The giant furball was staring at me, its jaw open and tongue lolling out. It didn't seem to have any hostile intent towards me, even if it was slightly intimidating. I glanced back at Mira, who met my gaze and nodded towards the beast.
"You need to place your hand on it, and imagine a connection between the two of you."
"How do I even do that? No one explained the process to me."
I heard a small sigh from her before she walked up, suddenly grabbing my wrist and guiding my hand to rest on the black fur of it's snout. I instinctively tried to pull back, but her grip on my wrist kept my hand in place.
I relaxed my hand after a few seconds, cautiously patting the creature gently as Mira let go of my wrist. I flinched at the small movements it made, like the twitch of its ear or how it lowered its head to allow me to continue patting it.
I then tried what Mira told me, closing my eyes to focus harder as I visually began to imagine a sort of pathway between me and the wolf-creature.
And then I felt it—a string pulling straight out from my brain, stretching toward the black wolf. I didn't have to imagine anything; I was simply there, in a vast black emptiness with it. My hand met its paw, drawn by an invincible force, before I opened my eyes at the sudden jolt of something electric running through me.
A sudden gust of what felt like wind hit me, a swirling vortex manifesting around the wolf. I had to take a few steps back, almost stumbling, before the room settled once again. I lowered my arms that I had instinctively brought up to my face as I heard a high-pitched barking.
Looking down, I saw not the giant, intimidating wolf, but instead a smaller and cuter version of it pawing at my pantleg. I then heard the monotone clap of Mira behind me.
"Congratulations, Master. You've successfully tamed your very first familiar. Clap clap."
I blinked at the tiny furball pawing at my pants. "Uh huh. Did it get smaller because I tamed it?"
The wolf yipped, tail wagging, before tumbling over its own paws and rolling onto its back. It was certainly different from the towering monster earlier.
Mira, as always, spoke up in her flat tone. "Familiars take the form most suited to their master. In your case, this is appropriate."
"Appropriate?"
I looked back down, not quite denying the fact that this was far more appropriate to me than it's old form was. I crouched down, slowly reaching out a hand to it. When it just looked back at me expectantly, I took it as acceptance and rubbed the fluffy fur on it's stomach.
"Aww…"
The dog yipped happily, rolling onto its back and pawing at the air. I couldn't help but laugh at how completely different it was from the intimidating beast I had seen moments ago.
Mira walked over and crouched down next to me. "You should name it. Giving your familiar a name will seal your contract."
"A name, huh? I'm not really good at naming things though."
She suddenly poked my side, making me yelp in surprise. "W-what was that for?"
"You gave me a good name, didn't you? I'm sure you can come up with a good name for him too."
"A name for him, huh?" I glanced at the dog, still happily rolling around. A small smile crept across my face at how much it enjoyed the attention.
"Hmm, what about Cal…Cal…what was the name of that big red dog again? Wait, he's not red though."
She looked confused, and I just chuckled awkwardly. "Never mind. Ignore that."
I rested an elbow on my knee, chin in my hand, the other hand still rubbing the soft fur.
"It has black fur…and it's male. Something like… I don't know actually. What do you think we should name him?" I looked at Mira, who tilted her head slightly.
"May I speak my opinion?"
"I already told you that you don't need permission to do basic things."
She brought a hand to her chin, her lips pursed in thought. I don't think I'd ever seen her that serious before.
"What about… Blackie?"
"...Blackie?"
"Yes, because of his black fur."
I just blinked at her. "I already see where that came from."
She wasn't great at naming, sure, but if I just shot her down and picked one myself, it'd make her feel like her words didn't matter. And that'd only push her back into that obedient shell she was trying so hard to crawl out of.
"Can you come up with something more…fitting for a familiar or pet?"
She stared at my familiar, then looked back at me.
"What about Night?"
"…Isn't that a bit too simple?"
"Is it? No… I guess it is, if Master says so. Forgive me for speaking out of turn."
Something about the way she said it made my chest tighten. Why did I feel guilty all of a sudden?
"Ah, no, it's fine! Night works too."
And just like that, my fluffy companion became Night.
…Basic or not, it kinda suited him.
Mernel congratulated me after that, telling me that I was the first of the heroes to tame one of its kind.
"Huh? How come? Did they fail or something?" I had asked in slight surprise, wondering if I had been lucky.
Mernel had simply chuckled, "Not quite. They were either afraid of them, wanted another familiar, or had more…interesting reasons."
"Interesting reasons?" I prodded further, curious about how they can't tame something I could. After all, if a person full of flaws like me could, who couldn't?
"Let's take the previous hero as an example. When he found out that the familiar offered to him was male, he requested another one immediately."
I blinked in surprise. "Seriously? Is that really the only reason?"
Mernel chuckled. "Apparently he wanted to build a harem. It seems to be a common trait among the previous heroes from what I've read."
At his words, things clicked together. "A harem? What does that have to do with a familiar? Wait… does that mean they can they turn into humans or something?"
"That's right," he nodded. "A female familiar takes upon a female humanoid form, and vice versa. According to rumors, the age of it has also something to do with it."
Ah, so no cute familiar girl for me then. Well, I wouldn't know how to act around one anyways, and I'm still not fully accustomed to having Mira around. Especially since she calls me 'Master' and all.
But the thing about age peaked my curiosity further. He continued as if sensing it.
"Familiars are basically animals in a way. They age differently from humans. If your familiar, as an example, was four, then it'd be around 14 or 15 in human years. The previous hero's tastes were…diverse. That's all I will say for now."
I could already guess what kind of man the previous hero was, so I didn't press. I was still curious about something though.
"How old would my familiar be, in human years?"
He rubbed his beard as he hummed thoughtfully. "I'd say roughly 17-18 years old in human years, give or take."
"Ah, alright. I guess that's good to know. Thanks."
Not long after, a pair of knights arrived to escort me to my audience with the Queen. A weird sensation washed over me, one I have come to associate with nervousness. An audience, all alone with the highest power.
Even when I put it like that…I didn't exactly feel that much. I was more curious about what we were going to talk about, so it wasn't like I didn't want to go. A private audience with a Queen felt like a big deal after all.
The Knights escorting me were quite beautiful, even in their full, silver armor. One of them, a blonde with a stern expression and a scar across her face, somehow looked no less attractive for it.
Even through the armor, I could see that she had a nice figure. Personally, women in full armor rather than those scanty ones you see in media are a lot more attractive, thus I will continue to secretly admire their feminine beauty!
The other wore the same armor, sure, but certain parts didn't have the same kind of curves. I couldn't really call her attractive either, since her face was hidden behind a helmet. Still, from the long brown hair spilling out beneath it, along with the way the armor was shaped, made it clear she was a woman.
The two Knights positioned themselves on each side of a giant double door at the end of a hallway, having walked to another side of the palace. They then grabbed a knob each and opened the door up for me, which I thanked them for with a murmured "thanks" before hurrying inside.
The new surroundings threw me off, as it tends to do when I come to an unfamiliar place without anyone by my side or someone to follow. I was even starting to wish that either Mernel, Kina or Mira was with me.
The room itself was quite big, with a table in the middle, a balcony to the right and a plus couch in a corner. There were also beautiful tapestries lining the walls, along with a few flower plants on the windowsill.
At the end of the table sat a well-dressed and stunning woman who seemed to be in her mid-twenties, a crown placed on her head that signaled her status as the Queen, her curly red hair framing her neck in soft waves. And this time, she wasn't hidden behind anything.
I opened my mouth, trying to figure out what to say or if I should bow. She gestured to the seat opposite of her with a gloved hand, her amber eyes fixed on me.
"Please, take a seat. We have a lot to discuss."
I gave a nod, taking a deep breath. I walked over and took a seat, sitting straight, elbows on the table and wringing my hands together.
I could barely keep eye contact for more than a few seconds, darting my gaze across the room. My leg was jumping up and down, unable to keep it still. A part of me really wanted to leave. Another part wanted to stay and experience having a private talk with a real queen. What a dilemma.
Queen Elisabeth smiled faintly, folding her hands on the table.
"Good evening, Hero Falkner. I trust you have settled in?"
I responded almost instantly. "Yeah, kind of. I'm still not very used to places like this. It's pretty big, after all, and much more luxurious than I'm used to."
I then paused, realizing I may have spoken too much from my nervousness, which Elisabeth seemed to pick up on.
Her smile didn't fade. If anything, her eyes narrowed slightly in amusement as she flicked a handheld fan open in front of her face.
"You speak candidly. That's good. Too many of your predecessors were… arrogant."
She leaned forward slightly, snapping her hand fan close. "Tell me, Hero Falkner. Do you know why you were summoned here?"
I was momentarily confused, wondering why she would ask that.
Was it a trick question?
Was there a wrong answer?
Would I be considered incompetent or stupid if i revealed the fact that I had forgotten most of what I have been told throughout the day?
Who knew?
"I was supposed to help you with the monster influx thing. That's, uh… pretty much all I remember."
I trailed off slightly at the end, hoping that she'd forgive my lack of memory. Then again, this was a queen, and she probably had better things to do with her time than waste it on the likes of me.
Her lips curved into a small, amused smile, snapping her fan open again to cover her lower face.
"Honesty suits you, Hero Falkner. Better to admit what you do not know than to pretend otherwise."
She lowered the fan slightly, her eyes catching mine with a faint glimmer. "Yes, you are correct. The influx of monsters is only a symptom, however. The disease lies deeper."
I leaned in forward, trying to make it clear that I was paying attention rather than being confused.
She leaned back against her chair, folding the fan in her lap. "The world you see is but half of creation. Beneath the earth stretches the Underworld, a vast expanse where creatures of all kinds dwell. Unlike us, they do not wage war for crowns or gold. They war for land. And when their endless breeding fills their caverns to bursting, they spill upward, into our world, devouring whatever lies before them."
Her voice was steady and practiced as if she's' given this explanation many times before, yet she did not sound tired.
"Every few generations, these… floods… break through. We call it the Doomsday. Once, they were manageable. But this time…" she let the words hang for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly, "this time the doomsday may carry with it a Lumenari. Your role, Hero Falkner, is not merely to 'help' us. You are to put a stop to it. And if you can, strike at the root and quell the cause of this surge entirely."
I nodded slowly, digesting her words. It all sounded like the plot of some fantasy novel, but instead of feeling surprise or disbelief, I only felt a dull weight on my shoulders. I wished to feel some kind of awe at this revelation, but it seemed that I was weird as always.
"Well," I muttered under my breath, scratching the stubble of my cheek, "guess that's better than fighting people, at least."
Her lips curved into a faint smile, as though she'd heard me. "You may find that fighting monsters and fighting people are not as different as you imagine."
Her fan opened again, hiding her mouth. "There is one more matter, Hero. When Ucliat bestows blessings, they are etched into the mind itself, and in some beliefs their very soul. You will never forget what you are given, though spells are another matter, as they demand memorized incantations. Still, you will always know what you can and cannot wield."
She paused, her eyes lingering on me, before lowering the fan slightly. "But knowing is not the same as understanding. To measure the growth of your gifts, to discern their strength, you will need the aid of the Church. Within their halls are relics from the old age, devices capable of revealing the Grade of your skills and spells. Without them, you would be guessing at shadows."
I zoned out mid-explatation, before snapping back to attention. Luckily, she hadn't noticed, but I hadn't really understood what she said.
"Huh? Do I have to go to the church then? What do I do there?" I asked, hoping she already hadn't explained that and made a fool out of myself.
Her smile tightened momentarily, moving the fan to cover her lips more. "Correct. A hero should visit the church regularly in order to assess the Grade of their abilities. You may also go where you please within my city, Hero Falkner, but remember that Ucliat watches over his chosen."
"Wait, but Mernel explained that I already know what abilities I have. I mean, it's still a bit weird, but I'm already aware of what I can do. Do I still need to head to the church?"
The Queen's eyes lingered on me, calm yet sharp, as though weighing my words. "Knowing what you possess and knowing your true measure are not the same. The church will reveal the depth of your strength… and the limits you have yet to break."
She rose gracefully, the faint rustle of her gown filling the chamber. "Rest for now. Soon enough, your true work will begin. I have high expectations of you, Hero Falkner. I wish you good luck."
I scrambled to my feet, mumbling a quick, "Thanks," and then hesitated. What was I even supposed to do here? Kneel, salute, or shake her hand?
In the end, I gave a stiff little bow and hurried out before I could embarrass myself further. A small smile tugged at my lips when I spotted Mira waiting, but it faded the moment I noticed the two armored knights still stationed nearby.
"By the way, Hero Falkner," Queen Elisabeth's voice called out just as I was about to leave, "you are expected at the upcoming royal ball tonight. It is customary for newly summoned heroes to attend. Consider it part ceremony, part celebration. Your servant will fill you in."
I froze for a moment, blinking. A ball… tonight? Great, just what I needed.
She also mentioned a servant. Perhaps she mean Mira?
Closing the door carefully behind me, I turned to face her.
"Oh hey, Mira. Were you waiting for me?"
She pushed off the wall she'd been leaning against, her posture as straight as her words. "I wasn't allowed inside, so I waited here instead. As your slave, I must remain near my Master to serve his needs."
My smile became stiff, her words hitting harder in front of an audience. While I wanted to deny it outright, the weight of the knights' gazes, real or fake, got my words stuck in my throat. I knew they weren't paying attention, but that didn't make the heat creeping up my neck any less real.
I cleared my throat and forced my legs to move, gesturing for Mira to follow. The guards didn't spare us more than a glance as we passed, but the prickling on the back of my neck refused to fade until we'd turned a corner and the corridor fell silent.
Only then did I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.
"Please don't have call yourself that when others are around," I muttered. "It… makes things weird."
Mira tilted her head. "But that is what I am, is it not?"
I sighed softly. "Technically, yeah, but…"
My words trailed off into incoherent mumbles. I had no idea about how this world worked, and freeing a slave might cause more trouble for me. Denying a gift of a previous hero will most likely be frowned upon as well.
Mira lowered her gaze, her voice barely audible as she continued. "If I am not your slave, then… what am I?"
The words hit harder than I expected, and I averted my gaze. My lips could not form any words, nor could I reassure her.
"No need to worry about that." I managed to force out with a smile. "You are you. I gave you a name, didn't I? So you're Mira. Just Mira, an ordinary girl."
Mira blinked, her lips parting as if to protest, but no words came. She simply stared at me, her eyes unreadable, before lowering her head again.
Whether she believed me or not, I couldn't tell. Honestly, I wasn't sure if I even believed myself.
I gestured forward, trying to lighten the mood despite my stiff smile. "Come on… let's head back to my room. Or, well, our room? Y-you probably get it, haha..."
The walk to the room was quiet, but not uncomfortable. Once we got inside, I kicked off my shoes and slumped onto the bed with a groan, putting my glasses on a nearby nightstand and burying my face into the sheets.
Night padded over, jumping up on the bed and curling up against my side. I reached out a hand to scratch it behind its ear, smiling to myself at his cuteness.
I could faintly hear Mira moving around behind me, though I couldn't see her from this angle. With a small grunt, I scooped Night into my lap as I rolled onto my back. Grabbing my glasses, I pushed myself upright and finally faced her as I slipped them on.
She was staring straight at me with that same unreadable expression she had, but with a hint of…expectation? I squirmed a bit under her gaze, wondering what she wanted. I smiled hesitantly, and she tilted her head in response.
"Master?" she finally said, taking a step closer.
I straightened, wanting to show her my full attention. "Y-yes?"
Mira hesitated, her hands fidgeting slightly at her sides. It was probably the first time I had seen her show even a crack in her usual composure.
"Did you mean what you said?" Her voice was soft, almost trembling. "That I am… just Mira?"
Ah, so that's what she was still hung up on.
"Of course I meant it," I answered with a smile, relieved she's confiding in me. "That's who you are."
She stared at me for a long moment, her eyes unblinking, before lowering her gaze. When she spoke again, I could hear the faintest tremble in her voice.
"Then… could you teach me? To be… normal. Like you."
I blinked, looking at Mira in slight surprise. For her to open up like that meant she trusted me, and that fact made me glad. I laced my fingers together, leaning forward with a small smile.
"I can't do that though."
She looked up, her brows furrowing. Picking up on her confusion, I continued almost enthusiastically at the chance to give a lecture on something I've learnt through my own experience.
"Normality, in my opinion, is not necessarily a good thing. To be abnormal is not a bad thing either. Normality is simply doing what the majority of people are doing. You know, like eating with your mouth closed or…uh, following the crowd basically."
"So… being normal isn't good?" she repeated, tilting her head slightly as she tried to piece it together.
I scratched the side of my wrist. "It's not bad either. Look, being weird doesn't mean you're crazy or something. It's just being unique, in my opinion. And humans… no, people, are all unique."
I then pointed a thumb at my chest. "You said you wanted to be normal like me, but I'm not normal at all! I'm weird, and so are you. We are unique, and that's not a bad thing to… uh, you get what I'm trying to say."
I stumbled over my words, my enthusiasm dwindling away as soon as it came. Only then did it hit me just how ridiculous I must've sounded. I scratched the back of my head, wishing I could take the words back.
Mira blinked at me, her lips parting like she wanted to say something, then closing again. For a second I thought I'd completely embarrassed myself. But then, just barely, her mouth tugged into the faintest smile.
"Being weird is okay?" she murmured, almost testing the word on her tongue.
I scratched my cheek, averting my gaze for a few seconds. "Yeah. Being weird is, well, It's not so bad."
Her gaze softened, and she looked down at her hands. "Then maybe you can teach me to be weird instead?"
I blinked, before laughing softly. "No no, you can't teach someone how to be weird or how to be normal. You are you, remember? Just act like yourself, as long as uh…you follow the right boundaries, I guess."
Her naivete was starting to make me see her in a new light. First, she had seemed like a stoic and almost aloof person when in reality, she's simply a clueless and sort of adorable girl.
"Oh, alright. I'll just be myself? I'm still not sure how to do that, but I'll try my best." she responded, this time with determination in her voice.
She then straightened her back, nodded firmly, and announced, "I am Mira. I like… uh…" She glanced around the room, her eyes landing on Night who was taking a nap on the floor. "…dogs. They're cute and fluffy."
I chuckled and nodded. "You like dogs, huh? That's a pretty normal thing to like. But, uh…" I hesitated, realizing my earlier words might've confused her. "Not that it matters if it's normal or not. You don't have to… well, force yourself."
Before I could fumble further, she interrupted. "I understand, Master. I shouldn't force myself to like or dislike something just because of others." She paused and thought for a moment before adding, "I should discover what I like on my own."
"Exactly!" I grinned, relieved she'd picked up on the point I was awkwardly trying to make.
Night gave a little yawn from his spot on the floor, the sound oddly loud in the quiet room. For a brief moment, it almost felt… peaceful.
Then, without warning, he leapt up, ears perking, and growling at the door.
Our peace hadn't lasted long.