Morning arrived quietly.
Sunlight slipped through the curtains of Elara's apartment and spread across the living room, where Jasper had spent the night on the couch. He opened his eyes slowly, stared at the unfamiliar ceiling for several seconds, and then remembered everything that had happened since the previous day. For a brief moment, he wished it had all been a dream, but the unfamiliar room quickly reminded him that unfortunately, none of it had been.
The summoning.
Atheria.
Elara.
Earth.
Everything had been real.
His stomach growled, interrupting his thoughts before they could spiral any further. Jasper sighed, pushed himself upright, rubbed his face, and looked toward the other side of the apartment.
Elara was already awake.
She looked considerably better than she had the previous night, although her hair was still slightly messy and her expression suggested that mornings weren't exactly her favorite part of life.
"Morning," she said.
"Morning."
Neither seemed particularly interested in revisiting the existential crisis from the previous night. They had spent enough time thinking about it already, and for now, there was nothing either of them could do to change what had happened.
Instead, they made breakfast.
Elara handled most of the cooking while Jasper helped where he could, still learning where everything in her kitchen was kept. The meal was simple but substantial, and Jasper was considerably happier with it than he had been with the instant noodles from the previous night.
By the time they finished eating, both of them were finally beginning to feel somewhat human again.
Then Elara's phone rang.
She glanced at the screen.
Mike.
Her expression changed immediately.
"Oh."
Jasper looked over.
"Who?"
"My brother."
Elara answered the call.
"Hello?"
Mike's voice came through almost immediately.
"Why did you call me three times yesterday?"
Elara froze.
She had completely forgotten about that.
Mike continued before she could answer, his voice carrying a mixture of concern and mild frustration. "And then Mom told me this morning that you called her and Dad too. What happened? Is everything okay?"
Elara glanced toward Jasper. He was sitting across from her, quietly listening.
"I..."
She hesitated.
"I summoned someone."
There was a brief silence.
"You what?"
"I summoned someone."
Mike's voice became noticeably more careful.
"A demon?"
"No."
"Then what?"
Elara looked toward Jasper, and the words were already forming in her mind.
He's a human from Earth.
She never got the chance to say them.
Jasper abruptly leaned forward.
"Don't."
His voice was quiet but firm.
Elara looked at him.
He shook his head once.
"Don't tell him that."
Elara covered the microphone with her hand.
"But he's my brother."
"Exactly."
Jasper lowered his voice.
"You said he's powerful, right?"
"Yes."
"Then don't tell him."
Elara frowned.
"Why?"
Jasper glanced around the apartment before answering, his expression turning serious.
"Because I don't know what happens if people here discover that another world exists."
Elara remained silent.
"And I'm not talking about another world full of monsters or magic," Jasper continued. "I'm talking about a world with no magic at all. Earth has no mana, no Awakeners, no cultivators, and nothing comparable to what you've told me."
Elara slowly understood what he meant.
"Think about it," Jasper said. "If someone in this world learned that Earth existed and had no way to defend itself against people like the ones here, what do you think they'd do?"
Elara's expression changed.
"They might..."
"Exactly."
Jasper leaned back.
"I want to go home. Probably more than anything right now." His voice softened slightly. "But I don't want to bring an enemy home with me."
Elara looked down at the phone.
She understood.
After several seconds, she nodded.
"Okay."
Jasper relaxed slightly.
"Just tell him I'm your summon."
Elara hesitated.
"My brother is trustworthy."
"I believe you."
"Then why?"
"Because trust isn't the same thing as knowing what someone will do with information this sensitive."
Elara fell quiet.
Jasper gave her a small, apologetic look.
"Let me figure things out first."
She thought about it for another moment before nodding.
"Okay."
Elara uncovered the microphone.
"I summoned a supernatural entity through my class."
Mike was quiet for a moment.
"Your summon?"
"Yes."
"What kind?"
Elara glanced at Jasper.
"A demon."
Mike's eyebrows rose. He seemed about to ask why she had initially denied summoning a demon, but apparently decided not to pursue the contradiction over the phone.
"Does it have a name?"
"Lucifer Morningstar."
Another pause followed.
"Is he dangerous?"
Elara looked toward Jasper.
He quietly shrugged.
"He's strong," she answered.
"How strong?"
"I don't know yet."
Mike sighed.
"All right. The first thing you need to do is register him with the Supernatural Club."
Elara nodded.
"Okay."
"I'll come over."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"Today?"
"Yes. If you've summoned a new entity, it needs to be registered before you take it anywhere publicly. I'll help you deal with the Association side of things."
Elara glanced at Jasper.
"Okay."
"And while I'm there, we'll handle your Genesis World preparations."
"My preparations?"
"You're an Awakener now, Elara. You need equipment, supplies, food, medical items, transportation options, and a few other things. I'm not letting you wander into Genesis World with whatever you happen to buy yourself."
Elara sighed quietly.
"Okay."
"Good. I'll be there soon."
The call ended.
Elara placed her phone on the table and looked across at Jasper. He remained quiet for several seconds, his expression thoughtful as he considered everything Mike had said.
"So your brother is coming here."
"Yes."
"And he's powerful."
Elara nodded.
"Very."
Jasper remained silent for a moment before looking toward the apartment door.
"What happens when he sees me?"
Elara tilted her head.
"What do you mean?"
"You've been calling me your summon, right?"
"Yes."
Jasper slowly smiled.
"Then we should probably act like it."
Elara stared at him.
"What?"
"I can't exactly stand in front of your brother acting like an ordinary guy while claiming I'm your summoned demon. That would raise questions."
Elara thought about it for a moment.
"So what are you going to do?"
Jasper's expression changed.
The uncertainty that had followed him since the summoning disappeared. His shoulders straightened, his chin lifted slightly, and the casual expression on his face transformed into something colder and far more arrogant.
It was as though he had suddenly remembered exactly who he was supposed to be.
When Jasper spoke again, his voice was deeper and slower, carrying the theatrical weight Elara had heard before.
"I am Lucifer Morningstar."
Elara stared at him.
"I am a demon summoned by you," he continued, gesturing toward her with one hand. "Therefore, in front of others, you are my sovereign, my master, my liege—whatever title suits you."
"My what?"
"My queen."
Elara immediately frowned.
"No."
"Yes."
"That sounds weird."
"It doesn't matter. It needs to sound convincing."
Jasper leaned forward slightly, his expression perfectly serious despite the absurdity of the conversation. "A powerful demon serving an inexperienced summoner is unusual enough. If I behave casually, people have more reason to suspect you are under my control rather than the other way around."
Elara considered that.
"So you're going to act like that all the time?"
"Only when other people are around."
"And when we're alone?"
Jasper's expression immediately returned to normal.
"Then I'm Jasper."
Elara nodded slowly.
Jasper looked at her seriously.
"You need to play along too."
Elara looked confused.
"You can't treat me like a servant one second and then start talking to me normally the next. It'll look strange." He paused before adding, "There's another option. You could act naturally, like you're uncomfortable with me calling you my queen, and make it seem like the pact forces me to speak that way even if you don't particularly enjoy it."
Elara thought about that.
"That sounds better."
"It probably is. I've been acting as Lucifer for years." Jasper gave her a small, confident smile. "I don't think you can fake it nearly as well as I can, so let me handle most of the performance."
Elara stared at him for several seconds before finally nodding.
"Okay."
Jasper leaned back.
"Good."
For a moment, the apartment became quiet again.
Then Jasper's posture changed once more, his expression becoming cold and haughty as he looked toward Elara.
"Master."
Elara immediately frowned.
"We said when other people are around."
"I know."
"Then why did you say it?"
A faint smile appeared on Jasper's face.
"Practice."
Elara stared at him before shaking her head.
"You're ridiculous."
"Perhaps."
He folded his arms.
"But if we're going to perform, we might as well do it properly."
Elara sighed.
"Why do I feel like you like this?"
A little while later, the doorbell rang.
Elara glanced toward the security panel and immediately recognized Mike standing outside. She straightened her clothes before walking over and unlocking the door.
"He's here."
Jasper's relaxed expression disappeared.
His shoulders straightened, his chin lifted, and the casual posture he had maintained on the couch vanished completely. In its place was the cold arrogance of Lucifer Morningstar, refined through years of practice.
Elara opened the door.
Mike stepped inside with a small bag in one hand, his attention immediately settling on the enormous horned man standing several meters behind his sister.
He stopped.
For a moment, Mike simply looked at Jasper.
Jasper looked back.
There was no nervousness in his expression, nor any attempt to appear friendly. He regarded Mike with the detached indifference of someone who had already decided the man standing before him was beneath his notice.
Seven feet tall and dressed in black, Jasper carried himself with the unmistakable arrogance of someone who considered nearly everyone in the world beneath him.
Mike's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Elara."
"Yes?"
"This is him?"
Elara nodded.
"Lucifer Morningstar."
Jasper slowly stepped forward.
"Master."
The word was delivered with perfect seriousness.
Elara immediately looked uncomfortable.
"You don't have to call me that."
Jasper lowered his head slightly.
"I see. Then what should I call you, my queen?"
Elara's expression tightened.
"Just... Elara."
"As you command."
Mike's gaze moved between the two of them.
"You said you established a pact?"
Elara nodded.
"Yes."
Mike's attention returned to Jasper.
The demon stood perfectly still, his hands loosely behind his back, his expression cold and indifferent.
Mike extended his senses slightly.
There was no hostility in Jasper's presence, but there was certainly no respect for him either. His expression practically conveyed that Mike's existence had been acknowledged only because he happened to be related to his master.
Yet there was something else.
The man genuinely seemed to recognize Elara as his superior.
Mike's expression became thoughtful.
"Your pact seems very strong."
He looked directly at Jasper.
"Lucifer."
Jasper slowly turned his head toward him.
"Yes?"
The answer was calm, but the disdain beneath it was unmistakable.
Mike noticed immediately.
"You don't seem particularly interested in me."
Jasper's lips curved faintly.
"You are her brother."
His gaze briefly shifted toward Elara.
"For that reason alone, I will show you the respect you are owed."
Mike raised an eyebrow.
"Owed?"
Jasper looked back at him.
"I acknowledge those who matter to my master."
Elara's expression tightened.
"Lucifer."
"Yes, Master?"
"Be polite. And call me Elara."
Jasper immediately lowered his head.
"As you command, my liege."
Elara looked slightly uncomfortable and exasperated, exactly as they had planned.
Mike watched the exchange carefully.
The obedience was immediate.
There wasn't even a flicker of resistance.
More importantly, when Jasper looked toward Elara, the arrogance disappeared entirely. His expression softened, his voice became respectful, and his posture subtly relaxed.
Mike noticed.
His gaze lingered on Jasper for several seconds before he extended his perception again, carefully examining the demon's body and aura.
Nothing.
No obvious hostility.
No suppressed aggression.
Not even the unconscious malice he might normally expect from a powerful, intelligent supernatural being being ordered around by someone much weaker.
Mike's expression became increasingly thoughtful.
"Stand there."
Jasper took a step toward Elara.
"I said stand there."
This time, Mike's voice carried a little more authority.
Jasper turned his head toward him, his expression immediately becoming colder.
"You are in no position to command me. You are an insignificant ant."
The words were delivered with such effortless arrogance that Mike's eyes narrowed.
Elara hesitated for only a fraction of a second.
"Lucifer."
Jasper's expression immediately softened.
"Yes?"
"Be cooperative."
"Of course, my queen."
Jasper moved back to the designated spot.
Mike's eyes flickered.
The change had been immediate.
"Now come here."
Jasper walked over without hesitation.
"Interesting."
Mike studied him for another moment.
"Turn around."
Jasper turned.
Mike's expression slowly changed.
This wasn't ordinary obedience.
He had encountered countless summoned creatures throughout his career. Most obeyed because of magical compulsion, instinct, or an established master-servant contract. This was different.
Jasper wasn't merely following commands.
He seemed to accept them.
Mike extended his perception again, carefully examining the pact connection and Jasper's aura.
Still nothing.
Not even unconscious hostility toward Elara.
That was the strangest part.
A being this powerful, intelligent, and evidently sentient should possess at least some instinctive resistance toward being commanded, yet Mike couldn't feel any.
Jasper noticed the scrutiny and looked toward him with mild impatience.
"What is it?"
Mike didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he looked toward Elara.
"Your pact seems extremely strong."
Elara shifted slightly.
Mike continued, "He's not just obedient on the surface. I don't even feel any unconscious malice from him toward you."
Jasper's lips curved faintly.
"Why would I harbor malice toward my master?"
Mike studied him for another moment before slowly nodding.
"I suppose that's true."
He looked toward Elara.
"You've done well."
Elara shifted slightly, clearly uncomfortable with the praise.
"He's... cooperative."
Jasper glanced toward her.
"Naturally."
Mike smiled faintly.
"Good. That will make things much easier."
He looked toward the entrance.
"Now, let's get you registered with the Supernatural Club."
He took a step toward the door before pausing.
"And whatever skill you used to establish that pact seems unusually strong."
Jasper remained silent, his expression unreadable.
Elara simply nodded.
The three of them left the apartment together.