17 Chapter 17: The Contract and Tia's True Identity

T: "Form a contract with me."

H: "… Contract?"

Tia, who is now gripping my arm, told me so.

We are currently faced with a dangerous situation. Having encountered the infamous monster that have already killed a number of adventurers. The king inside the Traveler's Forest, a powerful beast that is said to be able to bring ruin to a city in one night.

The Chaos Wolf.

Having no options left for us other than to fight it, I'm now on my wits end thinking how I could fight it without letting it harm Tia.

T: "Yes… I could explain it here and now, but we would not want it attacking us once again during it."

H: "… Is it perhaps your Gift?"

T: "No, it is not. It is one of the hidden abilities of the Faunalian race."

Hidden abilities…?

Tia's face was already painted with determination. It seems like she's already decided and will go through it no matter what.

H: "…"

But that contract… I don't really know what kind of contract it will be. I haven't heard anything about a hidden ability of the Faunalians, on top of that.

… But all I can do now is trust Tia.

H: "Alright. Let's form that contract of yours."

T: "Hans…! Okay, the result will depend on your feelings about me… So focus your mind only to me."

Is it because we're in a dangerous situation? I feel like Tia's demeanor changed into a mature one. Even her way of speaking changed.

H: "Got it. What should I do then?"

T: "I will need a small amount of your blood."

H: "Alright. Will this do?"

*cut*

I used my combat knife to open a wound on my palm and blood started to gush out from it. It pricked a little but I felt nothing more than that. Or it's more like, I'm already used to getting wounds, that's why I feel pain a lot less than that of a normal human being.

T: "Yes. Well then… Please empty your mind and focus only on me…"

Before I followed her instruction, I saw her face flushed from ear to ear and she then went to hold my wand which is now dripping with my blood. I closed my eyes and recalled everything and all the time that I've spent together with Tia.

From the first time we met, the moment I saved her and Ceres.

["W-Were you kidnapped too?"]

The time when I asked Anya to let her in in their home, the moment she first bought her own dress.

["How do I look, Hans…?"]

The time when I baked them danberry pie, her delightful expression when she ate it.

["Mmm…~~~!!!"]

When she sleeps like a log on Anyas lap.

Her troubled expression. Her frown. Her tears.

Her face when I pat her head.

Her smile.

T: "Hans…"

H: "…"

T: "… I'm… going to lick it… okay?"

After hearing her slightly trembling voice, I felt a soft and wet sensation on my hands as it drag along and around my wound.

T: "*slurp* lelm… shlp... *gulp* … Haaaa… You can now open your eyes."

It happened in a flash and now I stand dumbfounded when I opened my eyes seeing Tia in front of me with blood dripping down from her lips. From wherever you look at her, she's still just a child as she looks, but the expression on her face is that of a mature and a composed woman. Like being enlighten from everything. She turned her head to look at me.

T: "Hans."

Followed by her voice saying my name, a huge magic circle appeared beneath us and a fierce gust of wind enveloped the surroundings. Even the Chaos Wolf couldn't help but guard itself from the sudden burst of wind.

The light from the magic circle illuminated the place and made the rest a place of darkness. It was like we were transported to our own small world.

T: "… Wilt thou, with all thine own heart, accept this pact… and be my contracted one?"

Her atmosphere changed once again… Like an empty doll that can only do what she's told to…

She looked at me with almost blank eyes. It's different from the usual Tia. It's like she's a whole different person. But all this time, I still remained calm and looked back at her as gentle as I can.

H: "I accept."

She closed her eyes and after a short while, she let go of my hand and raised her head.

T: "… Phew… Hans… *smile* Thank you!"

Then she reverted back to her cheerful self but is now full of confidence and thanked me. I don't even know why she thanked me but I couldn't help but smile back at her.

A surge of mana erupted from our place that even without using Mana Detect, I could feel it tingling and caressing my skin. The light from the magic circle brighten up more than earlier and my heart felt like it's being pulled outside my chest.

But it isn't an unpleasant feeling. It feels warm on the contrary and I haven't felt calmer than ever.

T: "Link."

A word slip out from Tia's lips and a light from my chest appeared hovering towards Tia who also has an orb of light coming out from her chest directing towards me.

The two orbs then merged together as one and all the light dispersed in all direction.

T: "Contract complete! Hans! We are now a contracted partner! And more importantly, it turned out to be a [Parallel Contract]! I am so happy~!"

H: "Phew… I see."

I don't have the slightest of clue about what she just said but if she's happy about it, then it's fine.

T: "… I… I did not know you also felt that way about me… *blush*"

H: "Huh?"

She held her blushing cheeks with her hands as she wriggled in her place.

I pat her head again in response. But our happy atmosphere was crushed by the loud howl from the Chaos Wolf.

T: "Goodness, can you not read the mood, you vile monster?? I will explain it in details later, first just listen to what I have to say."

It really looks like even her personality changed but now is not the time to be thinking about that.

H: "Roger."

I took a stance with the combat knife in my hand, Tia also did the same while facing the Chaos wolf.

C.W: "Grrrrrrr… Roar!!"

H: "Tch…"

From what I thought as only a roar, came a huge ball of concentrated mana that blasted from its mouth towards our direction.

T: "Do not mind me Hans! Go the other direction!"

H: "Alright!"

I followed her instruction and jumped towards the side to dodge the incoming beam.

I felt it a little strange. It's like I can trust everything Tia says. There was not a single doubt and a place to consider when she instructed me earlier.

H: "Uwoa…!"

But what bewilders me the most is the strength that welled up inside me as I leaped. My body was as light as a feather but the impact from where I jumped from, left a huge crater.

H: "What the…"

I hurriedly opened the status display and look out for changes.

Name: Hans Alius Schmidt

Race: Human

Class: None

[Title/s]

Contracted One

[Status]

Strength: 206(+206)/9999

Agility: 82(+82)/9999

Intelligence: 171(+171)/9999

Defense: 15(+15)/9999

[Skills]

Mana Detect Lv. 9/10

Crush Strike Lv. 8/10

Beast Soul Activation Lv. 1/1

Status Lv. 1/1

Harden Lv. 1/10

Damage Resistance Lv. 1/10

Beast Soul Link Lv. 1/1

[Crystal Points: 0]

From below the Class, a new section have appeared which is the Title. It's like the one from my bracelet terminal. It says, Contracted One. Did I get this title when I formed the contract with Tia?

In my status on the other hand, aside from the usual numbers from my status, all of them have a number next to them. They're the same number with the plus sign beside them. I guess it means that the number is added to my original status. Based from that, I can see that my status have doubled.

Then lastly, a new active and passive skill.

[Beast Soul Activation] and [Beast Soul Link]

Ms. Information didn't announce it so I didn't think I would get another skill. But if I were to conclude that I got all these from having the contract with Tia, then it all makes sense. I tapped over the passive skill Beast Soul Link and a summary of the skill appeared.

H: "…"

T: "Look out!"

H: "Kuh…!!"

C.W: "Grrrraaaaaarrrghhh!!"

I spaced out for just a moment and the Chaos wolf hammered down its claw so I used my combat knife to shield from it but it was easily broken into pieces. Fortunately, I got away with only a slash on my side.

T: "Hans! You're… You're bleeding!"

H: "It's just a scratch. Don't mind it."

T: "But…!"

H: "More importantly, don't mind me and focus on the enemy."

T: "… Okay!"

I got her to focus on what's in front of us but this is definitely something. The wound is deeper than I thought and my strength is slowly being drained away by the blood loss. This is bad. I feel like I'm being too much distracted by these new factors (Magic) coming to hit me all at once. These are all a first for me so I'm slightly having hard time dealing with them.

But on the good side of the note, the Chaos Wolf is huge and powerful and its attacks leave a huge impact, but it lacks in agility. Every time it attacks it will take time to prepare another one. But that doesn't mean that it attacks would be easier to dodge and all.

H: "Mana Detect."

I used Mana Detect to understand how its flow of mana works inside his body.

When he attacks, the concentration of mana goes towards the part it will use. I think that explains the powerful impact of its attack even though it's still slow.

H: "Alright. Tia! Stay there! I'll try attacking it first to know its abilities!"

T: "Okay!"

Tia stayed on guard per my instruction.

I went ahead and leaped in the direction of the hind legs of the Chaos Wolf and used the skill Crush Strike to attack it.

H: "Crush Strike!"

I didn't have my combat knife anymore so I used my bare hands and punch it with all my strength.

*clank*

C.W: "Grraaar!!"

But it didn't leave any mark or even a scratch to it, moreover, it countered using its hind legs and forcefully stomped on the ground, the site then became a wide explosion of rocks, hitting me all over my body.

H: "Kuh…!"

If I didn't have the effect of the skill Harden and Damage Reduction, I wouldn't be able to get out of that in one piece.

T: "Hans!! Grr… How dare you…!"

H: "Wait, Tia!! It'll follow up an attack!!"

Tsk, she couldn't hear me!

I immediately arranged my posture in the air and use Crush Strike again to propel me downwards to hit the body of the Chaos Wolf in an attempt to distract it from Tia's attention.

H: "Haaaaaaaahh!! Look here, you big pup!!"

T: "Hiyaa!"

*Bang!*

We hit the same time but just as before, it didn't damage it but, I did get its attention from Tia. As a result, it turned its attack towards me and all I could do is used my arm to guard myself from the huge incoming claws.

C.W: "GRrrr!!"

H: "UGH!!"

A direct hit as I felt my whole body get paralyzed from the impact. I was blown away and hit a nearby tree.

T: "HANS!!!!"

Tia ran to where I am and helped me get up.

H: "Kuh… I'm… fine…"

Really, I'm being surprised myself… My skills really do wonders. I need to level them up.

… Hm. I guess it's no use attacking it aimlessly.

H: "… Tia."

T: "Yes?"

H: "Do you know about the Beast Soul Activation?"

T: "…! H-How did you know about that…??"

Tia raised her voice in surprise.

H: "I'll explain later too. Just tell me what it does."

I don't have the time to spare so I felt a little bit rushed.

T: "I understand. Having you do it first hand is better than explaining it. Place your hand on my back."

H: "… Alright."

She has undone her dress and displayed her bare back to me. Then what meets my eyes was a large symbol and markings spread out on her back. The red tint draws a magic circle that contains a star like design and a soul like emblem is centered in it.

T: "That is the symbol of our contract."

H: "Where's mine?"

T: "In your palm."

When I look at it, the wound is now gone and is replaced by an emblem of a soul that resembles that of Tia's.

T: "Place it directly on the symbol and generate all your mana around your hand."

I did as instructed as I close my eyes. I thought I would need a lot of concentration but all I needed to do is activate it like how I did with my other skills like the Mana Detect. After getting used to using skills, it's just like pressing a button inside my head and it will do its part.

H: "Soul Beast Activation."

I chant the skill and the symbol on Tia's back glowed. Another surge of wind from where Tia is standing erupted. Then her whole body was covered in light.

H: "Tia??"

T: "It is fine, Hans."

When I heard her voice, my mind was expecting the cute little voice of a girl which I got used to hearing when talk with her, but what I heard is of that of a young woman's voice.

The small back where my hand is place, moved upwards as I see her whole body grow into that from a child into an adult.

The light dissipated and what's left is a young woman around the same age as me. The dress that Tia was wearing is worn by the young woman but is now torn to a shred.

??: "Phew. It is a success."

H: "Uh… Tia?"

T: "Hm? Yes?"

H: "…"

My eyes couldn't help but gravitated downwards, from her face to her chest. The ones flat as a board chest is now replaced with a bountiful mountain. It's not as big as Anya's but they're not losing in terms of shape. The hips that was just a little curved straight from her waist is now wider and voluptuous.

Wait… Why am I calmly analyzing her body like a pervert!?

…

… Hm. Just a little bit more glance.

T: "Eh…? Ah…! K-Kyaaaa!! Stop looking!!"

H: "Gufo-!!!"

*boff!*

I received a resounding punch from Tia(?) and I was blown away towards the nearest tree and it broke in half after the impact. But surprisingly I didn't feel any pain. I know I'm a little bit tolerant with pain but it's almost like I was just pushed towards the tree's direction. And I can't feel any damage in my gut.

T: "Awawa! Sorry about that!"

Yup. That way of being flustered. She's definitely Tia.

But another power up… I opened my status display to check again for changes.

Name: Hans Alius Schmidt

Race: Human

Class: None

[Title/s]

Contracted One

[Status]

Strength: 206(+206)(+412)/9999

Agility: 82(+82)(+164)/9999

Intelligence: 171(+171)/9999

Defense: 15(+15)(+30)/9999

[Skills]

Mana Detect Lv. 9/10

Crush Strike Lv. 8/10

Beast Soul Activation Lv. 1/1 (Activated)

Status Lv. 1/1

Harden Lv. 1/10

Damage Resistance Lv. 1/10

Beast Soul Link. Lv. 1/1

[Crystal Points: 0]

I see. Because of the Beast Soul Activation, my current status along with the addition to the bonus status from the contract, my Strenth, Agility, and Defense have doubled once again. For some reason, the Intelligence stayed the same. But still…

I'm really becoming more and more of a cheat character… Haha…

Well I can't say this is not what I need right now because it exactly is.

The Chaos Wolf became agitated and attacked Tia from behind.

H: "Tia! From your back!"

T: "Kuh!"

I almost thought I was dreaming since what occurred before me is she blocking the claw attack of the Chaos Wolf with her bare hands. I couldn't let her do it by herself so I stood up from my place and leaped towards the Chaos Wolf and use my fist to reflect its claw from Tia.

H: "You okay, Tia?"

T: "Yes!"

H: "I see. Use this."

T: "Ah… Thank you very much."

She wore my leather jacket that I always wear whenever I go out of town.

But now that I've taken a closer look at our situation, it seems like after activation the Beast Soul Activation, Tia and I powered up. In Tia's case, even her body structure changed from that of a normal Faunalian to that of the size of a Human. Her golden hair flowed vibrantly and is now much longer than before. Her ears and tail is still there so there goes the possibility of her transforming into a Human. Maybe this was the thing she was talking about the hidden ability of Faunalians.

H: "I got the picture. Now shall we do this?"

T: "Yes!"

My strength returned even with the wound on my side. No. It's definitely more than before. I feel the mana inside me beating like crazy protesting to be released.

Alright.

H: "Tia. We'll be doing this swiftly."

T: "Eh?"

H: "Buy me some time and create me an opening while I do something."

T: "I understand. I can only do it once, so be careful."

H: "Alright."

Tia ran towards the Chaos Wolf and attacked it by using her bare hands to punch it all around its body. Because of its huge body, it couldn't keep up by the speed of the powered up Tia.

One single punch leaves a visible dent on the hard fur of the Chaos Wolf while creating a deafening sound with each impact.

The Chaos Wolf attacks her but she just easily guards it using her arms and counter it using her feet.

Her kick hits directly on the head of the Chaos Wolf and stunned it in the process. It's my chance.

T: "Hans!"

H: "Yeah!"

It wasn't like I was just watching her fight ever since I asked her to buy me time. I tried to apply what I learned from the Chaos Wolf and was preparing it while Tia was buying me time.

I noticed the mana inside me increased in an unbelievable level so I thought of concentrating it all in my fist. All the mana inside my body is now continuously flowing in my right arm as I hold it with my other, trying to suppress the surging energy from it. My body is trembling and cold sweat have started pouring from my back and forehead. Even with my pain tolerance, this is extremely painful. It's like my hand is already bursting.

H: "Here… I… GO!!"

I leaped towards the huge monster who is swaying left and right from being stunned. I jumped upwards where the Chaos Wolf is now directly right below me. I then raised my hand like an arrow being pulled in the string of a bow, exerted all my force towards my muscles as I tightly grip my fist and let the gravity pull me downwards helping me accelerate even more.

H: "HAAAAAAAAAAA!!"

My fist met the body of the large wolf and all the mana that was concentrated in one point bursts out from my fist like a bullet inside a gun, propelled by an innumerable amount of gunpowder. The impact was enough to bring an explosion that covered the whole vicinity.

*boom!*

The impact blew me away, together with some of the trees that were uprooted because of the torrent of the explosion.

After a few seconds of being blown away, my body stopped rolling on the ground. I was expecting a huge injury from the explosion but surprisingly, I was fine all over. There are smoke from all over and the dust made it more blinding inside the forest.

Ooh. I learned a new skill from that attack earlier.

I see. So that means there are three ways for me to learn a new skill. First will be how I can learn a skill by accomplishing a certain task, like using an extraordinary attack to defeat a monster. Second is from absorbing mana core. Then lastly is learning them through others. I'm not really sure how the last one works. Should I be taught by others? Or just make a contract with them to acquire a skill?

I have to hear Tia's explanation first to confirm this.

H: "Ah! Tia!!"

I remembered Tia who was also around then.

T: "*cough* *cough* I am… *cough* fine."

H: "Phew… Thank goodness."

Well considering I got out alive from it even with my low Defense, it's no wonder she would be fine with her having a power up and all.

T: "Really… Hans… *cough* What was that??"

H: "Haha… I don't know."

I scratched the back of my head unconsciously.

T: "*sigh* I really thought I was not mistaken about you being strong but… to this extent…"

The smoke cleared up and the place where I released all that mana showed a huge creater where the dismembered body of the Chaos Wolf lies lifeless on the ground. The light from the sun is now illuminating the place since the trees around are blown away.

H: "Phew… That's it, I guess."

T: "You really did it, did you not? *giggle*"

H: "Yeah."

The body of the monster hardened and crumbled leaving a huge object in its place and a pitch black fur that now looks like a huge thick metal plate.

H: "What's that?"

I went towards it and found a huge mana core and a monster crystal the size of 5 truck wheel.

T: "Ah! A mana core and mana crystal! And it drop a part too! That can sell for a good price."

H: "So monster drops parts too?"

T: "Yes. But those only goes for strong monsters like this. For the weaker ones, you have to use a certain skill to retain its body and harvest its parts… What are you going to do with it…?"

I see. From what I heard from Anya, monsters and animal monsters are two different things. Monsters are from the formation of corrupted mana and will disappear after defeating it. They're mostly found in dungeons. But animal monsters are animals that absorbed mana in the wild making them monsters. Those are the ones that can be harvested without using the skill Tia was talking about.

But this time, it dropped a monster crystal and a monster crystal. It just means that the Chaos wolf was really one dangerous monster.

H: "Hmm… I want to absorb it."

T: "A-Absorb…?"

Tia showed a curious face with a question mark floating above her head.

H: "But before that, Tia. Care to explain everything now?"

T: "Uh… Yes… Ah…"

Since earlier, her feet is trembling and now it seems she's on her limit.

H: "Tia?"

Then all of a sudden, Tia fell to the ground but fortunately, I made it in time to catch her.

H: "Tia!"

T: "I… I am fine…"

*poof!*

Like a smoke bomb, Tia's body released a huge amount of smoke and in an instant, she returned to her original form, to a little Faunalian.

H: "Huh?"

T: "I think I used up all my mana from the Activation… Ehehe…"

H: "I see. Well, it's okay. You can just explain it to me when you feel better. You can rest for now."

T: "I will…"

Tia closed her eyes and I feel the weight coming to my arms as I carry her. It seems like she fell asleep.

H: "Well then… What should I do about this huge mana core?"

I opened the status display and saw the numbers reverted back to before I activated the Beast Soul Activation. And the word (Activated) beside the skill is now gone. I guess it can only be used for a certain period of time.

I sat down whilst holding Tia and touched the surface of the mana core.

H: "No."

There is a rule in the Adventurer's Guild. If you happen to get a mana core from a monster, you should report it first to the Guild and have it examined. Back when I got a mana core from the Ground Arachnia, I had to go to the Guild late at night to report it. It was soon returned to me immediately because of its size. But for this size, I think it will take some time for the Guild to give me the rights to its possession.

There are two options when handling a mana core. First, one can leave it to the Guild and they will pay for it, equal to its value. Second, one can take it but will have to sign a contract that will have the owner be held liable whatever happens afterwards.

It is said that if the mana core is examined to be dangerous, it will be automatically go to the Guild's hands but if it's otherwise, they can choose. A mana core can be used with different kinds of magical experiments and Magicians usually choose the option of having it.

But for me, it's a different matter.

H: "Alright, first I have to think of a way how to carry these."

The huge metal-like plate that the Chaos Wolf dropped from its fur is just tad smaller than the mana core. Along with the huge monster crystal, it will be a big load for a single person, and I've to carry Tia too in my arms.

H: "Hmm…"

*rumble* *rumble* *rumble*

H: "Hm?"

From a little bit far from my position, I hear a rumbling sound that is getting louder and louder with each second. It seems like the source of the sound is getting near.

H: "*sigh* This is bad if it's another dangerous monster."

I'm already really exhausted from the battle and the wound on my side is still open. I can feel my energy being drained by the minute.

But what appeared from the shadow swept away all my worries.

??: "Heeeeeey!! Are you guys okay?!?!"

A group of adventurers coming at us at full speed. Some are running with foot and there's a carriage that is pulled by a horse. Looking closely at the carriage, it was Ceres and Anya who is on it.

A: "Haaaaans~!! Tiaaaaaa~!!"

H: "Phew… We're saved…"

All the tension in my body instantly left and now the drowsiness, pain and exhaustion attacked me all at once as I feel my eyelids get heavy.

I don't remember what happened after that…

…

H: "Hn…?"

My body feels heavy and I feel something warm that is stuck to my side as I got aware of my surroundings. I'm lying on some sort of a bed as I hold my head to suppress the surging pain in it.

T: "Hans!!"

H: "Hnn…? Tia?"

I found Tia clinging to me with tears flowing down her cheeks.

T: "Hans!! You're awake!!"

Adventurer:"Ooooooohhh!! The hero's awake!!"

Adventurer: "Whooooo! It seems like he's just fine!!"

Adventurer: "Hey, hey! Tell us how you did it!!"

Adventurer: "I want to hear about that too!!"

The moment I wake up, a loud cheer erupted from all direction and I was afraid it will destroy my eardrums. Makes matter worse, it only got my headache a lot worse.

T: "Be quiet, you all!! Can you not see Hans is still recovering?!"

Adventurer: "L-Little Tia… She sure is different today, don't you guys think…? She's braver or how would you call this…"

Adventurer: "Y-Yeah…"

The adventurers clamped up after hearing Tia's loud scolding.

H: "Hn… Urk."

I tried to sit up straight but I felt an excruciating pain from my side and in my right arm, and well, all over my body. My body is wrapped in bandage without wearing anything for my top. I'm in a large room where a lot of adventurers are gathered around us while talking loudly with each other.

T: "Hans! You should lie down for a while…!"

H: "What… What happened…?"

A: "You don't remember~?"

I heard Anya's voice from afar and turning my head towards it, there also stands a serious Ceres leaning on the wall. Anya wears her uniform as a receptionist so she must've been here since ealier.

H: "Ah… No. I remember."

After some time, all the memories from the fight and how Tia and I defeated the Chaos Wolf came back all at once.

A: "It's a great feat, Hans~ defeating the Chaos Wolf~"

Adventurer: "That's right!! I didn't think you would be so strong, young man with a noble hair!!"

Adventurer: "Having a gentle face doesn't definitely suit you!"

Adventurer: "Reminds me of the story of the sheep wearing a wolf skin to kill the wolves for revenge!"

Other adventurers continue to cheer and I can't help but smile wryly at their honest praise.

Adventurer:"Tell us how you defeated the Chaos Wolf!!"

Adventurer: "We heard from the Guild that the mana core found was the genuine one of that of the Chaos Wolf itself!"

Adventurer:"Right, right. After a century of terror from it when traveler's go through that forest, you finally defeated it. You were just a newbie adventurer, right?? Just how strong of a newbie you are???"

It seems like they're not doubting the fact that I'm one of the people who defeated it. I guess it's the power of the innocence of Tia(or is what they know so far) as Tia went ahead and told them the story while I lie on the bed.

I reached out to pat Tia's head while she's doing her best to explain the whole story. But she's forgetting one important thing.

H: "Nah. It's all because of Tia, actually."

T: "AH!! Hans!!!"

H: "Hm? What's wrong Tia? Did I say something wrong?"

T: "Shhh!!!"

She placed her finger on her lips and shushed me.

Oh. I see. It was a hidden ability, after all. I guess she doesn't want me to reveal her race's secret like that.

Adventurer: "Because of Tia?"

H: "Yeah. Her being there with me gave me the strength I needed. Yeah."

Adventurer: "Hahahaha! What's that???"

The crowd burst out with laughter with Tia blushing afterwards.

Nurse: "Alright, alright. You all can now go out. This is the infirmary for goodness sake."

Someone who is dressed like nurse(?), I'm not sure but it looks like it so maybe she really is a nurse, entered the room and had the adventurer's go out leaving only me, Tia, Ceres, and Anya.

Tia is still clinging to me while sniffling probably because she was just crying. But I'm already fine so I just reach out my hands and pat her head to reassure her and since it's the only part of my body which I can move. Her lips curled up into a smile after I did so and I thought so to myself,

H: ["Good thing I didn't fail to protect that smile…"]

A: "So will you tell us now what happened~?"

Nurse: "I'll leave you all, then."

The nurse read the atmosphere and went outside the room after checking my body for more injuries.

A: "I remember asking you to gather some ingredients for the restaurant with the request of Tia… But I didn't think it would end up being a big incident…"

Anya couldn't help but feel responsible about what happened it seems.

A: "We heard a loud explosion in the direction of the forest and I thought maybe you're in danger and you really were… I'm sorry… Good thing there were adventurers that we could gather in time."

H: "No… It's not Anya's fault."

Ceres and Anya sat down by the side of the bed where I'm lying down. But even before I tried to open my mouth to speak, Tia stood up from her place while gripping the new clothes that's probably given to her by Ceres or Anya since the previous one is torn to shreds.

T: "Anya, Ceres, and Hans… I have to tell you something…"

Tia's serious atmosphere got us focusing to her while waiting for the next words she is about to say. But now that I noticed, Ceres has only her arms folded with her eyes closed.

T: "I am…"

A: "You are~?"

This was what I was waiting for.

Ever since the day that I've met her, I've always thought that there's something strange about her deep inside my mind. I never entertained the thought since all I wanted to believe is simple, she's Tia that I saved. A shy little girl who got along with us.

But from time to time, I will see expression change from that of an innocent young child into that of a mature young woman. Her composure at times of distress is also noticeable when I was with her in the room where we were locked together with Ceres.

And not to mention… Her change earlier. Her personality was a lot different, all different from the pure and shy Tia. Moreover, her ability to transform after activating the skill that I got after forming a contract with her.

I have a lot of question in my minds right now that I couldn't almost wait for her to speak but I repress the words that are forming in my mouth and patiently wait for her explanation.

T: "…"

A: "Tia…~?"

But it seems like she's having a hard time to do so. I don't know what she feels right now, and I don't have the ability to know like Anya.

So all I can do is trust her in this…

H: "Tia."

… and give her a little push.

T: "Hans…?"

H: "Tia is Tia. Our Tia. That fact alone won't change no matter what."

H: "…! Hans…"

An unbelievable amount of tears dropped from her eyes and flowed down her cheeks. Like a broken damn, her emotions forced their way out from deep inside her.

A: "He's right, you know…~? Tia will always be our Tia."

Anya hugged her small and delicate frame as it trembles from her crying.

A: "Come on, Ceres~ Say something~"

C: "… Isn't that something obvious?"

Ceres turned her head away, but I saw her in a glimpse that her face was a bit flushed. I guess she's embarrassed about saying her own feelings.

H: "Ceres getting embarrassed! A rare expression…! Must record this!"

I stood up from my by forgetting all about the pain that was running all around my body. Did my body get more recipient of pain again like before…?

C: "Shut it!"

*bonk*

H: "Ow! What are you doing to an ill person??"

C: "You look more energetic to me than ever."

H: "Well, I am though."

T: "Haha…"

H: "… You finally laughed, Tia."

I saw her smile a bit with tears all over her cheeks. It seems our usual banter did the trick.

H: "Hear me, Anya, Ceres, Hans."

H: "We're listening."

I sat down again and turned our way to her to listen to whatever she will say. She wiped her tears off and faced us with full determination in her eyes.

T: "I am…"

H: "…"

A: "…"

C: "…"

And with great resolve...

T: "I am the Faunalian Kingdom, Terratrasca Kingdom's Princess! Frederica Siestia Faunalia!"

…

Chapter 17 End

Name: Hans Alius Schmidt

Race: Human

Class: None

[Title/s]

Contracted One

[Status]

Strength: 206(+206)/9999

Agility 82(+82)/9999

Intelligence 171(+171)/9999

Defense 15(+15)/9999

[Skills]

Mana Detect Lv. 10/10

Crush Strike Lv. 9/10

Beast Soul Activation Lv. 1/1

Mana Burst Lv. 1/10

Status Lv. 1/1

Harden Lv. 1/10

Damage Resistance Lv. 1/10

Beast Soul Link Lv. 1/1

[Crystal Points: 0]

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