The demon is by my side

Food Consequences

The raw materials have special uses when fresh, but more materials require processing to enhance their effectiveness. It can also help conceal their source, making both usage and handling more convenient.

Occasionally, Filis assigns Alpha some odd jobs. She didn't expect much from her magical i***t familiar. However, having him take care of cleaning and cooking proved to be quite convenient. He showed a keen interest in spice combinations, perhaps due to his abyssal origin from the molten lava depths. In just a few days, he managed to prepare food that was palatable.

With Alpha around, Filis, who used to be immersed in research to the point of neglecting basic needs, suddenly felt the benefits of having a housekeeper. In addition to odd jobs, Filis directed Alpha to the library to study human language and history gradually. She even provided him with some introductory alchemical books, all in preparation for better utilizing him in the future. Alpha, however, didn't seem to mind these tasks. He displayed a strong curiosity and remarkable diligence in everything. Filis would often find him engrossed in books during the late hours when she had some creative ideas.

A demon with a love for learning – that was a positive development! However, Filis was unaware that, besides reading the books she assigned, this demon had already started delving into spatial magic. Magic, for abyssal demons, was an advanced technology requiring racial inheritance. Such knowledge was perpetually under the control of the Archdemon and the powerful demon races. Yet, in Filis' library, containing almost all branches of magical knowledge, Alpha couldn't help but feel excited. Now, with this treasure trove of knowledge in front of him, as an intelligent humanoid demon, he eagerly absorbed everything he could comprehend.

However, being primarily a physical attacker, Alpha lacked elemental perception and magical energy reserves, not to mention elemental control. Many elemental magic practices were out of his reach, remaining theoretical. Unable to practice hands-on, his understanding of theory was also hindered. Only spatial magic, due to years of studying summoning principles and a few experiences with teleportation arrays, seemed more accessible to him. Spatial magic was built upon a series of rules and computations, requiring less magical energy reserve. As long as one could draw a good array, even a novice could activate it. Advanced arrays required significant power, which could be compensated for with magical materials. Moreover, summoning spells were generally not used in combat, and they didn't demand stringent requirements regarding casting time and space.

A high-level planar summoner excelled in understanding various laws, including finding loopholes in them. They possessed strong spatial and planar thinking, excellent compositional skills, and a vast memory like a database.

Alpha quickly became engrossed in this highly technical and powerful magic.

Filis found solace in having such a quiet demon, one who only enjoyed reading books. Except when she gave him tasks, she often forgot his presence; he was quite unobtrusive. Conversely, Servis, the entity without a physical form, was noisy.

However, after ten days, Filis finally discovered an unlikable aspect of Alpha. This demon had devoured all her stored roasted pig trotters! Those were appetizers she kept for entertaining guests, ones she usually didn't consume. Typically, a single purchase from the city could last her a year. Yet, this time, Alpha had shamelessly eaten them all and even boldly asked her for more!

Filis recalled that his demand was entirely legal, as pig trotters were included as a food guarantee in the contract. If she didn't provide them, he could even demand a termination of the contract.

If it were ten days ago, Filis would have hesitated little in sending him back to the abyss. However, now she had grown accustomed to his presence. Someone washed her clothes, prepared her meals three times a day, and her living area was no longer chaotic. Everything was returned to its place promptly, and most importantly, whenever she needed magical materials, whether on the ground floor or the top floor, Alpha could accurately fetch them. No longer did she have to put aside her experiments and search through layers of clutter. Filis realized that Alpha was indeed a suitable assistant. He seemed afraid that she would find him useless and send him back, so he consistently applied himself to learning, working diligently to complete every task she assigned. Wasn't that the nature of a familiar and servant demon? Filis pondered. She wondered whether it was the result of the contract or Alpha's inherent qualities, considering he was her first familiar and servant demon.

"Perhaps when I have a chance to chat with friends in the future, I'll inquire about the usefulness of familiar contracts," Filis thought. Regardless, even if the contract shaped his work attitude, his memory was already remarkable. He had memorized numerous labels for potions and materials, and even the ones with her personal touches – after teaching him just once, he remembered them all. Was this the advantage of humanoid demons?

In any case, Filis knew she couldn't do without him now. She didn't want to return to the chaos of searching for things as she did before. She felt fortunate for signing a familiar contract with Alpha – a contract where she held complete control over him. Moreover, it was a contract written in Alpha's own blood, making it powerful enough to bind him. The only loophole was the frustrating issue of food! Even if Alpha's demands were lower, he still needed to eat, and he preferred meat! More importantly, he developed an addiction to pig trotters, showing little interest in other foods. Even if he didn't make a fuss, his stomach would grumble incessantly in front of Filis, looking pitiful and lethargic, resembling someone mistreated by Filis. Filis couldn't stand it.

But why pig trotters! If it were potatoes or bread, it would be much easier...

Complaints aside, Filis still had to meet Alpha's basic requirements. Perhaps she should be grateful that she didn't give Alpha more outrageous foods like dragon meat. Considering everything, it was time for her to go back to town. So, she finally stepped out of the laboratory's large door, changed out of her robe, and washed off the purple hair dye, revealing a light pink hair color.

"Servis, take care of the house!" After saying this, she turned to Alpha. "Come on, Alpha, let's go buy food and meet some new friends!"