When corkus arrived home he immediately picked up his codex.
'Two weeks ago, the old man found my codex. It seems it wasn't a good idea to hide it under the bed.
But luckily for me, when he opened it it was empty as if it had never been written on.'
'So a provoking thought came to me:
Does that apply only to him or to other people as well? And so the experiments began!'
'I left the codex on crowded roads where people surely would pass by. After days of experimenting, I reached two conclusions:
One is that only I can understand its content as its true owner and because it is my perk.
Two, for other people, when they open it is either empty like what happened with my father, or it has words but it is gibberish.'
'As for the illustrations or the cover of the book it doesn't even exist for them.
I wonder if, for wizards and witches, the case will be different. After all, they use magic. Of course, I have not seen or met any mage which is understandable.'
'If it becomes known they will be burned at the stake. Of course, that applies to me as well but as the greatest detective to ever live, I can cover my tracks well' He thought with a smile forming on his face.
'Well, enough boasting, I should try to be humble like Aizen that way I will fly under the radar hehe.
Anyway, time to learn magic!' He thought as he opened the book and flipped through its pages.
'I have already read the introduction and about Od which I have learned. There should be a section about magic. Probably right ther—
What the hell? Where is the word 'magic' I can only see some illustrations.' He thought as he looked towards them.
There were five in total. Two on the left and two on the right, while the 5th one was a bit below the others. All of them were connected by a line of ink, forming a web.
As for the depictions of the illustrations they were as follows:
On the top left, the illustration depicted a hooded figure kneeling before a pentagram drawn into the dirt. His mouth was open as if chanting, and above the pentagram, the upper body of a horned demon emerged.
On the top right, another hooded figure stood before a fresh grave, his hands outstretched. From the earth, a skeleton was clawing its way up, its empty sockets staring ahead.
On the bottom left, the scene was divided into two parts. In one, the hooded figure held a small voodoo doll riddled with nails, pressing the last one into the spot where a heart would be. In the other, a distant man who resembled the doll clutched his chest, his face twisted in agony as he collapsed.
On the bottom right, the image was strange. It showed the same street from multiple perspectives—one where it was burning, another where it was submerged underwater, and yet another where ghostly figures roamed. Yet at the center of it all stood the hooded figure, untouched, as if the other perspectives didn't exist in the first place.
Corkus's eyes then fell on the final illustration at the center. Unlike the others, it was more abstract. A robed figure sat on the ground with deep gashes along his arms, blood flowing freely.
Instead of spilling and falling to the ground, the blood defied the laws of gravity and twisted into complicated symbols midair, forming a circle of runes around him. Some took the shape of weapons, others of human-shaped but bulky beings.
'Is this supposed to mean something? Like a riddle for me to solve?' He thought as he moved his hands towards one of the illustrations.
'Hmm, even though the author of the codex has been rude to me, I can't help but marvel at his drawing skills.' Corkus thought as he
reached out and placed his fingers on the first illustration his eyes fell upon—the summoning ritual.
Suddenly, the pages began flipping on their own, faster than his eyes could follow. Then they stopped as the book settled on a blank page.
Then, ink began to form. At first, it was just scattered dots, but soon, words slithered across the page in sharp strokes.
[Congratulations, you dull sack of meat, you've managed to not be entirely useless.]
Corkus blinked. 'What the hell?' He thought before reading the next passage.
[You stand at the threshold of power, an insect staring at the gates of gods. Magic is not simply power—it is a path. But paths are tricky things. Walk the wrong one, and you might find yourself without legs. Or a soul. Or a head. ]
[Summoning: The grand art of beckoning things far worse than yourself. Spirits, demons, forgotten gods—all eager to answer your call. Of course, 'answer' might mean devouring, enslaving, or turning your insides into delightful modern art. Power comes at a price—always.]
[But do not be so narrow-minded, little maggot. Summoning is but one of the five paths of dark magic. A single thread in a grand scheme of power... and madness.];
'Five paths?' Corkus leaned in, intrigued.
[Necromancy calls upon those that have been ruled long dead, binding them in servitude to the living.]
[ Summoning beckons forces best left
untouched. Curses twist fate into a noose, ensuring suffering with but a mere touch.
[Illusions weave lies so perfectly, that even the liar forgets the truth. Blood Magic… well, you'll see soon enough
[ Most who dabble in darkness can only grasp a single path. Why? Because the soul is a fragile, pathetic thing—prone to breaking under the weight of corruption. Too much, and it shatters, splits and rots.]
[ I, however, was not like most people. I mastered three paths. Three doors were pried open, and three truths were learned. And yet, even I had limits. To claim all five?]
;
[ Only a fool, or something far worse, would attempt such a thing.
'Each path is a door. Each door has a price.]
Corkus smirked. 'Then I'll just have to surpass you. Of course not out of pettiness or anything like that'
---
[However, Summoning stands apart from the others. It is not a path one must dedicate their soul to fully. Rather, it is a tool—a means to an end. A supplementary art that can be learned alongside Necromancy, Curses, Illusions, or even Blood Magic.]
[Why? Because Summoning does not corrupt the soul in the same way. It is not your power you wield, but the power of something else.
A bargain, a contract, a leash. The danger, of course, is what happens when the leash breaks.
Do be careful, little maggot.
Summon something too strong, and you'll be nothing more than an amusing stain on the floor. Though I suppose that would be an improvement.]
[After all, borrowed power is never truly yours.]
Corkus leaned back, staring at the page.
'Think carefully, huh? Well... let's see, I think I will stick with summoning for now.
With that decision made, he turned to the next page.
Let's see, I need to find a weak one, I should know my limits, after all, Rome wasn't built in a day.'
'Hmm this should do just fine' Corkus thought as he looked upon
[Chmimoryo]
[Chimimoryo are small, two-legged creatures with a humanoid face lacking a mouth.
As for their abilities Chimimoryo are capable of casting illusions—but their power works differently depending on the target.]
[Against normal humans, their illusions are highly effective and capable of inducing confusion, fear, and hallucinations. However, the illusions are weak and fleeting against other, more powerful beings, lasting only a few seconds before dissipating.
In the presence of stronger individuals, Chimimoryo illusions become almost useless, failing to disorient or trick their targets for long.]
'Perfect, well I should gather the necessary ingredients, what it asks is simple enough', he thought as he looked at the list of ingredients.
---
Later that night, deep within the forest…
"Alright, I have everything that I need: the ingredients and the codex. Now let's begin," he muttered under his breath.
He carefully laid each item down as described in the ritual:
First, the black petals from a flower were placed in the center of the circle.
Next, a small feather, dark and smooth, was laid beside the petals. He had chosen it carefully—a raven's feather, as close to the ritual's requirement as he could get.
The ritual's next component was a dried rosemary sprig, the faint smell of herbs filling the air as he crushed it in his hand. He sprinkled the small pieces around the circle for purification, releasing their scent into the forest, mingling with the natural smells of the woods.
With one hand steadying the circle, Corkus reached into his pouch and retrieved a crushed eggshell, breaking it down further between his fingers. He sprinkled it over the circle.
A white candle was next, its flame flickering weakly in the breeze, but steady enough to remain lit. He placed it near the edge of the circle.
Then came the thin string the binding element, the connection between himself and the Chimimoryo.
Corkus tied it loosely around his fingers, ensuring it remained in the center of the circle, where it could serve as a tether.
Finally, he took a pinch of salt, letting it fall from his hand in a thin line around the perimeter of the circle, securing it.
He stood back, hands trembling slightly, as he surveyed the completed circle.
"All the ingredients had been arranged as the ritual demanded. Now, all that was left was to speak the incantation." He said as he wiped non-existent sweat from his forehead.
With a deep breath, Corkus knelt again and took the codex in hand, his voice low and steady as he read the words aloud:
"Whispered truth, fractured lies,
Faces fade, but not the eyes.
Chimimoryo, hear my plea
And appear to thee"
As the last word left his lips, a cold wind blew through the trees.
"Where did this cold wind come from? "He said, confused.
But then as abruptly as it came it stopped.
'Hm, what is that?' He thought as he looked a the ground where he performed the ritual.
The ingredients had disappeared and in their place was a shadow
As Corkus got closer to able to see the shadow more clearly.
The shadow took shape, forming a small, two-legged figure and then the Chmimoryo appeared before his eyes in flesh.
[ Are you my summoner?] A foreign voice spoke into his mind.
"What the hell! Chimoryo is that you?"
[Finally freedom!] The chimimoryo exclaimed as it started to look around. Then a look of surprise appeared on its face.
[ Yes, your ugliness] it responded, remembering Corku's earlier question.
Corkus frowned. 'Ugly, me? Why everyone has been insulting my looks lately?' He thought.
"Listen here, you little dwarf, I am not ugly, it is just that I am just... still in puberty!"
The Chimimoryo tilted its head.
[ Sorry master, if my words offended you but the place where come from is a place filled with darkness.
There the strong prey on the weak. So to survive we, the weak ones, try to serve under the most scary-looking one. Because the more scary you look the stronger you're ]
'Is it insulting me or praising me?' He thought, before responding.
Corkus smirked, his eyes narrowing with an idea. "Hmm, very interesting... well, I don't care! Let me give you a name."
The Chimimoryo tilted its head, clearly waiting in anticipation.
"Your name from now on will be... Schnoz."
The Chimimoryo blinked, confused. [Schnoz?]
"Yep, Schnoz. I think it suits you," Corkus said, grinning to himself.
[As you wish, master. Schnoz it is.]
Corkus sighed, his hand already moving toward the ritual's conclusion. "Alright, time to dispel the summoning," he muttered, his fingers forming the final gesture.
[Wait!]
Corkus paused mid-motion, looking down at the small Chimimoryo, who had stepped closer with a pleading expression.
[Let me stay with you. I don't want to go back. Those guys—they bully me and make me fetch food for them.] Schnoz's voice was desperate now.
The little being gazed up at Corkus, its eyes wide and full of silent pleading.
Corkus stared back, and an internal battle started. '
Even though it's not exactly what many people would call cute... I can't resist.' He sighed in defeat. "Fine," he said, shaking his head as though he had no choice.
Schnoz's eyes gleamed with joy.
[Thank you, master!]
Corkus raised an eyebrow. "But how exactly will you be able to stay? Isn't the whole point of summoning that you have to go back when I'm done?"
Schnoz hesitated, then straightened up proudly. [I'm not bound to the Quilpoth completely. As long as I have a bond with you, master, I can remain here. Our connection, forged by the summoning, is strong enough to allow me to stay in this realm.
Besides, I am weak enough to be able to stay otherwise, it wouldn't be possible.]
Corkus narrowed his eyes. "So, you're saying that as long as I don't dispel the summoning you can remain here?"
[Yes, master.] Schnoz said as he gave a little bow.
Corkus chuckled. "Well, I suppose that works out then. You can stick around."
Schnoz's form seemed to vibrate with excitement. [Thank you! I won't disappoint you, master!]
"Before we go back, can other humans see you?" He asked.
[No master, most humans don't believe in magic or other astral beings. They see us as mere fairytales that they use to put children to sleep.]
"Alright then it will be no problem"
Then Corkus picked his codex up from the ground and left with Schnoz toward his house.
---
As Corkus entered the house, he was immediately met with the angry gaze of his father.
"Where were you?" He asked.
Corkus froze for a moment before quickly gathering his composure. "I went to pee," he lied casually.
His father studied him for a long moment, then sighed. "I'll believe you for now." He paused, his gaze shifting from annoyance to something more calculating. "But I have some good news."
Corkus raised an eyebrow, unsure of where this was going.
"Tomorrow morning, You will be leaving town," his father continued. "I've arranged for you to serve under a young noble. I used all my connections to make it happen."
"This is your chance to prove yourself, to stop being a burden, and start earning your place."
Corkus remained silent, his expression blank.
"They'll be here tomorrow morning to collect you. It's time to leave your childish ways behind, Corkus. Do you understand?"
"Fine," Corkus said, with a calm voice.
"I'll do it."
His father's expression changed, a faint glint of surprise flashing across his face before his features smoothed into a satisfied smirk. "Good. I knew you would. Finally, you've come to your senses. You're starting to think like a man."
---
Later that night, as Corkus lay in bed, the quiet of the house surrounding him, he stared at the ceiling, deep in thought.
A voice, familiar and echoing in his mind, broke the silence. [Why will you do what the old man asks? Why not teach him his place?]
Corkus smiled, his lips curling into a sly grin. "Because before you engage in battle, you should outsmart your enemy first."
[You mean... you're deceiving him?] Schnoz asked, surprised.
Corkus's grin widened. "Exactly. It was all part of my plan."
"What is the plan you might ask? It is very simple. It is to leave this hellhole I call home"
(A/N: Well, guys I won't upload during this week or the next one for a couple of reasons.
1) my proof reader has checked the next chapters
2) we are celebrating Easter so it's vacation time.
3) because I don't have uni, I would like to take this time to study, my exams are 2 months away and I have a lot of material to cover.
4) I will be going at my village so no wifi.)
----
The Corkus packed his things quickly, moving in silence, carefully gathering everything he would need. When everything was ready, he made his way toward the door.
Stepping outside into the night, Corkus turned to glance at the house one last time.
"Your tyranny is over," he muttered under his breath, raising his middle finger toward the building. "My life... it's mine."
Then, without another word, he disappeared into the night, leaving the house, the town, and whatever else he knew behind.
---