History Main / MagicContractRomance

In fantasy, it is a recurring feature that mages would summon a {{familiar}}, usually a demon or an owl. But wait! What if the being they entered a MagicallyBindingContract with is a humanoid or of their same species and at least one party develops romantic interest in the other? Then, this is a Magic Contract Romance. In many cases, the contract between the contractor and his/her contractee would also grant greater spiritual bonds between them, often furthering their relations with one another--often romantic feelings. In many cases, weaker heroes would also [[MagicallyBindingContract enter into a contract]] with a stronger being for protection.

A {{subtrope}} of RescueRomance and MagicallyBindingContract, the contractor and the being they summoned would generally admire the qualities of one another as they travel through a journey between life and death, until gradually they fall in love. If the contracted being was [[IceQueen originally disgusted]] by the weakness of his/her contractor, then [[DefrostingIceQueen the contractor would usually gain]] affection of his/her contractee through bravery, his/her inner kindness, or other inner qualities. This trope is common in both anime and manga. When this trope is present, expect a lot of action. Why in the world would one summon a guardian unless in grave danger? Note, if the contractor is as powerful as his/her contractee or [[TookALevelInBadass increased his/her power]] then this trope will usually lead to a ''BattleCouple'' situation.

** Zeke and his Blade Pandoria, and Morag and her Blade Brighid, are shipped ''heavily'', but they are not explicitly in romantic relationships like Rex and his Blades.

[[folder: Literature]]

[[folder: Video Games]]

[[folder: Visual Novels]]

* ''LightNovel/TheFamiliarOfZero'' has Saito contracted to Louise as her familiar and they later fall in love with one another.
** This trope has sinister underpinnings in the novels, where [[spoiler:it's revealed the contract alters Saito's thoughts so he'll stay with Louise through suppressing his feelings about home as well as "conditioning" him into servility causing him to act fearless along with other compulsive behavior even though he's scared out of his wits and/or wouldn't have done them normally. Once the MindRape from the contract is undone he gets all the feelings of homesickness back in a large burst. As for the servility part he's trying to cope with that. They're dealing with both of these though Louise is making the first problem worse because she CannotSpitItOut.]]
-->'''Saito''': [[spoiler: “Listen you! How long can I keep telling ‘I love you’ to a girl who does not return my feelings?! I should be getting a medal for this!”]]
* Tomoki Sakurai and his Angeloids in ''Manga/HeavensLostProperty''.

* In ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'', because mages are generally vulnerable to attacks as they conjure their spells, they form 'Pactios' with a guardian they trust to protect them. The master is called the Magister Magi (Magistra Magi if female) and the servant a Minister Magi (Ministra Magi if female). The easiest way to form a 'Pactio' is [[AMagicContractComesWithAKiss through a kiss]]. It is widely known that usually, the Magister/Magistra Magi usually contracts a Pactio with one of opposite sex and [[BattleCouple they end up marrying each other]]. Through the manga, this trope is most famously seen between Negi and his students. By the end of the series, [[CluelessChickMagnet Negi]] formed a pactio with two-thirds of his class!
** It should be noted that there is a great deal of evidence suggesting that forming a Permanent Pactio requires the Magister to have sex with the Ministra. This could explain the tendency of Magisters to marry their Ministras. Also of note, when Asuna first talks to Negi about forming a permanent pactio, he freaks out.

* In the world of 'ships, ''[[Manga/AhMyGoddess Oh My Goddess]]''' [[NiceGuy Keiichi]]/[[MagicalGirlfriend Belldandy]] is the ''U.S.S. Constitution''... And it all started way back when Keiichi thought his wish from the Goddess Relief Agency was just a hoax. Then comes the rather dark twist: [[spoiler:The system that enforces the contract has also messed with Keiichi's mind to keep him from having lustful feelings for Belldandy, since Heaven wants to keep mortals and deities separate. Belldandy knew about this all along and said nothing.]] Then later, it gets bright again [[spoiler: when that part is removed and the pair go through testing to stay together.]]
* Alice and Oz of ''Manga/PandoraHearts'' actually subvert this. Although [[HumanWeapon Alice]] is {{violently protective|Girlfriend}} of Oz, and he treasures her like his "sun", WordOfGod says that their relationship is not romantic in nature.
* A major element of ''Manga/{{Sekirei}}'', especially for Minato and his harem. With a few exceptions, all bonds involve LoveAtFirstSight and are referred to as marriages or engagements by the Sekirei.
* Used rather darkly in Anime/ShamanicPrincess. The fact that beautiful young women are summoning sometimes handsome young men to be their "Partners" which, despite the name, are distinctly subservient to them doesn't always work out too well. Clear examples are Leon's UnrequitedLove for Lena, and the ''very'' tempestuous deal between Graham and Tiara.
* Sora and her ''Princesses'' from ''Manga/{{Shitsurakuen}}''.
* Faust and Mephistoples in ''Frau Faust''.

* In ''Literature/CodexAlera'' the Marat bond with an animal, gaining the ability to communicate with it and acquiring some of its abilities, e.g. Dorogo, bound to an immensely strong gargant (giant ground sloth) is [[SuperStrength even stronger]] than he looks. [[spoiler: Kitai bonds with Tavi]], which doesn't seem to do much until [[spoiler: he finally comes into his [[ElementalPowers Furies]], at which point she can use them too.]]

* In ''VideoGame/DuelSaviorDestiny'' Rico and Taiga enter one of these in her route. Though they've already entered the contract before that through [[DeusSexMachina fun times for Taiga]], it's not really a romance until then.
* ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder:'' Many of the Servants you can contract with will fall in love with you, to different extents, if you bonded with them (i.e raised their bond points) enough.
* Like in ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'', ''VideoGame/FateExtra'' has the protagonist (who can be either male or female) being able to bond with and later romance a Servant of their choice, Saber (Nero), Caster (Tamamo-no-mae) or Archer (Nameless). The last one is less overt than the others however.
* Often possible in the ''VideoGame/SummonNight'' games.

* Female Revya and Gig can have this in ''VideoGame/SoulNomadAndTheWorldEaters'' if the player gets Gig's ending. [[spoiler:After being cursed into sharing a body again, they're told only an act of true love can break the curse. All of their companions [[EveryoneCanSeeIt are quick to point out they're a perfect match for that]].]]

* Nancy and David from ''Webcomic/OwMySanity''.

[[folder:Web Original]]
* Mocked in [[https://wiki.rpg.net/images/thumb/a/aa/MPost20440-f332dcf878_o.jpg/480px-MPost20440-f332dcf878_o.jpg this]] FauxtivationalPoster.
[[/folder]]

** Late in the game, [[spoiler:Nia reveals that she is a Blade, and chooses Rex as her Driver at the same time that she gives him a LoveConfession. He says he loves her too... [[LoveYouAndEverybody and everyone else!]] Nia laughs and says she shouldn't have expected anything else]].
** ''VideoGame/XenobladeChronicles3'' reveals at the very end that [[spoiler:Rex ended up having babies with Pyra, Mythra, ''and'' Nia. Turns out that LoveYouAndEverybody was a bit more literal than it first appeared]].

* The main plot of ''Manga/KamisamaKiss'' is Nanami falling in love with her familiar Tomoe, a LittleBitBeastly white haired {{Bishonen}} {{Kitsune}}.

* Mocked in [[http://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/File:MPost20440-f332dcf878_o.jpg this]] FauxtivationalPoster.

* Also Kit and Nigel from ''Webcomic/{{Feywinds}}'''. He's forced to follow her through orders of his last master because she's the embodiment of an all powerful god-like thing...well, a golem really.. making her his new master...[[http://feywinds.com/comic/page.php?id=131 yeah]].

* In ''Manga/MahouSenseiNegima'', because mages are generally vulnerable to attacks as they conjure their spells, they form 'Pactios' with a guardian they trust to protect them. The master is called the Magister Magi (Magistra Magi if female) and the servant a Minister Magi (Ministra Magi if female). The easiest way to form a 'Pactio' is [[AMagicContractComesWithAKiss through a kiss]]. It is widely known that usually, the Magister/Magistra Magi usually contracts a Pactio with one of opposite sex and [[BattleCouple they end up marrying each other]]. Through the manga, this trope is most famously seen between Negi and his students. By the end of the series, [[CluelessChickMagnet Negi]] formed a pactio with two-thirds of his class!

* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons''
** ''Al-Quadim'' sort of inverts this: genies and ins (mortals) may well be [[InterspeciesRomance happy together]], but a couple needs to be linked with a MagicallyBindingContract to have offspring.

* ''Videogame/FateGrandOrder:'' Many of the Servants you can contract with will fall in love with you, to different extents, if you bonded with them (i.e raised their bond points) enough.
* Like in ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'', ''Videogame/FateExtra'' has the protagonist (who can be either male or female) being able to bond with and later romance a Servant of their choice, Saber (Nero), Caster (Tamamo-no-mae) or Archer (Nameless). The last one is less overt than the others however.

* Female Revya and Gig can have this in ''VideoGame/SoulNomadAndTheWorldEaters'' if the player gets Gig's ending. [[spoiler:After being cursed into sharing a body again, they're told only an act of true love can break the curse. All of their [[EveryoneCanSeeIt are quick to point out they're a perfect match for that]].]]

In fantasy, it is a recurring feature that mages would summon a {{familiar}}, usually a demon or an owl. But wait! What if the being they entered a MagicallyBindingContract with is a humanoid or of their same species and at least one party develops romantic interest in the other? Then, this is a MagicContractRomance. In many cases, the contract between the contractor and his/her contractee would also grant greater spiritual bonds between them, often furthering their relations with one another--often romantic feelings. In many cases, weaker heroes would also [[MagicallyBindingContract enter into a contract]] with a stronger being for protection.

* Alice and Oz of ''Manga/PandoraHearts'' actually subverts this. Although [[HumanWeapon Alice]] is {{violently protective|Girlfriend}} of Oz, and he treasures her like his "sun", WordOfGod says that their relationship is not romantic in nature.

* Alice and Oz of ''Manga/PandoraHearts''.

* Tomoki Sakurai and his Angeloids in ''Manga/HeavensLostProperty''.

* The main plot of ''Manga/KamisamaKiss'' is Nanami falling in love with her familiar Tomoe, a LittleBitBeastly white haired {{Bishonen}} {{Kitsune}}.
* ''Manga/ChronoCrusade'': Sister Rosette Christopher is contracted to Chrono. She gives him [[CastFromLifeSpan years off her life]] to return him to his true form and power. Because she means so much to him, he treats this like a GodzillaThreshold level resort.
* Used rather darkly in Anime/ShamanicPrincess. The fact that beautiful young women are summoning sometimes handsome young men to be their "Partners" which, despite the name, are distinctly subservient to them doesn't always work out too well. Clear examples are Leon's UnrequitedLove for Lena, and the ''very'' tempestuous deal between Graham and Tiara.

* In the ''VideoGame/WarCraft'' universe, it is implied that this can happen with a warlock and his/her succubus. The succubus will often grow attached to her master, even to the point of being uncontrollably in love with him or her, though the succubus is prone to fits of jealousy.

* Like in ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight'', ''Videogame/FateExtra'' has the protagonist (who can be either male or female) being able to bond with and later romance a Servant of their choice, Saber (Nero), Caster (Tamamo-no-mae) or Archer (Nameless). The last one is less overt than the others however.
* ''Videogame/FateGrandOrder:'' Many of the Servants you can contract with will fall in love with you, to different extents, if you bonded with them (i.e raised their bond points) enough.

* In ''VisualNovel/{{Demonbane}}'', this sort of dynamic rises between Al Azif and Kurou Daijuuji. It's noted to be extremely rare: a sorcerer needs a grimoire bound to him to be considered a true sorcerer, and a grimoire has very limited power without a master. Usually, the grimoires and sorcerers treat each other as tools for their respective purposes, but Kurou treats Al like an actual person, which throws her for a loop and causes her to fall in love with him. Whether he reciprocates depends on the route. Curiously, the only other major grimoire character is ''also'' in love with her master, but he doesn't reciprocate at all, being pretty much incapable of love or affection in any form. [[spoiler:Until they are both dead, after getting smacked with ThePowerOfLove courtesy of Al and Kurou.]]

* Also Kit and Nigel from ''Webcomic/{{Feywinds}}'''. He's forced to follow her through orders of his last master because she's the embodiment of an all powerful god-like thing...well, a golem really.. making her his new master...[[http://feywinds.com/comic/page.php?id=131 yeah]].

A {{subtrope}} of RescueRomance and MagicallyBindingContract, the contractor and the being they summoned would generally admire the qualities of one another as they travel through a journey between life and death, until gradually they fall in love. If the contracted being was [[IceQueen originally disgusted]] by the weakness of his/her contractor, then [[DefrostingIceQueen the protagonist would usually gain]] affection of his/her contractee through bravery, his/her inner kindness, or other inner qualities.This trope is common in both anime and manga. When this trope is present, expect a lot of action. Why in the world would one summon a guardian unless in grave danger? Note, if the contractor is as powerful as his/her contractee or [[TookALevelInBadass increased his/her power]] then this trope will usually lead to a ''BattleCouple'' situation.

** This trope is somewhat deconstructed in the novels, where [[spoiler:it's revealed the contract alters Saito's thoughts so he'll stay with Louise through suppressing his feelings about home as well as "conditioning" him into servility causing him to act fearless along with other compulsive behavior even though he's scared out of his wits and/or wouldn't have done them normally. Once the MindRape from the contract is undone he gets all the feelings of homesickness back in a large burst. As for the servility part he's trying to cope with that. They're dealing with both of these though Louise is making the first problem worse because she CannotSpitItOut.]]

* In ''Manga/MahouSenseiNegima'', because mages are generally vulnerable to attacks as they conjure their spells, they form 'Pactios' with a guardian they trust to protect them. The master is called the Magister Magi (Magistra Magi if female) and the servant a Minister Magi (Ministra Magi if female). The easiest way to form a 'Pactio' is [[AMagicContractComesWithAKiss through a kiss]]. It is widely known that usually, the Magister/Magistra Magi usually contracts a Pactio with one of opposite sex and [[BattleCouple end up marrying each other]]. Through the manga, this trope is most famously seen between Negi and his students. By the end of the series, [[CluelessChickMagnet Negi]] formed a pactio with two-thirds of his class!
** It should be noted that there is a great deal of evidence suggesting that forming a Permanent Pactio requires the Magister to have sex with the Ministra. This could explain the tendency of Magisters to marry their Ministras.
*** Also of note, when Asuna first talks to Negi about forming a permanent pactio, he freaks out.
* In the world of 'ships, ''[[Manga/AhMyGoddess Oh My Goddess]]''' [[NiceGuy Keiichi]]/[[MagicalGirlfriend Belldandy]] is the ''U.S.S. Constitution''... And it all started way back when Keiichi thought his wish from the Goddess Relief Agency was just a hoax.
** Then comes the rather dark twist: [[spoiler:The system that enforces the contract has also messed with Keiichi's mind to keep him from having lustful feelings for Belldandy, since Heaven wants to keep mortals and deities separate. And Belldandy knew about this all along.]]

* [[ChurchMilitant Sister]] [[HotBlooded Rosette]] [[CastFromLifespan Christopher]] and [[OurDemonsAreDifferent Chrono]] from ''Manga/ChronoCrusade''. [[spoiler:Years before that, [[{{Seers}} Mary]] [[StarCrossedLover Magdalene]] and [[MyGreatestFailure Chrono.]]]]

* In ''Manga/MahouSenseiNegima'', because mages are generally vulnerable to attacks as they conjure their spells, they form 'Pactios' with a guardian they trust to protect them. The master is called the Magister Magi (Magistra Magi if female) and the servant a Minister Magi (Ministra Magi if female). The easiest way to form a 'Pactio' is through a kiss. It is widely known that usually, the Magister/Magistra Magi usually contracts a Pactio with one of opposite sex and end of marrying each other. Through the manga, this trope is most famously seen between Negi and his students. At present, Negi has formed a pactio with almost half his class!

* In ''ComicBook/RelativeHeroes'' in TheDCU, superheroine Allure was enchanted by the god Eryx with mystic pheromones and other powers of persuasion in return for her hand in marriage.

* [[ChurchMilitant Sister]] [[HotBlooded Rosette]] [[CastFromLifespan Christopher]] and [[OurDemonsAreDifferent Chrono]] from ''ChronoCrusade''. [[spoiler:Years before that, [[{{Seers}} Mary]] [[StarCrossedLover Magdalene]] and [[MyGreatestFailure Chrono.]]]]

* Shirou and Saber from ''VisualNovel/FateStayNight''.

A common plot regarding this trope would usually involve the breaking down of the contract--forcing the couple apart-- in order to test the two's strength of their love.

A {{subtrope}} of RescueRomance and MagicallyBindingContract, the contractor and the being they summoned would generally admire the qualities of one and other as they travel through a journey between life and death, gradually till they fall in love. If the contracted being was [[IceQueen originally disgusted]] by the weakness of his/her contractor, then [[DefrostingIceQueen the protagonist would usually gain]] affection of his/her contractee through bravery, his/her inner kindness or other inner qualities.This trope is common in both anime and manga. When this trope is present, expect a lot of action. Why in the world would one summon a guardian unless in grave danger? Note, if the contractor is as powerful as his/her contractee or [[TookALevelInBadass increased his power]] then this trope will usually lead to a ''BattleCouple'' situation.