puppyfan9000
This has been bothering me for a while, so I thought I'd finally make a post about it.
During the contract flashback from Ciel's point of view, we see Sebastian make three general suggestions to Ciel (featuring a very malicious grin) for his wish before Ciel mentions reviving the dead.
I couldn't help but be reminded of earlier in the arc, when Sebastian said this about "shackling" a heart:
So, based off of this, it would seem that his second suggestion about obtaining the love of a partner was actually not possible. It would reason then, based off of what winds up happening in this scene combined with the general ludicrous nature of the other two suggestions made by Sebastian, that none of these things proffered by him are truly possible. This would then make this entire thing akin to a trap that Sebastian had laid for Ciel.
Ciel is smart enough to have been paying attention to what Sebastian said earlier and noticed. He lays his own "trap" for Sebastian by bringing up reviving the dead, already knowing the true answer, just to see what Sebastian would do then.
But one thing I can't get over is when Ciel mentions reviving the dead, there's that small panel where Sebastian seems disappointed before recovering and playing along, which is not actually in line with the concept of a hungry demon laying a trap for his meal. Once Ciel calls him out, the demon is very clearly impressed and pleased.
I think it would be fair then to interpret Sebastian as having actually tested (rather than attempted to trap) Ciel in this moment by making these impossible suggestions, to see what he would then do. He was morbidly delighted when Ciel passed this test and the remainder of the scene plays out following the chess game metaphor that's provided.
I would imagine most of Sebastian's potential contractees would have immediately failed this test and their souls very swiftly "claimed" by him. This is corroborated earlier in the arc as well, by Othello when the pair encounter him in Bath. It would seem dealings with demons are typically quite short!
By fielding Sebastian's test, Ciel succeeds in obtaining a true contract with a demon and Sebastian receives possibly his first ever challenge. Perhaps no one else has ever challenged this particular demon so greatly.
the-secret-third-thing
I thought you were going to bring up the fact that these are essentially the same 3 things Sebastian also tempted Ciel with when we saw him attempt to end the contract early during hus cinematic record.
A position of power, love and wealth. Probably the main 3 basic, boring things Sebastian has been used to people wanting whenever they ask for his aid.
So technically, Ciel passed the same test twice.
His obsession absolutely solidified ever since; Sebastian's first worthy prey. Perhaps worthy enough to keep? To have and to hold forever?
