Renault was showing off his magic as an early riser. He kept boasting about his talents and noble lineage. Suddenly something went past Bowen and hit Renault's head. Renault lost his balance and fell down on his ass with a thud. The group managed to find the culprit, who was a tiny little bird. The bird had orange feathers and a white beak; some of its feathers were starting to turn red. It had a unique violet feather crest on its head and four sharp red eyes, two on each side. Its legs were too short and almost got hidden under its fat belly. That little ball of fur had fallen and started chirping loudly due to collision.
"It's a stylus," said melee.
"Stylus?" other kids asked in confusion.
"That's Right. I have heard my father talk about it. They are one of the fastest-flying birds found on this continent. They may look small and dumb, but did you know that they can share their vision with their master? When they are grown up, they are used for scouting missions."
Renault looked greedily at the bird. But Jago was a step faster, running to catch the bird. Others also started to run behind him. The little bird, scared by the commotion, took a faster flight than before. After 2 minutes, the children lost track of the bird.
"What do we do now?" asked Jago
"I don't want to return empty-handed. I will definitely catch it today" said Renault.
"No, it's not safe, let's return back," said melee.
"Why are you so scared when an awakener is with you?" asked Renault proudly.
"I don't care what you guys do. I am going back" said melee, and she started walking back to their gathering place.
"Bowen, we must also go back. Mother will be angry if she saw us missing" suggested Jago.
"Jago, you go and wait with Meele. Let me try to catch the bird for a little more time." Said Bowen
"Bowen, Are you going to compete with Renault?" Asked Jago
Renault became furious that he had to compete with a lowly commoner kid.
"Bowen, give up; you can never match me" said Renault.
"It's not a competition; I'm just trying my luck. It has nothing to do with you. Whoever catches the bird claims ownership," declared Bowen.
"Is that so? I will make you understand the power of noble blood today." Saying that Renault started to run to his right.
Bowen's enhanced senses had alerted him to the fact that Renault was in the wrong direction, and so he took off in the opposite direction, where he could hear the bird's chirping more clearly. After running for another 5 minutes, he finally found the little fur ball sitting on a low branch. But just as Bowen was about to catch the bird, it took flight again, and the chase began anew. It was like a never-ending game of cat and mouse, with Bowen struggling to keep up and the bird darting left and right, always just out of reach.
Eventually, Bowen grew tired, but he refused to give up. The bird was clearly exhausted as well, but it still managed to evade him at every turn. Finally, it landed on a high tree, just out of reach. Bowen knew he had to act fast if he wanted to catch the bird, but his mana vessel was incomplete, and he couldn't produce a complete mana ball or net. Undeterred, he decided to hit the bird with a clumsy mana cluster instead.
Bowen pointed his hand in the direction of the bird. He started circulating mana from his incomplete vessel to the palm of his hand. A clumsy light blue cluster of mana particles formed which then started traveling towards the bird. The bird became alert, and just when Bowen was expecting a hit the mana ball suddenly slowed down, took a parabolic Arc, and pathetically fell down in front of the tree on which the stylus was sitting. [umm.. ..well, it's the first time after all] telling this Bowen started to prepare for the second hit. But alas this one was no better than the first. Soon it found its place near the first mana cluster. [This time for sure, yup sure] said Bowen and threw to third one. It was worse than other two. Soon fourth fifth sixth mana clusters started pooling before the tree. Some of the earlier ones almost dispersed. The stylus kept seeing Bowen with confused look on its face as if saying "what is this dumb guy doing?" Bowen only had 15% of his mana remaining. [ seems like i should give up] thought Bowen and prepared to return back. He had turned around and taken a few steps, some loud chirping noise of the stylus reached his ears.
Uh.. , what the..? ..this works too? Exclaimed Bowen when he saw the stylus devouring the mana clusters that had yet to vanish. When the last mana cluster was half devoured and half dispersed, there was nothing left for the hungry bird to feed on. It looked Bowen with anticipation in its eyes. Bowen made a mana cluster and threw it just a few feet away from him. The bird was doubtful and hesitant at first, but the allurement of food was so great that it had to take a great risk with its life. Taking things step by step, it finally reached its desired reward. It started gobbling up on the mana cluster faster and faster, if not it would soon disappear like others. Bowen held another mana cluster in his hand and slowly inched towards the bird; the stylus took two steps back. Bowen started talking in a soothing voice, saying, "Don't be afraid. Take this mana ball; it's your favorite, isn't it? It seemed like the bird finally recognized Bowen to be harmless. With great determination it came near Bowen and started eating the mana ball from his hands. Bowen only now got a closer look at the pretty bird. The bird's neck feathers were very little, which proved that the bird was a young one in growing phase.
Ting: side mission triggered -Make your first familiar
The system has recognized the young stylus suitable to become host's familiar. Make a blood contract and become the master of the bird. Place a drop of blood on the forehead of stylus and the system will bind the bird to the host.
Reward: A skill related to familiars will be given randomly.
[Will this bird accept me as it's master?] Thought Bowen
He slowly moved his hand to touch the bird. The bird moved back and started hissing in defiance.
Bowen knew better that only food is not going to be enough to make it as his familiar. He closely observed the bird. [ If this is one of the fastest flying birds why was I able to track it so far? is it because it's still young? or is it hurt?] He felt that the bird's Speed was slow even for a young one.
"System can you tell me if this bird is injured?"
"Sorry I cannot analyze any living or nonliving thing which is not associated with the host. To analyze the bird please contract it to be your familiar first." Bowen already knew the system would be useless when he needed it the most. He thought for a while. Put his hands inside his pockets. He took out a crystal bottle containing a little bit of healing portion which was left over. He poured a few drops on his little hands and lowered them in front of the bird.
The stylus got interested in the transparent green liquid. It made a slow dip of its beak into the portion. Suddenly it seemed invigorated and started fluttering its little feathers Bowen found the bird getting excited over the liquid. He slowly caressed its tiny head making it comfortable. Soon the child and the bird got bonded over a short time. Bowen found that it was the right time to make a blood contract. Soon he pricked his finger and placed a drop of blood and the top of the bird's forehead. The drop of blood disappeared, getting absorbed into the stylus.
***Ting: congratulations to the host for obtaining your first familiar***
Reward: The Art of Felenor- Felenor was a divine immortal who evolved from heaven's beast. He later created a skill that could help Masters and their pets to share their lives with each other. According to the skill the master and the Beast can share their body, soul, senses, emotions and abilities. When practiced The Beast and the master are one soul in two bodies.
Any of the host's pets who practice Art of Felinor can share their body, soul, senses, emotions, and abilities with the host.
"Wow I didn't expect to get this lucky" exclaimed Bowen.
"System, if master and the familiar could share the abilities, Will all my pets obtain all of my abilities?"
"The skills acquired by the host's familiar will completely depend on the character, wishes and ability of the familiar. In turn host can obtain all the innate and acquired skills of the pets."
"What happens if my pet's soul or my soul got injured?"
Any damage to the soul of the master and the pet is shared. The host is advised to undo the blood contract in case there is severe damage to the familiar's soul. Or it will put the life of the host in danger.
"What will happen when one of my familiar dies?"
"Familiars of host cannot die until the host is alive. (ie) vitality of both host and the familiar must become zero. But under the condition of physical body destruction (temporary death) host cannot use the innate and acquired skills of the familiar until it's revived."
"It's really a handy skill. So in future if I get stronger familiars won't I naturally become stronger then. I just have to make contract with many familiars and get their abilities…." bowen was gloating happily.
"At the current level, the number of familiars host can own is 1. Forcefully making contracts with multiple familiars will put pressure on the host's soul." And hence the system poured water on his face.
"You guys never let me take the easy way, do you?"
"Host, please give a suitable name for your familiar." System changed the topic.
"Name huh? Ummm... Let's name it Casper."
Congratulations, host has successfully made a blood contract with the familiar named Casper.
Status of familiar named Casper is as follows
Name - Casper
species -stylus (male, normal beast)
status- weak by birth
strength- 3
agility-10
vitality-1.5
intelligence-4
Innate skills- Quick Dash, Vision share
Acquired skills- nil
Character: lively, cautious, friendly demeanor
Loyalty: 20%
"Was he abandoned by his mother due to his weakness? Anyway, don't worry birdie. I will make you the strongest Bird of your race" said Bowen to his new companion. The bird seemed to have understood Bowen and chirped happily.