author's note: I'm just passing throught to give to all of the reviewers a big thank you. Youe are awesome.

In front of Maximilian was Asterife. One meter tall, blood colored skin, with a goblin like appearance, long ears, hooked nose, not a hair on the head and tiny silver eyes. He was wearing a simple black shirt and Grey short, his big feet apparent.

As he looked Asterife from top to bottom, Maximilian realized the imp was doing the same thing with him. After a while, the little red one smiled with all his big yellow teeth.

"So, you managed to summoned me, what is it you want?"

"I found this... "

Maximilian showed the magic book in which he found the formula.

"In it was the explanation to summoned a being who would, and I quote, “help me with the loot “. I'm afraid I don't really get it, would you mind explain a bit? "

Making his tongue click, Asterife showed a bit of impatience.

"You mean you summoned me without knowing what I was able to do? What a dumbass you are. What if I attacked You?"

"I would have defended myself, that's all."

Asterife laughed a bit.

"Because you think you would be able to resist if I wanted to destroy you?"

Looking at the imp. Maximilian arced an eyebrow, then scanned him.

"You are a spiritual being capable of summoning others of your clan, but only if they have a level inferior to yours or give their approval, your level's 15 by the way. You don't have a lot of fighting skills, you are more a helper, a utility summoning."

The imp looked at him, seemingly shocked.

"What? How? Even if it's true it doesn't mean you would be able to..."

"Let's cut the threat here, I don't want to fight you. I summoned you because I thought you could help me with this... "

Lifting his arms, he turned on himself, showing the room around, and the numerous object in it.

"And what would you have me do?"

"Collect, bring me all that can be taken, and put it in here."

Maximilian showed the Havenbag to Asterife who looked at it, then at the room, and looked at Maximilian with a worried face.

"Sorry to broke your dream here, but you do realize that your bag is to little for everything to fit in right? Because if not, I'm not sure of your sanity. "

Maximilian laughed a bit before answering to the interlocked imp.

"Don't worry, the bag is enchanted, it will fit just fine, look."

Demonstrating, he took a long spear, visibly too long for the bag, and dropped it inside, under the surprised look of Asterife.

"OK, it seems like you have what you need. You managed to summoned me, but can you pay the price for the service of my clan?"

"Give me a moment "

Coming near the imp, Maximilian hit the floor three time with his heel, making two chairs and a table of rock coming out of it.

*earth magic is truly useful, I love it. *

They sat, facing each other.

"So, you are my first summoning. Would you please explain to me this price you were talking about, is it gold?"

"Nah, we don't give a damn about those things. We, the summoned ones, use another currency, mana coins. "

Asterife took something out of his pocket and put it on the table. It was a coin, without any pictures, glass like texture and slightly glowing blue.

"And how am I supposed to get those?"

"It's quite simple actually. You just have to materialize ten of your mana points in one to obtain one of those coins. "

"Just like that?"

"Not exactly. The skill to do that, you receive it after your first contract. And even when you have it, it takes time to materialize mana coins."

Maximilian looked at Asterife for a minute.

"A contract? Between you and me?"

"That's right. But before I allow you to forge a contract with my clan, I must verify if you have enough mana points to give. "

The tone of the imp was pretentious to say the least. Maximilian, for his part, was amused by the little guy.

*if only you knew...*

"What do I have to do?"

Asterife snapped his fingers, making a blank parchment and a black needle appeared on the table. He showed the needle to Maximilian, smiling with his yellow teeth.

"Use this needle to make a drop of your blood fall on the parchment, it will show me your mana capacity. "

Maximilian took the needle. Scanning it, he made sure there wasn't any trap, like poison or something, but it was just a ritual needle. As he was taking off one of the gauntlets, he asked.

"Just so I know, what is your price? "

"Afraid of being short on money? "

"No, just curious. "

The imp scratch his chin for a bit.

"Me and my clan have different levels of services, but you can get one of us at a 50 coins fee, plus 5 coins for every 30 minutes we have to stay. I know it's expensive but we provide a service of quality. Only for the best. Still okay to continue? "

Maximilian simply smiled at the imp before piercing his finger. He looked as one drop of blood felled on the parchment and some information started to write themselves. Asterife took the paper and looked at it.

At first he didn't move, talked, or even breathed for what Maximilian could hear. He took the parchment in front of his eyes, masking his face from Maximilian who was casually putting the gauntlet back on, the little injury on his finger already closed, thanks to his stats.

"So, tell me, will it suffice? "

The imp put the parchment back on the table, looking at the human who was smiling innocently to him.

"That... I've never seen so much mana before. "

Asterife stood from his chair and went around the table, stopping next to Maximilian and bowing to him.

"I would be honored to be the one who, in the name of my clan, make a contract with you."

"I don't know. You didn't seem to be to thrilled about it five minutes ago..."

It was evident that Asterife was getting frantic. The idea that Maximilian was not going to make a contract anymore was clearly bad news to him. To the human words, he accentuated his Bow even lower.

"Please forgive me, I clearly should have realized your power sooner and showed you the respect you deserve, I'm in the error. Please forgive me."

The surprise could be read on the imp face as he heard Maximilian laughed heartily.

"Please straighten yourself Asterife, I was kidding. I'll be glad to make a contract with you. What are the terms? "

Clearly reassured, Asterife responded.

"In exchange of mana coins, those of my clan will take care of the loot for you. Picking up of course, but that's not all. My clan have some specialist, they will take care of the bodies of the monster you will kill. By using different types of magic and skills, they will take and treat every single part of the body to give you what could be useful. We even provide bottles and small boxes for easier transportation. Nothing will be lost. Some of us are examiner, identifying and classing are what they do, useful for when you'll find treasures"

"Sounds good to me. How do we proceed? "

"Here, take this. "

Asterife snapped his fingers once more, making a red ring appeared, and gave it to Maximilian.

"By putting this ring on, you accept the contract. To sealed the contract, you accept the cost of a hundred mana coins fee before your first summoning and to have your name write in my clan's memory book. "

While taking off his gauntlet once again, Maximilian asked.

"What's this story about memory book?"

Asterife thought a moment before explaining.

"The memory book of each clan is where the name of those who made a contract with them is written. It's the proof of our engagement, and also the way we show our prestige to other clans. The more powerful the contractor, the more prestige we get. It is one of the only way a clan can obtain power."

"And the mana coins? "

"It's the other way. But as it is impossible for a clan without prestige to be rich, it is not possible to buy true prestige. It is better to have the two."

"I see...and what about your clan? Is he prestigious and rich?"

The question seemed to bother the imp a bit. Maximilian remarked it.

"Sorry, it seems like it's not a pleasant subject. "

"No no, it's not that. It's just that, long time ago, my clan was very respected. At that time, numerous were the ones making a contract with us and everything was fine. But centuries after centuries, less and less summoner called for us and now...well, let's say you are the first summoner we have in a long time. "

"Strange, you didn't seem to be overjoyed when you appeared earlier. "

"Well, I must keep good face you know. What would I look like if I appeared on my knees imploring for a mana coin? "

"I guess you're right, it wouldn't be serious. But why did the mage stopped calling your clan? "

Asterife shook his head.

"I don't know. Multiple reasons I guess. First of all, mages aren't as powerful as they used to be. Making enough mana coins require a good amount of mana, and sometimes it takes time for the mage to refill their mana. The other thing is that my clan is very specific in what we do.

A lot of mage, even if they know how to summon us, won't bother. They keep their mana coins for battle summoning. And lastly, it is possible that a lot of people have forgotten the summoning chant of my clan, making summoning us impossible. "

Maximilian listened patiently as Asterife was talking. Once he was done, the human looked at the ring.

"And so, after so long, I'm the one summoning you. Okay."

He put the ring on, feeling a wave of energy running from his finger to his head. The new skill "mana coins making"appeared. This skill required only one point, Maximilian activated it immediately.

"The contract is made, and I've got the skill to make mana coins, now how do I call your clan? "

Asterife was thrilled after seeing the human putting the ring on, and it showed on his face.

"Oh it's easy master, just call out our clan name while infusing a bit of mana in the ring, and I will appear. "

"You called me master? "

Asterife smile, all teeth showing.

"Yes indeed. After so long, we have a new master summoner to serve, this is delightful. "

"Ha....okay then. I propose we get to work. What do you think? "

Asterife bowed to Maximilian.

"With pleasure master. Allow me to summon the appropriate number of imp for the task ahead. "

"Thank you Asterife, I want you and the others to empty this room of everything that can feet in the Havenbag. While you do that, I'll work on those mana coins."

"Thank you master."

Asterife called different imp, all looking very much like him, and they all bowed to Maximilian before getting to work. Maximilian gave the Havenbag to two of the imp who maintained it open while the other were taking everything to put in it, all under the supervision of Asterife. Maximilian sat back at the rock table to start making coins.

Making the coins was, as Asterife said, quite a simple process. Maximilian counted there was 15 imp including Asterife, and calculate he would need 850 coins at first, including the first summoning fee, plus 150 for the time they appeared to need. The human was glad to see the imp clan was very serious in his work, they were organized and never stopped, making the time working the shortest needed, very effective. Observing the rapid way they were advancing, they would need less than an hour to finish, but Maximilian included 150 mana coins more nonetheless.

The mana coins making was easy, but actually kinda boring after a time. As he was sitting there, Maximilian quickly caught the drift and was now creating them ten by ten, without stopping. He didn't need to concentrate too much on it, as it was a repetitive action. To pass time, he was observing the imp working. It was fascinating in a certain way. Those little guys were doing there job with rapidity and efficacy. As he observed them, Maximilian realized that, even if they all looked quite similar, there was actually one or two differences between them. Some had a lighter color on their skin with longer ears falling a bit at their extremities, with little curves at the chest and... Maximilian stopped there and slapped himself mentally.

*you idiot, those are their women. I have to be more careful, I don't want to offend my new partner and...hmm?*

Maximilian was interrupted in his reflection by two sets of eyes looking at him from the other side of the table. Two imps, smaller than the others, were hiding behind the table. Since when, Maximilian didn't know, he hadn't even count them with the others. They seemed younger than the others, maybe were they children of the imp clan.

If the other imps had some similarities between them, those two looked exactly the same. The only difference was in the colors of their eyes, for one they were green, for the other yellow. Maximilian looked at them and they looked at him without saying a word for a good minute before the human decided to break the ice.

"Hello there. "

The two sets of eyes disappeared, as if surprised by the sudden speaking, the two imps hiding under the table.

Laughing a bit, the human said.

"You don't have to hide, why don't you show yourself? "

Hesitantly, the two came out from under the table, stopping before Maximilian, but at a good meter away from him nonetheless.

"So? May I know what was so fascinating about me?"

The two looked at each other, as if consulting one another. Maximilian waited patiently. Finally, the green eyes one began to talk in a voice similar to Asterife, but more childish in the tone.

"You the new master? "

The simple phrasing confirmed Maximilian's idea that they were two children.

"Indeed I am. "

"What your name is?"

"You can call me Max, what about you?"

"Astiar, Isir!! "

The answer wasn't give by the children but by a visibly not happy Asterife who was coming their way.

"You little rascals, what are you doing here? You're not supposed to leave the plan yet. "

Asterife was now scolding the two children.

"But dad..."

His children, apparently.

"There's no but, you two go back this instant. "

It was now the other child turn to speak. The childish voice was a bit more girly this time, making Maximilian arced an eyebrow.

*So I suppose this one is a girl...gosh that's not going to be easy. *

"Dad, we just wanted to see the new master. "

Asterife seemed to calmed himself.

"Listen you two, you can't come when you want and bother the master, it's impolite. "

Seeing he was the source of the "problem ", Maximilian coughed slightly, catching Asterife attention.

"It's alright Asterife, it doesn't bother me. Are they your children? "

Asterife seemed relieved by Maximilian words, then proud as he showed the kids.

"Indeed they are master. This is my son, Astiar. "

The green eyes one took a step forward.

"Hi."

Asterife slightly hit the back of his head.

"Your manners. "

"Aouch, sorry. "

Hesitantly, the young imp bowed to Maximilian.

"Thank you for your paronage. "

"Astiar, it's patronage. "

The one who just talked was the other child, Isir, whose way of talking made Maximilian though she was a bit older. She also took a step forward and bowed to him and told her phrase like she had learned it before.

"Please to meet you master, my name is Isir. Sorry to have bothering you. "

Maximilian smiled at the two children.

"And I'm pleased to meet you too, Astiar, Isir. I hope we can work together in the future. "

"Yes master. "

The two bowed together before Asterife clapped his hand one time.

"Alright children, you've taken enough of master's time. You go home now. "

"Oh, wait a moment Asterife. "

Maximilian stopped the older imp who looked at him, wondering what he wanted. Maximilian went to the stone table where the coins were and took 50 of them, which he gave half at each child who were looking at him without blinking.

"Master? I'm sorry but they aren't old enough to work. "

Maximilian laughed a bit.

"I'm aware of that Asterife. But see your children here. They risked your anger by coming here, only so they could meet me and pay respect. As I see it, this deserve a reward for their efforts. "

He put a knee on the ground, putting a hand on their heads.

"When the time will come, I'll be happy to work with you too. Until then, I'm afraid we must say goodbye. "

Even without saying anything, Maximilian understood Asterife. The fact the imp father didn't want the kids here before they were ready was comprehensible. Even if the purpose of their clan was to collect after the battle, there was no certitude a monster or something as dangerous would not appear to attack them as they worked. Not a place to be for children.

The imp child looked at the coins in their hands then at their father, as if asking

if it was okay to take them. Seeing he seemed to be alright with it, they bowed even lower to Maximilian, speaking in unison.

"Thank you for this gift master. "

And with a snap of Asterife's finger, they disappeared.

"Those are good kids you have Asterife. "

"Thank you master. Now if you don't mind, I will continue the supervision. "

"And I'm going to make more mana coins. "

"Please do not tired yourself too much master. I know the making of mana coins can take a while and..."

"Nah, it's alright. To be frank I have more than enough already, I'm just making some more for other time. "

Asterife looked at him without a word, then laughed a bit as he turned around to go back to his work.

"You truly are something master. "

"Thank you."

As the imp were finishing their work, Maximilian had made a good stock of mana coins. Far enough to pay them now, and for some other times.

As he had intended to do, Maximilian pay them for an hour even though they had needed barely more than 30 minutes to achieve their work. Counting seemed to be a well developed skill with Asterife, as he immediately remarked there was more than necessary.

"Master, forgive my impudence, but you seemed to have counted wrong. I see here more coins than needed. "

"That's right Asterife, there's more. It's a bonus, take it as a welcoming gift in our association."

Asterife and the other imps looked at him, dumbfounded.

"What? Did I do something wrong? "

"No master, not at all. It's just that... Well it is the first time us imps receive a present from a summoner. "

"Really? Nether before? "

"Never. Thank you for that master. If you ever need the assistance of the imp clan, just think about us while transferring some mana to the ring I gave you. I will appear and call any imp necessary. "

"I'll do it Asterife. There's still two treasures room I have to visit, so you can count on me summoning you before long."

"It will be a pleasure. Until then, goodbye master. "

All the imps present bowed to him before disappearing.

Once again alone, Maximilian touched the Havenbag on his side, seemingly empty even with everything it had inside.

"It truly is a marvelous thing...okay, next room. "

And with that said, he got out of the now empty room.