CHAPTER 30
"I want to become your companion; I wish to attach myself to you."
"What exactly do you mean by that?" Grey asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.
That was when the wolf sighed, slowly padding toward Grey while simultaneously shrinking down in size.
It returned to the small, puppy-like stature it had assumed earlier and came to a halt directly beneath Grey's feet.
"How are you a mage yet you don't comprehend my meaning? I truly thought that after our skirmish, you would have grasped what I am," the creature remarked.
"Well, there you have it—I don't understand. So, explain yourself," Grey retorted, crossing his arms.
The wolf sighed once more and began its explanation.
"I am something known as a familiar, not a mere beast. We are naturally attracted to mages, which was how I identified your nature immediately.
Furthermore, we don't just bond with any random spellcaster; we seek out those who are sufficiently powerful and can match our own strength.
That was why I resorted to battling you earlier—to gauge your true potential. Based on our fight, I'm guessing you are at least a 3-star or perhaps even a higher-ranked mage," the wolf said.
Grey nervously scratched the back of his head, a gesture the wolf failed to notice entirely.
"But what are you doing on my planet? Shouldn't your kind be in the human realm?" Randin questioned, stepping forward.
"Wait, you can hear its voice too?" Grey asked, surprised.
"Of course. I believe it intentionally allowed me to overhear this conversation for some reason," Randin said with a shrug.
"As for your question, it is a long and tragic tale.
However, I will shorten it for your benefit so you can trust my intentions. I was bonded to a powerful mage once, but during a disastrous battle with people known as the Otherworlders, he perished. Since then, I have found myself roaming this land alone," the wolf explained.
'Otherworlders? Who are these people, and just how strong can they be? Why do I hear their name whispered everywhere I go?' Grey thought worriedly.
"Do you actually know who the Otherworlders were?" Grey inquired.
"I have no idea. They always wore masks to conceal their identities, but one thing is certain: you do not want to cross them.
I don't know the current state of the human world, but I can guarantee you, they might not last long if those invaders return," the wolf warned.
"Then I just have to get stronger as quickly as possible," Grey mumbled to himself.
"So, what do you say to my request?" the wolf asked, looking up with expectant eyes.
'Its request is quite reasonable, and its strength will be gladly appreciated considering the dangerous task we have ahead of us,' he thought.
"Fine, I accept your offer. How do we proceed with the bond?" Grey asked.
"Simply cut your thumb and place a drop of blood upon my forehead," the wolf instructed.
Grey got to work immediately.
The moment the blood touched the creature, a brilliant white light enveloped the wolf.
It suddenly vanished, transforming into a swirling black mist that surged toward Grey.
Sensing the mist wouldn't harm him, Grey remained perfectly still.
The vapor coalesced around his palm before disappearing into his skin.
Looking down at his hand, he could see a black symbol that bore a striking resemblance to a flickering fireball.
Suddenly, Grey began undergoing a notable physical change right in front of Randin.
His hair color began shifting, transforming from its natural brown to a vibrant red with subtle streaks of brown remaining at the tips.
"What the hell!" Randin shouted, pointing.
"What? What is it?" Grey asked, startled.
"Your… your… your hair has completely changed!" Randin exclaimed.
"Changed? How?" Grey stammered.
He hurriedly touched his locks and then, grabbing his sword to use as a mirror, he looked at his reflection in the polished metal.
"What the f*ck! Why is my hair red?" Grey shouted out loud, his eyes wide.
"It is a side effect of fusing your soul with mine," the wolf's voice echoed directly inside Grey's head.
"Is that all? So the process is officially finished?" Grey wondered.
"Yes, it is done, you doofus!" the wolf shouted back.
Recognizing the annoying tone, Grey didn't bother responding, knowing the voice now belonged to the familiar residing within him.
"Hold on a second!" the wolf suddenly yelled.
A black mist poured out of Grey's palm, manifesting the wolf once again in its miniature size.
"You-you- you are only a 2-star mage?!" the wolf asked, sounding utterly aghast.
Grey nervously scratched his head; he was genuinely afraid of another fight because his mana hadn't fully restored, and he dreaded a potential confrontation with his new companion.
"Yes, so?" Grey asked, trying to sound more confident than he felt.
"I can't believe it! Me? The great Noir the wolf got subdued by a mere 2-star mage? Me?!" Noir shouted out loud, his voice dripping with disbelief.
"Noir? Is that your name?" Grey asked.
"No! It's yours, you puny human mage! Of course Noir is my name, you dingus!" Noir snapped back.
"You are a pretty annoyingly rude pet," Grey remarked, his irritation beginning to surface.
"Me? A pet? How dare you!" Noir shouted.
His horn started glowing a dangerous red before it slowly dimmed back down.
"You are incredibly lucky that we familiars are unable to attack our owners unless we are significantly stronger than them.
In this case, I know for a fact I am stronger than you, but over the years, I have lost some of my abilities and I am currently weakened," Noir explained.
'Lost some of its powers? How strong is this familiar normally? I would hate to face it once it has regained all its strength. That is just one more reason to get stronger fast so I don't end up dying at the hands of my own familiar,' Grey thought with a heavy sigh.
"Before I go, just so you know, I won't simply come out at your every whim.
If you are in trouble and can't find a way out, then you are on your own. I would rather roam around as a stray than stay bound to a weak mage," Noir stated coldly before disappearing back into the mark on Grey's palm.
'Well, there goes my plan of asking for its help to take down the Goblin Lord,' Grey sighed inwardly.
"Grey, are you alright?" Randin asked, looking at his friend with concern.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Let's find somewhere to rest for now before we continue forward. Someone incredibly annoying made me use up all my mana," Grey said.
Noir let out a sharp scoff inside his mind.
"It's your own fault for being weak and not being able to contend with me without going all out," Noir retorted.
"Why didn't I get a nice pet?" Grey wondered out loud.
"Probably because your weak ass wasn't strong enough to attract a decent one yourself. You are lucky you have me instead of those other weaklings. So stop whining and just go and rest!" Noir snapped back.
With a weary sigh, Grey and Randin began searching for a safe, small cave where they could rest for the night before continuing their journey the next morning.