• Chapter 42: [JACK THE RIPPER]

“Gypsy! Gypsy!”, A loud male voice called out, to the other boy who was staring at what appears to be a summoning shop. The boy, a bit surprised, blinked and looked at where the voice came from.

“Huh? Allen? What are you doing here?”, The boy, named Gypsy, answered to the approaching boy. Gypsy has blonde hair and gray eyes, as well as a handsome face, which one would normally see on nobles.

“Sir Gypsy…! I should ask that. What are you doing here?”, Allen asked the blonde haired boy. Allen has jet – black hair, while his light yellow eyes contrasted it. His face is also quite cute and kind.

The common thing that the two shared was their uniforms, which symbolized their affiliation to Yustas Academy. Their blazers were blue gray in color, with white linings along with their white long sleeved polo. The emblem, situated on their left chest, which was the image of an Acolyte’s robe, with 2 hands holding out a floating and glowing [Summoning Crystal].

“Allen, you do know that the Tournament will start 2 days from now on right?”, Gypsy reminded Allen, who’s face suddenly was struck by realization and… a bit of sadness?

“Then the final Summon Registration is tomorrow noon. You need to find a weekly summon contract, or else you’ll be kicked out.”, He added.

“Oh crap!”, Allen panicked. “B-But it’s difficult to do that! Most weekly summons that are strong are really rare, and if I just continue to pick weak ones then we’re done for.”, Allen’s shoulders sagged, as he looked down the ground in despair.

Sigh

“Idiot.”, Gypsy grabbed Allen’s arm and pulled him inside the store. “Don’t whine and think about it too much, just pick some good support – type and we’ll have a shot at winning.”, He continued to pull the panicking boy inside.

------

The shop’s bells dinged, making the old man behind the counter look at the door. Upon seeing the two young boys, he smiled gently.

“Good morning young lads.”, He greeted.

“Good morning sir.”, Gypsy smiled and greeted back the shop keeper, as he set his friend besides him straight.

“U-uh... Good morning sir.”, Allen also greeted awkwardly, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment.

“So, what would you like to have?”, The old man asked them.

I was hoping if you have a new batch of summons.”, Gypsy said to the old man, who closed his eyes for a moment.

“Hmm… We do have a new batch that just arrived, since many sorcerers managed to catch quite a sum of beasts inside the beast forest.”, He replied to Gypsy.

“Beast summons…”, Gypsy sighed. “Are there anything different?”, He asked once more, hoping for other variants.

"You mean higher summons than the beast stage? I doubt we have, the most intelligent and divine summons are rare in this little shop, Intelligent summons are found mostly on prominent shops in the capital, you can search anywhere at the warehouse if you find it pleasant." The old man explained, then he remembered.

"Come to consider, there's been a mysterious guy who sells a contract that lasts a week..."the old man suddenly furrowed his brows, making the two look at him in curiosity.

"wait! allow me to find it." The old man exclaimed, then ran to the back of his shop. The two boys looked at each other, Allen a bit dumbfounded and Gypsy with a smirk, as if to say that he was right.

After sometime, the old man finally came back.

“Here are they.”, The old man placed the summoning contracts on the counter, apart from each other. Coming closer, Allen and Gypsy eyed the three. They all look good, with 3 summoning contracts on his hand. Gypsy’s eyes gleamed for a bit, as he nudged Allen’s side. The summoning contracts were quite extraordinary and better looking than the ones displayed at the shop.

"See? There can be a weekly contract." Gypsy smiles.

"But what if the summon turns into a sort of weak one? If only my main summon weren't injured..."Allen expressed in a regretful way.

"loosen up, your summon will mend quickly, we simply require a temporary one for the time being." Gypsy assured him.

“I’m still not sure about this…”, Allen hesitantly eyed the items in the old mans hands. “Oh come on, your summon will heal trust me. We just need to pick one of the three here.”, Gypsy’s eyes rolled at his friend’s doubtfulness.

“How much does this cost?”, Gypsy asked the old man.

“Hmm… Since this one’s weekly, I think you need to read these first before we could discuss the price.”, The old man suggested, stroking his bearded chin.

The two looked at each other, before shrugging. Then, they began to read the summoning contracts.

[Venus Ivy – Plant-like creature hailing from Moon Lake. It has powerful vines which secrete a sticky mucus, which is extremely adhesive and hardens in just a minute. It also possesses several large mouths with sharp fangs, which drips in poisonous acid and is capable of spitting poisonous acid globs. It’s quite good for traps.]

[Guardian Yeti – Large, snow white ape. It’s ferocious and has extreme brute force and high defense. It also possesses an ability to create a wave of cold by roaring, and is capable of coating itself in cold energy that freezes anything that touches it, or it hits. Good for tanking role, but be advised against fire element, especially fire element magic.]

[¿¿¿ – (Unknown) An entity that embodies death…] The two looked at each other again and blinked, before looking at the third summoning contract. Gypsy’s brows furrowed, while Allen looked creeped out by it’s description.

“Well… The 3rd one’s certainly odd…”, Gypsy said, rubbing his chin in thought.

“I don’t think that’s a good one to pick…”, Allen hesitantly said, eyeing the 3rd scroll in caution.

“Hey old man, what’s this?”, Gypsy asked, pointing to the 3rd summoning contract. The old man looked at the summoning contract for a moment, before saying. “Ah, that? This one’s called a ‘Lucky Contract’, who knows what’s inside.”, The old man chuckled, before adding. “It could be anything, from a weak summon to a very powerful one. It all depends on your luck.”

“Hmm… How much?”, Gypsy asked.

“Gypsy, are you serious? This one looks dangerous… And if it isn’t, what if we get a weak summon?”, Allen explained to Gypsy, a bit panicked.

Sigh

“Allen, I know of your cautiousness. However, sometimes we need to take risks in order to succeed. And although the other two looks good, we already got those roles that those two would do covered.”, Gypsy replied to Allen, as he patted the boy’s shoulder.

“… Alright.”, Allen finally relented, his shoulders sagging.

“Just believe in me.”, Gypsy gave him a grin of confidence, before turning back to the old man.

“So how much?”

“10 silver”

Gypsy’s eyes twitched.

“That’s too expensive old man, and we aren’t even sure of what’s in here. How about 8 silvers?”, Gypsy offered.

“9 silvers and 8 coppers.”

“Oh c’mon. 8 Silvers and 2 coppers.” …Their banter went on, until they eventually settled for 8 silver and 8 copper. With the scroll in hand, the two teenagers walked out the shop happily.

------

I was quietly observing the shop in which I sold my summoning contracts

Taking a bite out of my burger, I savored it’s flavor quietly before I noticed that the two guys who entered earlier was now finished with their business, and they had something good in hand. “And here I am, losing hope.”, I grinned. “Welp, time for business.”, I devoured the final pieces of my burger, then quietly tailed the two. Our destination? Yustas Academy.

------

Yustas Academy, or the Yustas Summoning Academy. A school that’s well known for nurturing summoners, it’s also hailed as the best summoner school and is one of the best schools out there, on par with some of the famous magic academies. Yustas Academy covers a lot of grounds and is the school with the largest ground, being several times larger than the Ainzeb Magic Academy, who’s the largest known mage academy. However, despite it’s size, the school maintains it’s beauty, which combines with the nature-like theme of the grounds, making it look like a noble magic school and a fantasy elven forest combined together. It’s most highlighted structure, is the Summoner’s Hall. The Hall is known as a sacred ritual grounds, in which various students take their [Summoning Contracts] to establish a pact with their summons, eventually turning the contract into a [Summoning Crystal] to be used by the summon contractor, which a dozen pupils are experimenting. also, it was a room where pupils can parade their attractive summoning rituals, or make contracts.

"Have you prepared yourself?" Gypsy looked at Allen, as he spread the summoning contract open.

Sigh

"Another bleed again? Of course I will, yeah, let’s just do this." Allen sighed and laid the knife upon his palm. With that, Allen pricked his index finger with a small knife.

Slice

Drip…

A drop of blood hit the contract, it began glowing in red light and traced all the writings on the paper. After sometime, the red glow finished tracing everything and suddenly vanished.

"Come! Come! class D had a new contract again." Somebody just shouted out in the hall.

Oh? Hey, is that Allen? now I see. His permanent summon got injured in the Class C mock battle. right?"

"Haha, Allen's permanent summon was injured by Class C in a mock battle a few days ago, now they want a new contract?"

"It feels like an alternative."

“Yeah, probably just a temporarily one though…”

As more students observe the two perform the ritual, Allen began to sweat in such attention, while Gypsy paid them no mind.

"A week lucky contract?!"

“Hmm… It seems to be. This is quite thrilling, though it’ll be disappointing if a weak one comes out.”

While the students continued to watch and give comments, Allen was able to calm down and ignore them.

“Get ready to chant it’s name Allen, it’s nearing…”, Gypsy reminded his friend, who only nodded, as his hope and focus was completely on the contract. To do a pact, the Summoning Contract must be unfolded on the Ritual Altar, while it’s hopeful contractor drops their blood as sacrifice. After sometime, the name of the summon will be written on the summoning contract. During this time, the contractor must say what’s written to successfully establish the contract. After a successful pact is made, the summoning contract will grow bright and transform into a summoning crystal.

the students were commenting at the same time as they were waiting for the contract to form, Allen and Gypsy were no longer bothering them and were waiting for the contracts to form.

"Okay, the sentences now form on the contract.... wait!HUH?!”, Allen suddenly gasped, making Gypsy look at him in worry. The other students, became intrigued on what got Allen surprised.

“Are you alright?”,Gypsy asked Allen, before adding. “" What's wrong? Is the summoned character weak?" Gypsy glimpsed upon him, and asked.

“N-No… It’s just… The words…”, Allen mumbled.

“What’s with the words?”, Gypsy was now frowning, and added. "Come on, read it out loud now, those spectators behind us are still looking." He pointed back.

“It’s… sigh.. I’ll just read it.”, Allen gave up, and stared at the contract. He took a deep breath, before he began to read.

"The greatest dread is the unknown."

“We do not fear darkness itself. However, we do fear the unknown that lies within it.”

“What…?”, Gypsy muttered, his eyes wide in shock. The other students, who heard what Allen had said, immediately perked up and gave the boy and the ceremony their full attention. They were interested, as the verse equates to the power of the summon, due to the fact that the chanting of an summon honors is associated with its power and title.

"The greatest murderer is to be unknown."

"Why does death succeed in scaring us? Because we never know when it’s coming.”

The room suddenly vibrated lightly, as if a small earthquake just struck. Although Allen and Gypsy didn’t feel it, the others certainly did. Soon after, the low rumble was accompanied by an eerie and disgusting presence, one that made the other students shiver and sweat in fear and unease. Chills running on them. While the entire environment was being brought into a sinister state, and few breaths were heard.

"To be the terror of the night, to be the reaper of the darkest hour."

“I am the greatest reaper, the harvester of life, the liberator of souls from their mortal flesh.”

The atmosphere became heavy, and most students found the place becoming tighter for their comfort. Soon enough, the room darkened as light began emitting from the summoning contract. However, it wasn’t just ordinary light. The light was black. A contradiction, perhaps corrupted? The ‘light’ absorbed all other light, which is why the halls became dark. Soon enough, crimson eyes peered through. It scanned, gazing through the eyes of each living thing it came across. The students backed away, some about to cry at the vile presence of the creature, while some found it difficult to breath.

"A voyager of worlds, a mysterious show."

“I am the traveler of the night, the murderer of unknown.”

The black light slowly coalesced, forming a glowing humanoid form. As it slowly faded, what revealed was a mysterious male figure.

“T-That’s a Tales!”, Someone in the crowd finally exclaimed. The others, who heard him let out a gasp of shock and surprise.

"Wh-what?! A tales?! "

It was unbelievable. Tales were one of the rarest summons, on par to the Divine Classes. It was a spirit summon, a summon that had achieved legendary status and influence. They all watched with bated breath, as the ‘thing’ slowly formed itself. The man was tall, had piercing crimson eyes and abyss black hair. He had a silver and black fedora hat, which was curved and pointing at the front and back. His neck up to his nose was covered in a black mask, with his uncovered skin having a light shade, suggesting his fair complexion. He also wore a black cloak with silver accents, but the below is torn raggedly. His inner consists of a black trench coat, along with gloves that had silver bars on the knuckles and back hands. Both of his hands held long, curved knives, which was also black and silver in color. Their blades differed though, as one was smooth while the other one was saw-like. His pants were black in color, with a black belt that had a silver buckle. To finish off, he had black ankle-length boots with silver accents.

their eyes widened as they watch the 'thing to shape', as the pupils expressed, it was a 'tale', a tale is a summon that had amazing accomplishments and titles inside the dimension or in the place they come from.

“I am the personification of death, one who walks the darkest nights.”

He took a step forward.

“Whatever the reason, bloodshed and annihilation will be my answer.”

Again, he took a step.

“I am the unknown, what you fear within darkness.”

"as the reaper stroll in the darkest road, a bloodshed follows, the terror continued."

"as the tales and legends of his horror, as the one who continues to be unknown, the reaper hunts. "

"It's a horror show, Reaper Jack."

“I am… Jack the Ripper.”

Woooshh!

A strong gust of wind suddenly flew, as ‘Jack the Ripper’ sliced his blades at speeds unable to be seen.

------

"ha...."

Whew! That was quite the introduction. Luckily, everything went smoothly as I just planned. Through [Miracle Invoker], I was able to create my own honorable name that seem to be deemed as acceptable by the system. Second, I used [Saint’s Light] to give the eerie light show. Luckily, this outfit was sold in the [Store], so it was an easy one. Though the best part I think is using Miyanase’s [Rule Over Decay] to scare the shit out of them.

"“By the pact of my blood, I command thee, Jack the Ripper, to be thine summon.”, The Allen guy said, as he finished off the Ceremony of Contracts. Immediately, Miyanase converted the Summoning Contract into a Summoning Crystal, though unlike other crystals, it was smooth and perfectly round, and had a jet black color. I watched the Allen guy stare at it amazement, making me grin inwardly.

“By the pact of my identity, I accept thee as thine summoner.” Then I looked at them with a frigid look, like a squatting serpent ready to chew. Of course, the whole thing was all an actor's play, A good thing I convinced them by my skills, just watch them shivering in cold sweat., [Aptitude] was certainly a handy skill. Silver energy surrounded both of us, which represented my power and the crystal glowed white. Soon, it all faded, revealing a successful contract. Though, indeed of celebrating, Allen and his friend seemed to be quiet. Most likely since I’m staring at them like I’m a death reaper who’s gonna take their souls and consume it. I moved my gaze to the other spectators, who immediately became stunned in place. Heh, this is quite fun. Right, I still need to find those [Tear of the Corrupted]…

Thus, the contract between me and this Allen guy was formed, just a week from now. I ought to plan to find the tears of corruption on this academy through then. First of all, let's begin the investigation inside and around this academy, as that perverted old God hinted, the clue could be inside this academy.

[•END•]

Revised by BaNaeNae and PurpleGrimm