Chapter 52: Contract Summoning Technique

Thanks to Elwin’s foresight and careful planning, the Survey Corps members managed to avoid the titans drawn by the female titan’s roar. In the end, the Survey Corps concluded this expedition beyond the walls.

This particular mission proved to be the most devastating in years, with nearly a third of the Corps lost to Annie’s deliberate attacks as the female titan. Yet, amidst the heavy casualties, there was a remarkable achievement: Annie Leonhart, the female titan herself, was captured alive. Though the crystal encasing her posed a troublesome challenge, it was not the Survey Corps’ concern for now.

Night had fallen, and Xu, returned to the Survey Corps headquarters within Wall Rose, lay quietly on his bed. His mind was occupied with the series of issues he would soon face, chief among them the matter of contracting Mikasa.

Feeling a touch of restlessness, Xu sought relief by experimenting with a special ability attached to his imprint. In his hand, a thirty-centimeter short blade vanished and reappeared at will—this was a weapon crafted for him by the technical staff. The imprint granted to students by the academy seemed to possess various auxiliary functions, perhaps intended to ease their training: checking one’s basic information, reviewing mission details, and, notably, an independent storage space of one cubic meter.

With a mere thought, any non-living object within the space’s limits could be stored and retrieved. The “Explosive Talisman” Xu had acquired was kept there until the moment it was used, as was the bottle of “Primary Titan Bloodline Potion.”

At present, Xu repeatedly placed the short blade into the storage space, then withdrew it again and again. “This imprint is truly miraculous,” he marveled. Though his memories had long prepared him for the mysteries of this world—magic, supernatural powers, skills—Xu remained astonished. After all, he had only recently crossed over and needed time to accept this world as it was.

Previously, Xu had scarcely had any free time. Now, finally able to relax, he gained a full understanding of the auxiliary functions of the mysterious imprint on the back of his hand. Gradually, his heart settled.

Blessed with remarkable luck and having offered valuable items, Xu’s first use of his innate skill, “Dimensional Summoning,” brought forth the extraordinary ability “Infinite Martial Refinement.” It was thanks to this power that Xu underwent a complete transformation: his strength rating soared from “undetermined” to “Black, Beginner,” and he earned a wealth of academic credits. With these credits, Xu’s power would surely grow once he returned to the academy.

If his first innate skill brought such rewards, what wonders might his second skill yield? He mused how his predecessor could have been deemed worthless despite possessing such overwhelming talents.

Yet Xu was unaware that the main reason he had summoned “Infinite Martial Refinement” was due to the crystal-like solid Jiang Hong had given him. The higher the value of the sacrificial item, the stronger the summoned ability. Clearly, Jiang Hong’s gift was no ordinary thing.

“Contract Summoning… whether it succeeds or not, I have to try…”

Xu’s second innate skill was aimed at Mikasa. If she agreed, the two “existences” would be forever linked; and once Xu returned to the real world, he could summon Mikasa to his side.

Judging by Mikasa’s current affection for him, their relationship lacked only the final step of confession and acceptance. His chances were high. After all, her only attachment was to him—perhaps, at best, she might reluctantly include Eren.

Yet, Xu judged that Mikasa’s feelings for Eren lacked the desperation depicted in the original story; to her, Eren was more like a younger brother.

He chuckled inwardly; it seemed the goddess Mikasa could not escape his grasp.

So, with excitement in his heart, Xu moved into the second day…

Early next morning, Xu brought Mikasa into his room and confessed everything.

“That’s all I wanted to say, Mikasa… will you… agree to contract with me?” Even though “Infinite Martial Refinement” had honed Xu’s composure to perfection, his heart still trembled at this moment.

After listening to Xu’s fantastical confession, even the usually reserved Mikasa could not help but show dramatic surprise.

“You’re saying you crossed over from another world to complete a series of missions?”

“That’s right…” Xu replied, forcing a smile as he gazed at Mikasa’s expressionless but beautiful face.

“And you want me to go with you to that world, so you need me to sign a contract with you?”

“That’s correct…” Xu’s smile grew even more strained.

“Then… the Xu I’ve known since childhood… is that really you?” Mikasa finally voiced the question closest to her heart, her words trembling despite her usual calm.

It was clear she dearly feared hearing “No.”

Xu felt close to tears himself; he truly wished to know the answer to her question!

There was no other way but to follow his heart—hoping he was not mistaken…

Xu took a deep breath and said, “It’s me.”

In that instant, Mikasa’s lovely face blossomed with a smile of unparalleled beauty.

“Xu… I’ll go with you…” Her simple words held a meaning Xu would only comprehend later.

When a girl is willing to give up everything in the world for you, you must treasure her.

Xu smiled as well. Despite possessing the memories of his time with Mikasa before crossing over, he could not be certain the “self” in those memories was truly him; yet, deep inside, he sensed they belonged to him.

“Such a strange phenomenon has never appeared among other students; I’ll have to ask the homeroom teacher about it when I return,” Xu murmured.

“What is it, Xu?” Mikasa asked gently as she saw him talking to himself.

“Oh, nothing, Mikasa. Let’s form the contract now,” Xu replied.

“Mm.”

Xu gazed deeply into Mikasa’s bright eyes, then he let his consciousness sink into the depths of his soul.

Entering that familiar gray realm once more, Xu no longer felt strange. Through his mind’s eye, he saw two mysterious, intricate symbols.

The first, with a circular outer ring and countless dazzling lines and rectangles within, was his first innate skill, “Dimensional Summoning.” Yet Xu could not use it now, as it was still in a half-month cooldown.

He realized he’d spent nearly half a month in the world of Attack on Titan, but the skill remained in cooldown, which meant the cooldown referred to the real world’s half-month.

Next, Xu focused his mind on the second symbol.

This one was also circular, but unlike the single line forming Dimensional Summoning’s ring, the Contract Summoning’s circle was composed of countless tiny characters.

Xu admitted he could not understand any of them.

Inside the character-drawn circle were myriad lines and rectangles, and at the very center rested a pentagram.

Contract Summoning, activate!