An Alchemist's Curiosity

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"Alright, I think we can stop here for now. Good work, lad." Nicolas smiled, pleased by the progress of the lesson.

Hadrian sighed, methodically arranging his notes and books in a small stack as he stood up from his seat.

The lesson today seemed to stretch longer than it was before.

When the ancient alchemist noticed his unique ability to absorb and process information at a rapid pace, Nicolas had decided to up the difficulty of the lesson by teaching him two subjects in under two or three hours per day.

It took Hadrian by surprise, but he was not really against it. Of course, he was forced to adjust his daily schedule due to the slight change, but other than that, he has no complaints.

Smiling as he saw the young lad interact with his familiars, Nicolas could not help but make a comment.

"Those familiars of yours are really fascinating." The ancient alchemist said, causing Hadrian to pause and look over to him.

"Ah, yes, indeed, they are." Hadrian smiled, rubbing the heads of his familiars and receiving their gentle coos and purrs.

Noting his lack of response, Nicolas ignored it and pushed on, smile still present all the while.

"Zel, your grandfather, mentioned that they are rather unique in terms of their origins." He continued when he saw the curious look in the young mage's emerald eyes. "Something that only I can agree with, considering as I have had never seen any magical creature like them before. At least, here in my world."

Taking a few moments to stare at his two familiars, smiling when Ryu and Fou stare and gave curious coos at him in return, Hadrian spoke.

"No, they are the rarest ones, if I do say so myself. Even in my world, Ryu and Fou are the first and only members of their kind. " The young mage elaborated, reluctance subtle but clear in his tone.

Nicolas nodded slowly, aware that the subject might be somewhat of a secret that the young mage was responsible to withhold from others.

"I see." The ancient alchemist smiled indulgently, quietly deciding to keep the details he was told a secret as he walked up beside the young mage to look closer at the curious fluffy familiars, grinning when said familiars stared up at him with their big round eyes and perking ears. "I must say, they are the most adorable things that I've ever seen."

"That they are." Hadrian agreed with a smile and a nod, pausing as he added in a calm, neutral expression. "Just don't pet them if I'm not around. They might bite."

Shocked, Nicolas blinked before asking hesitantly.

"Uh, really?"

With a solemn façade, Hadrian nodded, and just to prove his point, he began to elaborate.

"They may look adorable, but that doesn't mean they don't have attitudes. For example, this one –" Hadrian pointed his index finger at Ryu, who leaned in, sniffing before rubbing his head against his master's finger, ears twitching and purring loudly as the fluff ball did so. "– may have an innocent demeanor, but he has the nastiest bite. He'll rip off anything he gets his teeth out of curiosity. Like a shark."

"Kyu!" Ryu chirped, happily purring.

Nicolas stared at the bun shaped familiar with mixed emotions, particularly shock and underlying hint of fear.

"But, this little fella doesn't seem to have any teeth. How would that work?" The ancient alchemist asked, looking at Hadrian to see if he was joking.

"I suppose it's better to show you." Hadrian said idly, sighing as he scratched the back of his head.

With a wry smile, Hadrian grabbed Ryu by the head in one hand, ignoring the familiar's surprised "nya!?" as he used his other free hand to grab something out of his pocket.

When he pulled it out, it was a small chocolate bar, much to the ancient alchemist's surprise.

Using the front of his teeth to tear out a small part of the wrapping, the young mage slowly presented it to curious white ball of fluff, whose eyes were wide as he sniffed at the object in front of him. After a few moments, Ryu's round eyes turned wide in joy as he seemed to recognize the scent of rich chocolate.

In one smooth motion, the familiar opened its mouth, revealing his pink gums on display.

"Eh, I don't see –" Nicolas was about to say with a smile before…

*CHOMP*

Then, two rows of sharp, pristine triangular teeth suddenly flashed out of Ryu's gums as he took a large bite out of the chocolate bar, causing Hadrian to grimace slightly when he noticed that the bao shaped familiar nearly included a bit of his thumb when the latter did his bite.

Nicolas, on the other hand, looked rightly shocked as he continued in a faint voice.

"Nevermind…" The ancient man finished quietly, still looking in shock as he stared at the fluffy familiar chew on his treat.

Nicolas didn't even notice that he took a step back from the familiar, but Hadrian certainly did.

Shaking his head slightly, the young mage set Ryu back down on the table, much to the fluffy familiar's disappointment.

"Like I mentioned before, it's not safe to treat these two like domestic familiars." Hadrian warned with a small, wry smile.

Nicolas opened his mouth, but paused when his gaze turned to Fou, who met his gaze with a slight tilt of her head and twitching rabbit-like ears cutely.

"Fou?"

"Then what about this little fella here?" Nicolas asked with a smile, torn between reaching out a hand to pet the familiar and keeping his hand beside him in fear of experiencing the same surprise that he was given previously with Ryu.

Hadrian chuckled, amused by the alchemist's reaction.

"Fou is here is different. She's more tolerant of receiving pets, treats and cuddles from strangers, but she is just as unique as Ryu here." The young mage paused, continuing in a thoughtful tone. "In fact, they both are, but Fou is more of a diva and vengeful than Ryu if you manage to offend her."

"Wait, she?" Nicolas said as he looked at the young mage with raised brows.

"She's a female." Hadrian answered simply, petting Fou gently on her head and down to her back.

"How did you find out?" Nicolas asked, curiously amused.

With a wry smile, Hadrian spoke.

"She convinced me with a look." The young mage said with a dry chuckle.

"With a look?" Nicolas repeated, bemused.

"With just a look." Hadrian confirmed with a slight nod.

After a few moments of watching the young mage's expression for any signs that he might be kidding around, Nicolas turned his gaze to the familiar in question, who seemed to have sensed it and turned to meet his curious stare in turn.

"Fou?" She cooed curiously.

In response, the ancient alchemist lifted a hand up and scratched the back of his head.

Nicolas doesn't know why, but there was something peculiar about his new student's second familiar.

While he merely looked bewildered on the outside, something deep inside him seemed to shiver as he stared longer at the familiar.

The feeling was instinctive, deep within the depths of his mind and soul.

Studious and intelligent as he is, Nicolas can't put it into words, but he does know this.

His new student's familiar seemed to be just as unique as he is.

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