Entha

Chapter 9: I Became a Contract Holder

‘Esteroth, why are you backing out? Do I become that guy’s subordinate, he looks arrogant though, and I shouldn’t be worrying about that, I don’t even have a single clue on how this world works, should I ask Gale?...The Duke’s 5th child? Me? Calix De Val? What do I do? Probably because of this eye, that I don’t have a single clue of why it was that important, but should I fake tears? At least he’s not gouging my eyes haha'

Calix wondered if Helliun rotated like Earth; the sky hadn't changed much since he last looked at it; beyond the massive Victorian-style windows, was the same shade of blackness and light brought by the clusters of stars far above the sky, which hadn't gotten brighter or darker. Abiding by the Duke’s request, Calix and Gale stood outside the ornate doors.

“Sir Gale, What does it actually mean to become the duke’s 5th child”

“MiLord, Gale is fine, Did you not have a family back on Earth?”

Calix felt a chill when Gale casually blurted out the title; he wasn't used to being addressed as 'MiLord.' Calix, who had lived in an Era and a country with a democratic government where equality was paramount, and who had been looked down on his entire life, shivered and cringed at the strange title 'MiLord.'

"Yeah, I'd never met my father or mother, and I suppose you wouldn't be able to drop the 'MiLord,'" Calix stated flatly, implying that he was unconcerned about his descendant.

"Of course, Milord, I serve Duke Areath and his offspring, which, of course, includes you... That's unfortunate; may I inquire as to why they had left you?”

“I don’t know about my father, but I heard my mother charmed men by the streets”

“I see, it would have been much easier to explain, but just like how a father is supposed to act, the duke will nourish you depending on your Entha”

“So, how do I know about my Entha?" Calix inquired, when the closed ornamented door creaked open, revealing the Dukes eldest daughter, the woman who resembled Heather, in her formal attire of black and gold, wherein instead of a dress she wore a tight slack and thus exuded this calm aura of an independent dependable woman.

“The Lord, request you to come in Calix” said Elena, with her ice cold voice,

Calix couldn’t help but compare Elena to a harsh winter storm, pale as snow, yet enchanting, chilly and dangerous, yet mystifying.

‘Cold yet Beautiful’ he thought, as he make meek steps moving forward, towards a magic circle that had not been drawn earlier,

"Calix, My son, we will now determine your Entha, so step in the midst of the magic circle," Areath stated, his face solemn but his voice quivering with excitement at his announcement.

Confirming that Calix had made his way to the center of the circle, Elena offered him a rough rolled paper sealed with a red string, Calix took the paper without hesitation and returned his gaze to the duke, waiting for the next order, but everyone, even Eseroth, was deafeningly quiet. Along with a whistle-like sound from above and the glow of the magical circle he was standing at, an overwhelming pleasure and desire filled his mind, making his knees weak and causing him to droop on the ground, maniacally laughing, Calix violently bit his thumb, opening a wound where crimson blood flowed, he laid down the rough paper, and with a swish of his hand, he wrote unfamiliar letters. Calix resembled a possessed individual, splurging his blood on the paper and the floor, which would surely make a normal person turn away, but the demon seemed unconcerned and instead focused on the letters he was etching. Like a mad pianist finishing his sonata, Calix, with his shriveled black hair, glanced down at the ground, he felt an extreme form of excitement at what he had written, still smiling, he steadily returned his gaze to the duke, presenting the rough paper he held with both hands on one end and another, panting, he spoke slowly,

“ I want to be a Contract Holder”

Everyone gave a thumbs up smile, but Heather couldn’t help but think that it was such a waste of Plegia's eye, however he did not gave up the thought of making his brother an Orphus, it was fine if he didn’t rival the power of the said Grandifs, but he deeply wished that unlike his sisters, his brother would allow him to teach the basics of sword fighting, to his surprise his father had the same thought, he gave a gleeful smile and genuinely supported his father’s next words.

“Well done, My son, Calix!, How is it? It fills your very existence doesn’t it, in regards to your Entha, I now officially announce that your siblings shall impart their knowledge, Esteroth De Val and Halen De Val both with similar Entha with you, would educate you about being a contract holder, mana powered magic circle formation would be taught to you by one of the Kingdom of Enrata's finest alchemists, from the generation of the De Val, Elena De Val, lastly the art of swordplay will be taught to you by the sword master Gale and a Nephus of the Kingdom of Enrata, Heather De Val... Calix De Val, my 5th child, Bond well with your siblings”

*Nephus a demon rank akin to Captain, which leads a troop ranging from 30-50 demons.