The small, iridescent orb pulsed gently within the digital confines of the Inventory grid, emitting a soft, hypnotic light that seemed to breathe in time with Orion's own heartbeat.
"Elaborate on this, Sparkle," Orion commanded, leaning closer to the blue interface. "How exactly does it work?"
"It's quite simple in principle," Sparkle replied, her waveform glowing a steady, instructional gold. "You already know how a familiar bond works, right?"
"I know the basics," Orion nodded, reciting the magical theory he had devoured in the library. "It's an empathic tether. A simple, profound closeness between a wizard and a magical creature. It isn't a direct sharing of senses, per se—you can't see through their eyes—but rudimentary emotions can be felt across the bond. Happiness, distress, hunger. It also generates an intense, instinctual feeling of fondness and protectiveness that the familiar feels toward their master, and vice versa."
"Yep," Sparkle confirmed. "And I am sure you have also read that a true familiar bond does not develop overnight. It requires spending a significant amount of time together, and a large amount of mutual trust must first be established before the magical resonance even begins to tether. And even then, it takes years for the bond to fully mature."
"It is a biological and magical commitment," Orion agreed.
"This item," Sparkle said, her digital voice brimming with pride, "bypasses all of that. It will basically accelerate the forging of a familiar bond to maximum maturity in a fraction of the time. It isn't mind control. It doesn't overwrite their free will or force a direct change of heart. Rather, it acts as a magical catalyst."
She projected a small animation of the orb sinking into a creature's silhouette.
"The targeted familiar will begin to slowly, automatically generate the bond toward you. It will feel completely natural to them, as if they are simply justifying their own growing feelings of closeness and loyalty. It won't take more than a week for the bond to finalize and lock in permanently."
Sparkle paused for dramatic effect.
"And the special part? This item will basically allow you to make any magical creature your familiar."
Orion raised his eyebrows. He went entirely still, his analytical mind snapping to a state of absolute, hyper-vigilant alertness.
"Wait," Orion said, his voice dropping to a dangerous, precise whisper. "Any magical creature? Are there any restrictions based on classification or sentience?"
"None whatsoever," Sparkle stated proudly. "If the creature possesses a magical core, it works."
Orion's eyes narrowed into slits. "Could it work on creatures classified as 'Beings' by the Ministry? Goblins? Centaurs? Merpeople?"
Sparkle's interface flickered, a tiny, confused emoticon appearing on the screen.
"I mean... theoretically, yes," Sparkle hesitated. "But why would you want to have them as your familiars anyway? That crosses a weird ethical boundary. You can have them, but it would be much more preferable to wait and maybe snag a dragon next year! The Hungarian Horntail they bring in for Potter sounds like a way better deal than a simple mermaid that doesn't even look like how a mermaid should. Have you seen the Black Lake merpeople? They are hideous."
Orion ignored the aesthetic critique completely. His mind was racing down a very specific, highly classified avenue of thought.
"No restrictions whatsoever, Sparkle?" Orion pressed, his voice tight. "You are absolutely sure? If the creature has magic, that is the only prerequisite?"
"Um, yes," Sparkle confirmed, sounding increasingly wary of his intense focus. "Why ask? Please, Orion, do not waste a Tier 3, ultra-rare taming item on some random Acromantula in the forest. Or on Robin, for that matter! Yes, they have magic, but that does not mean there are no better, more powerful options available! A Griffin! A Sphinx! Even a Dementor would be cooler, pun intended!"
Orion shook his head slowly, a dark, calculating smirk spreading across his face.
"No," Orion murmured, waving a dismissive hand. "I already have a bond with Robin. Even if it's not a formal, magical familiar bond, our mutual understanding of shiny things is more than enough to ensure his loyalty. Speaking of Acromantulas and Dementor as pets. They are not on my bucket list, no thank you."
He leaned back in his leather chair, staring at the pulsing orb in the grid. The gears of a new, incredibly ambitious, and borderline insane plan were beginning to turn.
"No," Orion repeated softly, his blue eyes glinting with a cold, terrifying light. "I think... I have some very specific planning to do regarding this item."
"Orion," Sparkle said nervously. "What are you thinking?"
Orion didn't elaborate. He simply closed the Inventory grid with a sharp mental command, plunging the study back into the dim blue light of his ring.
"For now," Orion announced, standing up and stretching his arms above his head, "it is time to sleep. We have a crown to obtain tomorrow, and I want to be well-rested for the heist."
He climbed the wooden ladder, pushing the lid of the trunk open and stepping out into the quiet, dark dormitory.
"Goodnight, Sparkle," Orion whispered, pulling the velvet curtains of his bed shut.
"You're not going to tell me, are you?" Sparkle grumbled digitally.
"Where's the fun in that?" Orion smirked, closing his eyes.
The plan was audacious. It exploited a massive loophole in the System's wording. Any magical creature. Oh, this was going to be fun.