"Funny, but this could be quite useful. What else are you able to do with it?"

"Expanding upon its sound capabilities, I can create any noise at whatever volume I can think of. And for its visual aspects, I can create small objects, but this is still only a level zero spell, so any interaction with it will showcase it as such." Aleister throughout another Lesser Illusion spell card. Upon its activation this time, a black raven appeared in its place."

Syn stared at the illusory bird. "If I didn't know it was an illusion, then I don't know how long it would have taken for me to guess."

Aleister moved to the illusory bird and went to touch it. His hand went straight through, and the image of the raven flickered and dimmed. "About that long. Interesting that the illusion doesn't go away though, it just gets lighter."

"It didn't get lighter for me," Syn said.

"That's useful to know."

"And what about Static Touch?"

"That just pushes an electrical current to flow through my hands. Not the strongest of currents, mind you, but would still inflict pain and cause some annoyance."

"How perfect for you."

"Thanks."

"And for the first level spells? I know you learned Arc, Comprehend Languages, and Instigate Fear. Arc is also lightning-based, correct? It already seems to me that you have an affinity towards lightning anima, but I'm not sure about the other two."

"Comprehend Languages belongs to the school of divination, so it's the first of the type I learned, and Instigate Fear is necromantic, which is also the first."

"Necromantic anima..."

"Is there a problem?"

"Not for me, but the school of necromancy has an ill reputation as its casters have used it for—less than well-intentioned actions, especially as it plays such a heavy role with the living and the dead. So much so that restoration anima earned a separate name even though it's part of necromantic anima."

"Well, I don't think I'm going to be helping that reputation any." Aleister shrugged as he lounged back in his chair. "Not that I need to."

"And what's the last level one spell you've learned?"

"Magic Detection. I'm sure you don't need me to explain that to you."

"You don't unless its effects don't match up to its name."

"It does. And so now we practice the contractor spells."

"Ugh." Syn sighed and slumped her shoulders. "You don't need them. Am I not more important?"

"You are, which is why we need to practice them some more. You can't keep on passing out right after I try to use Spectral Weapon."

"I know, I know."

Aleister rolled up his sleeve and summoned upon the power of the contract, turning his hand black. However, before he could get started, someone knocked at his door.

"I'm busy."

"You owe me multiple favors," Kyoko replied. Her voice cracked with an exhausted and unhappy air.

"Fine."

Well, I sure didn't expect Kyoko to show up after all this time.

He cleaned himself up with Legerdemain before standing up.

"Wait," Kyoko said before he could move any further. "Try using Spectral Hand to open the door."

"Good idea." Aleister nodded.

He summoned the card in his hand and activated it. A translucent carbon copy of his black hand manifested itself in front of him. He controlled this fake hand with his real hand. With some concentration, he guided it through the air and grabbed onto the handle, twisting the door open.

Once I gain mastery of this spell, I can basically use it as a weaker third hand without thinking about it. And the fact that it's incorporeal unless I grab onto it is just an added bonus.

"Um, what are you doing?" Kyoko asked, looking at his odd posture.

He pulled his hand up and waved.

Kyoko jumped back, startled.

He shook his hand and dispelled his Spectral Hand. Syn let out a deep exhale.

"What do you need?" he asked.

"I need your help with some stuff," she said, looking at his hand with narrowed eyes.

"Yes, I figured that's why you're here. I wanted to know more specifically what you needed my help with."

"Your hand..."

"Magic. Now answer my question."

"Luo Yun informed me that he told you of the aftermath of the warehouse situation," Kyoko said, looking up, but still throwing additional glances at it. "Wasn't your hand also just black a second ago?"

"Contract powers."

"And after two months, we still haven't managed to extract any information from the killers we took captive of. So I came to ask you if you could be of any help?"

"What makes you think I could be of any help?"

"Even though I may not like it, the complete fiasco with those students of Luo Yun's dojo made me realize that you do have a certain skill set thanks to some less than ideal morals," Kyoko said begrudgingly. "And, I asked Myra for her help first since she has an enchantment spell to put them in a lull. Unfortunately, her spell wasn't strong enough, and they're hardened criminals, so the challenge became even more difficult."

"So even magic wasn't able to force them to cough up some information? Then what kind of help could I be."

"As I said, I may not like it, but I have a feeling you wouldn't be afraid of getting your hands a little bit dirty to extract some information from them."

"Is that supposed to flatter me? Am I now suddenly an enforcer of the Lillium Empire."

"Yes it was, and no you aren't."

"It doesn't, but I won't say no," Aleister said. "However, you need to give me a few days. I have to prepare for this."

"Fine, just tell me what you need, and I'll obtain it for you."

"You don't need to gather anything, I just need to take care of some stuff."

"Take care off?"

"Business."

"Fine. The prisoners and I will be over at the City Watch Headquarters in dungeon six. I'll inform them of your appearance so you'll have sufficient permission to gain access even if I'm not there."