What I expected to be another day of him just observing me, turned into a day of him commanding me to do menial work. I guess he decided to be absolutely blunt with me.
He didn't even bother questioning why my tail was essentially a prehensile tentacle, as I ended up mopping up using it to mop the floor, after seeing the so called mana crystals drip and melt all over the wooden floor.
With full arrogance, he introduced me to every menial task, treating me as a maid of sorts. Cleaning the study, preparing the bath, the bastard even gave me a cookbook, testing the limits of my abilities.
My entire body was still feeling pretty raw from expelling the so-called mana crystals yesterday, now I am a full time housekeeper…
I am sad.
As I went through his bucket list of hoops and hurdles, I noticed that he was actually going to stay for the night.
"Why are you sleeping here now?"
"I merely left in order to have you familiarize yourself, as per instructed from the beast trainer."
"Oh."
Great, now fixing the bed is gonna be a part of the damn list. Welp, I didn't expect to miss solitude. Also… Beast Trainer… Not that anything boded well for me.
-
As the morning hit, Renard quietly dressed himself, and then called me over.
"You shall now accompany me in my daily activities from now on."
"Ok."
"Also, species what are you?"
"I dunno, I guess a cat?"
Honestly I don't know what to call myself other than that… well besides a shapeshifter of sorts… But really what was I?
"Anything specific?"
"I am not usually anything specific, other than a cat I guess…"
As the conversation died, we left the building.
-
There was a cold breeze, as the trees swayed in the wind. It was an insanely well kept pavilion, that I only glanced from the windows.
As we made our way to the giant ancient buildings over yonder, I couldn't help but notice the ever increasing cold shoulder this Renard fellow gave off to the world.
He seemed like an unapproachable mountain, as anyone cheery actively avoided his path.
It unsettled me, so I felt the urge to check up on him, much like he had done so for me.
So so did what I assumed a cat did, and climbed on top of him.
He only spared me a glance, as I perched on his shoulder. No wait, did birds do the shoulder sit thing?
No it's fine, nothing was said….
-
Boredom.
I basically had to sit through the Renard fellow being physically whipped into shape, among the chatter regarding nobility and knight honor.
Then there was the lecture hall.
I could only grumble, as I looked at a rather wide fellow spout on and on about nobility. Each student seemed as physically fit as Renard, though I do note that I'm the only familiar in attendance.
"Take notes," Renard prodded me with a pencil.
He actually seemed surprised that I grabbed it with my tendril for a tail, and started jotting down what the lecturer said word for word.
Well he knew that I could read, and he even ordered me to take notes, why is he still surprised?
I could feel his eyes on the back of my head the entire lecture.
-
Besides ever expanding responsibilities,
I just couldn't help but see how cold and disdainful seemed whilst out in public. It feels like he is trying to be artificially imposing, I guess a quirk of a knight?
Though the affair we had only cemented the fact that escape was not viable, each teacher was unfathomable, and besides the faraway walls that surrounded the academy.
On the way home, we bumped into the round glasses guy, and got invited to his abode.
The scene beyond me shocked me.
It was a snake basically making bedding out of the magic tomes, and resting in it.
"How's the magic infusing…" Renard relaxed into a smooth voice.
I started snapping at the snake, as I tried to scavenge the mess. It took me a good minute to hoard up the books.
They both looked at me blankly.
"What are you doing?" Renard asked point blank.
"Protecting the books"
"Those old things are duke a dozen, and straight from the dump" The round glasses bastard shimmied up to me.
He started poking at me apprehensively, but then just excitedly started poking at my face.
"Hoh I heard that you already formed a will!!"
Renard rolled his eyes.
"Yes, he could vocalize after all, I was a fool for following the regular taming methods."
Taming?
"So how did his induction with the magic residue go?"
"He sweated mana crystals"
Magical residue? That wasn't for reading, but rather to be near magic? He wasn't testing my reading abilities? Was I not supposed to follow the old books?
"The book says jack on that element wise…"
"Eh I'll make him figures it out"
"What do you mean?"
Renard looked at me, as he handed me two new books. One prefaced "Bonding with your familiars", and another "Tasks for familiar training."
"My servant is both literate, and fully competent, why not make him take care of the task?"
"Literate…" Roundglasses peered at me with envy.
-
As we headed back home, I couldn't help asking about the old tomes…
"They seem like perfectly good books, why are they garbage?"
"Hm? Simple, their mana signature got scrambled, they are ruined."
"Oh."
That sentence almost didn't make sense… I guess mana is the blue mist, which is connected to the writing…
"That reminds me… take out the garbage today. Including those books"
Oh. That explains… Everything.
It wasn't that I couldn't understand it, but rather it was all literal gibberish anyway. I guess I should've figured that out, given how there was no pattern in the text.
I suppose anything of value wouldn't be so poorly kept. As I added the broken tomes to the garbage I gripped tightly to the anatomy book.
The blue mist… Mana…
I casually slid it under the bed, as I took the bag to the communal bin outback as per instructed.
-
My bones ached as I woke up the next morning. I felt like a full on janitor, and now I had to try to cook.
Another thing on Renard's list of menial chores…
I twisted over my egregiously adaptable tail, as I used it to hold the big ol red recipe book.
Well… I don't have opposable thumbs in this form…
As I looked at all the cooking wares, and pondered if Renard would care if I subtly gave myself a few hand joints. Well it'd mostly be meaty hands, it's exhausting to reform bone…
Lost in thought, I accidentally exploded the egg with my tendril tail thing, it can casually be a vice grip apparently.
What even am I? My true form turned out to look like a cat, but am I a cat? I already knew the answer, but that didn't exactly give me clues to the truth.
I've tried all the animals, yet none of them really fit like a human. But this cat-like form is simply the true me. I didn't even know I had a true form…
I feel unsettled, as I twisted my back tendril in unnatural ways..
After cracking a few more eggs, and toasting some bread n' butter, I finally made some passable meals. With actual cookware, it was far better than the crap I usually scavenged in the past.
Hoh, I have barely eaten since I've come here, I guess the stress never wore off…
Welp time to wash up.
As I turned back around, I realized the plates were being devoured by the knight bastard.
My hard work… Wait, did he also finish my portion?!
"Impressive" The bastard mused.
I guess I'll make another dish for myself…
Then there was the laundry. I had no idea on how to use the funny metal boxes that seemed to be called washing machines, so I ended up hand… er… tail washing them, and then making a makeshift clothesline.
I am not sure how he even lived in such a destitute style, when he had all these fancy gizmos that made life easier, I felt rather envious.
I couldn't even get constant running water at my hideout, I at best could breathe easy at a motel…
I found peace with menial tasks…
-
On one of the daily outings to his class, we came up with something that instead related to me. I could tell because we mingled into the original crowd during the strange pet selection ceremony.
Round glasses were obviously there, he held his Snake familiar, with the creature seeming rather absent minded.
It was a coliseum looking place, with the bold letters "Familiar Training Facility" plastered on the side. Truly a subtle building.
As we came up to the supposed trainers, he had a syringe on hand
"Ah Renard, I suppose it's time." The brutish fellow bowed
"I don't see a brand of loyalty on this little fella, whatcha doing here" A rugged man examined me.
"I've come here for a new familiar actually, I have decided to have him perform other tasks"
"Hm… I don't take you for the sentimental type, are you perhaps going to have him be a scout class?"
"That among other tasks"
"Hoh lucky lil' guy"
Lucky? A scout? Am I going to go camping or something? Or am I just a full time maid?
"Change his permissions, he's already naturally docile"
"If you say so…"
The beastly looking fellow merely swiped his hand, and then a mark of a pair of wings softly appeared on my right side like a tattoo.
It was strange… It felt like it was always there, but instead was changed into something visible. It's the oath…
Well I didn't feel different at least.
"Please fill out this form, to apply to scout training."
"Next"
"Ah it's Mirtz…" The instructor sized up round glasses.
-
As Renard cut through the crowd, with me running shotgun on his shoulder, he found front row seats to the arena.
The crowd in the arena before us were chanting, as they lined their familiars up into formation.
"What is happening?" I voiced out.
"Combat class familiar awakening ceremony" Renard grumbled, as he flipped through the paperwork.
My attention was then drawn to the paperwork Renard was filling in front of me.
GENERAL INFORMATION FORM
Id: TC6790
Name: -
Heritage: Manticore
Class: Combat -> Scout
Description:
….
I couldn't help but ask
"What is this exactly"
"Class training change form"
"I know that much, but what does any of this entail?"
Renard pointed at the gathering in the arena. "That's the combat class you will no longer be attending."
Then he pointed towards a group of familiars in the bleachers. "That's the scout class you will be attending"
"What will we be doing?"
"You just need to obey," Renard focused back on the paperwork.
It felt like a ritual was brewing in the middle of the arena. Then it suddenly kicked off.
"This bond will be named Satel" a kid exclaimed holding a gecko.
Then the lizard was chained onto an altar looking podium, then injected with something.
The lizard started shuddering. I could see that it's entire being was in pain, as it started rapidly developing. As it started thrashing around, there was the glow of what seemed to be the oath stopping it from suicidally breaking the chains.
Then it suddenly bursted into a puff of red and blue mist.
"Holy hell it popped!" A attendee shouted.
"It always starts with trash" Renard mumbled, as I felt chills down my spine.
That was the ceremony for combat class?!
"Next." They systematically said, much like it was just a check up.
A wave of fear came over me, as I realized I was supposed to be in the crowd. No, I could just end up there but in a different group.
I focused on the paperwork pertaining to my future, as I contemplated possible escape routes. But the mark on my side reminded me why I haven't yet…
The arena glistened with red and blue, as each creature was tested, many more faced a terrible fate, and the few that survived… changed.
They became bigger, larger, and far more fearsome looking.
"Next."
Mirtz the round glasses guy carried the sleepy looking snake up to the podium.
"This bond shall be named Ace"
Renard blinked at the terrible name given to the snake, and looked back at me. That was totally a dog's name…
Then he smirked, as if he let his thoughts run free whilst filling out paperwork.
Name: Spades
Great, now I officially have a pet name for this form…
As he flipped through the pages, I could only look on.
Training type: Standard [] - Agency [] - Self Service [] - Other (Please Specify) []
"Training type?" I focused on the paperwork.
"M? Oh it's the regime you'll go through in order to become a better servant." Renard was blunt.
That barely answered any questions, but I figured that if I was going to risk my life, it's going to be on my terms.
"Let's do self service" I chimed in.
"Self service is for beast masters personally training their familiar, I don't really know or care to train you…" Renard then stopped mid sentence.
He then focused on me.
"Actually… with your competence…" Renard pondered.
"I want to go out on my terms" I said stoically.
I may not be able to escape all this, given my helplessness, but I didn't want to be chained down in front of an audience. That's what self service was right? We did this privately?
I could only wince, as I witnessed the snake's terrible transformation. The chains rattled, as the danger noodle clenched into the chains, as its oath tried to suppress its maddening development.
Soon it transformed into a long jet black hulking monstrosity, resembling a full on black mamba python.
Mirtz was beady as ever, happy with his familiar's success. You could tell that he was beginning to plot with his new found ally.
Self service[x]
Renard looked at me with newfound confidence, as he went with my ignorant claim.
So we sat through the entire ceremony process, as creatures graduated true familiars, or just life.
-
A week passed, as things were in full swing. A whole bunch of mundane housework, amongst mindless servitude, until Renard got some mail.
A giant book of curriculum.
"Take care of it" Richard merely motioned, as he handed me a thick book.
As I read through the guidelines of the scout course, I got a thorough outline of what is to be done. Well it was supposed to be aimed at the handler, rather than the familiar, but one of the same for me I guess…
Every week, I am supposed to accomplish a certain learning goal, and there's a general examination every month, to ensure all familiars are on track to their respective roles.
It didn't matter which route I went in first, just suggestions on what should be done when. The outline just stated that I was required to show that the familiar - well me - was able to demonstrate all skills.
The biggest encompassing section was obedience training, which I immediately disregarded, and looked at the more niche sections.
Renard seemed more than happy with my performance, it's probably fine…
-
Holy hell, there's so much on just obedience, it's absolutely ridiculous.
One thing that caught my eye was telepathy. Delving deeper, it seemed that one had to reinforce the oath's brand, reeling the familiar in deeper control, alongside sharing the observation of the familiar.
Another section was about vitality sharing, apparently I could share my mana reserves to the host… mana… a strange blue energy thing.
I thought back to the blue mist. That must've been mana, given the purpose of the old tomes… sharing it doesn't seem beneficial to me.
Nope, nope, and big nope. Well I didn't think this book had anything that really aligned to my interest, but dammit.
What did I expect though?
Well there were references to other materials, especially regarding abilities like innate tracking and telepathy. It seemed I had to go to the library for further reference material.
Stupid book only goes in-depth about obedience.
"I require the supporting materials for this book apparently, can we go pick them up?"
"Get it yourself" Renard said, whilst munching down the stack of pancakes I prepared for this morning.
Honestly it's insane how much food he eats.
He then promptly tossed a necklace at me. It was apparently a lanyard with a library card, as it now dangled around my neck.
So… I am just expected to go.
By myself.
Well this is new.
-
Honestly I haven't really looked too deeply into this place.
Besides the towering walls in the distance, Renards bourgeois cottage life, and the lecture halls, there wasn't much exploration done.
Besides just one of the tower buildings that stretch out compromising knight training classes, the rest were unfamiliar to me.
"Schuer's Hall" I read the name on the building Renard would attend.
That really doesn't really help me, who is Schuer? As I walked past, I decided to venture opposite to the familiar training arena. I still shivered at how nonchalant the entire life changing process was for those poor folks, I just hope I'll survive the chopping block.
Or was that a combat class thing? I strangely wasn't asked to take whatever they had yet…
As I came across the plaza, it was a rather wonderful scene. What I can only be students of all sorts idled around, or were heading off into various directions, whilst random animals scuttled around. Jaguars, crickets, a porcupine, even a few ducks waddled around carrying various items.
I guess I'll end up being a courier, seeing how the chore list slowly evolved…
Quartz hall, Nilley's Alchemy Tower…Bulret's uh… Bleh bleh… hmmm…
Finally one of the towering structures was something useful, Arkan's library. I waltzed into the open entrance, and was immediately stopped by a librarian.
"ID?"
I shook the lanyard, it should work right?
"... A knight's pet here?" She raised an eyebrow.
"How useless, how useless" A owl echoed.
"Uh I am here for uh telepathy and tracker things…"
"For? For?" The owl motioned, as the lady became very disinterested, and vanished from sight.
"Uh to learn how to do it?"
"Pointless! Pointless!"
Was this an owl, or a parrot?
"So I can't get the books?"
"Only one for each Duchy representative! Only one!"
The owl forged a completely different looking library card, and flipped it at me.
"Go! Go!"
Ok then… I guess i'll got for telepathy first then? I'll get the other reference books as I need them.
-
Books.
There were alot of books.
Aisles among aisles, it felt as if I stepped into a completely different world. It was filled with fancy looking books, and funny looking rock people seemed to be upkeep the place.
T… T… T… Section T was rather far back.
T.. Talismans… Telepathy!
Telepathy Section
The global access phenomena - 2nd edition.
A fledgling's first communication spell.
Thurgood's outlines on networking
Mental spellweaving - the difference between…
The rest had blank titles…
My eyes crossed as I looked down the aisle. There was just a lot of everything. I picked a random one, and opened it in interest.
… An absolutely blank page.
I opened another, and it was also totally blank.
Mmm… I see… I guess it was like the old illegible tomes, just with no complementary physical script? Do I have to burn my eyes again, just to see the blue misty thing called mana?
I guess so.
As I recalled the anatomy shown in the old manuscript back at home base, I reformed my eyes into strange eyes… What do I even call this really? I guess I'll call it mana eyes, because it's meant to be used with mana?
As I forced this change, I felt my left eye start crying.
Text layered on text, as I focused, I picked out various words and images embedded into the book. It shifted and swirled, as if the words were unanchored. It was legitimate writing, and there were images, but it was like a stew.
I checked out the other books, the titles for all of them becoming mostly readable.I became burnt out, and swapped to my right eye.
One book really caught my eye. No I meant literally.
Theo's guide to mana utilization for psychics. It went over the innate talent of psychic's in mana flowing, and how to apply that in order to inscribe and describe runic language… Bleh bleh bleh…
What I understood, is that I needed to flow my own mana into the book, in order to flip through its "other dimension".
My own mana… The absolutely dilapidated organs that flew mana through it… Those lasted exactly one minute, before croaking itself, and leaving me with blue sludge in my system…
Ugh. I grabbed - The comprehensive beginner's guide to telepathy - 4th edition - and made my way out of the section.
Hm…
M… Mana…
The mana section was its own building in size. Straight up there were sections within sections. Mana utilization, mana crystals, mana - the meaning of a mage, mana… etc etc etc.
Of course most of the books were blank… Titles and all…
I rolled my eyes at all this. Then winced as the damage from mana eyes were still healing.
Great, how am I supposed to read any of this anyway?
In my depression of the harrowing task that will befall me in order to read the damn telepathy book, I mindlessly looked through the few books with physical titles.
How to focus mana - 5th edition. Blank
Maxwell's basic theory on mana. Blank
Fargo's mastery of spellcasting - 2nd edition. Blank.
Safe containment of mana in a laboratory setting. Not blank.
How to craft mana thread… Bla-
Wait, one of them wasn't blank!
Out of curiosity, I flipped through the rather old slim book.
HOW TO CONTAIN MANA IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT -
*Flip*
TABLE OF CONTENTS -
2… MANA CRYSTALLIZATION
6… COMPRESSION
18… ALLOYING MANA WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
29… MAGNETISM
32…REFERENCES
*Flip*
Oh, It's all weirdly spaced garbage text… I don't have the energy transform anymore…
Tch. It's getting late anyway.
As I strolled up to the Owl, it just materialized a blue hand, and stamped the new library card it handed it to me. Whatever… I guess I'll stick it in the lanyard behind the other card.
Time to head back.
-