The sound of the bell quickly alerted someone in the shop as a clear voice called out to the youths. "Welcome, young miss and sir hero. We were expecting you today. Please wait a few minutes while the master arrives."
A young woman in her early twenties stood behind a counter, stoic while jotting down notes as two new customers entered. One was the only heir to the Rosengard family, one of the shop's top patrons, Earl Victor, who often ordered small beasts, feed, and at times rare monsters and eggs.
The other was one of the heroes, his identity was revealed only because Lady Rubina had arrived with him. Long brown hair covered a portion of his face, and the boy wore strange clothing—a coat with an attached hat and worn-out pants. The boy was probably used to fighting, as his legwear showed signs of battle, such as holes and frayed edges.
His physique told a different story, though. The kid was too skinny to lift a weapon, his gait too clumsy to know any sword dance. Having worked with many beasts and appraised slaves for sale, the young store clerk could clearly see that the hero was neither a mage nor specialized in magic.
Her eyes focused on his face. It did not shine like the nobles', but his skin was smooth and clear of the scars that plagued most commoner boys these days. His sharp jawline and high cheekbones gave him a well-defined and attractive appearance.
His sharp eyes, a deep shade of hazel, sparkled with curiosity and intelligence, drawing people in with their intensity. And yet, his gaze showed signs of his reclusive nature, pushing or scaring off anyone who would try to get close to him.
When the boy glared at the young store clerk, she quickly returned to checking today's sales, her heart racing as she wondered if he could somehow read her thoughts. It was only when her master's laugh resounded through the building that she could finally settle her wildly beating heart.
"Rubina, my lass, it's nice to see you today. Welcome, come here, it's great to see that you have befriended one of our future saviors," Miles exclaimed with a hearty laugh.
Logan, who was busy looking around took notice of the speaker. He was a short, stout man with a round belly that seemed to always be happy. His face was adorned by a bushy mustache that twitched whenever the middle-aged man spoke, giving him a somewhat comical appearance. Despite his unsavory profession as a slave trader, he had a surprisingly friendly demeanor, especially towards Rubina, almost as if she were his daughter.
"I know that expression, hero. You're one for few words, so let's get to it. Follow me, and I will show you what the greatest slave and magical monster seller in this kingdom has to offer," Miles said with a knowing smile.
The stout man led both youths deeper into the shop, his belly moving with each step. Logan noticed that the building was far larger than he had expected. There were various doors on all sides; at the beginning, many of these held merchandise and some workers moving food around. However, as they walked further, cages and enclosures began to appear.
Most of these enclosures contained humans of all shapes and sizes. They stood up, thinking they might be sold today, only to see the trio pass them by, causing most to sit or lay back down in dejection. The sight tugged at Logan's heart, a reminder of the harsh realities of the world they lived in.
"If you see anything that catches your eye, please don't hesitate, hero," Miles said, not looking back as he kept walking just fast enough to showcase his prized slaves.
Rubina, who was at his side, got even closer and nodded in understanding as if to say she knew what he was thinking. She signaled with her hands to stay calm, rolling her fingers in a gesture that Logan guessed meant things would soon pass.
Logan took a deep breath, and while feeling more at ease looked around, noticing that while the slaves were chained, they looked to be healthy, none of them looked to be beaten or whipped which he had expected to see.
Beautiful women and handsome men of all ages and sizes were around them until they stepped into a new zone. This one clearly led into a large tent outdoors, and the difference here was immediately noticeable—the noise and smell that filled the air.
Miles paused, this time turning to Logan and Rubina with a proud smile. "This is probably what you wanted to see, am I right? Anyways, sorry about that. As you know, we keep the beasts out back to avoid problems and all that."
"Now then, Rubina, you should know that while rare and powerful, these are not what our hero Logan needs. Come, there is a particular monster I just got my hands on, one that should help our hero get powerful with his great ability," Miles spoke, barely able to contain his excitement at the thought of seeing the hero's taming skills in action.
They were led to a specific area where a large birdcage stood. Workers were bustling around it, either feeding or checking on the beast inside. Its shrills were powerful, yet the small bird could not be seen from afar, hidden within its enclosure.
As they approached, the creature's piercing cries echoed through the small space, rattling even the large tent, showcasing its powerful ability despite its small size. Logan's curiosity was piqued, and he stepped closer to get a better view of the elusive beast.
The workers stepped aside as Logan neared, revealing a small, vibrant bird with iridescent feathers that shimmered in the light. Despite its size, it radiated an aura of strength and majesty.
The workers stepped aside as Logan neared, revealing a small, fluffy falcon chick with small white feathers that barely covered its skin. Despite its size, it radiated an aura of strength as each call produced a small shockwave that pushed Logan's hair to the side.
"Miles, where did you get this little one? Don't tell me…" Rubina's voice trailed off, a mix of curiosity and concern in her tone.
Miles chuckled softly, his eyes shining with pride. "Ah, Rubina, lass, you should know your father wouldn't have let me sell you a mistreated beast. This little one simply had a rough start. A great calamity happened in its environment, and luckily an adventurer got a hold of it as an egg. Sadly, the chick hatched before arriving at my store, or I would have sold it sooner…"
Logan strained to hear the conversation behind him while trying to focus on the young chick. For his second official tame, he wanted a creature that would be with him at all times. A beast that could supplement his weaknesses when compared to others and could even help him in case a fight broke out.
The small bird kept its gaze fixed on Logan as if measuring whether it needed to fight or call for help. Its piercing black eyes seemed to evaluate him, assessing his intentions. Logan extended his hand slowly, feeling the tension in the air as the falcon chick watched him intently.
Logan liked the small creature's attitude. The bird did not cower as his hand reached the small falcon's head. Logan did not know what would happen, but the creature was far too young to cause him any real harm.
When his hand reached far enough, its beak grazed him, creating a small wound. Trying to hold his arm steady, Logan used his finger to guide a drop of blood towards the small bird's head.
"Hey, can you pass me a piece of meat or something this monster likes!" Logan called to a nearby worker, trying to calm the beast enough to show his intentions.
The young bird was confused after the liquid splashed its small head. The large human that stood before it seemed both intimidating and intriguing. The falcon chick tilted its head, sensing the sincerity in Logan's actions. The young bird felt that it should decide whether to trust him or not.
So far, the giant human did not want to hurt him, so he seemed good, but the little bird had never seen him before. The falcon chick chirped softly, as if pondering its decision. Logan, holding his breath, waited for the creature's next move, hoping that the bond he sought would be accepted.
To help the young bird choose, Logan held a large piece of meat, hoping to earn its trust. He knew that talking might not help, but he tried, nonetheless. "Come on, little one, I mean you no harm," he said softly, his voice calm and steady.
The falcon chick eyed the meat curiously, its head tilting from side to side. The scent of the food seemed to entice it, and it took a step forward. Logan remained still, holding the meat out patiently, his heart pounding with anticipation.
"Pwiee," the young bird cried out, startling Logan, who almost fell back. Yet he felt a burning sensation on the top of his head, clearly mirroring where the bird's mark was. The intense connection formed between them; a bond signaled by the matching marks.
Logan, before thinking about the bond, raised a hand to his head, checking his hair just in case before breathing out with relief. "Man, I have to plan where I mark my tames…"
Logan steadied himself, sensing the magical link that had been established. The young falcon chick, now calmer, began to trust Logan, its piercing black eyes softening. The piece of meat in Logan's hand was quickly snatched up by the chick, sealing the deal between the two.
Rubina nearby watched with a mixture of awe and relief. "It seems the little one has accepted you, Logan," she said with a smile.
Miles clapped his hands together, beaming with pride. "Congratulations, hero Logan. You now have at hand a powerful ally. The Everwind Falcon is a very rare and extremely powerful creature. I hope it will serve as one of your best companions.