Silence settled heavy in Victoria's room thick enough to feel how hard it was to breathe calmly.
The moonlight filtering through the window dimmed, as though even the sky wished to witness what she was about to attempt.
Victoria sat cross-legged on the polished floor, surrounded by open volumes of spirit lore, parchment pages covered in archaic diagrams, runes, and warnings most sane people would heed.
She had read them all.
And she ignored every warning.
Her fingers hovered over a page titled in deep crimson ink.
Blood Pact: Forbidden Method of Spirit Binding
Only the bold or foolish attempt what the strong complete.
Victoria inhaled slowly.
Then she moved.
She bit down hard into the flesh of her index finger. The metallic taste of her own blood filled her mouth, warm and coppery. She ignored the sting as a bead of blood welled up glowing faintly with the mana she forced into it.
Her hand trembled but her gaze never wavered.
She lowered her hand to the floor and began to draw.
The first stroke glowed faintly.
The second pulsed like a heartbeat.
With each line the magic circle grew ancient runes threading into one another, forming sigils older than the school, older than the human world.
By the time she finished, sweat clung to her skin and her breathing came shallow yet her expression remained determined.
She raised her hand over the completed circle of mana infused blood and ink.
Then, with a voice strengthened by resolve and tempered rage, she spoke the invocation.
"By blood freely given, and essence willingly severed. I call through mana and sacrifice, I summon a spirit worthy to walk beside me. Appear and claim your fate alongside mine."
The magic circle reacted instantly.
A violent surge of power that rattled every object in the room.
Blood turned cobalt blue. Mana surged and spiraled upward into the air.
Victoria shielded her eyes as a sapphire blaze filled the room different from the flame realms deep crimson.
When the light died, something small stood in the center of the spell circle.
A fox.
Tiny and no larger than a house cat yet impossibly elegant. Snow-white fur shimmered like fresh winter frost under moonlight. Its eyes opened gray, but slitted with sapphire flame and intelligence radiated from them.
Its tail flicked once.
At the tip burned a flame not orange, not red but a deep, dignified blue.
The fox blinked once, slowly, before locking eyes with Victoria.
A voice echoed in her mind.
…You summoned me?
Victoria exhaled shakily.
"Yes. Can you speak aloud?"
The fox attempted but only choked out a small sound.
"Kyaa… kweh—mm."
Then its thoughts formed clearer
Speech will come once my vessel strengthens. For now telepathy will suffice.
It stepped forward, graceful despite its size.
I am a fox spirit newborn by cosmic standards, yet not ignorant. Our kind specializes in manipulation of flame, illusion, and growth. If you do not fail your path, I may evolve. If you fall… I will vanish with you.
Victoria extended her hand confidently.
Mana infused with life essence poured from her body into the fox.
Agony flared through her limbs cold at first, then burning white-hot, as though molten fire ran through her veins.
Her knees nearly gave out.
Still she did not pull back.
The fox inhaled devouring her essence with a deliberate, ceremonial slowness.
Then a mark appeared.
A small sapphire ember bloomed on Victoria's finger the exact spot her blood had spilled from.
The fox bowed its head acknowledging her.
The contract is sealed. Blood has chosen blood. Spirit and mortal now walk a shared fate. Said the fox.
Its form dissolved into flame, pure sapphire and rushed into the glowing mark.
The ember dimmed.
Silence returned.
Then, a final whisper threaded itself into her mind.
From this moment onward you can call me… Ku.