Level 1 Strongest Sage ~

Book 2: Chapter 9

Master-Servant Contract

The next morning, I came to the classroom a bit earlier because I was really worried about the destroyed training hall.

Well, the walls and floor of the hall had already been repaired when I got there.

I accidentally heard the conversation of the academy office ladies who happened to pass by. I learned from them that construction was done speedily last night, and repairs were completed in just a few hours. 

It seems dozens of repair-specialty magicians and construction dwarves gathered and finished the project in an instant.

Its Fathers instructions, probably. It made me reflect on the authority and influence of nobles in this world.

After inspecting the training hall, Tina went ahead to the academy central to attend a teachers conference, so I went to the classroom by myself.

Oy you! Yesterdays magic was so non-standard. Even this One was alarmed, you know.

!?

As I was daydreaming in my seat, I suddenly heard someone speaking, and my heart jumped.

Eh, its just Youko Since when were you here? I didnt notice you.

The one who spoke to me was Youko, the kimono-clad black-haired girl in our class.

This One has been here for a long time before you came.

Huh?

I definitely knew I was all alone in this classroom.

Hey, before that, there is something thats bothering me.

Youko, were you at the training hall yesterday?

Of course!

But we didnt see you do a magic demo. I dont even remember you being there

Ah, wait, I remember now. After everyone had their turn, Tina said only Luke and I remained. I already felt something was wrong with thatturns out it was because of this.

Everyone completely forgot Youkos existence. Not only that, it was not a short-term memory loss.

Notwithstanding our conversations prior to the class, when the time came for the demo, it was as if Youkos existence was wiped out from our minds.

You already saw this Ones magic.

What do you mean?

Weakening the presencethat is this Ones magic. Thats why nobody was aware that this One was there the whole time. Just like a moment ago.

Oh, so its magic that reduces your presence?

Ah, it is a higher-level one. It has the effect of being less susceptible to physical attacks because the existence itself is being hidden.

Wha, what, so there was magic like that

It is not an exaggeration to say that it is magic that belongs solely to this One. That is because nobody else can wield this magic.

Youko was bragging about her special ability to erase her presence, but I think theres a lot more to it than just that.

Hmmm So, youre saying the magic accumulated in those tails is a separate kind? 

What!?

Youko tried to hide the tails poking out from her back.

You brat, you are able to see these!?

Hmm, just vaguely.

My My tails They were unexpectedly seen Should I just obliterate him to shut him up? No This ones abnormal, it is not guaranteed I can win against him Youko kept on mumbling unsettling words.

Hey, stop it, will you!? Arent we comrades? If you dont want anyone else to know, I can just keep my mouth shut, you know?

It cant be helped

Youkos face looked so sour; its as if she resigned herself to whatever it was thats troubling her. She came closer, took my right hand, and planted a kiss on the back of my hand.

Wha Hey! What are you doing!!??

Contract.

A magic circleone that Ive never seen beforesuddenly emerged at the back of my right hand. An identical circle also appeared at the back of Youkos right hand.

I remember seeing a similar magic circle drawn in one of the grimoires I read before. If Im not mistaken, it is a kind of Master-Servant Contract magic circle thats used in the eastern island countries.

While I was thinking about this, Youkos information flooded my mind.

Without noticing it, a Master-Servant Contract between Youko and me was already formed. As a result, Yokos identity was laid bare before me, the Master.

Youko is a demon called Nine-Tailed Fox, and she has the ability to shapeshift into a human. Aside from that, she can achieve growth by accumulating magic in her tails.

In this world, a fully-grown Nine-Tailed Fox is feared just like a natural calamity. Youko wanted to efficiently amass large amounts of magical power, so she disguised herself as a human and came to the academy.

After gathering enough power, she planned to use [Coercion Magic] and [Brainwashing Magic] to manipulate the professors and students at will and take over the academy.

Hey!

Fugyu!! Wha, what are you doing, you brat!?

I was stunned at Yokos plans, so unwittingly, I landed a karate chop on her head. 

Youko clutching her head in pain was kinda cute.

That should be my line! You wanted to dominate the academy!?

This school is just the beginning! Im also planning to place the whole country under my thumb! So come, Master, let us dominate the world together!

Hey!!

Fugyu!! Q, Quit it!!

Another karate chop.

Whatever, stop doing dangerous things!

M, master, you have all that powerare you really not interested in having an enormous influence? If you team up with me, youll have the world in your palm.

Nah, Im not interested in world domination.

Wha, what did you say!?

Youko looked aghast.

You already noticed my tails! Didnt it cross your mind to just use the accumulated magic in them for yourself? Isnt that why you didnt tell that teacher?

Nope, I just wanted to hide it for no particular reason, so I kept mum about it.

Master, dont you understand? The Nine-Tailed Foxs power is one of the natural disasters of this world! Isnt it that when you humans notice our existence, dont you eliminate us immediately, or else keep the power for yourself while it is still immature!? Isnt that what humans do!?

Ah, thats right.

Thats right Master.

Either way, I never planned to use your powers to do evil things, nor did I plan to tell anyone else about you. Didnt I say that already?

Eh, so the contract that I conjured

Isnt it useless? Even without a contract, I would never harm you. Were classmates, right? Its okay to cancel the contract, you know?

cant.

Eh?

I used the magical power of one tail in order to form a bond with you since you are of a higher rank than me. The bond is too strong. I cant severe it.

Then, can I just sever the bond myself?

I was worried you would rescind the contract and inflict harm upon me, so I made it so that youll be prevented from canceling it.

Hey Arent you investing too much for a one-sided contract?

As soon I thought about what kind of contract it might be, the contents of the contract flowed into my head.

Youko will obey all my orders, regardless of what it is, except for actions that will risk her life. In exchange for that, I wont be able to dissolve the contract, and a desire to protect her will stir up in me. 

Upon seeing my contemplative appearance, Youko perceived that I was examining the contents of the contract.

Do you understand now? This One devoted everything I have, except this life, to you.

Just like that, a magical creature possessing calamitous powers became my obedient pet 

T/N corner: Now that Youko and Halt formed a contract, Ill be dropping Youkos use of This person/ This One Although she continued to use it in the series (constantly speaking in archaic fashion); its just too cumbersome to read in English. Ill also use I/me/you for other characters who speak archaic Japanese