25 Two Gifts

"Think of it like robbing a bank, only now, the bankers can shoot fire."

"Yes, I get it, Jenkins."

Although that weird elf kept talking, Michael was having some fun while doing so. Rather weird, as he was a renowned lone wolf on earth.

"And Michael. I have the gifts ready! Just follow me!"

For the first time in many years, Michael was able to feel genuine happiness when speaking with someone else. And so, he enthusiastically followed Jenkins into another room that open up. Hiding behind a piece of the alloyed wall.

As he entered, he noticed that it was set up like a sort living room. A large brown sofa which covered the one side of the wall, tightly leaned against it. Resting over the floor cocered by a massive grey rug. However, this was nothing when compared with the giant gold tree standing in the middle of the room. Sharing its appearance with a pine tree usually used when christmas arrives. Hell, there was even two tightly wrapped gifts underneath it.

Jenkins threw himself on the couch, waiting for Michael to unpack the presents.

With little to no choice, he picked up one of the white boxes, planning on opening it up.

Inside.....

There was a small white egg?

"What is this?" Michael turned towards the eager Jenkins, wanting to know what this was.

"It's a duck egg!"

...

"But why?"

"Y..You ungrateful bastard! Did you know how many merchants I beat up in order to get that?!"

The atmosphere got a little awkward, so Michael only gave a stiff smile and thanked him. Stretching his hand towards the last box.

Inside it was no egg, luckly. But a small naked creatures? It had some green skin followed by some rather ugly looks.

"What is this? And why is it moving?"

Jenkins smiled, imagining how Michael would be eternally grateful for this one.

"It's a goblin I caught! Still lives too. After all, I am a great magician!"

....

"How long has it been here?"

"Two weeks!"

He reached his hand inside the box, placing the small creature on the rugged floor.

As it woke up, it noticed Michael and began to bark some unkown language at him. However, when seeing Jenkins there, it quickly hid behind the one it just screamed at.

"Wait a second, Michael. I'll help you with this one!"

Jenkins chanted something in his head, and a black chain shot into the head of the goblin and then onto Michael's arm. The small creature passed out when it happend.

[Host has formed a familiar contract]

[Goblin added]

[Do you wish to name it?]

"What the hell?! I didn't ask for a goblin!"

Jenkins was now a little dissatisfied, snapping back at him.

"Just name it! Goblins are known to have a very diverse evolution chart. I bet you'll be able to get something out of this."

"what should the name be?"

They were both in deep thought. However, Michael then decided on something.

[Goblin name: Nemesis]

After the name was given, the goblin woke up. Looking at it's new master.

"Why that kind of name?"

"It's a name belonging to the god of vengance on my planet. And as it really didn't like you, I bet you are going to have a bad time later on."

He then picked up the duck egg again, and letting Jenkins shot another black chain at it.

[Unborn Duckling added to familiars]

[Do you wish to name it?]

"I'll let you choose the name this time, good brother."

The elf jumped of his couch, running towards the screen Michael had in front of him.

"You are a good man!"

"Now, lets see here."

[Duck name: Drac'yuk The Destroyer]

"Pick another one..."

"Hmpf! Fine.."

[Duck name: Jingwei added]

Michael had never heard such a name before, so he also asked Jenkins about it.

"Thats quite the name.."

"It's the name of an old friend I had."

He wanted to ask which one, but stopped when seeing a sort of depressed and exhausted expression shadowing over his good brother's face.

Michael tried changing the topic, asking when they were goin to leave for the academy.

"When are we deparing then?"

It luckily snapped him out of the depressed trance, bringing him back to reality.

"Oh, we are going now. I have already dealt with all the adventurers who came here.."

A golden door of light appeared before them, Jenkins walked In front while signaling Michael to follow him.

The goblin only looked at them disappearing. After they were gone, it went and laid next to the duck egg. Falling asleep.

After going inside, he now found himself in a room covered by golden brick walls. Circling around them was a small river made up of beast nuclei, cores, gold ingots, gold coins and several types of royal garmaments. There was even a golden mannequin inside the pile, formed in the shape of jenkins.

While Michael was looking around in the sea of treasure, Jenkins was tapping on his purple ball.

It gave off a weak flash, summoning five different items which hovered in the air in front of him.

"Michael, look at these."

He made them fly next to his face, beginning to explain what each did.

"The first one is a 'shapeshifter pill'. It will make you look and feel like a human. When you evolved before, I sensed that the nuclei you previously formed had gone back to its 'forming' stage. This is good, as it will later become much more powerful. Mabye even reach...."

"Anyways, the second one is storage ring. It's only there so that you can keep some reliable items with you along the way. If something were to happen, just send it back into the treasury. I mean, you fused with my dungeon core, so you can send inanimate things on a one way trip from an unspecified distance."

"The third is you academy invitation. I found out that your name used to be 'Zell'. It has a noble name in it, so you are going in as one of them."

'What? its a noble name? Weren't they farmers?' Michael wanted to know more, but Jenkins did not stop with his explanation.

"The fourth one is that 'minor life orb' you clinges onto. Something told me you really liked it, so I made a black chain to hold it. This way it will be easier to carry around. Such things are held close, so I figured you wouldn't want to throw it into the ring."

"The last one is a black robe I took a liking to. Its made out of 'Vered Panther' leather, and has some nice rose petal markings on."

He was given all the items, now looking back at Jenkins who he felt very grateful towards.

Jenkins smiled a little while seeing the grateful face Michael made at him.

"Anyways, I will pack the dungeon back down. A carrige will arrive outside the forrest in three hours. I have made a room for your familiars, so that they can stay togheter like this. However, at the academy entry exam, you have to show your familiars, so that they can note down that they are yours. Yes, you will be taking them with you this time."

Michael once more wanted to say something, but another door of light appeard.

"I have filled that ring with some of the fortune you made while battling. Some necessities like clothes and such are also inside. After you get out, just head straight in the direction you face. Also, here, let me max your level once more before you go. Don't evolve yet please. We can discuss what evolution would be best for the heist."

Michael quickly said something to him before exiting. Now leaving with a sincere smile.

As Jenkins watched him leave, the depressed expression he had previously resurfaced. Finding bismelf muttering something only he knew what meant.

"I wish I could let you live, Michael. But as things are now, I cannot be sure that you can be trusted in the end."

He then left through another golden door.