"Master, were you... hit on the head a lot as a child? Why do you keep poking me with that stick?"
"..."
Kelemen's face twitched as he heard the question and seriously wondered whether he should let Mire know of the emotional pain that question could cause others who lacked his immense self-confidence. After a few seconds of staring profoundly into the sky, he calmly replied, "Impossible. I can match squares, circles, and triangles too. My speed was pretty good you know."
Mire was confused at the response and wondered what squares, circles, or triangles had to do with asking so many questions with obvious answers. However, her hand covered her mouth as she tried suppressing her laugh at how serious Kelemen was when answering her question. Nonetheless, the mysterious stick he received earlier didn't seem to work anymore, or at least it was ineffective on Mire. No matter what he did she wouldn't evolve anymore. Although the duo had been together for only a short time, Kelemen had learned quite a bit about this world from Mire.
In this world monsters and humans existed but so too did a myriad of other races. There also existed a concept known as mana. According to Mire she had heard that some creatures are able to tap into it, and use it to perform world-shattering things. However, her understanding was too shallow to provide much more than that. Mire could also instinctually use mana to perform some light corrosion but it was never that impressive. However, to her surprise, her evolution had skyrocketed her powers and now she could melt through even boulders with ease.
In Mire's perspective, the world they lived in was apparently infinite, or at least she had never seen the end of it. However, she also admitted to never leaving the forest since she was born. She only knew that outside the forest lay untold dangers and secrets. Within the forest Mire had heard of a town called Spiritwood that was in the southern region of the forest in which monsters, humans, elves, and a myriad of other races co-existed in harmony.
Kelemen and Mire had made their way to the town in the south for a lack of a better idea. "Let's try to become adventurers.", said Kelemen. The more he thought it, the more it seemed like a better idea. Adventurers gained all sorts of perks and could receive rewards for carrying out tasks and commissions. Kelemen also secretly thought the key to unlocking more of his system could come from exploring and understanding more about this world and its inhabitants.
…
Kelemen sighed as he looked towards the entrance to the town. The past few days had been grueling as they scavenged for food and struggled to survive. Kelemen often found himself reminiscing about the days he could eat whenever he wanted and the taste of those delicious smooth noodles in a cup that effortlessly slid down in his past life. If not for Mire, Kelemen would have lost his life on multiple occasions. The beasts and monsters of the forest were no joke and only Mire's ability to scare them off with her corrosive slime could convince the predators an easier meal was out there.
However, this experience did teach Kelemen one valuable lesson. People and creatures here followed the law of the jungle. No beast, monster, or other, gave a damn about him as more than food except for Mire and as he made his way through the treacherous forest he couldn't help but be thankful for the presence of Mire.
At last, however, they made it to Spiritwood. The entrance held two guards to either side and formed an arch from twisting trees. As the duo approached they got a clearer view inside and it left them speechless.
An incredible combination of the branches, leaves, and all forms of greenery covered the top while rays of light peaked through the canopies. As the duo entered Spiritwood they couldn't help but marvel at the serene nature and atmosphere surrounding them. Green's surrounded them everywhere and it helped to soothe the tensed nerves and exhaustion Kelemen had from days of being constantly on alert.
Through the grass-covered streets they found themselves surrounded by wooden huts and bridges connecting trees to one another. Although serene, the place didn't lack activity as the streets were filled with vendors and creatures smiling and chatting while passing through. Eventually, Kelemen and Mire made their way into the adventurer's hall as a big medallion with a tree insignia adorned the top of the entrance. Inside the duo found the rowdy nature in stark contrast with the rest of the town.
The two made it to the front counter where they found a bored elf sitting. He was casually tapping his hands on the wooden table as he lazily looked around the room. It was only when Kelemen and Mire stood directly in front of him that he seemed to recognize the presence of the two. "Hm. hello, welcome to the adventurer's guild. how can I help…" His voice trailed off as he actually started snoring and his head crashed for a second before he caught himself. "...you?" The two were speechless as Kelemen inwardly confirmed that elves really were handsome before wondering how he could be so tired when the room seemed ready to conquer a dragon if need be.
Nonetheless Kelemen replied straight on, "Hi, We would like to register as adventurers." At Kelemen's words, the elf sat up a little before curiously staring at him and Mire. "We? You mean to say you aren't that greater slimes pet?" His eyes twinkled as he finished his words. Mire's face turned slightly red, and began fidgeting in place. Kelemen took a second to process it before responding. "Of course not. We're partners first and foremost and if anything she's my familiar so I would be the master." Inwardly, however, Kelemen remembered the past few days in the forest and couldn't help but think he really was a lousy beast tamer.
The elf gave a light chuckle at the words. "Now this is interesting. Okay, I can register you as an adventurer but I'm afraid that I can only register this man here since the greater slime would be an extension of your abilities as a beast tamer." His last words were pointed directly at Mire as he finished speaking. Mire quietly chirped out a "that's okay" as she lost herself in whatever fantasy this elf had invoked with his words. The elf seemed to be enjoying this situation far too much as he livened up considerably from his earlier state. "Alright then here you go. Please fill out this paper and deposit 500 dents.
At the last two words, Kelemen froze. "500...dents?" The elf looked at Kelemen not expecting the surprise in his voice. "Sir, 500 dents is the customary deposit to ensure the quality of the adventurers in our guild." Kelemen had no words to say as he realized what the elf said really did make a lot of sense. How could there be such a thing as a free lunch? "Uh, is it possible to take a loan?" At this, the elf couldn't stop himself anymore and began laughing until tears came out of his eyes. "A master beast tamer that has tamed a greater slime can't afford 500 dents? Ahaha this is a great joke. Please allow me to sincerely thank you for brightening my mood. Most days I just fall asleep on this counter until I can head home, but today I can be quite thankful that I have this job." When Kelemen remained silent, the elf's laughing began to stop as his eyes widened. "It can't be that you're serious right?"
Kelemen could only helplessly nod his head as the elf finally realized that this person really could not afford the 500 dents fee. Instantly the elf showed his years of experience in the business as he put on a big smile and eagerly took the initiative to offer the loan. "Esteemed Sir, rest assured I will personally cover the 500 dents fee in exchange for one favor to me in the future." In the elf's mind, this was a big steal. One could always make money but 500 dents wouldn't be nearly enough to earn the favor of a beast tamer who could tame a greater level being. Today the elf had truly struck gold. Kelemen sighed in relief and said "Deal!". At long last Kelemen finally received a magical bracelet as proof of his adventurer's status and the sound of the system rang in his ears once more.
"Congratulations to the host [Kelemen] for becoming a new [Adventurer] of rank [White]! Giving the host x1 [Beginner's Breathing Technique], x1 [Beginner's Body Strengthening Technique]!"
"Congratulations to the host [Kelemen] for choosing class [Beast Tamer]. Giving the host x1 [Beginner's Guide to Beast Taming]!"
All at once, another flood of information filled Kelemen's head, but the sudden injection of information made him cry out as Mire broke out of her reverie and looked at him in concern. However, it was over as seen as it started and although Kelemen's face was white, he suddenly gained access to an array of knowledge.
The body strengthening technique was an incredible ability that allowed him to utilize mana to break down and strengthen his muscles and cells over repeated use while the breathing technique allowed him to actively take in mana and absorb it into his body to form a mana core which could be used for things like spells and abilities Mire had previously seen.
However, while the first two techniques were indeed incredible, what excited Kelemen the most was the guide to beast taming. It blew away all his previous notions entirely about what beast taming was. In essence, he had thought that all he needed to do was to have an army of creatures under his command that he could use to sic onto his enemies and he would be a bona fide beast tamer. However, as he was discovering, it was so much more.
The relationship between a familiar and master was give and take. Just as the familiar gave its loyalty to its owner, the owner so too gave his loyalty to the familiar. In other words just as Kelemen could cultivate his mana core and body, so too could his familiars. Together the effects would be doubled as a duo could help each other grow at a rapid pace. It was a symbiotic relationship that could lead a beast tamer to become exponentially stronger than his peers but it also came with great risks.
If a beast tamer chose incorrectly or didn't have the full loyalty of their familiars, then the familiars could cripple the owner, just as the owner could also cripple their familiar. It was due to this reason that the elf was shocked to see Mire being the familiar of Kelemen. It's a rare event for a greater being such as Mire to place herself under someone like Kelemen. However, to Mire, this was the understood risk of allowing access to your mana core to someone else.
It was a double-edged sword, however, when Kelemen looked at Mire he couldn't help but put aside his newfound caution. Mire could have crippled him a long time ago and left him for dead. In fact, if it wasn't for her help, Kelemen would have never even made it to Spiritwood, to begin with. Upon the realization of her trust in him, he resolved to return it back twofold. When he thought of how he had tried to beat down Mire in their first meeting, he couldn't help but be ashamed of himself.
With a sigh, he thought, "I have so much to learn."