Origins

Preceded byN/A
 Released afterN/A

***Origins*** is an e-exclusive prequel in the *Summoner Series* by Taran Matharu.

## Synopsis

Arcturus is just an orphaned stable boy when he discovers he has the ability to summon demons from another world. He is sent to Vocans Military Academy where the lost arts of summoning, spellcraft and demonology are taught to the noble children of the Empire. As the first commoner gifted with this ability, his discovery challenges the nobility and the powers that be. At the Academy Arcturus quickly makes enemies. With no one but his demon Sacharissa by his side, Arcturus must prove himself as a worthy Summoner ...

## Plot

Arcturus is planning to run away from the workhouse he is currently at. He tries to steal the possessions of Charles Faversham, but after acquiring the summoning scroll of a Canid, accidentally summons it in the stables. Charles, coming into the stables, knocks Arcturus out.

Arcturus wakes up in a cell, and soon after, meets King Alfric, Royce Faversham and Charles. Charles then accuses Arcturus of "stealing his demon", which then Arcturus admits to doing. The king and the lord do not believe him at first, but it is proven to be true after the Canid is hurt and Arcturus feels its pain.

Arcturus is then taken to Vocans, and the first thing he does is name the Canid Sacharissa. Elizabeth, the Lieutenant who had flown him there, gifts him a blade and departs.

Arcturus accidentally stumbles into the nobles' quarters and is subsequently chased out by Obadiah Forsyth. He is relocated to the "punishment room".

The next morning, Arcturus and Sacharissa try to find the bathrooms but are stopped by Obadiah, who redirects him to find out his level of summoning. Arcturus finds out he is level eight, slightly higher than average, and departs to the dining hall. In the hall, he and Sacharissa are introduced to the other students, all nobles.

Charles, Zacharias Forsyth and Damian (Rook) make fun of Arcturus for being a commoner, but Edmund Raleigh is friendly to him. He introduces Alice and Josephine Queensouth, Baybars Saladin, and Fergus, Carter, Arthur and Elaine Lovett. Arcturus also introduces Sacharissa, and Elaine immediately takes a liking to her.

The students go to their first class, and Arcturus and Elaine are separated due to their lack of expertise in spells. Arcturus then learns how to make a wyrdlight, and simple etches, as well as the demon level system.

The next day is the summoning class, and Lord Scipio shows them his Felid, Kali, and a scrying stone. Scipio then creates a portal to the ether, and Kali enters into the ether. Scipio then explains what the ether is, and after Kali explores it, a Wendigo and Minotaur appear and begin to battle each other. As Scipio grows exhausted form keeping the portal open, Kali comes back into the human realm and the portal closes.

After the class, Charles taunts Arcturus about his status as a commoner, but Prince Harold distracts him and invites Zacharias to come with him and Edmund to Corcillum. Charles becomes disappointed he wasn't invited, but takes it out on Arcturus. The two butt heads until Charles challenges him to a duel at night in the summoning room.

Later, Arcturus tries to spy on Charles and Rook, and by using Sacharissa's keener senses, discovers that Obadiah wants to interrogate him, as well as a hint of what Charles is planning at the duel later that night. They are nearly discovered, but Arcturus and Sacharissa quickly hide and the two nobles give up.

At night, Arcturus sneaks to the summoning room. He enters to find Rook opening a portal to the ether, and Charles ambushes him, using his Arach to trap them in mana webs. Rook lures the Wendigo mentioned earlier to the summoning room while Charles taunts Arcturus, then the two nobles quickly escape as the Wendigo starts to hunt down Arcturus and Sacharissa.

Arcturus manages to get outside of the summoning room, but after hearing Elaine scream, rushes back in. He distracts the Wendigo with wyrdlights, but it attacks him and he is forced to retreat. He slips in a puddle of blood, and Sacharissa jumps to save him. After a while, the Wendigo knocks out Arcturus.

Arcturus wakes up in infirmary to Elizabeth, Scipio and Obadiah. They question him about what happened in the summoning room and "everything he knows". Arcturus tells them about how he planned to run away and Obadiah explains he only wanted confirmation of what he already knew. Then, he says he realized commoners were starting to develop the skill to summon as well, and he would lie, saying Arcturus was a special case of this, instead of the truth, that Arcturus was Lord Faversham's son. They were to keep it a secret so that Lady Faversham never found out about Arcturus's heritage. After the three adults leave, Elaine exclaims that she overheard part of the conversation but didn't tune in for the entirety of it. She promises not to tell anyone about anything she heard and says they can talk about anything, and that Arcturus wasn't alone anymore.