A week later, I’m holed up in the Tome family library when the door opens. My face twists into a scowl as I ready to chase away my annoying Uncle for the umpteenth time but I relax when I recognize Kierra. She’s carrying a snack tray with a two large cups of steaming tea.

“Hey.” I quickly tidy up the books around me, creating space for the tray. She sets down her burden and drags an empty chair over.

“I feel like it’s been days since I’ve seen you.” She picks up her cup and peers at me over the rim. “Aren’t you worried your lonely wife might be swayed by the sea of suitors that seem to follow me?”

I scoff as I reach for one of the small sandwiches on the tray. “As if they could…a sea?”

“Mm. From my understanding, once it was confirmed that my attendance was indeed not a rumor, the Tome family parties soared in popularity. Jac discussed with Maxine about changing the future venues to the Guiness manor.”

That is indeed serious. And Maxine has been working hard. In the end, I postponed my trip to her mapmaker. More accurately, Kierra postponed it in my stead as I’ve been completely focused on my research. Despite that, the Guiness daughter has done her best to continue fostering connections with the Tome family. I don’t trust their intentions but no one can say they’re not dedicated.

“So, what has your isolation rewarded you besides a slightly sour smell?”

I freeze and casually sniff myself. Ugh. It’s not exactly rancid but I need to bathe. Face flushed with embarrassment, I hand over a stack of my notes. “I’ve pretty much ironed out all the details. After gathering the necessary supplies, we’ll be good to go.”

She takes the papers, her brows furrowing deeper with every page she turns. Halfway through, she stops. “Lou…I don’t understand any of this.”

“…why do you sound so surprised?”

“You’re my Lou.” She hands the papers back to me with an expression close to shock. “Silly, endearing, newly awakened to your suspect morality, full of potential. Not…that.”

“I think I should be offended. I am a Tome, you know.” Seriously, she’s underestimating what it means to inherit a family legacy. When it comes to anything else, I’d be the first to admit I’m inexperienced and quite lacking, but summoning? It’s one of the few areas I have confidence in. I’d even be willing to call myself an expert.

“Here, let me show you.” I grab one of the books behind me and walk over to her. Taking a seat on her chair’s arm, I open it in front of her. “This is a summoning record from the Grimoire family. The considerate bastard even included illustrations.”

On the page are four illustrations. The first is of a small creature that looks like a plump child with unnaturally large eyes. The second is a humanoid with a tail that ends in a spade. The third is of a stone like creature with no other features besides their four eyes, two horns jutting out of its forehead. Last is a blob with no discernible shape or features.

“Let’s have a little lesson on summoning. First, succubi. People think that all succubi are thralls. In actuality, they are merely a stage in the race’s evolution.” I point to the first drawing. “First stage succubi are called imps. They are the most basic members of the race with minimal intelligence. Despite that, they still have the mental and physical affinities succubi are known for so they are useful servants.

“Second stage are the ones most people know of, thralls. They’re humanoids, but contrary to popular belief, they are not actually women. They have greater mastery of the physical affinity which gives them the ability to alter their anatomy. They switch between male and female, changing their features to match the tastes of their summoner, or their prey.

“Next are the virtues. They’re made of stone, but not how we think of it. It’s…living stone? I’m not really sure. The Grimoires keep the research pretty close. The point is, their stone bodies are because they gain another affinity by this point, either fire or earth. They can also change their shape.

“Last, we have the ruling class of the succubi. Dons. No one has seen their true shape because they have so many forms. Normally, they appear in front of summoners in the guise of thralls. They have mental, physical, fire or earth, and water affinities and are supreme existences. It’s commonly accepted that they all have coefficients over 1,000.”

“A good lesson,” Kierra says evenly. “What does that have to do with your plans?”

I close the book and set it on top of a pile. “Everyone likes the idea of summoning, having a powerful being at your beck and call. What they forget is that the elemental also has conditions for the summoner. Some are a lot more restrictive than others.”

I reclaim my seat and lace my fingers. “Succubi are divided into circles based on their strength, one being the lowest imps, seven being the strongest don. Everything in their society is decided based on strength. Therefore, upon making their contracts, they always include the condition that they cannot be ordered to go against the orders of a higher ranked succubus.

“Junior has a circle 3 thrall. Gordon Senior has a circle 5 virtue I believe. My original plan was to explore the theory that there are Circle 4 thralls who gain a fire affinity on the verge of evolution. Before, that would have been the best I could manage and would have been more than enough to shame Junior into never showing his face in front me. But now…”

I chuckle, the sound slowly growing until it echoed through the room. Kierra grins wryly watching me. It’s really too great. “With my new lineage, circle 4 is too small. I’m going to summon a circle 7 don. Do you understand? If I successfully create a contract, that means I instantly gain control of every succubi contracted to the Grimoire family. I can have them divulge that family’s secrets, all the secrets of other families they’ve collected, to sabotage them from the inside. In one fell swoop, I’ll destroy the Grimoires and obtain all of their political clout. Hahahaha!”

“Hmm. Of course, that is assuming you manage to secure a contract.”

My laughter slowly peters out. Why did you have to point that out? Yeah, so no one’s ever managed to secure a contract with a don before but there’s never been someone like me. “I’m pretty confident. Succubi feed on mana. The stronger and more variety, the better. It’s the whole reason they form contracts. Can you imagine such a being not being tempted by me? I even have a specific don…I’m…targeting…”

I search the cluttered table for the relevant notes. When I try to hand over the stack to Kierra, she pushes them away. “No need, dedia. You clearly have this well in hand. I can’t be of any help.” She stands, smiling brightly as if the admission delights her. “But do get out of here sometime. You’ll waste away in this dark space.”

“Mm. I’ll be leaving tomorrow, since I need to gather supplies. Is there another party today? If so, you can set the meeting for tomorrow. Maxine might be able to help.”

“I’ll be sure to tell her. Eat the rest of the food.”

She pushes the tray toward me meaningfully and I obediently taking another small sandwich, popping it into my mouth. As she leaves, I set about tidying up the space, organizing my notes and placing the records back on their shelves.

I’ve done all the research, or at least, as much as I can with what’s available to me. The Grimoires undoubtedly have the most extensive knowledge regarding succubi but it shouldn’t matter. In the end, they are creatures with one clear motivation: benefit. If the benefit is great enough, they are willing to make themselves into slaves of creatures that, judging by any measure, are far beneath them.

Because of that, I’m confident. Hehe. I’ve participated in plenty of summoning rituals alongside Father while he taught me the craft but this will be my first solo attempt and contract. My first time and I’m going after a legendary creature like a don. If this succeeds, I’ll have the qualifications to start my own summoning record. Tomorrow, I’ll ask Maxine if she can procure some particularly durable paper because if, no, when I succeed, it’ll be the beginning of the greatest summoner in the Tome family’s history.