ARGH!!! What's with this stupid [Familiar] system?!
I managed to use it in a dungeon filled with the most [Arcana] mana around (AKA <Tested Wilds>) and I chanted the incantation right, but all it got for me was a cracked version of the core gem! I did everything to get my very own [Familiar] to the point that I had to research how they work and help out Bai Hu before the maintenance and this is where all my hard work ended up!
Man, now I'm starting to hate the game more than Wind and this is only my first time going off alone in this game!
Agh... This sucks.
[Something the matter, young [Insignis]?]
I gasp as I turn around and see a familiar magical white tiger walking towards me.
"Hey, Bai Hu. Not a good time to talk. So much happened a few days ago."
[You mean how you passed your [Sign Creation Ceremony] with flying colors?]
My eyes widen when I hear those words. "How did you know about that?"
[I have some connections with the [Insignis] sages through my powers. You were the talk of the town and I'm surprised you managed to defeat the [Tempest Fridgate] all by yourself,] Bai Hu says. [Not many mortals can defeat it all on their own, especially with young [Insignis] adventurers. Many simply avoid them during the ceremony as the sages warned them. Sure, they might have disregarded to warn you about it, but you never hesitated to face it for the sake of your ceremony. So I commend you for your bravery and creativity for your achievements.]
I smile after he says all of that. I did work hard to finish that [Hidden Quest] despite it being all sudden. Not only that, but it was worth it since I got some awesome new abilities I can try soon. His encouragement is enough to get back on my feet.
"Thanks for that, Bai Hu. I really need that," I say. "I kinda screwed up with the [Familiar] summoning and the core gem was a one-time use."
I quickly showed Bai Hu the cracked gem that I used for the summoning.
[Oh... I'm very sorry to hear that, young Kaz. I heard the [Elves] finally allowed most of the kingdoms to have their own [Familiars]. I'm surprised you were unlucky to get one.]
I sighed as I looked at my gem again. "Yeah... If Wind gets one, I'll be really jealous. I guess having a monster companion isn't meant to be..."
I feel like one of those drama kids in my school in real life. But yeah, I'm guessing I have to live in the game without a monster friend with me.
[Either way, you tried. Besides, I know a person who was in the same shoes as you and...] His eyes suddenly widen as I notice his ears perk up. [Huh. That's odd...]
"What's odd?" I ask as I stand up.
[I sensed an unusually strong [Mana] nearby. Yet it isn't hostile or corruptive to my home.]
A strong monster who is not hostile? That is odd.
"Should we check it out?"
[Normally, I avoid letting the mortals tag along. But if you wanted to. Just be cautious. Even if it's not hostile doesn't mean it can be provoked.]
He's got a point. I would try pulling out my staff, but that might not help in this situation. Instead, I simply follow Bai Hu without anything on hand. I can still cast spells without my staff, though the power might be a bit weaker. But it's better than nothing.
So I ran deeper into the woods, trying not to lose Bai Hu from my sight. Once he stops running, I quickly hide behind him and brace myself for the worst. I may have gotten stronger, but Wind told me that I have to expect anything more dangerous that I can't defeat on my own.
I take a deep breath as Bai Hu and I step into the clearing. I raise my hand to prepare for any potential battle and...
[Rawr!]
...Huh?
I looked down where we heard the noise and to my surprise, it was a monster that looked like a small dragon. It has blue shiny scales, small wings, white claws on its feet, and golden eyes. Just staring at it somehow makes my heart flutter, probably from how cute it looks.
[Oh. I didn't expect a young [Sapphire Dragon] to have gone astray in my territory.]
Astray? Just the name alone reminds me of Wind's sword.
"Do you mean it isn't from around here?"
Bai Hu nods and says, [A flock of [Sapphire Dragons] tends to fly over this continent during a monthly migration. There's a rare chance some of their young babies stray off for reasons such as independence out of impatience or ones that you might be heartbroken to hear. But I never expect one to manage to find themself in here. Even the outsiders who are not mortals have difficulty exploring here if I'm around.]
I look at the young dragon as Bai Hu tells me about it. I wonder if it might be abandoned, yet I don't see any wounds around its body other than a few scratches that might be similar to when I was bullied. "So it's not abandoned?"
[By the looks of it, it seemed to be one of the few impatient ones. Luckily, I can sense a bit of his mana from his mother nearby. If she comes by, I may need to pacify her a bit. [Sapphire Dragons] tend to be aggressive towards mortals near their younglings.]
And since I'm here...
Oh no... That might be a good idea. Wind isn't with me right now, but I don't want to fight a dragon, especially against someone's mother.
"But what do we do with this little guy? Like you said, I can't stay here unless his Mom mistakes me for a poacher."
[Hmmm... We can't exactly leave the younglings alone. Once I leave my territory to avoid the misunderstanding, who knows what the monsters here will do?]
That's true. Honestly, the dragon reminds me of...me.
I was excited when I entered elementary school. It was the very same one Hayate attended, so I wanted to experience what it was like for him in school. However, reality hit me like a dragon's fireball. Some kids didn't seem to like me, some bullied me to the point that I wished to not go to school anymore. If it wasn't for Hayate and my parents, I don't know what to do next in life.
This dragon was before elementary school and honestly, I don't want him to experience the bullies I had to endure for most of my life.
"...Can I keep an eye on him?"
[Huh?] I can see him tilting his head once I ask that question.
"I-I know I can't fight with a sword or archery like Wind, but I can't leave this little guy alone. It's not because I still want a [Familiar]. I don't want him to get himself hurt. So please, Bai Hu... Let me guard the dragon until you get back."
Okay, that might be too much to ask. I could hear his growl as he looked at me and the baby dragon. [I don't know...]
Yeah, Bai Hu might be hesitant to let me babysit a rare dragon. I get he doesn't want someone like me to deal with such a big responsibility. But I have to take it. I'm already grown up and I want to prove to Wind that I can take any challenge alone. It's not about the [Familiar] anymore. I just want this dragon to have a good life with his family.
[Alright, I understand.]
My eyes widen. I'd been expecting him to not let a kid like me go through with this. I know it's part of the game, but still...
[But on the condition that you are not allowed to leave the <Tested Wilds> until I get back. Normally, I would tell you the consequences. But I trust you keep that promise.]
Bai Hu... I don't know what to say. I look down and see the dragon crying at me. I smiled as I gingerly grabbed him with both of my arms.
Even if he didn't make that condition, there is no way I can leave here or the dragon alone. And I'm going to keep that word until I die in this game.
"Thanks, Bai Hu. I won't let you down."
Once I bow at him for approval, a window suddenly appears in front of me.
[QUEST APPROVED!]
[You have accepted a [Urgent Quest], [Guard the Young Sapphire Dragon!] ***!]
[Urgent Quest: Guard the Young Sapphire Dragon! ***
Bai Hu has entrusted you the duty of guarding the young [Sapphire Dragon] while he negotiates with his mother. Protect the young dragon from the many threats in the forest until he returns.
Condition: If you leave the <Tested Wilds> during the [Urgent Quest], it will count as a failure.
Recommended Party: 2]
Wait a minute... So I need to have one more person with me to beat this [Quest] easily?
No, if I call Wind now, how can I prove myself to him? I want to take care of this dragon by myself no matter what!
[Alright. I'll be back soon. I won't be long.]
Bai Hu quickly ran out of the woods as I watched him with the dragon in my arms. With that, I guess I'm now left with a young dragon waiting for attention.
"Alright. It might take a while for him to get your Mom," I say to the dragon. "Don't worry, I promised him that I will protect you no matter what."
Looking at his face and muzzle closely, he looks cute. I wish I could have him as my [Familiar], but I can't take him away from his mother. Man, is this what trying to take care of a stray pet feels like?
[Rawr!]
As soon as I looked down, I gasped upon seeing the dragon gone! I try to look for it, but I then gasp again as I see it flying away!
Well, he's trying to. But all he's doing is flapping his small wings in mid-air. Then it starts to fall to the ground...
"Hey! Look out!"
I quickly jumped out and spread out my arms to catch the dragon. Thankfully, it managed to land in them without hitting the ground.
"Thank goodness. I thought I might get in trouble by hurting yourself by accident," I sigh. "Seriously, don't go off on your own, little guy. What if you end up flying into a dangerous and aggressive monster?"
The dragon cried in response and suddenly, it tried to fly off from my arms again. This time, it can't reach altitude and panicky flaps his wings. So I quickly catch him again before he hits the ground.
"Hey! I told you not to go off on your own! Bai Hu's orders." Despite my warnings, the dragon continues to cry and tries to shake off my arms. "Come on. I'm trying to be a good dragon-sitter for you. Please don't be too spoiled brat-ty!"
But as I tighten my grip around him, I notice something. He keeps flapping his wings and his eyes are focusing on the blue sky. I can see some shadow figures of dragons flying above as their roars and cries are heard from here. Maybe...
"Do you want to fly with your fellow dragon buddies?" The dragon cries happily, which I'm guessing that's a yes. "And you have some trouble flying?" The dragon cries again, this time, he sounds a bit disappointed. "I see. It somehow makes sense. Then does that mean you want to be your own dragon just like me?" The dragon cries happily again. "Hahaha... We're really alike, huh? I can't promise I will let you join your dragon friends before Bai Hu can find your mother, but I might be able to help you with your flying problem. If you promise that you won't go off on your own, then I'll make sure you can fly with your friends before the migration is over!"
[Rawr?!] The dragon then stares at my smile for a while. [Rawr! Rawr!]
I chuckle upon seeing his smile and hearing his happy cries.
"I normally reserve introducing myself with would-be [Familiars], but I'll do it anyway. I'm <Kazu>! Nice to meet you!"
[Rawr!]
I'm glad to see him smiling like this. Looks like taking this [Quest] is a good idea after all.
PING!
Huh? Another notification?
[QUEST APPROVED!]
[You have accepted a [Hidden Quest], [A Dragon Who Dreams of Flight] **.]
[Hidden Quest: A Dragon Who Dreams of Flight **
You have volunteered yourself to help the young [Sapphire Dragon] to fly. It might be a huge task for one person such as yourself to do, but the satisfaction of helping a youngling is enough reward for a good Samaritan.
Condition: This [Hidden Quest] will automatically fail if the [Young Sapphire Dragon's] [HP] has gone down below 50%.
Recommended Party: 1]
Oh! I hadn't expected another [Quest] to pop up. This time, it's a [Hidden Quest] and it's just like it said, it's related to my promise to help the dragon to fly. It's not just about protecting the dragon anymore. I want him to be his own dragon and I'm going to help him realize his dream!
"Awesome! Since there are no monsters to worry about here, how about we'll work on your flying right now?"
[Rawr! Rawr!]
I flash a grin as I see him hop into my arms. I honestly don't know how I can teach a young dragon to fly, but I have to try. It's not only for the [Quests], but for the dragon's independence and happiness. Besides, how hard can it be to teach him to fly and protect him at the same time?
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Current Quest: Guard the Young Sapphire Dragon! ***
Type: Urgent
Status: In Progress
Party Member(s):
[Kazu]
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Kazu's Masteries
[Arcana] Level 21
[Thunder] Level 18
[Wind] Level 15
[Alchemy] Level 18
[Magecrafting] Level 17
[Magical Affinity] Level 20
[Scribe] Level 23
[Earth] Level 10
[Sign Creation] Level 1
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