"You're already back from your adventure?" Ulric asked as soon as Leone, Daedalus, Yuni, Arion, and Blitz returned to the cave.
The others were busy cooking lunch for everyone, so the majority of the members of the Alborin Tribe were present.
Only the two lookouts guarding the entrance of the cave weren't there.
"Yes, Sir Ulric," Leone replied. "Let me introduce to you my new vassal, Blitz!"
The Red Squirrel perched on the young man's shoulder squeaked in greeting.
Ulric chuckled before greeting the little guy that had become the young man's latest vassal.
"Well, then, Leone. Please summon Maximus," Daedalus said.
"Understood." Leone nodded. "Come out, Maximus!"
A magic circle appeared a few meters away from Leone and glowed faintly, catching everyone's attention.
Countless particles of light merged at the center of the magic circle, and from it emerged Leone's first familiar, Maximus.
There were still a few wounds on its body, but the reset had closed up already. Leone hurried to his familiar's side and asked if it was in pain.
Maximus shook its head and assured its Master that it was fine.
"Leone, it's time," Daedalus whispered in the young man's ear.
Catching the hint, Leone stood up and rested his hand on the White Kobold's shoulder.
"Maximus, do you wish to become my vassal?" Leone asked.
The White Kobold knelt and looked at his master with unwavering resolve and determination. It nodded its head and affirmed that it wished to serve Leone forever.
The moment Maximus agreed to become Leone's Vassal, a voice once again spoke inside the young man's head.
Rows of text also appeared in the space in front of him, allowing Leone to read the rewards that he had gained for completing his first mission.
———
[Congratulations! You have successfully recruited three vassals!]
[You have successfully unlocked a hidden requirement!]
[You have unlocked Beast Evolution Tree!]
[Beast Evolution Tree]
— Allows you to evolve Monsters, or Beasts, that have pledged to become your loyal vassal!
[First Mission Reward Complete!]
[Rewards]
+300 BP
Basic Workbench [Unlocked!]
One Blueprint of your choice
[Bonus Reward]
— All of your beasts will evolve to their most compatible form!
— You have unlocked the Wheel of Fortune!
[Wheel of Fortune]
— Once a day, you may spin the wheel to have a chance to win a wonderful prize!
———
As if waiting for him to finish reading everything, his three vassals were suddenly enveloped in a golden light, wrapped inside a golden cocoon.
"D-Daedalus, what is happening?!" Leone asked the grimoire floating by his side.
Daedalus chuckled before answering his Master's question. "Your vassals are evolving."
The grimoire even gave Ulric a side-long glance as if wanting to see his reaction.
Just like everyone else, the Chieftain of the Alborin Tribe had no idea what was happening.
Half a minute later, the sound of something cracking reached everyone's ears. The three golden cocoons shattered like broken glass, and from it emerged three beasts that gave off a powerful presence.
Maximus was now five feet tall. Its body looked sturdier, and its gaze had sharpened.
It was also wearing red light-weight armor, and held a steel sword in each hand.
The white horse, Arion, neighed proudly as a pair of wings sprouted from its back. It had also grown slightly bigger, looking like a warhorse bred for war.
As for Blitz, it had evolved into a Flying Squirrel. Unlike other flying squirrels that could only glide, it truly gained the power of flight, which it showed off happily.
Blitz circled around Arion and Maximus before landing on top of Leone's head, squeaking happily.
"T-They really evolved?" Leone couldn't believe what he was seeing.
Daedalus already knew that if the young man chose three beasts or monsters as his vassals, the Beast Evolution Tree would be unlocked.
While he did have this knowledge, he didn't share this with his new owner.
Why?
It was because Daedalus was only a guide. Only Leone could choose which path to take to become the Hero King.
"Hahaha! This is the power of the future Hero King!" Daedalus shouted, making sure everyone in the cave could hear its words. "But this is only the beginning! Starting today, Leone will now perform miracles!"
The young man blinked once, then twice, because he had no idea what his grimoire was talking about.
Miracles? What miracles?
These were the questions that Ulric, Yuni, and the rest of the Alborin Tribe were thinking.
However, Daedalus had no plans to explain anything to the tribe that still hadn't recognized its Master as a very capable individual.
They said actions speak louder than words, and the grimoire planned to show everyone what his new master was capable of!
But for now, he decided to satisfy Leone's curiosity and showed him the Status Pages of his three vassals, who had just evolved.
———
[Maximus]
Race: Kobold
Grade: Super Rare
Evolution Form: Kobold Dual Blade Master
Strength: 65 [+6]
Agility: 35
Dexterity: 41
Vitality: 50
Intelligence: 45
———
[Arion]
Race: Pegasus
Grade: Super Rare
Evolution Form: Radiant Pegasus
Strength: 35
Agility: 60
Dexterity: 55
Vitality: 48
Intelligence: 65
———
[Blitz]
Race: Squirrel
Grade: Super Rare
Evolution Form: Stormwing Squirrel
Strength: 22
Agility: 65
Dexterity: 39
Vitality: 36
Intelligence: 40
———
While Leone was reading the information about his vassals, the members of the Alborin Tribe looked at each other in shock, processing the transformation Leone's vassals had gone through.
Even Ulric looked solemn. The White Kobold serving Leone now seemed stronger than the warriors of his tribe.
Not that long ago, the White Kobold was just a weak monster that couldn't do anything against the gryphon, even dying to save Yuni.
But now, Ulric had a feeling that even if Maximus couldn't defeat the gryphon they faced, it was strong enough to at least deal injuries to its body.
Daedalus could already tell what the Chieftain of the Alborin Tribe was thinking as he gazed at the White Kobold, who now looked like a fine warrior.
But what Ulric and the rest of the Alborin Tribe didn't know was… Leone's vassals could grow even stronger after another evolution.