The Taste of Survival

The night sky was decorated with myriad stars and two moons that illuminated the earth with their dim light.

Nocturnal creatures cut through the dark sky with their wings, while their terrestrial counterparts crawled in bushes and trees. Most of them were enchanted by the bonfire illuminating the two young men.

One of them was a beautiful girl with long white hair. Her body was covered by a dark blue cloak on a silver chain.

A not-so-handsome young man was sitting across from her. He had black hair and round glasses. He was very ordinary. He was frantically reading something in a book on his lap and waving his arms.

Luke was very excited. Sure. Whoever doesn't want to create magic with their own hands!

There was no magic in his previous world and he could only dream of such an opportunity. However, his rebirth had started in one place, but now Luke thought that maybe it wasn't so bad.

Luke held out his hands and peered at the book.

It was written in the book that to cast a spell, you need to write its formula, which consists of runes. Each rune is responsible for a specific aspect of magic. For example: a line with two dots is a fire.

There are also runes for the direction of the spell (forward, upward, and so on).

It said that for novice magicians it is worth using either physical symbols or spiritual ones. Physical symbols are something that can be touched. Simply put, Luke could write a symbol on paper and pour mana into it to create magic. However, this method is not the most effective. After all, he needs to be distracted by the search for an object on which to write a rune.

With spiritual symbols, everything is both simpler and more complicated. Their advantage is that the magician does not need an object on which to write a formula. It is enough for him to write the formula right in the air. However, to do this, you need to use the essence.

'Essence... something like mana?Luke thought.

The book didn't say what essence was or how to use it.

'It's probably too obvious a thing to write about.—Luke thought.-'Should I ask her?'

Luke looked at the white-haired girl. The fire from the campfire reflected in her bloody eyes and danced in different directions. Despite that, her gaze was as cold as ice. Her expression also didn't betray any emotion. She was like a beautiful sculpture.

Luke shook his head and gave up on the idea. It would be too suspicious to ask about such a thing.

'Anyway, it's too early to give up!Luke encouraged himself and concentrated.

He didn't know exactly how to use the essence. He wasn't even sure what it was. However, if this world follows the canons of rebirth stories in any way, then most likely it is the inner energy of a person. Accordingly, you need to feel and feel it.

Luke closed his eyes and concentrated on his feelings. He was trying to find something in his soul. Some kind of invisible force that can create a miracle. He was trying to visualize the energy that was flowing through his body. However, it didn't work out.

Luke frowned and opened his eyes. His arms were still outstretched, but there was no energy coming from them.

The guy sighed and lowered his arms. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't upset. However, it was impossible to be discouraged.

'I'm sure I'll still have the opportunity to learn how to use the essence.'

At that moment, Luke saw the girl's gaze. Her bloodshot eyes stared at Luke. Even though they didn't show any emotion, Luke realized how strange it looked right now.

He grinned nervously and turned away from the girl a little, burying his face in a book.

He could have tried to do magic with a physical object, but the result would have been the same. After all, in this case, you also need to pour your essence into the runes. Which Luke couldn't do at the moment.

He kept flipping through the book, looking for something that didn't need the essence for.

Although the book itself was quite good. The author skillfully described all the spells and provided illustrations for clarity. However, about seventy percent of the book was the elevation of its author! The old man literally did not stop praising his wisdom and genius. It started to annoy Luke five minutes after he started reading. Therefore, he began to simply flip through the pages, looking only at the illustrations and briefly reading about the spells, without going into their details. In any case, he couldn't do anything about it yet.

When Luke reached almost the very end of the book, he saw a new section that wasn't dedicated to spell formulas.

This caught Luke's attention, so he focused on reading.

{My wonderful reader, before I begin to study this section of my magnificent book, I must warn you. Although my vast knowledge of ritual magic is gathered here, you should beware of it. This type of magic provides a great advantage over other magicians who do not possess it. However, you should not rush headlong into its study and even more so into its execution. It contains a lot of hidden pitfalls that even I can't list. However, what kind of good magician can there be without a bit of risk? That's why I'm warning you, but not dissuading you.

What is ritual magic used for? If you, my dear reader, cannot answer this question, then I am surprised that you were able to buy my book at all! However, since she has already ended up in your despicable hands, I will tell you this secret.

This type of magic is used to summon creatures that inhabit the astral world. You can't have any contact with them under normal conditions, just like them. However, these creatures are able to observe you and monitor your actions and deeds. It is a subclass of summoning magic, but do not underestimate it because of this. If a person is very stupid, then the creature will be able to take advantage of this and capture the magician's body! Therefore, I advise you to think once again whether your stepfather's body has been taken over by some evil spirit, which is why he beats the crap out of you every time he sees you. However, we digress.

We use this magic to contact these beings from the astral world. Most often, a magician and a creature make up a contract, the terms of which are unique for everyone. These conditions may be very simple, or they may require your soul in return. Therefore, one must be very careful when signing such a contract. Read the entire text and even what is written in small print!

Why do they draw up such contracts at all? Basically, the goal is always the same. Get the power. A magician can make a contract with an astral being and receive its power, and in return it can demand anything. Agreeing to the terms of the creature will be your concern. If the terms of the contract are violated, the magician will be punished by the creature. Most often, it will be the loss of its power and the cancellation of the transaction.

There are no restrictions on the number of such contracts. A magician can make a deal with at least a hundred astral planes. However, he will also have a hundred conditions that he must fulfill. Therefore, the optimal number will be about four or five contracts. However, for beginners in this art, I advise you to limit yourself to just one contract. For your personal safety.

In general, signing a contract with astral is mostly a lottery. In which you can get very lucky and a strong being will pay attention to you, or maybe vice versa. However, there are various tricks so that a magician can improve his chances of reaching a certain astral. For example: in order for the astral associated with light or healing to pay attention to you, you need to lead a righteous lifestyle. If you spend your whole life looting, killing and raping, then the gaze of the astral, whose power is associated with murder, will fall on you.

In this book, the great one, I have written and described the most common and best astral images. I've written down the terms of the contracts they most often offer you. And also, what should you do in your life so that they pay attention to you during the ritual.

Good luck to you, my dear student, in your overthrows!'}

Luke frowned a little and flipped the page. He saw an image of a ritual circle and a description next to it. You could draw a circle with anything. However, the chance of success depends on how and with what you wrote it. If you write it with an ordinary branch on the ground, then the success rate of summoning a creature will be only thirty percent. However, if you use special items and a surface, the chances will greatly increase.

Luke read several pages about different astral bodies and the conditions they put forward. It mainly featured knights, saints, and various demons.

Luke was deep in thought. What actions did he commit throughout his life?

He did not smoke or drink, unlike his peers. Luke fought at most once or twice, no more. And to protect yourself. He gave way to grandmothers on the subway, and also sometimes helped carry their packages home. He got along well with his family, as well as with his friends.

Putting all these facts together, Luke decided that he would most likely be able to summon some knight. So why not check it out?

Luke put the book on the ground and took a smoldering branch from the campfire. After that, he found a flat surface and began to draw a circle. After drawing it, Luke took the book and began to write runes in separate sections of the circle.

The nameless girl silently watched him, wrapped in her cloak. A fur-lined hood covered her head, and her white hair fell down like a waterfall.

After finishing all the preparations, Luke stood up and walked away a bit to evaluate his work.

His heart was racing and his eyes were bright. He was very excited and excited. It's not every day that you can summon an invisible creature and make a contract with it.

After reading the words to be said for the summoning a few more times and memorizing them, Luke sat in the lotus position in the center of the circle and closed his eyes. After that, he raised his left hand up and extended his index finger towards the sky. With his other hand, he took hold of his forearm with his left and began to speak the ritual words.

— You who slide through the cracks of existence,

Whose name is forgotten, but whose presence is eternal.

I'm drawing a path between the stars and the dust.,

My voice is the bridge, my circle is the door.

Respond and step into my call.,

To become a shadow of my power.

The wind billowed and roared around the Luke, and cascades of lightning struck the ground. The bonfire went out and the forest dwellers became agitated. The night became darker and the clouds eclipsed the moons that illuminated this world.

The nameless girl's eyes turned redder and she did not remove her gaze from the Hatch. Her body tensed, but she was motionless. Like a war statue, ready to chop all living things into pieces at any moment.

Luke continued to recite the spell with his eyes closed. Lightning and blue energy flashed around him. He felt like his soul was connecting with something invisible and unimaginably huge. It was endless, and Luke couldn't fully comprehend it.

The guy's heart sped up and his body tensed. He felt a kind of euphoria and delight. It was at this moment that he was completely immersed in a new world. His mind was fluttering and ready to meet anyone.

At that moment, Luke felt a sense of peace in his soul. The noise around him subsided and his mind became clearer.

Luke opened his eyes and saw that he was sitting on the water surface. Its surface stretched for many kilometers ahead and its edges could not be seen. It was pitch dark above the Hatch, and there was a strange scent of roses in the air. Only one single star illuminated the pitch darkness. It pulsed with blue light and seemed to be calling for Luke. The guy stared at her. His gaze was empty, as was his heart. It beat melodiously to the beat of a strange melody, and my eyes watered from the unknown.

Luke reached for the star. She seemed so far away and yet so close. It was like a soulmate who had finally been found after a long separation.

At that moment, the Hatch touched the star. She seemed so far away, but he was able to reach her by stretching out his hand. It fit into his palm and pulsed, shining through flesh and skin.

Luke could hear her calling his name. He could make out the words clearly, but he immediately forgot their meaning. He could only look at her and enjoy her beauty.

Luke squeezed her tighter and said.

— Enjoy your meal.

At that moment, Luke felt a little dizzy and nauseous. The world in his eyes narrowed and floated towards the star in his hand. The world twisted and the water bubbled into a single stream that sucked Luke in.

The next moment, Luke was at the table. It was very long and stretched several meters forward. Incredible dishes from different cultures and nations were placed on it. All of them were striking in their strangeness and appetitiousness.

Luke looked around. The table stood in the middle of a small hill, which was covered with a carpet of flowers of incredible beauty. Overhead, there was a blue sky with a few clouds slowly passing by.

A light breeze blew the delicious smell of the dishes right into Luke's nose, and he involuntarily swallowed.

He looked ahead and saw a beautiful woman. She had a slightly tanned skin color and silver hair, and a few dark strands tamed them. She was wearing a form-fitting black dress and her curves tasted better than any dish.

She was holding a knife and fork. Her fingers were long and elegant. She cut the meat of a creature unknown to Luke. Her fingers moved with easy grace and fluidity. It's like a stream of mountain water washing over a stone.

A small piece of tender meat, whose pink juice flowed down the fork, and then down the thin arm of the woman, appeared in her mouth and disappeared into it. The girl's lips moved, chewing on the delicacy. Her eyes closed with pleasure, and the golden traces of tears on her cheeks glowed a little.

After chewing for a few seconds, she opened her eyes again. Her hand went up a little and she licked the pinkish juice off it. The golden tear marks lit up a little again and she looked at Luke. Her eyes were completely white, but with a golden iris that also sparkled with pleasure.

The beautiful woman put down the cutlery and propped her head on her hands.

A smile graced her delicate face, and her eyes met Luke's.

The guy swallowed and stared back.

— Thank you, enjoy your meal too.— Said the woman and pointed with her eyes at the plate in front of the Luke.

The guy looked at his plate and his heart skipped a beat. The bloodied remains of the nameless girl lay in front of him. They were neatly sliced and placed on several plates. Each limb is on a different plate. Her beautiful face lay on the plate closest to the Luke and looked at him without eyes. After all, they were swimming in a glass with some kind of drink next to it.

Luke turned away from the table and threw up on the ground.

The woman on the other side of the table sighed playfully and turned away a little.

— Why are you so… It's actually indecent. You haven't even tried it yet. I assure you, the taste will not disappoint.

A slight smile brightened the woman's face.