"I was wondering what was taking you so long to summon me, nya."
Hotaka lowered the book at the sight of a person's shadow.
Standing before him, was the back of a young boy with strawberry blonde hair, with a matching pair of striped cat ears and a tail.
Hotaka blinked. A beastman? Or beast boy in this sense...
The boy turned his head slightly to glance back at him. His face bore a striking resemblance to Hotaka, save for his hair and feline-like chartreuse eyes.
"Well? Don't just stand there, nya! Beef me up with those exp points! I acquired quite a lot from slaying just nya didn't I?"
"Huh? O-oh, right."
Hotaka blinked as he pulled up his screen and brought up the stats page for his ward.
[Hikaru
Age: 15
Race: Beastman (Catkin(*)
Class: Ninja Mage.
Relationship: The ward of Hotaka Subaru Hopson
Lvl 1
[Level One? Didn't the notifications say he leveled up?!]
Mp: ???
Hp: ???
Dex: ???
Int: ???
Spd: 200
[Traits: Badass]
[Beastman*: One of the five races of Haven, there are two types of beastman. The offspring of experimented humans or those cursed with temporary fits. Most are incapable of using magic but have been blessed with strength. In terms of physical strength, beastmen are known to be the strongest race.]
[Catkin: A race of beastman that is known for their speed]
[Tigerkin*: (*) A type of tiger beastman that integrated with powerful human genes, thus not only making the catkin look more like a human but blessing them with the ability to use magic as well.]
[Ninja: A type of class that specializes, in speed, stealth and skilled handling in a variety of weapons.]
[Badass: These characters have a higher chance of pulling off risky strategies and surviving somehow. (Thanks to high Luck, Int, Str and beastman traits)
[Would you like to allocate all the exp gathered to Hikaru?]
"Hi-kar-u?" Hotaka's brows furrowed. That name was familiar… of course "That's not right... Hikaru is a cat! How can you-"
The catkin saluted. "Sup cuz."
"Cuz?" Recalling Katashi's note, Hotaka held his head in confusion. "How is this possible?!"
"Well, I suppose the hierarchy would make me more like your grandcousin? Wait, no Uncle right? Nyeheh! But seriously though are you going to gimme those points or what? Are you waiting for the thing to regenerate?" Hikaru turned his gaze back to the creature in front of him whom arms were quickly bubbling up.
Hikaru lifted both his arms where a pair of bagh nakh (claw weapons) were attached and shifted into a defensive stance as Takai-san's arms completely regenerated.
"Urgh…."
"!" Hotaka quickly allocated the points to Hikaru and the boy's body glowed with light.
"Nyeeeeeeeheheheheh!"
The battle was over in an instant. Takai-san and Hikaru both lunged at each other. It's just Takai-san was just a bit too slow. All Hotaka saw was the filleted pieces of Takai-san dropping to the floor.
"Don't just sit there! Go do your thing now, Nyah!"
He didn't see his self pro-claimed cousin/Uncle only heard his voice.
DingDingDingDing-
Looks like he went outside to finish off the evil spirits. A swarm of the undead were surging towards their plot of land like a tsunami. The extra exp constantly deposited made Hotaka-kun deposit the points to himself. His body glowed with light, the pain and shallow breathing disappeared. He was fine now.
Hotaka hurried over to the piano only to slow down as he made his way up the short steps. He had played alongside Grand Kat many times here, less times than the gaming room so why was it so hard to approach? Lifting back the hood, he stroked his hands over the black and white piano, its keys looked glossy underneath the moonlight. His mind became blank.
What should he even play?
["Anytime, now nya!"]
Hikaru seemed to be in trouble.
Hotaka played a tune, it sounded somber, but upon recalling the memories of his Grand Uncle Katashi, Hotaka sadly smiled.
Grand Kat,
(Are you doing well? It seems so. )
The somber-sounding tune slowly ascended into one of cheerful reminisce.
(You gave us all quite the scare. I had no idea that all this time… no. I don't really know what you were thinking but I'm still happy for you nonetheless. I hope you're doing well. I hope we'll be able to see each other again. Otherwise why did you bring me here? I still don't quite understand it… but. . .)
Tears streamed down Hotaka's cheeks as the tune picked up.
(I'm glad. Despite me nearly dying just now. I'm glad to know there's a possibility you are still of this world!)
Unbeknownst to Hikaru, the piano had glowed a brilliant cyan blue, the moon returned to white, the glow accompanied the sound of the piano, it flooded the halls, spilling out the broken windows and over into the courtyard. Like tiny little hands, the sound carefully caressed all the evil spirits' Hikaru was in the midst of fending off. The evil spirits became still as if listening, their faces contorted into one of serenity, seconds before dissipating into white beads of light and ascending into the sky.