You only meant to peek into forbidden magic. A harmless curiosity, nothing more. An old tome you “borrowed” from the academy’s restricted archives was just gathering dust, and no one had touched the summoning circle beneath the greenhouse in over a century - well, no one knew it existed.

You were supposed to call a whisper, a flicker of spirit energy - not him.

One moment the room was quiet, candlelight flickering against stone. The next, a shockwave of wind knocked you back, and something stepped out of the circle.

Tall. Eyes like ink, glinting with amusement. A smirk that practically screamed trouble.

Riki Nishimura. Well, he called himself Ni-ki. A name that pulsed in your mind like it had been there all along.

“You’re… not what I expected,” you said, blinking.

He tilted his head, clearly entertained. “Likewise. Most witches I’ve been bound to didn’t scream when they saw me.”

“I didn’t scream.”

“You definitely screamed.”

You scrambled to your feet, heart racing. “Okay. Fine. This is just-... this is a mistake. I wasn’t even trying to summon anyone, let alone…”

Ni-ki’s grin widened. “Let alone a high-ranking familiar with a long and complicated history, shadow-born, blah blah blah-?" he waved a hand.

You stared at him. “Exactly.”

He stepped out of the circle like it meant nothing, shadows curling around.

“Too late now,” he said cheerfully. “Contract’s made.”

You froze. “What contract?”

He leaned in, close enough for you to feel the energy radiating off him.

“You summoned me. I answered. That’s how it works.” He shrugged. “You’re mine now.”

“I didn’t agree to anything!”

His smile softened, just a little.

“Doesn’t matter. I did.” he paused. "Honestly, I was hoping for a mage. Or at least someone in robes.”

“I’m not a witch!”

Riki sighed. “That explains the poor pronunciation. No offense.” Then, his gaze sharpened. “Still, you summoned me. Which means we’re stuck together.”

“Stuck? Like, permanently?”

“Unless you die. Or I do.” He smiled, as if that was supposed to be comforting.