Saberi listened to Ethan's question and smiled mysteriously. "Of course, if you want to tame a yellow-headed eagle, I might not be able to help, but getting it within 50 meters? That's easy!"
Ethan was overjoyed and quickly asked, "How do we do that?"
Saberi pointed to the lookout tower on the main mast and said, "Just hang a few fish up there. To be honest, I once tried to catch a yellow-headed eagle myself. They're very cunning. If you set a trap, they'll recognize it. But if you just hang some fish, they won't hesitate."
"Really?" Ethan was even more excited to learn these eagles could spot traps.
"Absolutely!" Saberi confirmed.
He then instructed a sailor to climb up the main mast with some fish and hang them in the lookout. The sailor quickly complied and left the fish hanging.
"Luckily, we're on a ship with plenty of fish, or I wouldn't let you waste food like this on those eagles," Saberi joked.
Ethan knew Saberi was skeptical but still thanked him repeatedly before heading to the top deck at the stern.
"This spot is about 40 meters from where the fish are hung. As long as the eagle comes, it won't escape," Ethan estimated.
He thought he'd have to wait since the eagle had just caught a fish, but to his surprise, it soon flew from the cliff, spotting the hanging fish and making a beeline for the ship.
However, it didn't land immediately. The eagle circled in the sky, ensuring there was no danger before slowly descending towards the fish. Just as its claws were about to grasp the fish, Ethan's falconry skill activated. He quickly raised his right hand, and a red light shot from his fingers, forming a small eagle that struck the yellow-headed eagle. The eagle went rigid and fell from the sky, its momentum carrying it in an arc before splashing into the sea.
Ethan was shocked. He rushed to the ship's edge, quickly shedding his longsword before diving into the water to save the eagle. As he plunged, the eagle, now enveloped in a faint red glow, shot out of the water with a screech, narrowly missing Ethan as it soared past.
For a moment, their eyes met, and time seemed to stand still. "Damn it! I was too hasty..."
Splash!
After some struggle, Ethan climbed back on board. Fortunately, the ship's speed was slow, and he was pulled up with a long rope. Otherwise, who knows what could have happened?
Once on deck, he saw the yellow-headed eagle perched on the railing, blinking at him as if to say, "Hey, you tricked me, so I tricked you. We're even now, and we can be friends from now on." It then spread its wings and began circling Ethan, flying in loops around him.
Ethan laughed heartily. Despite the scare, the outcome was good. The surrounding crew members quickly gathered.
Saberi rushed forward, holding Ethan's face in disbelief. "My God, Ethan! How did you do that? You must teach me! Please!"
"Yes, Lord Ethan, teach me too!"
"Please!"
"Begging you!"
Faced with their pleas, Ethan was exasperated. He wanted to examine the eagle but had to crush their hopes first.
"If you awaken your force and reach the gold level, then you can learn."
Their enthusiasm was instantly doused.
"Damn, if I had the skill of a gold-level knight, why would I need this bird?"
"Forget gold-level; we can't even awaken force!"
"Alright, let's get back to work!"
Most dispersed, but a few lingered, wanting to touch the eagle. Ethan firmly held the bird, grabbed his sword, and rushed to his cabin.
Angelina and Lili were chatting inside. Being the only two women on the ship, they had become friends and often spent time together. Seeing Ethan soaking wet with an eagle in his arms, they were startled.
"Ethan! What happened to you?"
Ethan placed the eagle on the table, grinning. "Caught a treasure. With it, we'll be much safer." He then took a quick bath and changed into dry clothes before explaining everything.
As he spoke, he noticed the eagle becoming restless. Several times it tried to fly out the window but was stopped by Ethan. Sensing something was wrong, he focused on the eagle, now connected to him. Through their bond, he learned the eagle was anxious about leaving its mate behind as the ship moved away from its nest.
"I understand," Ethan said to the eagle. "Go get her. From now on, you both will follow me. I'll grant you extraordinary power."
The eagle nodded like a human, screeched, and flew out the window. Angelina and Lili watched in disbelief, their mouths agape as if they'd seen a ghost. Ethan, meanwhile, went to the deck to wait for the eagle's return. Now he had time to check his status.
One look and he was shocked: "Taming an eagle costs 100 force?"
"I'm doomed!"
He had a total of 592 force. Losing 100 left him with 492. If he tamed another, he'd be down to 392.
"No way! I can't tame the other one yet. I need enough force to protect myself!"
"Sorry, my feathered friend, I'll have to break my promise. For now, at least. Hope you understand."
Ethan frowned at this realization. But then he noticed a new panel under the falconry skill: [Yellow-headed Eagle]
Your trustworthy companion will never betray you!
Silver Tier 4 Extraordinary Eagle, slowly progressing!
Skills: [Screech], [Thick Skin], [Fury], [Regeneration], [Endurance]
Seeing this, Ethan's frown turned into a smile. Just then, a loud screech drew his attention. In the sky, two black silhouettes approached, and his smile faded.
"How do I explain this?"
As he pondered, one eagle landed on his shoulder, thankfully padded with leather armor. The other, however, refused to land, circling and screeching incessantly before finally perching atop the mast, watching Ethan and its mate.
The eagle on Ethan's shoulder made a gesture he'd never forget. It extended a wing, beckoning its mate to join them.