Self-Summon [Demon Summoning/Evolution LitRPG]

Gelic slipped down to her puffball form, snuck out the back of the “magic” box, and then began creeping along the stage until she made her exit behind the curtain. Really, she wasn’t acting stealthily at all, just a brazen saunter. Odds were, no one could see her in the slightest. And if someone could, they either knew of Demons and would expect to see one in such a place, or their mind would be blown, perplexed by the little creature, but still think it was part of the act. Really, performances like this were probably one of the safest places for beings of the supernatural to be out in the open.

“Cotton, Cotton, you can come out now,” the man rapped on the locker. “I think you’re learned your lesson. Cotton? Oh, are you seriously going through with not speaking to me? Don’t be like that, I’m sorry. Cotton? Cotton?!” He opened the door to find no one inside. “Where have you gone off to this time, Cotton?!” he cried in a panic, as if she’d really vanished for good.”

“I’m right here, Z!” She answered the call with a muffled voice. Everyone’s eyes turned to the back of the theater where she was back to human form, munching on some popcorn. “I went and got some treats, enough for you too, don’t worry!”

“And where did you get snacks?!”

“From the snack bar, obviously.” The woman replied as if he were stupid. “I couldn’t resist the smell. It was just so wonderful. And it looks like you all couldn’t either.” Cotton gestured to the audience. “I’m sure they appreciate your business!” The abundance of now empty buckets and wrappers in their laps had actually been a little trick by the Imp.

They made a deal with the venue, promising an increase in concession sales if they got a cut. Gelic then went on to apply Starvation to a good number of guests who initially breezed right by the snack line, making them do a u-turn. Though not too many, since she had to conserve her power. Still, it was enough that the venue manager was very happy with their arrangement.

The woman carted the popcorn bucket onto stage where the man did a trick with the food, making them vanish from sight using sleight of hand. That piece Angelica was still genuinely impressed by, no matter how many times she saw it. The next part, though, wasn’t her favorite, mostly because it involved her clambering into the tub of butter and salt.

“It’s time for a classic!” Ziesta attempted to hype up the crowd. “I will pull a rabbit from a hat. Cotton, fetch me my hat!” That was just an excuse to get her off stage so she could return as an Imp before hopping into the popcorn bucket. “Hmm, she sure is taking a while. That’s what I get for trusting her with the packing. Oh well, I guess I’ll use this bucket. With a bit of exertion, since there was a decently chonky puffball inside, he picked up the container.

Gelic took that as her cue to Transfigure, waiting for the last second since this part would eat up her MP quickly if she wasn’t careful. “Tada, a rabbi-turtle?” Yes, the lovely assistant had purposefully turned into a turtle. Her master played it off as they’d practiced before stuffing her back into the tub where she shifted shapes again. “A raccoon… well, I suppose that’s closer. One more time. Yes, a rabbit! Wait… no, this is clearly a hare!”

[Transfiguration Lv.8]

[Beguilement increased]

[Fraud Attunement increased]

“Ah, here we are, a rabbit!” He held the mammal up by her scruff and slowly waved her around in front of the audience. “It’s hair, it reminds me of someone. Ah yes.” He set the tub back down, allowing Gelic to Imp up once more and escape. “Cotton, you can forget the hat! But come quickly, I have a new friend for you!”

“Ooo, a friend?!” Cotton came tapping out from behind the curtain, eager as could be. But when they looked in the bucket, the furry friend was nowhere to be found. The show went on, spectacle after marvelous spectacle. Gelic was cut in half, teleported from one side of the stage to another, and even dissolved into a vat of acid. The assistant really did get the short end. But for the grand finale, Ziesta was the one putting himself on the line… sort of.

The Demon secured the last of his chains, firmly binding him to a post, enjoying tickling him with the cold as a bit of revenge for all she’d been through. Gelic was using Frost Touch with each motion, making her movements look mystical by emitting frigid mist. When he was locked up tight, they began the spiel about how he’d escape, which he may have genuinely tried to do, but of course it was no good. Dude just didn’t bend that way, and they were real chains.

“Erm, oh no, I think he’s genuinely stuck.” The assistant phoned in her panic. “You, erm, stay right there, well I guess you have to. I’ll go get help and be right back! And here, let me cover up your shame so everyone isn’t gawking at you while I’m away. The woman put up a barrier screen, completely covering the act.

She then quickly undid the chains, freeing the man before taking his place and transforming into him. Then it was her turn to don the shackles, once she was good and secure, Ziesta mimicked the sound of her heels clacking away off stage before intentionally making the barrier fall, revealing his body double still chained up.

He quickly ran around the theater, to the rear of the audience where his assistant had appeared before and called out, “Don’t worry, Cotton, I’m safe and sound!” When the heads were turned to the back, the Demon miraculously transfigured once again, back to her curvaceous cotton-haired alias.

“That’s great, Z! Now can you get someone to help me?!” Then the curtain fell, causing the theater to break out into uproarious applause. After a quick shift into a mouse to escape her binds, Angelica emerged from behind the curtain and took a bow. Ziesta came up to join her, and they basked in the noisy praise. Apparently… the audience wasn’t the only one who’d appreciated it.

[Achievement unlocked: Round of Applause - Rank 1 | Bravo, bravo, encore! Demon Lord Ferrul may not have been able to witness your performance in person, but an impression has been made. Thank you for providing amusement to these otherwise dull worlds. You have gained 1 stack of Amusement. Current stacks: 1]

[Passive Skill: Jester unlocked. For every stack of Amusement earned, growth rate for Beguilement, Fraud Attunement, and all of its attuned Skills, increases by an additive ten percent. This skill does not grow]

Oh, well that was something interesting indeed. Since Gelic struggled with Fraud the most, any boost to its improvement was a welcome boon. Because the Skill was additive, if she had ten stacks of Amusement, then the rate would be doubled, with diminishing returns each time. So in the long run, probably not all that great, especially because Summons like this probably wouldn’t happen too often. Angelica couldn’t see herself getting more stacks anytime soon. Still, it was nice to be appreciated. And speaking of.

“You were wonderful, Gelic!” Backstage, Ziesta finally used her real name, or rather her alias for the first time. The gig was done, so there was no more point for the method-acting charade. Though the magician would do his best to turn that into a falsehood. “What do you say? Become my partner for real. We’ll tour the world together, putting on amazing shows every week! I’ll train you, and one day you can take the stage as my equal. You have what it takes to become a grand magician. Just say the word, and you’ll be my apprentice!”

“Erm, no thanks.” Gelic had been getting a few offers like this lately. Did they think so little of her life that she could just drop everything and run away with the figurative circus? Maybe Demons were a bit more open to a transient lifestyle, or didn’t have much say in the matter if they ended up Bound.

“Don’t get me wrong. That was a lot of fun! It feels like I got to experience a whole new life. But at the same time, it was scuffing exhausting. No way I could do that on the regular. Maybe if you’re in a pinch again, you can call out to me once more. Plus, I like my freedom. I don’t wanna get stuck with this and not be able to do some other fun things. Probably a bunch of sucky things, but worth it for the occasionally fun thing!”

“Very well, I get it.” The magician pretended to be heartbroken. “But if you ever change your mind, just search your heart, and you will find the great Ziesta. Or more realistically, check my website for my tour schedule. Ah, and before we forget, your payment!”

[Gained 550 Essence]

[Essence Tip Activated. Gained an additional 66 Essence]

Dang. He already tipped her an additional ten percent over what he promised, and then Essence Tip stacked another twelve percent. With however much money, even if it wasn’t a ton, from her share of the revenue, plus the Rune she’d gotten for free, this had been a lucrative adventure. Maybe she’d been a bit quick to turn him down, but for now, she needed to stick to her convictions. Get Stupid Rich as part of her life plan would be done on her own terms. But, uhh, if that road took her down a few more performances like this, that wouldn’t be such a bad thing, would it?

“The venue will be the one to dish out your cash. I’ve provided them with the account you gave me. So my hands are off of it until then, likely sometime tomorrow, meaning our Contract won’t formally end for some time.

[Contract complete]

The DGS was just messing with her with that timing. That wasn’t the magician’s Contract, but her own. Just as an abundance of caution, Gelic had given herself an Order to complete the performance without a hitch. It hadn’t been a Named Order, still giving her plenty of freedom to adapt, and she honestly hadn’t noticed it tugging at her much or tweaking her actions, relying on her own skill and practice instead for the bulk.

[Summoner Rank: Initiate Lv.16]

“What do you say? You may have rejected my offer, but at least let me take you out for a celebration!” Ziesta insisted. “You haven’t lived until you’ve experienced a magician’s afterparty. It will be a wild night like you’ve never experienced.”

“Uhh, sorry,” Angelica rejected him immediately. “I am pretty tired, like I said, so I think I’ll head home. Got a busy day tomorrow.” Not that she was lying, but she just had absolutely no interest in such a social event, especially since she’d undoubtedly have to go as her cotton-haired bimbo guise which would just lead to so many lustful leers.

“Ah, shunned twice.” Ziesta looked genuinely brought a bit down by that. “I understand. A little Imp is more responsible than I am. How shameful. But I’ll admit, you have my curiosity, Gelic. What could be so important that you have to shirk an amazing night? Have some business with your real master?”

“I erm…” Now that she was about to say it out loud, she realized how silly it would sound. “I have to pay my rent.”

Spoiler