding that I come with them like some common outlaw? Im very angry!

Its okay, Jules said softly, and at that moment, she seemed less like a professor of alchemyand more like a kindly grandmother. Alex, its okay to be scared.

I His voice broke.

He remembered the endless hours hed spent trying to make himself so important to Generasi, that they wouldnt just send him away. Hed spent nearly every waking moment preparing, gathering power, growing his reputation.

Even before that, hed already been pushing hard in his studies, entering the Games of Roal, trying to get his name out there. In many ways, hed done it out of anger; hed never wanted to ever feel like he had when he was being interrogated by those two Generasi investigators during the demon summoner attacks.

But, theres more to this, isnt there? he thought. What about Theresas family in the Rhinean Empire. What if the church decided to threaten them, and put pressure on them?

He swallowed as Professor Jules watched him with a gentle gaze.

Y-youre right, he said, his voice shaking. For a moment, he allowed his body language to relax. He allowed his mask to shatter. Professor, Im bloody terrified. But Ive done my best to prepare for this. Ive done everything I can.

Of course you have, she said.

But Im still bloody scared. What if nothing Ive done works? What if the city council decides Im too much trouble. I could leave, but I dont want to. I shouldnt have to. What about Selinas life here? What about Theresas? And what about her family? Whats going to happen to them?

Professor Jules nodded. Theres a lot on your shouldersyou, your friends, the Heroes. I dont envy you. The worst thing I had to worry about at your age was final exam results. I cant imagine what this must be like for you.

Itsits hard, but Ive got to keep going, dont I? Alexs voice shook. But bloody, hell, why cant they just leave me alone?

I know. I know. Professor Jules got up and rounded the desk. She spread her arms. Come here, Mr. Roth.

Alex looked at her for a long moment, before getting up and hugging his professor.

Thats it, she said. Were going to fight with you. Together. The university of Generasi is not in the habit of giving up its students.

Alex couldnt help but laugh; a little while ago, hed been hugging Selina and comforting her. Now professor Jules was doing the same for him.

What do you thinks going to happen now? he said.

We wait for Councillor Kartika to meet with me, Professor Jules said. Then Im going to do my damnedest to make sure the council doesnt do anything stupid. But what do you want to do? If you want, we will handle this until we cant. You can continue being a student.

No, Alex said, pulling away from the hug. If I can get my own meeting with Councillor Kartika, I will. And Im going to talk to my friends and were going to

He paused, a thought occurred to him.

...did you say Councillor Kartika might meet with the king and the High Priest?

Yes, Professor Jules said.

His jaw clenched. Any chance I could be at the meeting?