I Couldn't Fit the Title in - 1

It's dark. So completely dark that it might as well be nothing at all. Or perhaps it really is nothing at all?

To be honest, I'm not really sure what I'm doing in this dark place. I feel like something important happened, but I can't remember it at all. Rather, I can't remember anything at all? Things like "what I look like" or "what my name is"... There's nothing there.

Oh, I guess that's not entirely true. There's something there, but I don't think it's something I could call a "memory". It's just "knowledge" that didn't come from anywhere. It's kind of creepy, but I guess it's all I have to go by?

Apparently I'm a "demon". I'm not sure why, but I don't think that's a very good thing. Also, my name is "Luce" and I'm the "Demon of Passageways". I don't think that was my name before, though. Or my title, I guess? Rather than a title, it feels more like a descriptor. I don't really get it, but I suppose I can worry about that later.

More importantly, I know where I am now. I'm in "Hell". That's definitely not a good thing. Even I, lacking memories, knows that. I mean, how could it be a good thing? There's nothing here. This Hell is completely empty. I think there are other demons here, but it's impossible for me to meet them. Even I, the Demon of Passageways, can't do something like that.

That's strange, isn't it? Just now, I completely thought of myself as the "Demon of Passageways". What's more, thoughts like "What the Demon of Passageways can do" and "What the Demon of Passageways can't do" easily entered my head. As the Demon of Passageways, I can put anything through one passageway and take it out from another totally different passageway. But since there isn't anything here, I can't do anything at all.

But even though I know that, I never learned it. It's just there. Like I said, it's creepy. I suppose it's useful, though? Since I'm apparently the Demon of Passageways, it would be awkward if I didn't know how to do my job. So thanks, I guess? Or rather, what's going on?

Oh, lets stop thinking about that. Because something important just came up. Naturally, even though it's something I've never encountered before, I completely know what it is. It's a "summons". So I'm being summoned. I don't think I'm being summoned personally, though. It feels more like a "is anyone out there?" kind of summons. It's a good opportunity, so I think I'll answer it.

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Hell really is Hell, huh. At least compared to where I am now. Even though it's a bit cramped, it's infinitely better than that place I was just at. Honestly, I'm a bit jealous.

I answered the summons, of course. And in the blink of an eye I was here, in this young man's room. He looks a bit surprised. Ah, because I'm larger than he is. Or maybe I'm just not what he was expecting? I think his reaction's a bit cute. Hmm, but first, lets do something about this annoying thing.

"It's quite nice to meet you, human, isn't it? About this circle, why don't you let me out? I'll definitely pay you back, you know?"

Hmm, was that always my character?

'O-of course not! I will not be tricked so easily, demon!'

What a rude child!

"What a rude child! I'm Luce, you know, not "demon"?"

'S-silence! I have summoned you, demon, so you'll obey me!'

"Eh~ You know, it's not like I have to? I can just leave."

'A-ah... Demon L-Luce! I have summoned you! So-'

"Hmm hmm, that's much cuter. All right, lets start again~ What can I do for you, nameless summoner?"

'Demon Luce, I am Johnathan! You will assist me with my work!'

"Eh~ That's not really my job, you know? If it's an imp, I think that would be better. Also, giving your name to a demon, isn't that pretty foolish?"

Ahh, this expression is even better than "surprise".

'N-naturally, I did not give you my true name!'

If your face wasn't so pale, I might believe you, you know~

"If your face wasn't so pale, I might believe you, you know~"

'A-anyways! I tried to call for an imp! You answered my call, so you must complete my task!'

"Eh~ Rather than "I want an imp", it was more like "someone please answer me!", wasn't it? You seem pretty new at this, you know~"

Squirm more~

'I, I am an esteemed summoner who has studied under master Roland! I will not take this behavior from a lowly demon!'

"Hmm, I suppose you're right. Well then, sorry for the bother~"

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Ahh, my only regret is that I can't see his face now that I'm not there. But I'm sure it's absolutely wonderful~ That said, maybe I was a bit too hasty. I got carried away because he was so cute, but now I'm back here in Hell. Hmm, I wonder if I'll get any other summons? I was only "born" earlier today, though, so wouldn't it be strange if anyone knew about me? When it comes to summoning, names are important, so maybe I'll have to wait around until some other kid calls out?

Now that I think about it, I just said "I was only born earlier today", but it's not like there's a day or night here. Actually, I don't really now how much time has passed. It's not like there's anything for reference. Wouldn't it be terrible if little Johnathan called me again but instead he was a proper summoner? Hmm, lets hope something like that doesn't happen.

Indeed, lets hope, since I can feel Johnathan summoning me again. I know it's him, since he gave me his name. Ah, and he's calling me with my name, too. Hmm hmm, perhaps his attitude has improved a bit.

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"It's quite nice to meet you, human. Or rather, it's good to see you again, Johnathan! Do you, perhaps, have something you want to ask of me? I might do it, you know, if you let me out?"

'I-I will not let you out! But, um, about my earlier task. If you work for me, I will allow you to move about this room here!'

"Ho~ These are much better manners, aren't they? But, perhaps, even though you tried to call other demons, no one came?"

Ahh, that wonderful pale face again.

"Well, that aside, if it's your room, that wouldn't be bad. But it's a bit small, isn't it? So, you know, I'll only be able to do small things?"

'That, that is fine... I only need you to assist me in preparing reagents and the like...'

"Hmm hmm, that, I can do~ Ahh, but, I get Sundays off, okay?"

'Sundays!?'

"Union rules~"

'I, I don't believe you.'

"Waa~ You really have grown up splendidly, haven't you~ It was only for a few minutes but, while I was away, you already learned not to trust demons~"

'A-anyways, in exchange for letting you exist in this room, you will assist me with basic tasks. Is that acceptable to you?'

"I get Sundays off~"

'Y, yes. On Sundays you can exist in this room without doing anything for me. And I will not ask anything of you during that time.'

Well now, isn't that a giant loophole? Thanks you very much, cute Johnathan, I'll gladly take it~

"That is acceptable to me. I assent to this pact!"

'I too assent to this pact!'

"Hmm hmm, you gave me a pretty big loophole, you know~?"

'I- what?'

"You won't ask anything of me on Sundays, right? Not just work-related things, but an-y-thing~"

'I-I rescind the pact! About Sundays-'

"Hmm hmm, it's too late for that, you know~? Please take care of me~"