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“Alright, both of you, knock it off. First of all, have you asked Iruma for his opinion on this?” Balam asked Opera and Kalego as he folded his arms.
Pause. That was it. With that, they all settled down in an empty room where no one could disturb them.
Opera’s ears had dropped down and the deafening silence was simply unbearable. Opera and Kalego were sitting on a couch together while Iruma was sitting on a different couch with Balam standing beside the couch.
Being the first to break the awkward silence, Balam asked Iruma, “… Iruma-kun, how do you feel about all this?”.
Iruma gulped nervously, seemingly unsure of what he wanted or even needed. After all, had he even been considered a real son to his biological parents?
The times he cried all alone in his room, was it really worth it? Just to see his parents smile?
He went the long mile and did things others would not do in his position. He thought his parents’ bright face after would make it alright. The gap in his heart would be filled soon. He believed.
He did whatever his parents told him to do, portraying himself as a perfect, obedient, and good child. But, his parents simply turned away from him as if nothing would be enough for them. He was still young then, no one could push all the blame on him. Could they?
The burdens on his shoulders made him heavy, causing him to stumble and fall on the dirty hard ground while he carried out the tasks his parents gave him.
He cried, but nobody came to his aid. He wished the dark would not be so mean as to engulf him. The darkness surrounding him sent shivers down his spine, his hands were trembling as he shut his eyes, wishing that the sun would just offer a bit of light and hope to him.
Working day and night, he longed for someone to make time stop even if it was for just a split second, to make all his days less gruelling and the burdens on his shoulders lessen. That was before Kalego became his familiar.
When Kalego became his familiar, the warmth he felt when someone was behind there to catch him if he were to fall, the arms that would surround him and hold him up if he needed them. All those made him able to giggle, laugh and smile.
But then, it all came crashing down like a waterfall when the contract expired. It absolutely broke Iruma. He knew Kalego was unwilling to renew the contract.
But still, it filled the gap he once had in his heart and now, if it is gone, he might get lost just the times he got lost in the forests when he was younger.
Would he even be alright with no “guardian angel” to ensure his safety?
After moments of silence, a frown appeared on Kalego’s face and his eyebrows had furrowed in frustration. He seemed to be concerned for Iruma.
Iruma started, “Er… Well, I… I don’t know. It felt soothing to have Kalego-sensei as my familiar just how like everyone else did… I-“.
An abrupt pause. Iruma stopped, struggling to find the right words to use, he did not know what was holding him back from saying these words.
Each word felt heavy as if it was difficult to say. He was fluent, but he was scared. It felt as if there was a lump in his throat, something preventing him from speaking.
Was it the fear of being rejected? Was the fear of being judged? Was it the fear of being alone again? He did not know. But, he does not want to bear that pain again.
The unbearable and gruelling pain that he was secretly trying to hide was all going to come to light soon. There was no time for tears, there was only time to earn more money for his selfish parents.
Iruma’s thoughts were cut off as Kalego’s voice snapped him back to reality.
”Leave.” Kalego said in an authoritative voice.
Opera and Balam then proceeded to leave without a word, which indicated that they trusted Kalego to leave him with Iruma.
”Um, Kalego-sensei- I-“ Iruma began to say, but was cut off by Kalego saying, “… I don’t actually have a familiar, you know?”.
A moment of silence before Iruma raised his head and looked at him in the eyes in bewilderment. “… What?” Iruma said, confused.
”Whenever I try to summon one, Cerberus chases it away. Cerberus is a magical beast that needs to be tamed before you can command it to do anything.” Kalego explained shortly.
Remaining silent, Iruma simply nodded his head.
”But, a familiar is not the only thing we look out for as a student’s strength.
In Babyls, we mould students into the people we want them to be, responsible, fun, and caring students of the netherworld.
So, even if you don’t have me as your familiar, you will still have the values and lessons that you have learned here. The many friends that you have made here as well.” Kalego said, looking at Iruma directly in the eyes.
That seemed to change something in Iruma. His eyes shone a bright light, one full of hope and admiration, but there was just something else about them. They seemed a little unsure.
As if sensing Iruma’s uncertainty, Kalego added, “Iruma, I’m sure nothing will change. The friends you made will still be as supportive as ever, do the usual stupid things they do and somehow get me involved. So, there’s nothing to worry about.”.
With that, Iruma was sure of his decision now.
”Okay, Kalego-sensei!” Iruma replied as a radiant smile appeared on his face. Kalego turned away from his direction while secretly smirking as if saying, “It’s nothing, there’s no need to thank me.”.
Afterwards, they waited for the clock to strike eleven. “Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.” Then, the clock struck eleven. That was it.
“Is the contract broken now?” Iruma asked as he attempted to touch Kalego, but was pushed back by a repelling force, providing him with the answer to his question. The contract was indeed broken.
”Um, thank you for everything, Kalego-sensei!” Iruma thanked profusely as he bowed.
”… Follow me.” Kalego instructed.
”Er, right! Coming!” Iruma responded as he hurried to Kalego’s side and followed him to the Familiar Summoning room.
After arriving at the Familiar Summoning room, Kalego lit up a candle and handed Iruma a summoning parchment.
”Don’t worry, breaking the contract means that you won’t be able to summon the same familiar again.” Kalego reassured Iruma.
Iruma slowly nodded his head. But, Iruma was a human, not a demon. Would the same terms apply to Iruma?
Iruma gulped nervously before using a bit of his mana to summon his familiar. A puff of purple smoke appeared before him. This time, Kalego and Iruma were facing each other.
But, the only difference this time is that it was simply not possible. At least for demons to be able to summon demons. But, the thing is, Iruma is not a demon.
Kalego’s soft mutterings of “Impossible… Impossible…” could be heard and Iruma’s apologetic face said it all.
”Er, please take care of me this year too, sensei…” Iruma said as he bowed slightly.
With that, the contract was successfully renewed! Seems like this year will also be an exciting one for sure! After all, what is not exciting with Iruma around?