Kael watched intently as Remy absorbed the crystal. It was a mesmerizing sight. The faint glow within the crystal slowly began to fade, the once bright light dimming until it vanished completely, leaving behind a dull, lifeless stone that crumbled into dust between Remy's small paws. The moment the crystal disintegrated, Remy remained perfectly still, his tiny body locked in meditation.
Kael's breath caught in his throat. A mixture of worry and anticipation tightened in his chest.
'What's happening to him?'
He thought, his mind racing with the possibilities. His gaze was locked on his familiar, searching for any sign of change. The silence in the cave seemed to stretch on forever, and Kael found himself leaning forward, eyes unblinking.
And then, just as suddenly as the tension had built, Remy's entire body began to glow. The soft light bathed the small rat in a warm, almost divine aura, but as quickly as it appeared, it disappeared, leaving Remy looking the same as before.
Before Kael could process what he'd just seen, a sudden notification echoed in his mind.
"Familiar 'Remy' has undergone an upgrade."
"Upgrade?"
Kael muttered, confused at first. What exactly did that mean? He searched his memories for anything that might explain it.
Then, it clicked. He remembered a day back at the orphanage, sneaking into one of the lessons meant for the chosen children. Kael had never been one of them, but that didn't stop him from trying to learn what he could. And what he had overheard now began flooding back into his mind.
It had been nearly 100 years since the blue planet was invaded by monsters. The invasion had brought humanity to its knees, wiping out nearly 80% of the population. The humans, powerless before the monstrous horde, faced almost extinction when suddenly a strange energy enveloped the entire world.
That energy changed everything.
Humans had begun to develop what was now known as 'origin roots,' unlocking powers that allowed them to stand against the invaders. The animal inhabitants also developed 'origin crystals' that evolved them in unimaginable ways.
Kael remembered hearing that absorbing these crystals could significantly enhance one's strength and hasten growth. The ranks of power were divided into several levels, which Kael vaguely recalled: warrior, elite, epic, master, and grandmaster. The ranks were further broken down into stages: low, intermediate, and advanced.
As one progressed through these stages, the chances of upgrading to the next rank increased.
"Ranks... I remember the first five... but what were the others?"
Kael's brow furrowed as he tried to dig deeper into his memory but he couldn't remember so he quickly moved on.
"But what about Remy? Will he now develop his own origin crystal? What rank has he reached?"
Kael's curiosity was burning, and as if responding to his need for answers, information suddenly filled his mind, sent through the familiar contract.
Name: Remy
Species: Sewer Rat
Rank: Warrior [Low Rank]
Rank limit: Warrior [Advanced Rank]
Skills: Stealth lvl 1, Poison Resistance lvl 1, Bite lvl 1, Scratch lvl 1
Kael's eyes widened, and a broad smile spread across his face.
Remy succeeded!
The little rat had officially reached Warrior Low Rank! Kael couldn't contain his excitement, and he nearly shouted in exhilaration, his voice echoing off the cave walls.
"Well done, Remy!" he exclaimed, feeling an overwhelming sense of pride in his familiar.
"Hm? But it seems that Remy can only reach up to Warrior [Advanced Rank]... Well, it doesn't matter!"
I'll support him all the way!
Even knowing Remy had a limit didn't dull Kael's excitement. Remy had succeeded! His familiar had grown stronger!
Remy, however, didn't appear much different. Kael squinted at the small creature, taking in every detail. While the rat was still the same size, something about him seemed… shinier, cleaner. The dull grime that had previously clung to his fur was gone, replaced by a sleek, almost polished look.
"Did the upgrade come with a free wash?"
Kael muttered, half-joking, his smile never fading.
Just then, Remy finished his meditation, his eyes snapping open. His small frame darted forward, leaping into Kael's arms with newfound energy. He squeaked happily, nuzzling against Kael's chest as if to share in the joy of his advancement.
Kael chuckled, wrapping his arms around the tiny creature.
"Congratulations bud. You deserve it."
Remy gave a few excited chirps, his whiskers twitching as he wriggled with excitement. He had come so far from the sewer rat Kael had first encountered, and now he was officially a Low ranked Warrior. It was a monumental step forward, and Kael couldn't help but feel like this moment called for something special.
"This calls for a celebration, don't you think?" Kael grinned, holding Remy up so they were eye to eye.
Remy responded with an eager squeak, nodding furiously. With a lighter heart, Kael prepared the rabbit that was almost forgotten. It wasn't much, but it was a huge step forward, and with Remy growing stronger, they had already come so far.
Kael thought back on how he caught the rabbit, the small victory that had given him hope, and now Remy's upgrade—each step felt like progress. He knew that there were dangers ahead, that the wilderness held threats far beyond his understanding, but for the first time since leaving the orphanage, he didn't feel completely helpless.
With Remy by his side, he had more than just a chance to survive— he had gained a dependable family.
And that, Kael realized, was worth more than any origin crystal.