Exploration

Friday, May 14. In the training grounds Gaius had just finished cleaning up after his routine when Akihiko came in.

“Hi there Gaius. I see you're keeping at it.”

“Always, six to seven years of routine are not so easily forsaken.”

“Cool. So, listen, I've got the rest of the weeks routine. Today we explore the mundane new town, concretely the industrial district and parts of the rest of the city. Tomorrow we finish that. And Sunday we make an in depth exploration of the supernatural, unlike Wednesday’s one. Do you already have a phone?”

“Yes, I finished all paperwork needed for it yesterday. There was soooo much of it. Mountains, mountains! It was much easier to get an identity in my time. But I’ve digressed enough, yes I have one of these smartphones.”

“Then let me give you my number. Ok, that's done, let's get going.”

The men proceeded to do as planned and explored for the next two days. It all went smoothly and without troubles until Saturday evening, when Gaius felt something amiss in the air.

“And this is a common street, nothing to say about it, let's go”

“Some of my friends hang around here though.” Commented Ryuunosuke.

“Wait. I feel something, something bad.” Said Gaius, stopping and narrowing his eyes.

“Act natural. I don't feel anything, do you Ryuunosuke?” Questioned Akihiko. “No.” He then proceeded to cast a few detection spells to no avail.

“Nothing I can see. Maybe it's some Senjutsu stuff?” He whispered.

“Yes, I'll try that.”

Focus hatredpainfearexcitementlustgreed.” Suddenly a wave of hatred, pain, fear, excitement, lust and greed hit him, but it wasn't intense enough to be something that was going on at the time. He said that to his companions.

“It seems like spiritual remnants, fragments of emotions left behind due to great emotional intensity, or something happening for a long time. They can be good or bad, though normally only spiritual beings should feel that, apparently Senjutsu also can. But it makes no sense, if there was something like that some evil spirits should be around here, hmm. Wait, is there a barrier or something like that?” Mused Akihiko.

“I can only feel it from a certain point, there's some energy that blocks it from the outside, but I can feel beyond it” Answered Gaius.

“Well then, that's it. Also you can see through barriers, wards or illusions? Senjutsu's broken.”

“Should we, like, do something about it?” Asked Ryuunosuke.

“No. Only a few people could do this in this city, and none of them are bellow Rank 4. Worst case scenario it's the Blues. We should just tell the Association, they'll take care of it. Let's go, we don't know if they're watching.”

And so they headed to the association. There they reported to the law keepers. They were made to wait before a man came to them.

“Please come with me, the Head wants to see you.”

They were then brought to a meeting room, where the elders and the Head were. Akairyuu began to speak.

"Please, tell me exactly what you felt, and where was it, you three. I want everything, no matter how minor it may seem."

They did so, and the elders began to speak.

“Not enough information to know if it's that place.”

“But would they put so much effort for somewhere else?”

“Could be one of their branch HQ, or not related to them at all.”

“We should watch the place then.”

“But we run the risk of being noticed.”

“Umm,” interrupted Ryuunosuke, “ I don't know what you're speaking about, but I've heard from friends that they've seen expensive cars and such there.”

The elders looked at each other and nodded.

“That settles it.” Nodded Akairyuu. “Listen you three, don't speak of this to anyone, not a single person, not your family, not colleagues. There'll be heavy punishment if that happens.”

“””Yes, Sir.””””

“Good. Dismissed.”

They left the room, and Ryuunosuke began to wonder.

“Do you know what that was about?”

“I have a guess, some important-” started Gaius before Akihiko interrupted him.

“I have a better one, but it's best not to speak about that until we're told we can. Come on, let's go back to the tour.”

Soon it was Sunday. The three men came out of a restaurant.

“That was interesting.” Said Gaius.

“That's an understatement, they sold raw meat! And poisons!”

“Youkai and fae eat some weird shit, that's for sure.” Nodded Akihiko. “But still, the food’s good. And I can't help but see how you were looking at that oni waitress. I see you like them with curves, eh?”

“Huh! That's not it!”

“Then you like strong, tough women? Or maybe women who can dominate you. You are such a kinky boy.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

“Wha-what, no I don't, I just-”

“Come on, who he's sexually attracted to is his issue, and not something shameful. Even if he would probably like being dominated. Though he should control himself, he was drooling at the sight, that was disrespectful.”

“Not all of us are monks!”

“Actually I think she liked the attention, she was smirking at him and leading him by the nose.”

“That isn't true!”

“Huh, really? Wow I'm bad at seeing that.”

“Listen to me! I wasn't drooling nor was I being led around!”

“Well you WERE a monk after all, and a hermit. It'll take you a while to identify that kind of thing-”

“Stop ignoring me!”

“Give it some time.”

“Gaaaah!”

“Think positively Ryuunosuke! You may actually get a date! I didn't get one until I was twenty. You lucky seventeen year old, you.”

“Pleaaaase, just stooop. It wasn't like that.”

“Come on Ryuunosuke we were just teasing you.” Smiled Akihiko.

“We were? I was speaking seriously.” Said Gaius puzzled.

“Then why were you ignoring me!”

“Because you were obviously in denial and wouldn't accept that you are an hormonal teenager with a type.”

“For the last time that wasn't-”

“It was Ryuu, it was. Still you were lucky she was a peaceful oni, a violent one might have tried taking you home. And a fae would have either made flowers grow out of your eyes or began stalking you, and you don't want a fae stalking you.”

“Fine, I have a type and was looking at her, happy! Wait what would have a fae done?”

“They're very scary Ryuu, very scary.”

“Wait, I thought fae were from northern Europe?” Questioned Gaius.

“Times have changed. Now supernatural creatures are globalised. We've got a majority of youkai, then fae, then werewolves, then varied creatures. We had a vampire infestation once but they were exterminated. However we've got mages of many kinds so from time to time they bring other creatures, whether they buy or summon them. Someone once summoned a succubus” Explained Akihiko.

“That fucking. Ugh!” Exclaimed Gaius.

“That's a strong reaction from you.” Asked Akihiko, a little weirded out.

“Sorry, demons where a problem in Hispania, above all for us christians. Nasty little rapists.”

“I don't deny that one, the bitch took three mages with her.”

“Actually it's they, succubi can change gender to become incubi. They use the semen they take from men as succubi to impregnate women as incubi. So a child from an incubus may look like the son of an innocent man, and the only thing that could exonerate him is if the child shows signs of demonic powers, which doesn't always happen. So not only do they rape both men and women but also implicate their victims in their crimes.” Ranted Gaius.

At that Akihiko and Ryuunosuke grimaced and chose to leave the matter at that.

“Okay, next stop, Bishamonten's shrine.”

Three hours later they came before a shop that Akihiko insisted in showing them.

“And at last my favourite shop, Morioka's. My family has been buying here for centuries.

Magic books of all kinds, materials, reagents, tools, encyclopaedias, potions, poultices, talismans, paper shikigami, familiar contracts, magical creatures, maps, dictionaries, anything you need they sell. I even saw them sell a Shiki-Ouji once! All legal though, no love potions or magical drugs here, no sir.”

“Weren't love potions a myth? At least those that last more than three minutes.” Inquired Ryuunosuke.

“Yes, but even those are annoying. Come on, let's see if there's something you like.”

The shop was divided in sections depending on the product. A young man stood at the counter, reading some books, and welcomed them.

“Welcome to this shop Master Saito and company, may I ask for what you're looking for?.”

“Hello, Fudo. Are your parents home?”

“No sir, did you wish to speak to them? Is it an order?”

“No I just wanted to say hello. Oh well. We're just browsing. “

“Very well, if you need my help just call me.” He bowed before returning to his books.

Akihiko thanked him before turning to the others and saying. “Just look around, don't worry about price Ryuusuke, I managed to get the pay for the Locapala, yellow now 350,000, and this one, only a million though it's too easy for more. Both in avance. And we've been paid twenty-five million for yesterday's info. The same for you Gaius minus this mission, and plus your first weeks salary.”

“Wait twenty-five! Then-”

Gaius blocked his mouth.

“Not talking about that, remember?”

After that they dispersed and began looking through the products.

“This pendant causes minor physical defects, such as a pimple, to disappear from people's perception as long as is worn, perfect for a first date. Warning, mages or ki users may see through this, fae and Senjutsu users will see through it. Not recommended if you plan on taking it off during the date. Why would they take it off? Wait, oh.” Read Ryuunosuke before going red. “Back to the box you go.”

“Hmm, blue horned owl’s eyes, good for augmenting the power of eye techniques. This one's for Akira then.”

“A Comprehensive Guide to the Elemental Planes: Creatures and Customs: How to take care of your Summoned Creature. Three volumes, 20,000 each. Worth it.” Commented Gaius.

Gaius bought twelve books, magical circle painting tools and a few summoning reagents, Ryuunosuke bought an enchantment kit and the Basic Enchantments and How to Make them Stick book, and Akira bought the eyes and a few spell enhancing reagents.

“A good haul, I think. Why the enchantment things Ryuunosuke?”

“I want to make my clothes bulletproof at least. Those guns of the other day were too scary.”

“Good idea, I should also re-apply mine, hold on a moment.”

While they were waiting Gaius’ attention was caught by a blue bird in the familiar section.

“Mister Morioka, What is this bird?”

“You have good eyes sir. That is an unknown bird, my father found him a year ago, he has minor magical abilities and can also use ki, so it is very tough, he also turns invisible and intangible, eats fire and has a freezing breath. He can fly at 300 km/h at top speed, but that is only high altitude flight, near the ground he flies at 50 km/h tops, but is a graceful and skilful flier. We've ranked him as a 2. Honestly the only reason we haven't sold it yet is because people are wary of it's unknown origin and the fact that it's magic disrupts examination spells or ki scans.”

“Can I examine it?”

“If you can, go ahead. I'm also curious about it.”

Focus.

“It's a normal magical animal, no traces of experimentation or spells, nor of curses, he also isn't sapient, but he's quite intelligent.”

“So just an unknown species then?”

“Yes, is he for sale?”

“Yes sir, we've already gotten all information we could out of it already. I have to warn that we've sent it's magical signature to the International Committee of Magical Animals, so it's signature isn't unknown.”

“Don't worry I don't plan on using him for espionage or crime, how much is him?”

“Ten million, but I'm willing to sell it for half if you tach me the spell you used to scan it.”

“Sorry but that was Touki.”

“I see, that's a pity.”

They left the shop soon after and while they were being driven back Akihiko scolded Gaius.

“You do know that your Senjutsu’s supposed to be a secret, right? That was reckless.”

“Sorry, I just wanted him and needed to see if there was something wrong. It has a lot of potential, if I make it my familiar it'll reach great heights.”

“Yeah. A good familiar is good. I have three, a penumbra rat, an eyeless hound and an all-water eel.”

“Is a familiar needed to be a good mage?” Asked Ryuusuke.

“Yes and no. It isn't required but an adequate familiar for the right job does wonders. I wouldn't be half the investigator I am without those three's abilities. They also enhance their masters abilities, I am stealthier, have better senses, except sight, and can breathe underwater. So very, very useful.”

“What should I get then?”

“Not yet. You have to know what your specialty will be so it can enhance it. They also don't need to be animals or elementals, but those are the easier ones. I for example know one guy that specialises in plants and has a dryad, he's really good, Rank 4. You need one that helps in combat though, like my hound or Gaius’ new bird. The important thing is that familiars grow with their masters, so they'll never lose their utility. Most have two to five. But some, such as Abe-no-Seimei, have a dozen or more. I think the guy that had the most in history was Fionn the Wild, with about two thousand. That's insane by the way, don't do it.”

Back in Gaius' house he was in his workshop, in front of a complex circle.

“Let's make sure everything is alright, shall we?”

After triple checking he began the ritual. He placed the bird in one of the four inner circles, while sitting in the opposite one, with the other two holding potent, and expensive, reactives. He performed the incantations and finally reached the final step.

“I, by my sacred name of baptism of Gaius Atiius Quadratus, by my mystic name of Quaesitor in Virtute, and by my secret name, not known to me, do hereby declare that i shall care for this familiar and oversee his growth. I shall not seek to harm him and I shall seek to protect him from the world's evils. This i swear with the Saints, Archangels and God as my witnesses. As an offering of my oath I shall grant him three names, as per tradition. One to be known by the world, one to be known by me, and one to be known by those above, if he were ever to gain a soul. These names shall be:

Reito no Kiseki, with happiness in mind.

Felicitatem, with health in mind.

And finally the most sacred of names:

DOT HWA CPH CM MWGN EL IDI MIIQL. He who is watched and protected by Michael, with safety in mind.

I wish to establish a contract

I wish to establish a contract

I wish to establish a contract

Thrice have I shown my will.

I ask for confirmation.

Do you accept?

Do you accept?

Do you accept?

Thrice I have asked and not once been rejected.

I call upon Jesus Christ so that I may become as great a teacher as him.

I call upon the twelve who regretted their betrayal, Peter, Andrew, James, John, Thaddeus, Bartholomew, Thomas, James, Matthew, Luke and Matthias, so Felicitatem may be the disciple they wished to be.

I call upon Gabriel, so my connection with Felicitatem may bring him wisdom, as the apostles received the Holy Spirit.

And so, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, may the contract be established.”

At these words the room lit up in a ethereal, pale blue shine, coming from Reiko, and a deep silver shine from Gaius. The shines began to shift, forming three tendrils that seeked their opposite, while arcs of crimson electricity flowed in the ground, sapphire water flowed in the heights, and golden air appeared.

When the tendrils met each other they joined and the mists, electricity and air were absorbed in them. It made an intense white light shine as soft trill sounded, a fresh smell, like a forest in the morning, appeared, and they tasted a sweet, soft and deep flavour, while they felt a warn breeze flowing on them.

The ritual finished the light died down. The circle had burned and the reactives turned to dust. Gaius rose and picked Reiko up looking tenderly at him.

“I wonder what the japanese version is like, this one's filled with three's. Good to officially meet you, Felicitatem.”