A New Companion

Swain awoke to the sound of soft snorting and the warm weight of something pressing against his side. He blinked away the remnants of sleep, his body feeling heavy and aching from exhaustion that clung to him like a second skin. Turning his head, he found himself face-to-face with the small boar-like creature he had created the night before.

"Beelze," Swain murmured, his voice still thick with sleep. The boar grunted softly, its sharp, intelligent eyes fixed on him with an unusual awareness. Swain sat up slowly, marveling at the creature's compact, muscular frame, the glimmer of excitement coursing through him. This was his doing—he had brought Beelze into existence from the ether of his imagination.

As the faint hum of the system began to fill the air once more, a translucent screen flickered into existence within Swain's vision, casting a soft light that illuminated his surroundings. The text that filled the screen seemed to pulse with possibility.

[Beast Status: Beelze]

Type: Boarling 

Rank: Copper I 

Traits: 

Strength (Copper I) 

Loyalty: Developing 

Abilities: None 

Notes: Conscious Creation. Autonomous behavior detected.

Swain stared at the screen, an exhilarating rush of disbelief and joy battling for dominance in his chest. "Conscious creation?" he muttered, casting a quick glance at Beelze, who snorted softly, tilting his head in a way that seemed to convey, "Of course I do." 

He reached out hesitantly, his hand hovering above the creature. The boar sniffed at his fingers, its warm breath tickling his skin, before allowing him to scratch gently behind its ears. A small grin spread across Swain's face, an overwhelming sense of pride swelling within him. "You might not be like everyone else's beasts, but you're mine. Together, let's see what adventures await us." 

Suddenly, a knock at the door pulled Swain out of his reverie, the familiar voice of his mother breaking through. "Swain! Breakfast is ready!" she called cheerfully. "And don't be late for the academy!"

"Coming!" Swain shouted back, turning to Beelze with a grin. The boar snorted enthusiastically, trotting to the door and pawing at it in an impatient display of eagerness.

"All right, buddy," he said, opening the door wide to reveal the bustling warmth of home. "Let's see how everyone reacts to you."

As they descended the stairs together, the inviting smell of freshly baked bread and roasted vegetables filled the air, wrapping around them like a warm hug. In the dining room, Swain's mother was setting plates on the table, her movements graceful and efficient, while his father sat nearby, engrossed in a small report, his brow furrowed in concentration. Both looked up in surprise as Beelze trotted into the room, a creature unlike any they had seen before.

"What in the world is that?" his mother exclaimed, her eyes widening with a mixture of shock and curiosity.

"This is Beelze," Swain introduced proudly, scratching the boar's head affectionately. "He's… uh, unique."

"Unique how?" his father asked, leaning forward with narrowed eyes as he observed the creature with a mix of intrigue and wariness. Swain's father had always had a keen understanding of beasts, and the eagle perched on the windowsill ruffled its feathers in mild interest, eyeing Beelze intently.

"Well, I didn't bond with him, per se. I made him," Swain admitted, feeling a mixture of trepidation and excitement. "My system let me… create him."

His parents exchanged glances; uncertainty flickered in his father's eyes, but his mother's expression softened first, a hint of warmth blooming across her face. "Well, he certainly looks strong. Just make sure he doesn't destroy the furniture," she warned half-heartedly.

"I'll do my best," Swain replied, relief washing over him that they weren't pressing him for more intricate details about his creation.

Meanwhile, Beelze had zeroed in on the table, his nose twitching with the delicious scents wafting up from the spread of food. His father raised an eyebrow as the boar nudged a chair with his snout, clearly interested. "Looks like he's got quite an appetite." 

"You have no idea," Swain muttered with a grin, quickly pulling Beelze back before he could attempt to climb onto the chair. "You'll eat later, buddy."

The streets of Thesa bustled with energy, just as lively as the day before. Vendors called out their wares, their beasts hauling carts laden with goods, while tamers in training guided their companions through complex exercises. Children laughed as they chased small, darting creatures that scurried in delight. Beelze trotted alongside Swain, drawing curious glances, whispers of wonder following in their wake.

When Swain reached the academy gates, he spotted Den waiting patiently, his lion cub Rex sprawled lazily at his feet. Den's eyes widened when they locked onto Beelze, mirroring the wonder swirling in Swain's own heart.

"Whoa! What is that?" Den exclaimed, crouching down to get a closer look, his voice full of excitement.

"This is Beelze," Swain said proudly, a sense of accomplishment resonating in his voice. "I… made him."

Den's jaw dropped, eyes shining with disbelief. "Made him? Like, actually created him?"

"Yeah, it's part of my system," Swain replied, his voice tinged with awe. "I don't really get it yet, but… here he is." 

Den whistled, his excitement palpable. "Man, that's crazy. But cool! Rex, say hi to Beelze!" 

The lion cub growled softly, curiosity evident in his posture as he eyed Beelze with an inquisitive gaze. Beelze responded with an unimpressed snort, continuing on his path toward the academy entrance unbothered.

Den laughed heartily. "Looks like he's got some attitude." 

"You have no idea," Swain said with a smirk, feeling a bond with Beelze that only deepened with every passing moment.

Inside, the academy buzzed with the energy of students filling their seats and sharing excited whispers. Swain found his place near the back of the room, Beelze settling comfortably under the desk, his presence a reassuring weight. The first lesson of the day kicked off, focusing on the basics of beast care and taming, but Swain's mind constantly drifted back to the system's interface. If he could create Beelze with just one trait, what incredible things could he accomplish with more?

During lunch, Swain found a spot beside Den and Mara, eagerly sharing the tale of Beelze's creation. Mara's snake companion, Kai, coiled tightly around her arm, watching Beelze with wary, glittering eyes.

"So you're telling me you didn't bond with a beast," Mara reiterated, her expression a mixture of fascination and skepticism, "but your system let you make one?"

"Pretty much," Swain replied, feeling the weight of their curiosity. "It's different, but it works."

Mara frowned thoughtfully, mulling over the implications. "That's… impressive. But also risky. If you can just make beasts, what's stopping you from—"

"I don't think it works that way," Swain interrupted, wanting to quell her lingering doubts. "It's not like I can make a whole army. It takes a lot out of me, and I think Beelze is… special."

Beelze snorted as he dug into the generous scraps of meat Swain had saved for him, his enthusiastic munching a stark contrast to the serious conversation. Den grinned, glancing at the boar. "Special or not, he's awesome. And definitely hungry." 

Swain chuckled, shaking his head as he watched Beelze devour the last of his food. "Yeah, I'm gonna have to keep an eye on that." 

The thrill of the unexpected adventure ahead filled his heart, the bond between him and Beelze intricately weaving into the tapestry of his life, promising tales yet untold.