I braced myself as I noticed a blur coming in my direction. It stuck my chest and air left my lungs.
"Ouch." I exclaimed and looked down, as I felt something warping around me.
There was a long cold blooded animal wrapping around my body. The creature was about 2 feet long and wider than my arms. It coiled around my body and reached toward my face.
It slithered and a cold tongue touched my face.
"That is quite a weak summon." Ves spoke in my mind.
I shook my head and patted at the black snake. It was only one core monster. I then whispered.
"Sign the contract, little snake."
It shook and gave me a nod. Afterward, I felt a connection between me and the black snake. I let it coiled around my shoulder and nodded.
"I will give you a name but not now." I said as I grabbed the upgrade card.
I placed it on top of the snake's head and activated it mentally. It transformed into white sparks and entered into the snake.
The black snake stiffened as it was not sure about the sparks. I smiled and patted the snake again.
"Don't worry. It is my gift." I said.
The snake soothed under my words and accepted the sparks. It closed its eyes and fell asleep.
"Do you feel anything strange, Ves?" I asked my companion.
"Your system didn't lie. This little one is entering the state of hibernation. Best to back away. With your body, you can't handle the shockwave." Ves said.
I nodded, agreeing with Ves. My body was not that strong. I knew myself the most. I gently placed the black snake on the floor and stepped back.
I observed with my monocle as it showed that the mana surrounding the snake got heavier. It seemed to be building up inside the black snake until it reached the point where it couldn't contain anymore.
"Brace yourself." Ves warned. His voice echoed in my head.
I immediately put out my arms and braced.
The mana exploded from the black snake as it created three other cores simultaneously. The released energy was strong enough to tear every piece of furniture inside the room.
Then the pressure wave died down. I looked through the gaps of my arms and saw a giant snake sleeping.
The snake was bigger than the normal car I saw in my previous life.
I ignored the damage to my room since I didn't need to worry about money. My family was rich.
I chuckled.
"How is this?" I asked.
"Hmm. Not bad. You can add him to your fighting power, although with me here, you don't need to worry about that aspect." Ves said.
I nodded. I had been wanting to get the other contract beast but Ves always shot down the ideas.
Building a connection with the contract was hard. Sure, I could make a contract with a powerful beast but their will was strong. So, it is always recommended to make a contract with a weaker beast and slowly build up from there.
But I didn't have much time back then so I dropped the idea as well.
Now, with the system reward, I can ignore the time consuming process of nurturing my contract beast.
I was satisfied with this. The four cores beast was not strong in my eyes but it was much better than a regular folk.
I walked toward my beast and tried to communicate with our connection. But I got no response. It was like talking to a brick wall.
The confusion came to my mind and I shrugged off. Just as I was about to touch the snake, its yellow eyes widened.
There was no trace of familiarity inside the yellow beastie eyes. It was facing a crude uncaring monster.
I shook and flinched as goosebumps came over me.
"Ves." I called out.
I heard a sigh. "Your little snake can't handle the sudden change in beings. Its mind was consumed by instinct."
"Any tips on how I can calm him down?" I asked, gauging its eyes.
"Beat him until he remembered the contract."
"Is there no other way than violence? I don't want to drive trauma into my little snake." I said.
"No." Ves said flatly.
I knew there was another way but considering Ves's personality, violence was the solution for him.
I sighed.
"Alright. Let's begin the beating."
***
Mia's pov.
I was late. It was supposed to be Johan's job and yet he dared to make me work. I knew he was the heir of Noise but that didn't excuse him for such work.
It was supposed to be his class and yet, he didn't even make it to the final interview.
Well, there was an excuse he could use at least.
The headmaster summoned him to give him some words. I hoped she reminded him that he is supposed to be the instructor of this academy.
I shook my head and speeded up my steps, practically jogging.
I won't do this unrefined behavior often but I wanted to read my book. It was supposed to be my rest day, cozying in my giant library.
I sighed and looked ahead at the dormitory.
Suddenly, there was an explosion. My mana sense picked up the aura of a four cores beast. My heart jumped up in fright.
What was going on?
I looked through the window and saw the back of the dormitory. There was a huge black snake coming out from the dormitory. Its skin shone with mana.
Beast attack? My mind runs through every possible outcome.
Did the demons attack the academy? No, it was impossible. The academy was protected by layers upon layers of protection.
Thankfully, there were no students on the training field.
I opened the window and jumped down from the height.
Before I dropped to the ground, I manipulated mana around me and conjured a spell.
Flight.
I then rushed over to the beast. When I came near the snake, I noticed the real power of the beast.
It was a peak four cores beast. The fight with it would be hard, considering how much force I could use. I can't let it attack the main building or the students area.
I hurried, channeling mana into the flight spell.
When I arrived I noticed someone's presence under the dust. A student?
No.
His mana presence was low. There shouldn't be such a weak student here. And even if it was, no student would come to the back of the academy at this hour.
They most likely prepare their room or socialize with their peers.
The dust settled and the man revealed himself.
It was loathsome Johan. He was calm, looking tenderly at the beast. I admit he was a better looking man. His vibe was not any like the noblemen I have ever met.
There was no perverted expression when he looked at me. That was the only thing I liked about him the most.
He didn't see me as a beautiful woman to conquer.
But I still didn't like him. He thinks of himself as the above of all. How dared he make me work in my reading hour?
I landed beside him.
He smiled and nodded to me. "Hello, Mia."
"What is going on? Did the enemy attack?" I asked.
He shook his head and lifted up his monocle. "No. It is just my familiar going wild."
"Huh?" I exclaimed in confusion. "That is your familiar."
I said pointing at the giant black snake. He nodded with his face flushed red in embarrassment.
"Then hurry and control it." I said in a tiny bit of anger. I couldn't believe that the instructor would cause this much damage to the dormitory.
I understood that his room would not be to his liking but damaging the dormitory for that was too much.
"Well." He said. "I am working on it."
Suddenly, the snake rushed forward with its mouth trying to swallow us.
I conjured another spell using my water affinity.
Water shield. I shielded the both of us.
"Woah. Your mana control is quite good."
My eyes twitched. I regretted shielding him. Sigh..
There was no use in that, he was still the instructor of the academy. I pushed back the snake with my shield.
It injected venom into my shield, breaking my construct into pieces. I lost control of the spell.
Rather than trying to establish the connection again, I decided to create a new one. Then, I felt a hand out on my shoulder.
I looked up and saw Johan. His eyes were calm.
"No need to kill him." He said calmly. He took back his hand and pointed at the snake.
A purple aura surged out from his body. His mana level spiked. It bended the surrounding mana forcefully, commending it to his will.
That was the domain of the mage. I couldn't believe how fast he established the domain.
Then, he manipulated the mana in a way that I never saw before. Normally, I would put that into a talent but this was not it.
I could feel the weight behind his mana manipulation. There was hours and hours of practice inside it.
I was starstruck by this.
He controlled the mana and grabbed a hold of the snake.
The snake didn't dare to move. It couldn't move even if it wanted to. I felt mana leaving out from the snake. Soon, the giant snake slowly transformed into the regular one.
He nodded and walked over to the snake. He picked up gently and patted it.
He looked up to me and smiled. "Sorry about that."
Yeah, that word won't definitely calm my mind at all.
But, at least he got another list of things I liked about him. He was strong. Terrifyingly strong.