Self-Summon [Demon Summoning/Evolution LitRPG]

Huh, Angelica hadn’t been expecting that. So she wasn’t the only Demon with depression or other woes, and apparently Adora had basically been designated as a therapist for Hell inhabitants. Since Ferrul seemed to be a regular visitor, did that mean they too had troubles to talk through? She felt a little bad, not wanting to dump her issues on the woman, but now she was being stared at expectantly.

How much to share, though? Honestly, part of her wanted to spell it out from beginning to end, her sudden turning from a human into a Demon, and talk about all the implications and mind-scuffery that had come with it. Well, they’d be there for days if she unloaded all that. And, the fact that it was still a bonafide Secret in her system made her hesitate. While Adora likely wasn’t the type to share secrets, it was also clear that the woman’s memory was starting to fail her in her old age. What if she forgot that it was supposed to be a secret?

So it was best to stick with the issue at hand, finally opening up while continuing her drawing. “Well, if given the choice, I’d pick being an artist in a heartbeat. That said, I know it’s something hard to make a living off of, especially for Demons. We have an obligation to improve, to gain Essence and grow stronger. On top of that, we still need m- Essence to survive to, so that alone is a balancing act.

“I guess you could say I’m doing well, earning enough Essence to get through day by day, thrive even, and now I don’t have to worry about simply living like I used to. Really, I should be happy with just that, but at the same time…”

“It’s not how you want to be living,” Adora finished the thought for her.

“Yes!” Angelica jumped on to agree. “Like, I don’t mind the work… most of the time, as long as it’s reasonable. It can be scary sometimes, very scary and dangerous… but in the end, it’s helping me achieve my goals, faster than I ever anticipated. Except at the same time, it feels like I’m losing part of myself, that I might have to put my dream of being an artist on hold or abandon it entirely.

“And if I went back to focusing on art full-time, I know I’d be right back to struggling. Not only that, I’d be abandoning this great opportunity given to me, ignoring the possibilities that so many would kill for. I know I should be appreciative, but it just doesn’t feel like me sometimes. And then there’s expectations. We’re supposed to become these grand creatures, help propel Demon society further, and I don’t really know how to do that when I’m just me! Of course, then there’s my mother. And I don’t know if she’ll approve of any of it.”

Angelica had to pause there, because Adora went wide-eyed for a moment like she’d said something wrong, but then went back to her normal, receptive self. “Sorry, I guess I just never realized Demon’s had mothers. None have ever brought it up before, but I guess you all have to come from somewhere! Do continue.”

“Yeah, sorry, I guess that might be weird. I don’t think many Demons worry much about their familial ties.” She tried to play it off. “But I used to be pretty close with my mother. Not so much these days. I’m supposed to meet up with her again soon for the first time in a while, where we’re going to talk about my art dream, and that’s got me stressed.

“I don’t know that she’ll approve of that or the Demon path I’ve been taking, though I likely won’t mention that bit. She always wanted me to follow in her footsteps, and the more I diverge from that path, the more it feels like we’re splitting apart as family too. Okay, yeah, that was a bit of a rant, but I guess that sums it up.” Angelica could feel the weight of it all getting to her, and it was starting to show in her drawing too, with heavier lines than intended.

“I see.” The witch slowly nodded for a few moments, thinking deeply on the situation. “That is definitely a lot more in depth than other Demons get. It’s not too far off, with them thinking about their own paths forward, but it’s usually about something more specific. Erm, Attunements, that sounds right. Deciding which Attunements to commit to.

“And while I don’t know if there’s some sort of art Attunement, it doesn’t mean that it’s not something you could pursue outside of the system presented to you. One of the biggest issues I’ve heard about is Demons feeling like they’re pushed down a path they’re unsure about, wondering if this or that is better. And I say, there is no better. Even if there are two paths laid out in front of you, there’s no reason you have to choose either.

“Why would you need to choose between Demon obligations and art? What’s stopping you from embracing both or mixing them together? I’m not saying there doesn’t need to be compromise, or you would find yourself doing things that feel like they’re a waste of time if they don’t lead to your dreams. But what you can do is change your own mindset. Work hard, so that when you do have the time to spare, you can focus on your goals to the best of your ability. It’s not having to slog through what’s necessary so that you can finally do what you want, it’s ensuring you have everything you need so that you can be at your best for what really matters to you.

“And if you can, try to imbue your passion for art into the rest of your life. Is there such a thing as an art Demon? Beats me. I get books on Demon lore and species occasionally, but I’ve never done extensive research. Become an art Demon, if that’s what you want to do, even if your society or powers wouldn’t normally allow for it. Maybe it won’t manifest itself in the way you expect. I hope you do, but if you can’t find yourself making it big with drawings, showcase your artistic prowess in other ways, with your actions. Stand out from the rest, make a splash, show them that art can be beautiful, and then they’ll want to see what else you have to offer.

“I can’t say if any of that is good advice. Maybe it’s not. Maybe I’m pushing you the wrong way, but it’s how I’d do it. Only you know your true value, and it’s up to you to make others see it. Express yourself, be who you are, and never give up on your dreams.

“The same goes for this meeting with your mother. I’m sure she cares for you, or else she wouldn’t want to meet you in the first place. Maybe you’re not walking the path she envisioned for you, or have become who she expected, but there’s nothing wrong with that. We are not our parents. I can attest to that more than anyone. But what they really want isn’t for us to become a specific thing, it’s for us to thrive, to make something of ourselves, to be happy. Sometimes, they just have strong heads and think they know the best way to make that happen.

“So my advice there is to be as forthright as possible. Show her who you are now, and be resolute with it. If you aren’t committed, then she may think it’s just a passing fancy, that you’re trying anything to avoid your responsibilities. But if you make her believe that this is what’s right, that it’s not going away, she’ll have to accept it. And… importantly… this may be hard, but you have to give her the chance to learn to love the new you. She may not know how to do so, or it may take some time, but let her figure that out for herself.

“And if she doesn’t. If she’s still a downright prick about it, wants to pull you away from becoming Gelic the art Demon, then bring her here. I’ll set her straight!”

Angelica couldn’t help but laugh at that. Hey, mom, come with me to another world so a witch can bully you into acting right. Damn, it tickled her. But more than anything, it filled her with warmth and hope. Absurd as it may be, the idea that someone would have her back in this, wanted to see her chase her dreams. Well, maybe there was a chance she could convince her mother after all.

And the woman was right about the artist part. Angelica had been keeping art and Demon growth as two distinctly separate entities so far. But maybe there were ways to combine them. Maybe she could become an art Demon. What would that even be? She had no idea yet, but when it came time to Evolve again, what was stopping her from putting the suggestion forward? The worst they could say was no. And then she could still defy them anyway. Maybe if she came up with a few rough drafts and presented them, the Demonic Natures would be easier to convince.

With renewed vigor, Angelica returned to her drawing. After finishing Adora’s design, she moved on to herself. For a reason she couldn’t quite say, maybe to add symmetry, or maybe her own desires leaking through, she also drew herself in witch attire. It wasn’t long before the picture of the pair of women standing together like a grandmother and granddaughter was complete. Except, something felt like it was missing.

The request had been to include herself, which she’d done in a way, but it also felt incomplete. She wasn’t just a human anymore, so it kind of felt like a lie, one told to herself more than anything. This led to her adding two more figures down in front of the womens’ legs. The puffball and the pest, she drew them both, because they were both her. Maybe other Demons discarded their past selves, but she had too much attachment, and had no plans to shy away from her Imp form. And while she may be looking forward to moving on from her bug body, it would always remain a part of her as well. Of course, she also gave both their own little witch hats so they could join in on the fun.

With the work complete, Angelica ripped the page out of her sketchbook across the table, eagerly waiting for more praise. “How lovely,” Adora shared after a quick study. “Though, you really like this type of aesthetic, don’t you? It was in that fairytale too.”

“Yes, I love witches!” Angelica couldn’t stop herself from babbling. She wanted to spout, “I’ve always wanted to be one since I was a kid.” But that would probably be too suspicious, so she tweaked it to: “I’ve always admired them, ever since I was an Imp! Not only the outfits, but everything is great. Their magic, their homes, their independence, and you have it all! Well, you could maybe use an animal familiar and let out some cackles, but besides that, meeting a real witch like you is a dream come true. I’m so glad I got to come here!”

For some reason that made Adora frown for a fleeting moment, but it softened quickly, making her look at Angelica as if she were some innocent, ignorant creature. “I guess I can only be seen as a witch, huh? It’s been a long time since I’ve been called that, and I don’t recall it being with such reverence. Perhaps the idea has become more accepted over time. Or at the very least, I’m glad to see at least you are excited by the idea. Because I wouldn’t give it up for the world.”

“Say…” She suddenly shifted tones. “Would you like to try dressing up like me, Gelic? You already have the human body, and I have plenty of spare outfits that don’t really suit me anymore.”

Angelica was still lingering on everything that had been said, wondering about Adora’s past, and what she may have gone through. But all those thoughts went shooting out of her mind at the offer. “Yes, absolutely!” It was hard to contain her excitement. Sure, she could tailor something with Transfiguration, but that fabric was fake, basically just a paltry illusion. She wouldn’t be able to feel the weight of it, nor the empowering elation that wearing such a garment would bring.

There was a slight hiccup, though, with getting dressed in the new clothing, in that she wasn’t actually currently wearing any old ones. Her human form presented itself as wearing a loose shirt and leggings, her usual casual wear, that or capris or joggers depending on the weather. But functionally, she was naked, since they were created when she became Angelica. It may behoove her in the future to keep a spare real outfit, or at least a pair of undergarments in Second Stomach in case any other situations like this occurred. Since she could transfer things in and out with MP, a part of the Skill she’d been using more now as a Puck, perhaps she could pull them from and put them onto her body directly. That could definitely prove useful.

For now, while she could just make the imaginary clothing vanish, she didn’t exactly want to get naked in front of someone she just met. Like the time she’d turned into Rastille, she could also remove anything obscene, but that felt like it would just raise more questions. So instead, she opted to slip on the provided dress wearing her current garb, and then made them vanish once everything was properly covered.

There had been a wider array of outfits than she expected, with a variety of styles and colors, almost like a witch’s wardrobe through the various depictions of them. From ghastly to flowery, Adora wasn’t lacking for choices. But Angelica couldn’t stop herself from going with the classic gothic black. Overall, it was a more sleek and thin design than some witch-wear with puffier skirts, including an open slit that ran along the side of one of her legs, showing off more skin than she was used to.

But the sleeves were the opposite, long and draping, more like a traditional robe, a wonderful mesh of both worlds. Just glancing in the mirror, she felt like she’d practically hexed herself, enchanted by her stunning appearance. The fit was slightly off, though. Despite there being a built-in corset, it was still a bit loose, especially in the bust. Should she alter her body? Part of her really didn’t want to, but if it pulled the look together…

“Here, let me help you,” Adora interrupted her ponderings. She waved a hand, and the dress instantly altered itself, pulling tight, perfectly tailoring itself to Angelica’s figure. Yes, it was perfect, looking even better now that it complimented her physique instead of if she’d forced herself to fill it out. Next, she slipped on the provided pair of pointed pumps, not fully thrilled about it, but they matched the outfit perfectly, and at least they were the chunky heel kind instead of pointed, so she was less likely to make a fool of herself and end up on her face.

“And of course, you need one of these.” Her witch host had vanished for a moment, only to return later with black pointed hat with almost ethereal ribbons dangling off the wide brim. It was the cherry on top, but placed on her head instead of a cake, and damn, did it really complete the aesthetic. For a final touch, Angelica added a bit of makeup Transfiguration. Her already pale skin didn’t really need any lightening, but magically applied some smokey eyeshadow and a decently dark shade of lipstick.

Adora wheeled out the mirror after pulling it out of storage, allowing Angelica to get a proper look at herself. Damn, her self-confidence skyrocketed. She had never put much stock in her looks before, always considering herself somewhat plain, and hadn’t honestly done much to figure out what styles really suited her. This one did. Damn, it did. As it turned out, she had good reason to cling to those fantasies. Sure, she’d dressed up in witch costumes before, but they were usually shoddy, a pale imitation. Never had it, or any other outfit, been so perfectly crafted for her before.

It was like looking at a complete stranger, or rather, a version of herself she could have only imagined becoming. Honestly, she couldn’t get over how beautiful she felt; gorgeous, head-turning, maybe even so bold as to even call herself seductive, or rather… bewitching. She had transformed into Angelica the witch, or more fitting, Merlina the witch. When she properly debuted as a Summoner, this would be her look. Maybe not this exact outfit, but this style was definitely in her future.

[Beguilement monumentally increased]

[Beguilement has improved from Drab to Homely]

While that was definitely not a compliment from the DGS, it apparently had recognized and rewarded her progress in the aspect. She felt it had less to do with her actual current appearance, and more with the knowledge gained. Now she knew how to present herself in a way that someone might find appealing, along with gaining the confidence needed to accept that she was capable of it.

And for a bit of extra flair while Angelica was looking herself all over, Adora manifested some sort of enchanting mist behind her, highlighting her silhouette, making her figure and the outfit stand out even more in the mirror. Honestly, Angelica desperately wished she could take a picture of the moment to remember forever, once more, lamenting her lack of Muse. Sadly, giving her phone to Adora to take a shot probably wouldn’t work out well, at least without a deep lesson on how the piece of tech worked.

Maybe the woman had her own sort of photography magic, but it felt like too much of an odd request to ask about. Still, Angelica had repressed her questions on the subject for too long, and was losing the battle when it came to holding it in. So she finally blurted, “Can you tell me about your magic?!

“Sorry if that’s sudden, but I’m so curious. Most people I know can only use magic by synchronizing with Demons they summon. But since you’re normally alone, it must be your own power. Where does it come from? How do you use it? Magic words? Prepared spells? Hexes and potions?!” The last inquiries hadn’t really been on the right flow of thought, but her witch giddiness overtook her mouth, spouting related words instead of something coherent.

“Uhh…” Adora looked a little overwhelmed. “Sorry to disappoint you, but… I don’t really know myself. Maybe I knew at some point, but as far as my failing memory goes, I’ve had magic for as long as I can remember. And… I guess they wouldn’t really count as spells in the way they’re portrayed in most books. It’s more like, if I think I can do it, odds are I usually can. And if I can’t, I stubbornly peck at it until it works.”

“Huh…” That definitely wasn’t what Angelica had been expecting. But she also couldn’t really be disappointed by it, since it left the mysticism and wonderment of it all intact. And it’s not like she was lacking in her own magic, but there was definitely a bit of desensitization. Since it all came from the Demon Growth System rather than her own self, it felt, well, less magical. Buying with points didn’t feel as special or supernatural as controlling and manipulating the laws of nature. But like with everything about her situation, and with the lessons she’d learned here, it was all about perspective.

Before she could linger on that thought too much, however, there was a sudden nagging feeling in her subconscious. It wasn’t like when Suspecting Skin warned her, but it was still a warning in a way. Her tracker had triggered, and danger was heading in their direction. Angelica glanced to the door, or rather beyond that to the source in the distance. “Malignants.”

Spoiler

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