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He emerged red faced, an accusatory finger pointed at Arcturus like a weapon.
    â€˜Sir, I am sorry, I needed to use the facilities,’ Arcturus said, layering his voice with as much respect as he could. ‘I did not mean to break any rules.’
    It was an almost automatic response, for he had learned from his time with the innkeeper that deference could save him from a beating, or worse. It had the desired effect, for Obadiah paused mid stride.
    â€˜Well . . . I guess that is a fair excuse,’ he begrudged, dropping his hand to his side, before walking around Arcturus, examining him.
    Arcturus lowered his head and watched Obadiah through half-closed lashes, ready for any sudden moves. Instead, the noble lifted Arcturus’s chin with a knuckle and nodded approvingly.
    â€˜Well, I’m pleased that you know to respect your elders. And betters for that matter,’ Obadiah said, laying a hand on his shoulder and propelling him away from the doorway.
    â€˜Your morning ablutions shall have to wait. The king has asked me to find out what level summoner you are. Come with me.’
    Arcturus bit back a groan and followed Obadiah back up the stairs. Sacharissa pattered behind them, whining as she sensed Arcturus’s agitation. After a moment, Obadiah spun on his heel and kicked out at Sacharissa, but she skipped out of the way with a growl.
    â€˜If you can’t control your demon’s infernal noise, I will shut her up for good,’ Obadiah snarled.
    â€˜Sacharissa, stay,’ Arcturus said hastily, pointing at the ground. She cocked her head at him, as if to ask: are you sure?
    â€˜Be a good do—’ he caught himself, ‘. . . demon and wait here for me. I’m sure it won’t take long.’
    She stared at him pitifully, then settled down and laid her head on her front paws.
    â€˜Good girl,’ Arcturus said. Obadiah grunted, then continued on down the corridor.
    They walked for a few minutes in silence, before curiosity overcame Arcturus’s fear.
    â€˜What do you mean by “level”?’
    â€˜Different species of demons have different levels of demonic energy. For example, a Canid is a level seven demon. That means, to have been able to summon her, you are at least a level seven summoner,’ Obadiah replied, without turning around.
    Arcturus realised they were heading towards the southwest tower. As they turned into what Arcturus expected to be a stairwell leading to the top of the tower, they entered a large circular chamber with a ceiling that stretched hundreds of feet above them to the roof of the tower.
    In the centre of the room was a strange column, made up of different segments of multicoloured crystals. It was so tall it reached the very top of the room, and Arcturus had to crane his neck to see the tip of it.
    â€˜Put your hand against the fulfilmeter,’ Obadiah ordered, then pushed Arcturus to his knees before he could respond. He seized Arcturus’s hand and pressed it against the cool gemstones.
    Immediately, Arcturus felt something sucked out of him, flowing through his hand. It felt cool as ice and to his surprise, he could see a cobalt blue glow around the edges of his palm.
    â€˜What you are feeling now is your mana being sucked into the fulfilmeter.’
    â€˜Mana?’ Arcturus stuttered. He could feel it roiling in his blood, cold under his skin.
    â€˜Yes, mana is the power you use when performing a spell. You will learn more about that soon, perhaps today if you keep your ears open.’
    The last of the mana drained out of him, then the flow was reversed. But this was very different to before. It was hot and violent, a sharp contrast to what he had experienced just a moment before.
    â€˜Demonic energy, what all demons are made from. The more you can absorb, the higher your fulfilment level,’ Obadiah murmured, tightening his grip on Arcturus’s wrist.
    The segment of gemstone