6 Not So Bad?

No one spoke in the carriage, there was only the sounds of the wheels on the stone road and the people chatting on the street, creating a peaceful ambiance. Anna was still being firmly held by Rosa in her lap. She wanted to look out the window, but the curtains were drawn, and she was being held tightly by Rosa.

Ana didn't care, however. She was still thinking about the magic circle from earlier. She had been astounded by the magic, even though really it was just pretty lights, she'd never seen something like that in the hospital. The thought of being able to do that one day herself greatly excited her.

She envisioned in the future she could learn to wield magic and become a great sorceress. She'd use her magic to shape shift back into a human, and then break off the companion bond. Then she'd get to adventure around the world. That excited her the most: freedom. She could finally go outside; in her past life she'd been bound to the hospital, and immediately after reincarnation she was stuck in the pet shop. But now, she could picture a future where she can have the life she'd always wanted. Her tail slightly wagging as she was lost in her daydream of the future.

Suddenly, the King spoke. "The Lykaion was a good choice."

"Yes, I thought so too." Rosa agreed shortly.

The atmosphere became awkward.

"Is it a boy or a girl?"

"A girl." Rosa once again gave a terse response.

The King gave a quiet but still audible sigh and leaned back in his seat.

'What a bland conversation.' Anna commented in her head, 'is this kid a robot or something?' Then Anna felt a pulse of shame through the companion bond. Although it seemed Rosa was uninterested, through the bond Anna could tell she was struggling.

'To be fair, none of the King's questions were good conversation starters.' Anna felt a twinge of pity for the kid.

Rosa was feeling guilty about her lukewarm responses. She struggled to try and come up with something to talk about when through the bond she felt Anna's pity. 'This condescending pup,' Rosa smirked. She then lifted her hand to Anna's head.

Seeing this, Anna flinched, expecting a mean pinch like before, but she was pleasantly surprised to feel instead of pain, Rosa was gently massaging her ear.

'This kid is a bit weird but maybe she's not so bad?'

Anna looked up at Rosa who was looking back at her. Her pink eyes meeting Rosa's red ones. Her face seemed to brighten.

"Actually father, there was another reason I chose this one."

"Oh?" The King turned his attention from the outside.

Turning Anna around on her lap to face the King and the butler who were sitting across from her, Rosa said, "look at it's eyes."

Seeing Anna's startlingly pink eyes, the King seemed shocked, before immediately breaking into a bright smile. "Excellent catch Rosa!" He beamed proudly. "A variant beast! Very well done indeed!

The awkward atmosphere from before was shattered in an instant. Through the link Anna could tell Rosa was feeling happy at her father's praise. 'But what the heck is this variant beast stuff about?'

"The last known variant Lykaion was Fenrir! If it can grow to have even half the stats as Fenrir, it will become the strongest companion beast of our time!"

Hearing this, Anna was very happy. 'Hoho! So I'm pretty strong, huh? In the future when I master magic, I'll become invincible!' Anna again started to daydream about being an all-powerful human wizard. However, the daydream was interrupted again by the King.

"Although, it's too bad Lykaion can't use magic or take a humanoid form. But, their immense strength and defense stats put them on par with other companion beasts! Since this one's a variant it will- Huh?" The King stopped in surprise.

"Hm? Is there something wrong, your highness?"

"What is it Father?"

"... Is the dog crying?"

However, before his question could be answered, the carriage suddenly stopped and shouting could be heard from outside.

"Assassin!" A shrill voice shouted over the crowd.