It was an hour until midnight, and Lily was getting everything ready for the ritual Rine indicated was needed for the familiar contract. Her room's tiled floor had been perfect for the ritual, unlike the carpeted rooms that many other students had. It was safest to do everything here, rather than sneak out and risk being caught, Rine had advised. With the door locked and enchantments in place to prevent eavesdroppers, she could proceed uninterrupted.

The candle was set in the center, with a ring of sugar around it with a diameter of about five feet. Outside of that, the second ring of salt had been poured with a diameter of ten feet. It was... weird. No runes, or sigils, or anything else. It was so... basic, so bare bones. She didn't understand how this was meant to work.

*It's a very old, very basic magical ritual,* Rine explained, seeming to read her thoughts again. *It was so ancient in my time that it was forgotten by all but the most esoteric of scholars. It's so fundamental and primitive that it doesn't even qualify as magic, or at least as any sort of magic you or I would recognize. However, while it may be primitive, it is undeniably potent as many primordial sorceries are. It will allow us a means by which to crack open my prison so we can meet in the fashion required by the familiar contract.*

"How does it even work?" Lily asked, more than a little curious, given that they still had to wait a few more minutes before they could begin. Ritual magic was discussed in many of the tomes she'd read but seldom performed. Part of that was because it could be extremely dangerous if anything went wrong, partly because they didn't always work, but mostly because it often required rare and expensive components for a wizard to perform it. Said components would be used up whether the ritual was successful or not.

Thus, why spend a small fortune in supplies for something that didn't guarantee results, or was far more likely to claim your life than it was to work?

*If you're genuinely interested, I could give you a lengthy lecture about how primordial magic functions and the principles behind it,* Rine replied.

*I personally found it an interesting topic of study, especially since ancient spells and rituals could be so incredibly powerful. Primitive peoples had, with little understanding of magic or the world around them, managed to discover various means by which they could harness, channel, or manipulate cosmic forces far beyond what most mages could dream was possible.*

He paused, then admitted, *But it would be a long lecture. The short answer is, this ritual uses ancient and potent principles found in primordial magic. Each component represents a symbolic force or concept critical for the ritual.*

Studying the components, Lily couldn't help but ask, "What do these things represent?" She pointed at the candle they'd constructed inside of the dungeon. "Like the candle?"

*Well, the candle itself doesn't simply represent something, as it is an actual magical item, and an extremely potent one in its own right,* Rine explained. *It's called a Beacon of Evocation, and it can be used as part of a summoning ritual to call upon things from different worlds or different planes of reality. Were my prison somewhere within an actual part of the vast and manifold cosmos, just lighting this and calling for me would be enough to pull me free. However, since I'm not within reality in any way, shape, or form, the candle on its own isn't enough. The ritual is meant to bolster the candle's effects enough that it can open a hole between reality and unreality.*

*However, in this ritual, it does also represent the primordial concept of Invitation. When you light the candle and begin the ritual, it will mean that you are inviting me into this place, as the light of the candle is meant to guide me here. You aren't trying to forcibly pull me from where I am, but rather asking me to come here, and allowing me to decide if I wish to visit you or not.*

*This is an important part of many ancient rituals, and a major difference between ancient 'beckonings', as they were called, and modern summonings: Summoning spells and rituals focus on forcibly pulling someone or something from another place to here against their will, and then binding it to obey your commands. It's little more than kidnapping and enslavement, which is why broken summonings can have fatal results for the warlock who commits an error during the ritual.*

"Okay," Lily said, nodding in understanding, "that makes sense. I know I'd be mad if someone kidnapped me and started ordering me around. What do the rings of sugar and salt represent?"

*The salt represents Protection,* Rine explained, *meaning that both you and anyone you invite will not come to harm during the ritual. If one of us tries to harm the other, the ritual instantly ends. The sugar represents Hospitality, meaning that you are inviting the intended target as a guest. Hospitality reinforces the power of Protection, while it also ensures that the 'guest' cannot do anything potentially hostile or deceptive to you without ending the ritual, even if it isn't something immediately outright harmful.*

*The shapes of the two rings themselves represent the concept of Boundary, representing the limit of how far you and what you've invited can move. You can move as far in as the circle of sugar, while whatever you summon can move as far as the circle of salt. The zone between the two is shared territory both parties can occupy, for purposes such as trading items or gestures of agreement like handshakes.*

A thought came to Lily, and she asked, "Is there a specific reason why we're doing the ritual near midnight?"

Rine chuckled and replied, "A very good question, and yes, there is, albeit not a symbolic reason but a practical one. You know that the world rotates upon its axis, and that rotation causes night and day, right?*

Lily nodded, and Rine continued, stating, *Sunlight actually can interfere with rituals like this: If you hold a lit candle between yourself and the sun, then look right at the flame, you'd be too blinded by the sun to see the light of the candle. The principle is the same here. For this beacon to work, it needs to be lit during a time of darkness, and the greater the darkness, the clearer the beacon becomes to guide your guest. Depending on what you're calling upon, even strong moonlight can interfere with the ritual, but thankfully, we're close enough to the new moon that it won't be a factor.*

Taking all of that in, Lily admitted, "That's a lot of stuff to take into account."

*Yes,* Rine conceded, *but all of it is necessary. You've got an inkling of just how powerful I am at my full strength. The magic that imprisoned me was potent enough to literally kick me out of reality and keep me out. The amount of power needed to accomplish such a feat is far greater than anything your civilization has imagined possible through the sorcerous arts.*

*Opening even a temporary hole in my prison long enough for me to step out and sign a contract with you will require utilizing powerful and primordial powers as old as life itself to bend the laws of the cosmos. Actually freeing me will be far more complicated and require a great many more steps than this.*

Lily nodded in understanding. This was only the starting line. The road to actually freeing Rine would be much longer and more arduous. Signing the contract would mean committing herself to that goal.

*Alright,* Rine announced, *we should be at the point where you can begin the summons. When you're ready, you can light the candle, and repeat the words I tell you to start the ritual.* He paused, then added, *And please, when you see me, try not to freak out. I've been outside of reality for longer than your civilization has existed. I do not look my best.*

Chuckling, Lily said, "Well, I'll try not to judge you too harshly for not having washed up recently." With that, she pointed a finger at the candle and used a spell to light it. A bit show-offy, but now that she'd broken through the block that had kept her from using other magic asides from barriers and healing, she couldn't help but flaunt it just a little, if only in private.

Rine, his voice solemn, commanded, "Now, speak the following words: I Humbly Request An Audience With Rine Vect Nol Karmaskor, So That We May Discuss A Familiar Contract Between Us. I Invite Him Into My Home As An Honored Guest, And Promise No Harm Or Deception To Him While He Stands Under My Roof. Come Before Me, If It Pleases You To Do So.*

The words had a strange power and resonance to them, even just echoing in her mind. He paused, then added, *Expect resistance while speaking those words: We're literally using phenomenal cosmic powers to violate the laws of reality. The words will be a lot harder for you to say out loud here and now than they would be normally.

Lily began to try to speak but suddenly found that as promised it hard to form the words, as if someone was putting pressure on her tongue and jaw while speaking. It took all of her focus and willpower to speak words that seemed to hold not only a symbolic and magical significance but an almost physical force and presence as they emerged from her mouth.

As she finished the final syllable of the final word, the candle went out, and the room went completely dark, save for the circles of salt and sugar, which began to glow brightly. A portal opened within the circle, and a figure clad in a blue, ornate hooded robe stepped through...

...and then promptly collapsed into a pile with a strange sound, like someone had dropped a pile of metal rods. Had Rine not instructed her on how to cast a spell that blocked eavesdropping and prevented sounds from leaving the room, Lily would have been worried that Madeline would wake up.

*I'm alright,* Rine's voice said in her head, clearly embarrassed. *Sorry. I've been outside of reality for so long, I forgot gravity was a rule, not a suggestion. Give me a minute to assemble myself.*

Assemble?

Out from the robe, bones with a black metallic sheen came out, slowly assembling themselves into a skeleton. The skeleton then reached down and began putting its clothing back on. *Hardly the first impression I'd wanted to make,* Rine admitted, *falling all over myself the moment I step into the room. My cheeks would be red with humiliation if I still had them.*

"Wh-wh-what the fuck?" Lily stammered in shock.

*Apprentice,* Rine said, shaking an admonishing finger in disapproval, *language, please. Cursing is unbecoming for a young woman.* His tone turning more serious, he admitted, *But your reaction is understandable. But honestly, I'd told you that I'd been banished beyond reality for millennia. How did you think I survived for so long without food to eat, water to drink, or even air to breathe?*

Struggling to keep from completely freaking out, she stated the bluntly obvious fact, "You're... you're a lich!"

*Guilty as charged,* Rine said, the voice now coming from the skeleton as he gave a theatrical bow.

*While there were many methods available in my day for a wizard to extend their years beyond the number normally allowed, few were willing to partake in the fate of undeath. Too in love with the pleasures of the flesh, I suppose. I, on the other hand, elected this path, since, without the distractions of hunger, thirst, or lust, I could focus my attention more towards my true passions of the sorcerous studies and learning more about our vast and wondrous cosmos.*

"You're a soul-sucking abomination!" Lily declared, slowly backing away.

Rine crossed his arms over his chest in a disapproving gesture. *Abomination? Yes, that's accurate, if harsh. A loaded term in these fallen times, to be sure. However, soul-sucking? I'd claim that you wound me to the bone with such an accusation, but my bones are far too easy to reach to do that statement justice. I told you that I don't trade in souls.*

*A far less ethical or moral lich will eat souls to sustain its own existence, but only because souls are incredibly rich in mana, and mortal lives are a plentiful and renewable resource. In my day, the souls of heinous criminals were given to lichs to sustain them, so such a base act as harming the innocent and stealing their immortal souls was not necessary.*

*When I decided to become a lich, I opted for a different means of sustaining myself, feeling that such a grotesque method of sustaining myself was beneath me. That was fortunate since if I'd been reliant upon mortal souls for sustenance, I'd have experienced true death long ago.*

He raised a finger to tap the side of his head with a hollow, bell-like sound and continued, *Inside this adamant-coated noggin of mine is my phylactery. While most lichs are obsessed with hiding theirs in difficult to find or reach places, I decided to keep it in the safest vault I knew of, the confines of my own skull. With it is a unique power source based on the core that powers labyrinths, like the one we were in earlier. With such a core providing a steady stream of mana to my phylactery, I don't need to worry about sustenance for eons, perhaps even millions of years more, and I can easily construct another if I need to.*

With a beckoning gesture, Rine said, *Now, stand up and quit looking so scared, my apprentice. You're in no danger from me, with or without the potent magics that protect us at this time and place.*

Adamant? His skull was coated in adamant? No, she realized, all of his bones were coated in the stuff, which accounted for their black coloring and their metallic sheen. Adamant was a rare mineral, with the few objects made from it being the products of labyrinths since the secrets for forging such material were lost even to the legendary blacksmiths of the dwarves. Saying his body was covered in adamant was the same as saying that no physical object save something made of adamant could harm him...

It took Lily a minute or two to regain her composure. This was Rine, she reminded herself. He's the one who saved her life and then helped her turn her life around for the better. He'd been nothing but good to her. He'd done nothing to show her that he was untrustworthy. He deserved to be treated better than this. Dusting off her uniform, Lily asked, "Alright, so what do we need to do to set the terms?"

Rine nodded in approval, then raised a black-boned hand up, and his entire being glowed blue for a moment as he conjured a sheet of parchment between his bony fingers, or finger bones to be more accurate.

*Ah, it feels so good to be able to do that,* he admitted. *It has been so long since I've worked magic with my own two hands.* He took a moment to relish the experience, then said, *In the interest of clarity and ensuring that you are satisfied with the arrangement, I'll allow you to write the contract with your own hands.*

He placed the sheet upon the ground, then slid it across the neutral zone between the circles of sugar and salt so that Lily could take it.

Lily, cautiously avoiding touching either circle, picked it up, and then collected an inkwell and a quill from her desk and said, "Alright. So, the original terms you proposed were that you'd teach me how to be a wizard, as well as aid me in any other goals that I might have, in exchange for which I would help you escape permanently from your imprisonment. Correct?"

Nodding, the lich said with a chuckle, *That's the bare bones of it, yes.* He paused, seeming to consider something. *I think we can add something without it being a problem if you are willing to trust me. It would be a major step towards me gaining my freedom, provided it works.*

Raising an eyebrow, Lily asked, "Oh?"

Rine pulled off his head, then said, *In exchange for allowing you free and unrestricted access to anything I have ever created or currently own, past, present and future, I will ask that you take my skull, phylactery, and the core that sustains me into your possession. If at any time the contract becomes null and void, it shall be returned to the void beyond reality, along with my body.*

At her surprised expression, he added, *If I am to instruct you properly, I will need a physical presence in the mortal realm. It won't be true freedom, since my body will still be trapped in the void beyond, and my power will be a tiny fraction of its former greatness. However, it will allow me a tiny measure of freedom and allow me to work magic without having to control your body to do so.*

Lily pondered that. Yes, it would definitely be nice not to have to worry about Rine moving her hands whenever he pleased, but even if he was as transparent and forthright as he'd seemed to be so far, there were more practical concerns...

"How am I supposed to explain a talking black skull to everyone," she asked, curious. "You're not exactly going to be easy to hide, and carrying you around will get old fast."

Rine's skull began to glow a gentle blue, then rose up into the air. *I am fully capable of carrying myself,* he stated proudly. *And as to keeping myself concealed...*

The skull promptly vanished, and Rine stated, *I seem to recall teaching you a chameleon charm, my young student. Even in a diminished state, I am more than capable of doing this much even without access to my body. You need not worry about extra responsibility or risk of discovery, I'll have all of that handled.* His skull returned to its perch atop his neck, his hands rising up to make sure it was well and truly set in place.

After a few seconds, Lily nodded. "Alright. I think that will work." She took several minutes to write out the proposed contract, then held it up for Rine to read.

Studying it, the lich read the document aloud, reciting, *In so signing this document, both parties agree to enter into a familiar contract with the following conditions, rights, and responsibilities. The lich known as Rine Vect Nol Karmaskor at the time of signing(Nice job spelling it right the first time, by the way) and heretofore now referred to as Rine, will be the contracted familiar and servant who will tutor and instruct the human known at the time of signing as Lily Arvensdaughter, heretofore now referred to as Lily, in the ways of magic, with the intent of teaching her how to become a wizard.*

*Additionally, the lich Rine will aid and assist the human Lily in any stated goals and objectives she requests aid and assistance for. In exchange for this service, the human Lily promises to aid the lich Rine in obtaining his freedom from his current imprisonment in the void outside of reality, in so far as she can do so within her capabilities, and only so long as she does not find the actions necessary to accomplish that task to be morally or ethically objectionable (Nice touch, by the way, very wise to add).*

*Furthermore, the lich Rine pledges that he will allow the human Lily full and unrestricted access to any and all that is considered Rine's creations or property, past, present, and future. In exchange for this service, the human Lily will act as a caretaker for the skull, phylactery, and power core of the lich Rine, with the requirement that it remain in the material realm for the duration of the contract.*

*In the case of any violation of the contract, the lich Rine's skull, phylactery, and power core will return to the void beyond reality, barring the forgiveness of the human Lily should such a breach have been made accidentally, or for other reasons that both parties agree were reasonable and allowable. The contract may also be rendered void if one or more parties find the contract to no longer be agreeable for any reason, and neither party can reach an agreement in renegotiating the terms of this contract.*

The lich studied the contract for a moment, seeming to be surprised at how well-written and worded it was. After a moment, he asked, *Your father is a barrister, isn't he?*

Giggling, she admitted, "Yes. Madam Goldentone's actually, although she doesn't realize it. Arven and Lily are common names, after all. I imagine he was a bit surprised when she came up to him asking to declare his daughter the heir to her noble title."

With a chuckle, Rine said, *Well, let's make sure you don't have any dealings with demons or devils in the future. Both of our lives will get more complicated if you swindle a demon out of the custody of his immortal if admittedly only theoretical soul, nevermind tricking a demon lord into giving you dominion of one of the hells.*

He paused, considering the contract, then said, *I have no problem with this contract, and I shall be happy to sign it.*

Lily placed the contract into the neutral area within the two circles and waited while Rine picked it up. He gestured, summoning a quill to his hand, and a pot of ink that hovered by his side. He signed the document, then placed it down and slid it over. Lily immediately studied the document to make sure no changes were visible on the page, the lich's signature glowing light blue, an indication that a magical contract's signature was valid without any attempt at changing the written words within.

After confirming that asides from the signature, the document was completely unchanged, Lily signed underneath Rine's name. Placing it back into the neutral zone, Rine nodded, then intoned, *The contract has been signed by both parties, with no intent or action of either manipulation or deception between us. The agreement has been made and done so in good faith.*

With a polite bow, he added, *I humbly thank you for your generous hospitality, and for granting me the opportunity to serve. I look forward to working together with you for many years to come.*

Lily gave a curtsy and said, "And I thank you for your gracious assistance in all of my endeavors, both in the past and in the many years to come."

With that, Rine pulled off his head again, then rolled it into the neutral zone, then said, *Our business is concluded.*

With that, the lich's body vanished, the skull remaining within the two rings. Both he and Lily seemed to hold their breath, despite the lich no longer needing to sustain life-functions. After a minute, Rine's skull began to float, and seemed to do a little dance, exclaiming, *IT WORKED!!! I can't believe it! I'm out of that empty void! Well, not all the way, but it's a start. Oh, you wonderful girl, I'd kiss you atop your head, if I had the lips to do so.*

Lily sat down upon her bed, the contract she'd just signed in her hands. After studying it one more time to make sure everything was on the up and up, she carefully deposited it into the dimensional storage bag, then watched as Rine celebrated gaining his limited measure of freedom from imprisonment. She wondered if she made the right choice, signing the contract, but she had given herself several means by which she could get out of the contract, should she come to regret it in the future.

After giving the lich a few more minutes to celebrate, she announced, "I'm going to do some cycling with the fat-burning ring, then I'm going to bed. We have a lot of training to do tomorrow if we're going to be ready for the tournament."

Rine stopped, then his floating skull nodded in understanding, *Of course, my apprentice and benefactor. I'll do my best not to disturb you.*

As she settled down on her bed to start cycling, she could swear she heard the lich quietly whisper, *yey.*