Summoning System
Somewhere in a time and place yet to be seen or trod by lower beings were those entities – having no precise shape nor form – who ruled over the eternities. Their duties were expansive and multifaceted, but much of the time – and nebulous concept for such beings – they merely observed the happenings of the cosmos. Of course, after observing for so long, little surprised them, a fact that led to their most recent fad of interfering with the lower world by giving people 'systems', transmigrating individuals, or causing other such timeline-altering factors.
And yet even they, as powerful as they were, were bound by rules and restrictions though few in number they may be. One such rule was the need to honor and compensate those sacrifices most high and dear: a soul sacrifice. For truly the weight of a soul is great.
So, when that tainted, deformed soul fragment of Voldemort's was brought by magic into their midst, it drew the attention of all the great beings. They drew around the soul and observed both it and the mortal youth who sacrificed it. They then proceeded to deliberate upon the situation.
"A true soul sacrifice with the individual retaining their complete soul, is it?" one communicated to its associates.
"The Potter child? Well, using the horcrux doesn't exactly break any rules but…"
"…It does bend them to the extreme. Not to mention this violates the spirit of what it means to sacrifice what with the horcrux being unwanted in the first place."
"That's irrelevant. The soul's presence here clearly indicates that the Universe has deemed the sacrifice worthy. We must honor it."
"That aside, isn't this interesting? No other Potter child in any of the timelines has ever invoked sacrificial magic in such a way. Even throughout all the other realities, how few times has there been a similar occurrence? Such a singularity is already sufficient to warrant a boon from us."
"Furthermore, it's not like we need an excuse to meddle with yet another Potter timeline." A sense of amused agreement from the other entities pervaded the space. "The only question at this point is what we shall give her."
Communication amongst the terrifying entities ceases as they each deliberated within their own vast minds as to what reward would fitting of the worthy sacrifice…and make the timeline more enjoyable to observe.
Time travel so she could right many of the wrongs she'd already faced?
Transmigration to a more wondrous world?
Sending her to a timeline where her parents were alive?
Altering her so she had a dozen inheritances, multiple animagus forms, and an enormous magic core?
Genderbending her for no obvious reason?
"Systems are consistently entertaining," an entity finally communicated. "They can cause more variation to the timeline than many of the other changes we use."
"True. But what kind of system? It would preferably be one we haven't done before." An intense feeling of exasperation emanated from the other beings. No doubt, if they had a physical form, many of them would be rolling their eyes.
"And what, pray-tell, kind of system have we not tried before and that isn't overdone?"
Silence yet again filled the expanse, this time lasting far longer than the previous silence.
"Well," one finally suggested, "a summoning system could be good." Sensing the incoming arguments, the entity quickly continued. "We could have the summons be actually brought from their own realities rather than be imitations the system creates. And when the Potter girl dies, the summons can return to their own realities at the very times they were taken with whatever memories, knowledge, skills, and powers obtained serving Potter. That way, not only can we enjoy observing the changes Potter's world will have, we'll get to witness many timelines change once she dies. We'd get far more 'bang for our buck' as humans would say."
The other entities' excitement grew as he explained his idea.
"That…that's quite good!"
"Indeed!"
They each communicated their assent.
"Now, I suppose we just need to finalize the details." And, after a long period of brainstorming and deliberation, it was finished. The final system was both simple in design and yet broad in the opportunities it would offer.
The entities then consolidated the system and a note to Azalea into a sort of spiritual 'package' before sending it off through the cosmos.
===
Azalea was seconds away from death when she felt a powerful force enter her body, filling her body with raw power and her mind with something…new.
With the injection of power, her magic now had more than enough resources to repair her body. Azalea resisted the urge to groan as her bones moved back into place and reattached themselves, her tissues and organs were restored, her blood replenished, and her skin knitted itself back together. All this within no more than a minute.
Energized and with a clear mind, she sat bolt upright. "Bloody hell," she breathed while inspecting her body. Her magic had helped heal herself many times before, but never this fast! "How…?"
Before she could complete her thought, a bell-like chime resounded in her head followed by a monotone voice.
[Binding to the Summoning System successful. Health of host optimal.]
Azalea immediately flew into a panic, leapt to her feed – her blood still in a pool beneath her – and called upon her magic to defend her. After all, hearing voices in the magical world was far more alarming that it was in the muggle.
[A letter from The Council is to be delivered upon successful binding. Would you like to read it now?]
A letter? Azalea couldn't help but wonder whether this was some sort of obscure trap. But, never one to shy away from danger, she agreed. "I'll read it."
[Verbal confirmation is unnecessary. Mental communication is sufficient. Delivering letter now.]
As soon as the voice finished, a length of parchment appeared a ways above her head and began floating its way down to her. She gingerly grabbed it when it was within reaching distance and quickly became shocked as she began reading.
*Azalea Lily Potter,
On your near death you gave yourself entirely to your magic so that it could save you at any cost. The deep connection with and trust towards your own magic allowed it to finally rid itself of a portion of Voldemort's soul that laid behind your scar – a soul fragment that had been leeching off your magic and lifeforce for thirteen years. In doing so, your magic sacrificed that soul fragment up to the Universe so as to obtain a life-saving boon for you.
And thus we, The Council, were gathered by the Universe to preside over and reward according to this matter.
However, rather than merely giving you a reward the likes of which we've given to countless realties and timelines, We – the mightiest of cosmic entities – ruled to give you something beneficial to you and entertaining for us: a summoning system.
With this system you will be able gain points via your actions or by exchanging anything you own – anything from gold to your own lifeforce – and with those points you may purchase summons through a gacha. There are different tiers of summons, but we'll allow you to explore than on your own.
The summons are beings from other realities ranging from weak to powerful depending on the whims of the gacha. They will be simultaneously loyal to you yet free thinking. Upon your death – whenever that may be – your summons will return to their own realities at the very time they were removed from it, so you do not need to feel guilty about tearing the summons from their worlds.
Beyond the summoning function, we've also included an infinite inventory – micromanaging space is tedious – whereby you may store anything you want in a sort of subspace. You also have a shop function which will allow you to purchase with your available system points skills, knowledge, and items from your world or any of the worlds your summons come from. Of course, the purchasing price will vary depending on value. Finally, you'll have a general status interface which will list only basic information like your points and knowledge/skills gained from the shop. Since calculating specific attributes and experience points can be irritating even for Us – just as listing every skill you ever learn can be mind-numbing to read – they will not be included.
We have already tallied your points based off your past fourteen years of trials and accomplishments and rewarded them to you.
As a gift to get you started, we have also given you two 'tickets' that guarantee high-tiered summons and one 'ticket' that will guarantee you a legendary summon.
Finally, we have a list of suggestions to help you get on your feet as it were. Disregard them if you so wish.
1. From the shop, directly purchase the occlumency skill, the more advance the better. It will be quite pricey considering the skill's broad value and the fact it will be imparted to you directly, but We believe you'll find the price worth it. The system's existence will not automatically be hidden should someone break into your mind.
2. Purchase knowledge on magical theory, especially regarding magical contracts and oaths. Being just knowledge and not the imparting of a skillset, this will be far cheaper than occlumency. Naturally, you could purchase the skills related to magical theory if you so choose.
3. As many of your counterparts in other timelines have discovered, a trip to Gringotts will be worthwhile. Ask for an inheritance test and your results should allow you to speak with an account manager.
4. Finally, grow a spine. Instead of saving the day by only reacting when danger occurs, stand up for yourself and proactively eliminate your enemies. It's so much more fun for us to see the person we've given a boon to cause mayhem.
This all should give you a good start in turning your life for the better – and making the world just a bit crazier. Entertain us well.
Hobey-ho,
The Council*
Azalea finished the letter and stared off into the darkness of the cold castle corridors as she tried to process what she'd read. Failing at that, she then read the letter three more times.
"A summoning system, huh? Being from another world," she muttered, scarcely believing it. And in truth, she didn't believe it. Even the horror she felt on learning she'd had a piece of Voldemort's soul leeching from her all these years couldn't put a damper on her curiosity and awe. The miraculous contents couldn't be real, right? And, if they were, there was no way she would be fortunate enough to receive such a thing.
But, well…could it really hurt to try?
'Status,' she thought.
A transparent screen with information appeared in front of her.
---
Azalea Lily Potter
Age: 14
Race: Human
Skills:
Knowledge:
Points: 1,426,908
Summons Available: 2 High-tier, 1 Legendary-tier
---
'Well, at least that's real, though I have no idea if 1.4 million points is a lot,' she considered. Her eyes then fell on her available summons. 'If the status works, could I really summon…?"
It still seemed far to fantastical for her. And yet, if it was real, having strong beings aid her could change her life drastically. Vernon's abuse, all the horrors she'd face at Hogwarts, the student body's assaults…all of it could go away. She would be safe. She could protect Hermione. And, maybe, she could finally have some semblance of a normal life.
With tentative thoughts, warm hope rising within her, she mentally called on the system, 'I'd like to use my summons.'
[All three?]
'Yes.'
[Acknowledged.]
Suddenly a massive torrent of magic swept through the castle and concentrated at three separate spots in front of her. Azalea's skin tingled in the presence of so much power.
Blinding light eliminated all the many shadows in the area. Raising her hand to shield herself from the worst of the light's intensity, Azalea continued to look on and saw voids centered within each of the lights.
And from those voids three figures emerged, taking their first steps into the light of a new world.