Lich reborn as a magic school student

I am Alexander Cintio, the third son of Crethon Cintio, who is the current chief of clan Cintio. While to the public, I am known as the weak link of the Cintio clan. in fact, I hide a hidden power. I am a spirit caster. Someone who makes contracts with otherworldly spirits.

A question that comes to mind, “Do clans really still exist?” They do. The Koltine steppe is still uncivilized land, and according to my grandfather, our clan is from a migratory tribe from there. My grandfather, before he became lost in magical study, liked to tell us stories from his time living with the tribe.

It was, in fact, our grandfather who joined the civilized world as he found his magical talent. While the peoples of the Koltine steppe are now known for their excellent war magic abilities during those days, it was unknown. Clan Cintio is especially special even considering the warriors of Koltine as every single descendant of my grandfather has been born a mage.

You might also question why do I hide my power? Because I have nothing to gain from showing it. Even if I was to inherit the Cintio clan, I would gain nothing I desire. As I have only one thing I desire. That is a challenge, and to overcome that challenge.

With my special magic, I can make pacts with otherworldly spirits. This is a very tedious process, as I first must be able to summon the spirit. The easiest way is to know the true name of a spirit, but they are difficult to discover. However, there are other ways. For example, I can send magical power to the spirit realm and hope that a spirit comes to me. Once a spirit is before me, I must work on convincing them to form a pact with me. The full process of forming a pact with a spirit is long and arduous, but I believe that nothing worth achieving is easy.

For now, I’ve only formed a pact with one spirit, Vertos. He grants me a couple of wind related spells [Wind Burst], which allows me to cause an explosion of wind pushing away anything in my way and [Wind step], which allows me to dash at great speed to a location within 30 meters. He also grants me enhanced hearing and sight as he’s a hunt-spirit.

The reason for my reminiscing is the scene before me. A flaming humanoid with black horns and a crystalline crown adorning his head. His apparel is that of royalty purples mixed with dark reds, a stunning robe and a golden scepter to pass judgement. A spirit has heard my call and appeared before me, and this aura is that of a powerful spirit.

“You’re the one who called me. I give greetings. I am Horkonar, the spirit of judgement.” That thing speaks, but its mouth does not move. The voice is deep and serene.

“Hello, I am Alexander Cintio, a spirit caster, hoping to form a pact with a spirit.” I try to speak with the highest confidence I can muster.

That thing smiles and speaks, “I see. The conditions for me to form a pact with a mortal are as follows. You must bring me the soul of a mage who has sinned so that I may judge them.“

“I shall do such and then call for you again.” I respond, elated that I have a path to form a pact with such a powerful spirit.

I stop the spiritual link. To trap the soul of a mage? How would one do that? Let’s go look on the internet. After searching for it, I can’t find a method. Then I should probably find an alive mage and kidnap him. ‘Kidnap’ the word doesn’t feel right, since I’m taking an evil person. Well, whatever, I need to find such a mage.

I exit out of our mansion and walk around the city. My enhanced perception picks up many things, and one of them is, “That’s Kashra, isn’t it.” In an apartment building across the street on the second floor, I see Kashra, a classmate of mine, talking to somebody else. Focusing further, I realize it’s Tsunematsu Kaede.

While I can’t see Kashra’s face, I can read Kaede’s lips.

“Oh, thank you.” and then she receives something?

“Goodbye then. See you at school, Kashra.” and then she closes the door?

I can’t really tell anything from just that information. She received something from Kashra, but I couldn’t see it properly because of the angle, and she thanked him. Now that I look at him, Kashra seems different. His walk is much more confident and his face isn’t so sullen anymore.

Wait a second. Why can’t I sense any magic from him? Usually, the stronger mage can always sense the magic of a weaker mage. This means that either Kashra has become stronger than me since Friday or he has stopped being a mage.

Oh no, he turned around. I need to hide. I hide in the alley right next to me and then bump into someone and hear,

“Hey what’s the big idea?” In front of me is a nasty-looking man with tons of tattoos.

“Ah, I’m sorry.” I quickly apologize, trying to get out of this situation.

“An apology won’t cut it, kid. You hurt my friend here, so you better cough up some cash.” What? Is this a soft robbery? Wait, now that I look at it, one of them looks like a mage, and one weaker than me at that. Heh, my luck is really working wonders.

“Huh, I’m not gonna pay shit to you assholes.” I say with a little louder voice, hoping to agitate them.

“You bastard, who do you think you’re messing with.” And there it is. I notice the mage’s magic power move. I let my magic flow into my hands and give control to Vertos. A quick burst of wind shoots out from my hands, the spell [Wind Burst].

With that spell I launch the three, causing minor damage as I only wanted to get them out of close range. However, it doesn’t work like I intended. Instead of being blown away, the mage amongst them conjures a spear. Shit, I messed up. Is this the end for me? Was I too arrogant?

“Flee or Perish.” Those words echo from behind me and my legs shake. This presence is way beyond anything I’ve ever felt. My grandfather was a Tier 6 mage however, he could not inspire such fear in me. My mind feels like it’s about to blank. The cold voice feels as if it is freezing my body whole. Frozen in fear, I see the three roughians in front of me shivering as much as I am, and then they run away.

—————————————————————————-

[In the Spirit Realm]

The three spirits of corruption, Horkonar the enslaver, Hjeekv Ansivel, and Golarn of rocks are situated around a table. First to speak is Hjeekv, the ancient spirit of violence and brutality, a malformed demon of bloody sludge inter midden with abyssal spikes.

“Do you really intend to form a contract with that kid, Horkonar?”

Horkonar, his formerly regal clothes, slowly morphing into his iconic black armor, and the scepter into his trusted whip speaks, “No. When he brings me that soul, I will trick him into signing a slave contract.“

“You really do such useless things. Do you really need power in that world? It doesn’t look important to me.” Hjeekv again questions.

“The Pantheon of Heaven is trying to expand there. It must mean there’s something big happening there, and I want in.” Horkonar responds.