[ WP ] At your magic school graduation , all summon a familiar that takes the shape of the first non-human creature they see . Most of your friends have cats , dogs , or birds . You just summoned a copy of your mother .

No matter how much Leandros looked over the containment barrier, he could n't find anything wrong with the creature inside of it. 
 
 No. 
 
 That fact itself is what made it so wrong in the first place. 
 
 `` Mother?'' he whispered as he saw the woman inside smile that ever so warm smile he had always known. 
 
 `` Stand back, child.'' Instructor Ritter shielded him from his mother's view. `` That... thing is not your mother. I am not sure what it is, but it is most definitely not human.'' 
 
 Leandros could not understand how this could have happened. Today's familiar summoning initiation was supposed to have signaled his true path into becoming a magician of Theran. It was a simple procedure that would replicate a non-human creature to stand as a magician's familiar. Usually, the familiar would take the form of creatures that illicit feelings of safety and warmth from it's summoner. 
 
 He supposed that his loving mother would indeed fit that requirement, however... 
 
 The safety wards placed in the spell circle had activated. Judging by the vivid red colors and complex sigils, it had activated the strongest containment spell created by at least seven karmic mages. It was something designed to hold creatures considered far too dangerous that could have been summoned by mistake or other reasons outside the norm. 
 
 `` Ritter!'' Senior Instructor Fesley walked up to them, breathing roughly. `` We're about to cleanse it. The fail-safes in the spell were unable to get rid of it, so I had to pull the other instructors here before the containment spell failed completely.'' He looked back at the woman inside the containment field. ``... Just what the hell is that thing?'' 
 
 `` T-That's my mom!'' shouted Leandros, trying to get past his instructor, but was held firmly in place. `` Y-You ca n't! Do n't kill her!'' 
 
 He protested, but it was too late. Whatever the instructors had done, it had started. The area within the containment field vibrated and sparked. He could see his mother inside lose her smile and frown, as if she was in pain. 
 
 `` Mom!'' 
 
 `` That is not your mother, boy!'' said his instructor. `` Look carefully!'' 
 
 The creature inside seemed to lose form slightly as it blurred in its place. The image of something else interposed with it. Leandro's `` mother'' looked up with another smile at him. 
 
 A terrifying chill went down his back as he gazed onto the horrific obsidian eyes of the creature. He took a step back as the creature raised its hand toward him, causing crackling noised on the barrier that contained it. The barrier seemed to dim a little and whine harder as it did so. 
 
 `` The hell!'' shouted the senior instructor. `` It's straining the barrier this much!'' He ran off into the direction of other mages from the side. `` Quick! Begin the cleanse before it breaks!'' 
 
 The creature let out a shrill voice as it screamed so loud that glasses broke all throughout the underground academy. It fell on its knees. It was obvious that it would not be able to survive this. 
 
 Yet... 
 
 `` My, my,'' it said with an amused, but strained tone. `` I'm sorry you had to see me like this, Lean...'' 
 
 `` Mom...?'' asked Leandros uneasily. Only his mother called him that. 
 
 `` Especially to all your friends and teachers,'' she continued. Her hand slammed forcefully over the barrier, sending shocks and vibrations permeating over the entire thing. `` Such a shameful appearance I've shown them. How very terrible of me.'' Her sharp teeth barred in what seemed to be a grin at the instructor behind him. `` But do n't worry. I'm sure the real me will come visit you soon. I wo n't be so weak as I am now. And then, I'll show everyone just how... pleasant I can really be.'' 
 
 The cleanse disintegrated her from the bottom up, the creature laughing maniacally until the very end. It's voice continued to ring in the ears and minds of those present. Her promise gripped their hearts tightly in inexplicable fear. 
 
 As the signs of its presence faded, Senior Instructor Felsey walked back up to Leandor and Instructor Ritter. 
 
 `` Well...'' He placed his hand on Instructor Ritter's tensed shoulder. `` Good luck in that PTA meeting next week.''
