Prologue: A Conversation of Sorts
“Then, let us begin.”
“Yes!”
At the command, the Vice Captain of the mage guild, an elf with long ears and two horns protruding from his forehead, stepped forward.
“Channel your magic.”
As the Guild Leader’s voice rang out, those positioned around the Magic Circle knelt one by one. They placed their hands upon the circle, pouring forth their Magic Power. As the energy flowed from the edges toward the center, the Magic Circle began to emit a faint glow.
“Hehehe… it won’t be long now…”
A smile involuntarily crept across my face as I watched the Summoning Magic Circle fill with Magic Power. Soon, we would eradicate those Subterraneans.
“The Summoner’s Condition Setting is flawless, I trust?”
“Of course. I’ve completed the settings as instructed. We are summoning a person from a neighboring world who possesses a non-aggressive ethnic trait and has the potential to become a formidable individual with remarkable growth rates.”
I called out to the Guild Leader, who was adjusting the Magic Circle nearby, and received the expected response. A mistake here could lead to dire consequences. If we summoned someone beyond our control, it could spell disaster, not just from the Subterraneans, but for us as well.
“Even if they have a somewhat aggressive temperament, it shouldn’t pose a problem. The Subjugation spell has been lightly incorporated into the Magic Circle.”
“Indeed. However, we must be prepared for any eventuality.”
“Yes. I will remain vigilant.”
“Preparations are complete!”
Turning at the Vice Captain’s words, I saw the entire Magic Circle glowing brightly.
“Alright, we will feign friendliness on the surface, so do not draw your weapons. However, be ready to retreat at a moment’s notice.”
“Understood!”
“Now, let us proceed with the final touch.”
With those words, the Vice Captain began to weave a lengthy incantation. Having spent four days on preliminary chants, all that remained was to utter the final verse to complete the Summoning Magic.
After a brief wait, the Magic Circle began to shine with an intense light.
“Ooooo…!”
Magic Power swirled around us, and despite being indoors, a gust of wind began to stir.
“――――――!”
As the Vice Captain finished the final incantation, my vision was engulfed in a blinding white light, forcing me to shut my eyes. Moments later, as silence enveloped the room, darkness filled my sight even through my closed eyelids.
Tentatively opening my eyes, I found the Magic Circle had ceased its glow, standing quietly. In its center, the summoned being was supposed to appear—
“…No one is here…?”
“Wha… what?!”
“Could it be that we failed?”
The absence of the expected figure at the center of the Magic Circle caused a stir among those who had been channeling their Magic Power.
Could it be… that after all the time and resources we invested, this was a failure?
As I tried to calm my trembling right fist with my left hand, a sudden burst of light erupted from the Magic Circle once more.
“What?!”
Instinctively shielding my face with my arm, a powerful wind surged from the Magic Circle, knocking me back a few steps.
Once the gust subsided and I lowered my arms from my face—
There stood a small man with a large spear slung over his back and ears sprouting from his head, alongside children with black hair and black eyes, and a tiny infant clutching a plush toy, also sporting ears atop its head, all positioned in the center of the Magic Circle.