Chapter 12: Ember's Introduction
The next morning, Reyn woke with Ember curled up beside him, the tiny, rainbow-flamed kitten already feeling like a longtime companion. Smiling, he gently scratched Ember behind the ears. Today, he'd introduce Ember to his parents before heading off to the academy.
As they entered the kitchen together, Ember trotted at Reyn's heels, tail alight with soft, multicolored flames. His mother, mid-way through preparing breakfast, looked up—and her face lit up instantly.
"Oh, Reyn! Is this your familiar?" she exclaimed, setting down her spoon and hurrying over. Kneeling, she held out her hands, and Ember, sensing her warmth, hopped right into her arms. "Just look at this little one! How adorable!"
Reyn chuckled, feeling warmth spread in his chest as his mother stroked Ember's soft fur. "Yeah, he finally hatched last night. I named him Ember."
"Ember is perfect," his mother agreed, smiling at the tiny flames flickering from the kitten's tail, captivated by their unique rainbow hues.
His father entered the room, eyeing Ember with a mixture of surprise and pride. "So, he finally hatched. Looks like a strong familiar. You should make a proper familiar contract with him, Reyn," he advised, giving Reyn a steady nod. "And those flames…" He leaned in closer to observe. "They might do more than just help with forging—they could purify metal, burn away impurities. Imagine what that could do for your craft."
Reyn's thoughts raced at the idea. Purifying metal, removing the smallest of impurities before forging—that alone could elevate his work to another level. And if Ember's flames could combine metals seamlessly, he might even be able to work with materials others could only dream of using. His father was right; the possibilities were endless.
But forming a contract was essential to harnessing Ember's unique abilities fully. Reyn nodded, determination growing within him. "I'll study how to make the contract today, and I'll make sure we're bonded properly."
He knew Ember couldn't come with him to the academy until the contract was made. After a final pet from his mother and a few words from his father, Reyn left Ember behind, promising to return as soon as he could to form the bond.
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That day, Reyn's mind was preoccupied with the thought of the familiar contract, studying in the academy library to learn as much as he could. The process was straightforward: a pledge between them, his mana sealing the bond. By evening, he returned home, excitement barely contained.
In his room, he found Ember waiting. Reyn knelt down, and Ember sat before him, as if instinctively understanding what was about to happen. Placing his hand on the kitten's head, Reyn closed his eyes, focusing his mana on his intention. Words of the contract left his lips as he pledged their bond.
With a flash of energy, Reyn felt a connection form, a warm presence filling his mind and spirit. Ember's flames flared briefly in a rainbow of colors before settling, and the bond was sealed. Reyn felt a surge of energy, a new strength now shared between them.
With Ember by his side, Reyn knew he was just beginning to unlock his craft's potential, and his future felt brighter than ever.
After school, Reyn returns home, ready to perform the familiar contract with Ember. He's spent hours studying and preparing the magic circle in his room, checking every rune twice. His parents eagerly watch from the doorway, their faces alight with pride and curiosity.
Reyn takes a deep breath and begins the ritual, focusing his energy on Ember, who sits at the center of the glowing circle. As the connection forms, an almost electric sensation pulses between them, and Ember's small body lights up with a gentle glow. Her flames flicker in vibrant colors, creating an iridescent halo around her. The bond between them solidifies, and Reyn feels a comforting warmth spread through his chest—an indescribable sense of knowing, of shared strength.
When the ritual ends, Ember bounds into his arms, her tiny body brimming with joy. She nuzzles him affectionately, her eyes half-closed as she purrs. But the excitement soon fades into drowsiness, and with a satisfied sigh, she drifts off to sleep, curled up comfortably against his chest.
His parents step forward, congratulating him with warm smiles. His mother strokes Ember's head gently, admiring her tiny, rainbow-tipped flames, while his father places a hand on Reyn's shoulder.
"She's an amazing partner, Reyn. When she's ready, her flames could help you with forging in ways you can't yet imagine—refining metals, combining them seamlessly, even removing impurities. You two are going to make a powerful team."
Reyn nods, a grin spreading across his face as he imagines the possibilities. He has so many dreams for their future together, yet he wants to enjoy the small moments too, starting with Ember's gentle snores in his arms.
As they step into the kitchen, his mother mentions the upcoming celebration. "Liora should be back soon from her quest. We'll throw a feast to celebrate both Ember's contract and her promotion to Rank D," she says.
Reyn decides to make the feast even more special by suggesting a dessert he recalls fondly—a rich cheesecake he'd once loved, though he keeps the memory to himself. Handing the recipe to his mother, he watches her eyes light up with interest.
"This looks delightful, Reyn! It'll be a perfect addition to the meal," she says, studying the details with fascination. She begins planning other dishes to complement it, including a few local favorites and some seafood from the market.
The rest of the evening is filled with laughter, as they work together on the menu, swapping ideas for the grand celebration. Reyn's father even suggests that Ember help with some decorative, harmless flamework for the event once she's awake. Ember's presence has already brought a new spark to their home, and as Reyn watches her sleep, he feels a deep contentment.
Reyn can hardly wait for Liora to return and for the feast to come together. This moment feels like the start of something extraordinary—both with his family and his faithful new familiar by his side.