#Episode 11
‘And… that letter didn’t just arbitrarily restrict this kid to be my familiar for no reason.’
Vasha felt certain that the letter hadn’t linked her to this child without a purpose, despite her anger at the letter for offering only a paltry reward.
‘Perhaps this kid might help me regain my memories….’
This only strengthened her resolve to make a contract with the child.
Looking at the kid, Vasha spoke clearly.
“What I want is you.”
“…What?”
Todd was startled by Vasha’s sudden declaration. Realizing her words could be misinterpreted, Vasha quickly added,
“I want to make you my familiar.”
“What?”
Todd could only repeat himself. Though the meaning of Vasha’s words was clear, their implications threw him into confusion.
After a moment of shocked silence, Todd finally managed to ask,
“Why?”
Seeing that Vasha could use the Binding Contract confirmed that she really was a high-ranking vampire.
But why would such a high-ranking vampire want an ordinary human child as a familiar?
‘If she knows I’m a Van Drake, things would be different….’
Indeed, a Van Drake couldn’t be considered an ordinary human. Though he was cautious of the vampire now, Todd believed that once he grew, even a high-ranking vampire wouldn’t scare him….
‘If only I can grow up.’
Young lions can be killed by hyenas, and eaglets can be eaten by snakes. Considering this, Todd could roughly guess the vampire’s intention.
Even though a grown Van Drake is a vampire’s nemesis, a Binding Contract ensures mutual non-harm.
If the vampire could make him a familiar and wield him safely, it would be beneficial. If not, she could just kill him while he was still young.
Sweat trickled down the back of Todd’s neck.
Unaware of Todd’s suspicions and fears, Vasha thought the kid was simply overwhelmed by the situation.
If she explained patiently and used kind words, surely the kid wouldn’t refuse to become his familiar.
Vasha began gently,
“Do you know what a familiar is?”
“A familiar is a vampire’s soul companion. Familiars and vampires can’t harm each other, and they protect and assist one another, mostly supporting the vampire’s penalties.”
“…You know quite a lot.”
Vasha was surprised, having expected to explain everything. How did this kid know so much?
‘Could he be involved with some vampire-following cult?’
A young child knowing so much about vampires was certainly suspicious.
Both of them were misunderstanding each other, thinking the other was something they were not. With the situation so complex, clearing up the confusion seemed impossible, and neither was eager to try.
Todd’s mind raced. Though familiars and vampires are equals, no commands or restrictions can be imposed. However, during the initial Binding Contract, conditions can be enforced.
The Binding Contract is a soul pact that imposes conditions through true names. This means that numerous conditions could be attached to making someone a familiar.
If that wasn’t the case, it would be called a Familiar Contract instead.
Using Todd as a familiar just to escape a Van Drake’s threat seemed inefficient.
‘If she knows I’m a Van Drake, she must have some conditions she wants to impose….’
Todd needed to know what those conditions were.
He pressed again,
“So, what I don’t understand is, why me? What do you gain from making someone like me, who’s weak and has no status, your familiar? You must want something.”
“Hmm…”
Vasha rubbed her chin.
Would this smart kid understand if she explained that there was no one else she could take as a familiar?
No, the kid would probably use that against her, wielding it as a threat.
Though their conversation hadn’t been long, Vasha already realized that this kid wasn’t easily swayed.
‘He thinks I’m a high-ranking vampire. In that case….’
Vasha responded shamelessly.
“Then what’s the reason you shouldn’t be my familiar?”
“What?”
“It just so happened that I didn’t have a familiar at the time, and it was intriguing to see you being chased by the Lamphas Church. So, I decided on a whim to make you my familiar.”
Most high-ranking vampires, having lived for a long time, were often fickle and unpredictable.
They might let their prey go for no reason or kill their kin without consuming them. Understanding or predicting their behavior was quite challenging.
Though Vasha couldn’t remember her own past, every high-ranking vampire she’d encountered behaved this way. Imitating these high-ranking vampires from her memory, Vasha put on airs.
“Besides, it’s not like I expect anything from my familiars.”
That’s not true. She did expect a lot. She just couldn’t hope for it anymore.
Vasha, hiding her lingering feelings, shrugged indifferently.
“Anyway, that’s how I am. If you don’t like it, forget it. I’m done here, so I’ll be going.”
“W-wait!”
Todd grabbed Vasha.
He couldn’t believe the sincerity of Vasha’s words. It felt as if all his predictions were falling apart.
So, Vasha didn’t expect anything from him even if he became a familiar, and wouldn’t kill him if she didn’t want to? Really?
Meanwhile, the crackling sound of the burning building became more distinct as people added more firewood. The sound of the wooden planks collapsing under the flames reached their ears.
The room on the third floor was heating up. The stifling heat made it hard to breathe.
But Todd couldn’t tell if the suffocating feeling was from the fire or from the unknown emotions boiling inside him.
Desperately trying to find a lie in Vasha’s words, Todd asked again,
“Really… that’s all? You don’t want anything from me?”
“Hmm… if possible, grow up strong and healthy? It wouldn’t hurt me if my familiar is healthy.”
Since their first meeting, this kid had always been in terrible shape, which made Vasha worry about his health. Thankfully, the kid seemed to have good recovery abilities.
After thinking it over, Vasha couldn’t come up with anything else.
Every word Vasha spoke made Todd’s head spin. Asking him to grow up strong and healthy—words even his own family had never said to him.
Unable to shake off the feeling as if bugs were crawling over his fingers, Todd screamed.
“You really don’t know who I am?”
“Other than the fact that you’re being chased by the Lamphas Church as a heretic, no. Who are you?”
“………”
Todd pressed his lips together.
So, Vasha didn’t know he was a Van Drake.
A high-ranking vampire wanting to make a contract with him without conditions.
Would such a golden opportunity ever come again?
Todd shook his head. This was a lifeline from heaven.
In that case…
He decided to take the gamble too.
“Alright. I’ll make the contract.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
“Great! I’m so happy!”
Feigning nonchalance, Vasha was inwardly relieved that Todd accepted her offer. She jumped for joy, then, realizing she was overexcited, smiled sheepishly.
Not forgetting to hurry the contract before Todd could change his mind.
Clap!
Vasha clapped her hands. A flash of light appeared between her palms.
As Vasha’s palms parted, threads of magic intertwined, forming silvery letters that floated into the air.
The words of the Binding Contract completed, turning into chains that locked tightly together.
“I, Vasylisha, propose the [Binding Contract].”
As Vasha spoke her true name, a chain flew toward her heart, binding her soul.
Now it was Todd’s turn to speak his true name. Vasha looked at him expectantly.
