Evelyn: "But right now, what really matters is this little one. Let's focus on Cassy's summon—what do you all think it is?"
The chatter about Evelyn's magic momentarily paused as everyone's eyes returned to the snake.
Whispers broke out among the girls, their voices low and curious.
Lora: "It's beautiful… but also strange. I've never seen a snake like this before."
Melinda: "Those violet eyes… it feels almost… alive in a way that's more than just animal."
Cassy, emboldened by excitement, cautiously stepped forward toward the creature.
"Let me try to get closer," she murmured, reaching out a tentative hand.
But as she drew near, the snake's slender body tensed. Its head rose swiftly, eyes flashing sharp violet light.
A low hiss escaped its lips, and it bared its fangs—not just at Cassy, but at anyone else who dared to approach.
Cassy stood silently nearby, her earlier joy giving way to confusion.
Cassy: "...Is it really my summoned beast? I mean… I summoned it, but—why does it act like it doesn't even recognize me?"
Lora: "It's… hostile. Not just to Cassy—anyone who gets close."
Evelyn's eyes narrowed as she studied the snake's defensive posture.
Evelyn: "It's wary. That means it's aware of its surroundings—and not easily tamed."
They all instinctively stepped back, the realization settling in—this was a hostile beast, not a gentle familiar.
Evelyn's gaze sharpened as she silently observed the snake's features. She searched her memory for any knowledge of this kind of creature.
Nothing familiar came to mind at first—no bestiary entry or tale matched exactly.
Then, a faint possibility surfaced.
Evelyn (thoughts): Could it be… a Lunaris Serpent?
She had read about it once—barely more than a footnote in an old beast compendium.
The Lunaris Serpent is a lower-ranked beast. It has no notable abilities, no offensive magic, and posed no real danger. Its only unique trait was its glowing, translucent body that shimmered under moonlight.
It never grew beyond a certain size—always small, delicate, and considered more decorative than useful.
More like a pet than a partner.
[In this world, magical beasts are categorized into twelve ranks: Low, Intermediate, Advanced, King, Emperor, Saint, Archon, Divine, Legendary, Mythical, Primordial, and Supreme.
Supreme beasts sat at the very peak of existence—spoken of only in ancient records and hushed stories. No one had truly seen one until now. Even if they had, they wouldn't remain alive to say it.
On the other hand, Low-ranked beasts were quite ordinary and common.]
Evelyn wasn't sure this was a Lunaris Serpent, but the appearance matched—the white, almost transparent scales… the faint glow…
But that's where the similarities ended.
The creature before her radiated power. The pressure from earlier hadn't been an illusion—and no Lunaris Serpent, no matter how rare, could possibly summon such a presence.
Just as Evelyn pondered this, the snake's violet eyes locked onto hers with sudden intensity. Slowly, it began to slither forward, gliding gracefully across the grass.
The girls tensed.
Melinda: "What is it doing…?"
Everyone's breath caught in surprise as the creature approached Evelyn—not with hostility, but with an unmistakable tenderness.
The once-hostile serpent slowly slithered towards Evelyn.
It didn't leap or strike—but paused at her feet, raising its head and gently nudging against her leg.
Claire blinked in disbelief.
Claire: "It… likes Her Highness?"
Lora: "But it wouldn't even let Cassy go near it!"
Ella: "Isn't that her familiar though? Why is it acting like that towards Her Highness?"
Then, the snake tried to climb her.
Its slender body rose and coiled slightly upward, not in aggression, but as if trying to express something—something close to fondness.
Evelyn, sensing no hostility, gracefully crouched down.
Her movements were calm and unhurried as she extended a hand, lightly brushing her fingers across the top of its head.
To everyone's surprise, the snake didn't resist.
Instead, it closed its eyes halfway, leaning into the touch with a quiet stillness that almost looked… peaceful.
Melinda: "Is it… letting her pet it?"
Lora: "That's not fair. It hissed at us."
The snake didn't seem to care.
It remained at Evelyn's side, content, its pale body catching the light like rippling moonstone.
Then—
Cassy: "Ah—! Your Highness!"
She blinked, eyes widening as if she had just remembered something important.
Cassy: "I read in one of the books you gave me… it said when a beast starts to cling to someone and shows clear signs of fondness, it means… it wants to become their familiar."
The garden fell silent for a heartbeat.
Then a wave of startled voices rose at once.
Melinda: "Wait, what?!"
Claire: "It wants to contract with Her Highness?!"
Ella: "But that's so rare! I thought Someone could bond with only one beast?"
Lora: "How lucky do you have to be to get acknowledged by two beasts?"
All eyes turned to Evelyn, who remained crouched, her fingers still resting lightly on the serpent's head. The creature gazed up at her with its amethyst eyes, unwavering and expectant.
Evelyn let out a slow sigh.
Evelyn: "I already have a familiar. I don't need another one."
As if it understood, the serpent's eyes narrowed slightly, and it pressed its body closer to her, nuzzling insistently against her arm.
It was practically begging.
Cassy: "But that's exactly why it's so strange!"
She stepped forward again, her voice filled with awe.
Cassy: "Beasts usually won't try to bond with someone who already has a familiar. For one to insist… it's extremely rare! Why don't you just accept it, Your Highness?"
Evelyn turned her gaze down to the little creature, who now stared up at her with a near-hypnotic focus. Its body shimmered faintly beneath her touch, still gentle, still persistent.
She didn't speak immediately.
Evelyn (thoughts): It's not impossible. It really must be a Lunaris Serpent… at least it matches the records. Just a harmless, delicate little thing. Also not very eye-catching. So, it should be fine.
She gently tapped the serpent's nose with her finger.
Evelyn (thoughts): Shadow might even appreciate a quiet little partner, right?
The snake gave a pleased flick of its tongue, as if it could hear her inner thoughts.
Just as Evelyn seemed to consider it seriously, Cassy's voice piped up again—this time softer, more cautious.
Cassy: "But… Your Highness?"
Evelyn glanced up at her, curious.
Cassy: "If you form a contract with two normal beasts… what will you do in the future?"