"Heek, heek."
"Not now…" Logan mumbled.
"Heek."
"Just a little more…" Logan pleaded.
"HeeeeeK!"
Pulling the pillow over his ear, Logan tried to muffle the noisy creature that kept pecking his forehead.
To the side of his bed, the small falcon stood, looking at his master.
[Food, more bugs, more!] the falcon made a few mental demands.
"Alright, alright! Let me get up first, Zephyr…" Logan sighed, lifting himself off the bed while rubbing his eyes and yawning loudly.
Looking around the room in confusion, he recalled what happened the day before. "Oh yeah, I stayed in the Rosengard mansion."
The boy then looked towards his majestic Everwind Falcon, who, like his previous Scorchwyrm, had gone through a big change. Yesterday's events came to mind.
As soon as they arrived from shopping the day before, they were greeted by the Earl, who was eager to see Logan's new tame. Luckily for them, Chloe decided to return to the castle shortly after their arrival at the Rosengard Estate, so they didn't have to worry about hiding Logan's taming abilities.
The sun was setting, giving Rubina, Logan, and the Earl just enough time to try feeding the small chick as they did with the Scorchwyrm. He was introduced to Battle Ants to help him level up. Being a few days older than his other tamed creatures seemed to help the young chick, who used small wind blades with ease by flapping his small wings to cut the insects into pieces to eat.
Within half an hour, the small creature evolved into his adult form, a beautiful bird who not only exuded a regal appearance but also the powerful presence of one of the sky's top predators.
Logan could still remember what Earl Victor said about his new tamed beast.
His sleek build was made to be the fastest flying creature in this world. Its large wings and aerodynamic form allow it to slice through the air, and by using wind magic, it can go even faster and cut down those it deems prey or foe.
Logan had forgotten what else the Earl had said, but he appreciated him for letting him have this new tame for free. The boy was happy with his new companion. The 15 cm falcon was still small, but its cheerful attitude, retained from its infancy, made Logan like the small bird even more. He still wished his very, very, hot-blooded salamander had the same temperament. Sadly, that would never happen it seemed.
As he got his mind back into what he needed to do to jumpstart his morning, he noticed that his personal maid, Ruri, had been brought to the Rosengard mansion from the castle inn. While the bird beat her in awakening the boy, the door was opened with her hands filled with new clothes for Logan to wear.
"Master Logan, I have brought you some clothes especially made for you. This is one of a few sets I had the castle's tailors make for you," she said, her voice giving slight hints of anger. "Oh, and I have thanked the Earl for having notified me about your absence," she added, her tone laced with sarcasm.
"I'm sorry, Ruri. Everything happened so fast," Logan pleaded, realizing he had forgotten about the girl with everything that happened.
"It's fine, master, just please at least send word that you're safe. The Earl said that it would be fine if I came when you plan to stay over." Ruri's voice softened, but there was still a hint of frustration.
Logan thought about his error and how he could make it up to her. He appreciated Ruri's dedication and felt a pang of guilt for causing her worry. He thought about the difference that a few days made in his life. Before now, no one depended on him much or was willing to trouble themselves to the point that they would go to a stranger's house just to be there for him.
The morning seemed to go by fast. He quickly changed into clothes that properly fit him—a dark tunic with gold accents, a black cloak he appreciated, and dark pants with the same silk-like texture just like the tunic. It was a comfortable set for which he had to thank Ruri. She had also brought him a new handmade beanie, which he loved.
Joining Rubina and the Earl for a quick breakfast, everyone seemed eager to get the day started, knowing Logan only had a few days to train his tames. With his instructor coming soon, he would need to be like the others and use the castle's training room to level up.
"So, let's go over today's plan again. You will be heading to Beastclaw Forest north of here. There should be a good amount of small beasts there for you to fight. Remember, everything there is game, so you should store it for either selling pelts and meat to townsfolk who would gladly get their hands on fresh meat," the Earl instructed.
"If I remember that forest is only for nobles or royalty, don't you have to pay a good amount to hunt there?" Rubina questioned her father.
"That's correct," the Earl replied, nodding. "Beastclaw Forest is indeed reserved for nobles and royalty, and there is a hefty fee for hunting rights. However, given that Logan is a hero, it will be no problem, the castle knows that we are his backers and the young girl from the Amberstone family will most likely be going with you two."
"Now then, you should both get ready. Remember, you will need to be fully armored as there is nowhere to change when you get there. Logan, try to let your monsters fight for now. Keep them at a distance and make sure to prioritize their safety. That should be all. Go on now," the Earl finished, wiping his mouth as he was still eating dessert. The two youths had long finished their meal and only waited on the Earl's orders to start preparing.
Thankful that he could rely on his maid to help him put on his new armor, Logan set out with Rubina, who wore a dark, fitted combat outfit. The sleek design allowed for ease of movement while providing ample protection.
Logan glanced at Rubina, appreciating the practical yet stylish attire. "So where should we meet Chloe?" he asked trying to keep his gaze on her eyes.
"She should be here any moment— as if on cue, don't tell me you were waiting for us to mention you…" Rubina said surprised that the girl appeared when her name was called.
"Well, I have been out here for a while now. I couldn't be late like yesterday and be left behind," Chloe admitted.
"You know… you could have knocked, and we would have received you like any other guest," Rubina replied with a look of exasperation.
"It seems you didn't take to my presence yesterday, so I tried not to bother your time with the hero… Anyways, greetings to you, hero Logan and Miss Rubina," the brown-haired girl said, her knightly stance and serious expression showing that she only wanted to be seen as a bodyguard.
Logan noticed that Chloe seemed more dutiful, showing that she took her role seriously today and tried to keep emotions from her work. She kept her distance like yesterday showing that she did not fully trust either Rubina or him, but this did not bother him much, he just wanted to leave already as it was getting close to midday.
"Oh and don't worry about me disturbing you both on the carriage, I have brought my mount today." Chloe pointed to a large chicken-like animal that was shaking its body as if to fix its feathers, it looked friendly, but Logan dared not get near it.
"That's a nice Breeze Roc. We have a few, but yours seems to be more agile—must be military-bred," Rubina commented, admiring the bird's sleek form and impressive plumage.
"Yeah, she is one of my family's best. Now then, I have heard we will be going into the Beastclaw Forest. I will remind you that we should not cross the river as that is Stone Grizzel's territory," Chloe warned, her tone serious.
Logan nodded, absorbing the information. "Got it. We'll stay clear of the river and focus on the areas where we can safely train."
Rubina pitched in, "It's important to be cautious. Grizzel's territory is not to be taken lightly as they usually attack in groups."
With the whole group ready, they left in a normal carriage today, knowing that the rough terrain would be easier to travel with a lighter vehicle. The rough ride was as always to Logans taste, the only help he had was the pink potions which he brough to aid him.
Two hours into the journey, the cart stopped as they encountered a patrol. A few words from Chloe were all it took for them to be allowed through without question. Another thirty minutes later, they arrived at a spot where the carriage could no longer proceed. Vines, trees, and bushes made it impossible for the cart or the large, feathered beast to continue.
Logan, with wobbly steps, began to exit the carriage while Rubina laughed. He tried to ignore his discomfort while taking a nice deep breath, which cleansed his lungs.
"I really need to request suspension systems…" Logan murmured, pulling his feathered beast from under his cloak, where it had been fast asleep. The small falcon seemed eager to stretch its wings as soon as he saw the sky and took off.
Looking at the joy his new tamed beast had while flying, Logan thought about his Scorchwyrm, who had to stay behind. He was warned that the main reason to keep it secret was that tamers could have at most ten tamed beasts throughout their lives, while Logan, at level 2, could already have four. By the look of things, he could probably increase his maximum tamed capacity by one per level.
[Master, master, prey, food!] Before Logan could recall his ball of feathers, it had already started today's onslaught. Zephyr swooped down with astonishing speed, targeting small creatures scurrying through the underbrush.