The bell's chime had barely faded before a clear voice rang out to greet them.
"Welcome, young miss… and sir hero. We were expecting you today. Please wait a few minutes while the master arrives."
Behind the counter stood a young woman in her early twenties, posture straight and expression calm as her pen scratched across a ledger. Her gaze flicked up just long enough to acknowledge the newcomers.
One was the unmistakable heir to the Rosengard family, Lady Rubina, daughter of Earl Victor, one of the shop's most valued patrons. His orders had ranged from small beasts and specialty feed to rare monsters and even eggs. The clerk knew this family well.
The other… was the hero. His presence was only obvious because Rubina had arrived with him. Long brown hair spilled partly over his face, the rest framing sharp features. His coat, strange in cut, had an attached hood, and his pants were worn thin, with frayed edges and small battle-tears, strange since he should have been given the best the castle had to offer.
Yet his build told a different story. He was far too thin to swing a blade with strength, his stance lacking the balance of a trained fighter. Nor did he carry himself with the practiced grace of a mage. Years of working with beasts and appraising slaves had taught her to read people quickly.
This boy didn't fit into either mold.
Her gaze lingered on his face. His skin lacked the weathering of commoner boys, smooth and unscarred. His jaw was sharp, his cheekbones high features that gave him a quiet, understated attractiveness. But it was his eyes that truly drew her in: deep hazel, sharp with focus, carrying a mix of curiosity and intelligence.
And yet… There was something else. A reclusive distance in them, as if warning people not to get too close.
When his eyes locked onto hers, a sudden jolt shot through her. Heat rose in her chest, her heartbeat quickening until she tore her gaze away and bent over the ledger again. For a fleeting moment, she wondered absurdly if he could read her thoughts; she knew he was most likely the tamer hero.
She forced herself to focus on her work until the sound of hearty, rolling laughter filled the shop. The deep, confident voice of her master carried from the back, breaking the strange tension that had hung in the air.
"Rubina, my lass! It's good to see you today."
The booming voice rolled through the shop a moment before its owner appeared.
"Welcome, come here, it's great to see you've befriended one of our future saviors."
Miles emerged with a hearty laugh that matched his round, genial appearance. Short and stout, he carried a cheerful round belly ahead of him, his face crowned with a thick, bushy mustache that twitched every time he spoke. The constant movement gave him a slightly comical air, though it didn't diminish the warmth in his voice, especially when speaking to Rubina.
He greeted her with the ease of a long-time family friend, almost like a doting uncle rather than a business associate.
Logan, who had been quietly studying the shop's surroundings, turned to get a better look at the man. The contrast between Miles's bright demeanor and the unsavory nature of his trade was striking. For a slave trader and magical monster dealer, he was surprisingly… friendly.
"I know that expression, hero," Miles said, grinning knowingly. "You're one for a few words. So let's skip the chatter. Follow me, and I'll show you what the finest seller of slaves and magical beasts in the kingdom has to offer."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and began leading them deeper into the shop, his belly swaying with each step.
The further they went, the larger the place seemed to become. At the entrance, smaller rooms lined the walls, stockrooms stacked with crates, workers carrying sacks of feed, and the faint smell of grain and hay.
But as they continued, the atmosphere shifted.
Cages began to appear. At first, only a few, but soon they were flanked on either side by long rows of enclosures. Many held humans, men, women, and children of various ages and backgrounds. Some stood as the group passed, hope flickering briefly in their eyes, only to sink back into resignation when they realized they weren't being chosen today.
Logan's chest tightened at the sight. The quiet despair etched into their faces was hard to ignore, a stark reminder of just how brutal this world could be.
"If you see anything that catches your eye, don't hesitate, hero," Miles called over his shoulder, keeping a brisk pace that let him display his prized stock without lingering.
Rubina matched his stride, then leaned closer to Logan. Without speaking, she gave a subtle roll of her fingers a quiet signal to keep calm. It was enough to make him exhale slowly and ease the tension in his shoulders.
Looking around, Logan noted something that surprised him.
Though the slaves were chained, they appeared well-fed and unbruised. There were no lash marks, no signs of cruel treatment, he had braced himself to witness. The faces he passed belonged to beautiful women and striking men of varying ages, all carrying themselves with a weary but intact dignity.
They soon reached the far end of the building, where a wide flap led out into a sprawling tented yard. The moment they stepped inside, the air changed thicker, heavier, and alive with sound. The clamor of growls, screeches, and rustling wings mixed with the sharper tang of beast musk.
Miles stopped for the first time, turning to them with a proud gleam in his eyes. "This," he said with a sweep of his arm, "is where the real treasures are kept. We keep the beasts out back to avoid… accidents." His mustache twitched as he chuckled. "Now, Rubina, you know as well as I do rare and powerful as some of these are, they're not what our young hero needs."
He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice in a conspiratorial tone. "But there is something special I've just acquired. Perfect for him. I can't wait to see what a hero's taming skill can do."
Intrigue stirred in Logan's chest as they wound their way past snarling cages and pacing enclosures. Finally, they stopped before an oversized birdcage draped with a heavy cloth. Workers were gathered around it, some slipping trays of food through the bars while others inspected the lock and chain.
The cage shuddered as a sharp, ear-piercing cry split the air. Even muffled by the canvas, the sound seemed to vibrate through the tent poles.
With a flourish, Miles signaled the workers aside. As Logan stepped closer, the cloth was pulled back just enough to reveal the source.
The workers stepped aside as Logan drew closer, revealing a small, fluffy falcon chick. Sparse white down barely covered its skin, giving it a fragile appearance, yet every piercing call sent a tiny shockwave through the air, ruffling Logan's hair.
"Miles, where did you get this little one? Don't tell me…" Rubina's voice faltered, curiosity and concern mingling in her tone.
Miles chuckled, eyes gleaming with pride. "Ah, Rubina, lass, you know your father wouldn't let me sell you a mistreated beast. This one simply had a rough start. A calamity hit its home, and an adventurer found the egg. Unfortunately, it hatched before reaching my shop, or I'd have sold it long ago."
Logan listened while keeping his focus on the chick. For his second official tame, he wanted something that could stay with him at all times, a partner that could cover up his weaknesses and stand beside him in a fight.
The little bird's gaze locked on him, its jet-black eyes sharp and calculating. It didn't shrink back, but it didn't approach either, measuring him, deciding whether to resist or call once again for help.
Logan slowly extended his hand, careful not to move too fast. The chick remained still until his fingers reached its head. Then, quick as a spark, its beak grazed his skin, leaving a shallow cut.
He kept his hand steady, using one finger to guide a drop of blood toward the chick's crown.
"Hey… can you get me a strip of meat? Something it likes," Logan called to a nearby worker, his tone calm but firm. He needed to show the creature he meant no harm.
The falcon chick froze, its tiny body tense as the warm drop rolled down its feathers. This human was strange and intimidating, yet too weak to be a real threat. 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 had shown no intent to harm him, so he seemed safe enough.
Still, the little bird had never seen him before. The falcon chick chirped softly, as if weighing its decision. Logan held his breath, waiting for the creature's next move, hoping the bond he sought would be accepted.
To help the young bird choose, Logan offered a large piece of meat, holding it out steadily.
He somehow knew words might not help, but he spoke anyway. "Come on, little one, I mean you no harm," he said in a calm, steady voice.
The chick tilted its head from side to side, eyeing the meat with curiosity. The scent drew it forward, one step at a time, while Logan kept perfectly still, heart pounding in anticipation.
"Pwiee!" The cry startled Logan enough to make him almost lose his balance. At that moment, a burning sensation flared on the top of his head, exactly where the bird bore its own mark.
The matching symbols signaled the creation of a bond. Before dwelling on the feeling, Logan ran a quick hand through his hair, sighing in relief that he still had a patch of hair on that spot.
"Man, I have to plan where I mark my tames…" he muttered.
He steadied himself, sensing the magical link settle into place.
The falcon chick, calmer now, seemed to accept him, its piercing black eyes softening.
In a swift motion, it snatched the meat from his hand, sealing their agreement.
Rubina, watching nearby, smiled in relief. "It seems the little one has accepted you, Logan."
Miles clapped his hands together with pride. "Congratulations, Hero Logan. You now have a powerful ally. The Everwind Falcon is rare and exceptionally strong. I hope it becomes one of your finest companions."