August's First Contracted Beast

August stared at the system panel with confusion. 'A B-rank ability in a beast of bloodline F-rank? How can that be?'

[ Host, you should calm down. It is rare to see a higher ranking ability in a lower rank bloodline beast, but it's not unheard of ]

"I have not heard anything about that. Can you clarify?" August asked, further confused.

[ Only this time for free; after this, you have to buy it in the shop ]

[ Every beast carries a bit of their species' ancient bloodlines. Sometimes, some of them can awaken their higher rank bloodline either at birth or upon reaching a higher rank mana core. However, in most cases, if a beast fails to awaken their higher rank bloodline, they die. But in this beast's case, it's rarer. It has managed to awaken a small percentage of the bloodline, obtaining a B-rank ability and clinging to life by a thread ]

'Hmm, so it's at least a B-rank bloodline beast?' August pondered, considering making this beast his contracted one.

[ Yes, but host, you shouldn't make this beast your first choice, as it might die at any moment ]

"No, I will choose this one," August insisted, sensing that this beast was more unique than the system had indicated.

[ Host can do what he wants ]

August informed the guide that he wanted that particular beast. The guide attempted to dissuade him, citing its fragility, but August remained steadfast.

Resigned, the guide led them to a room adorned with a large circle inscribed with rune writing, designed to amplify the tamer's soul power, facilitating the contracting process.

"Do you know how to form a contract with beasts?" the guide inquired.

"Yes," August and Blake replied in unison.

"Even so, I'll explain it once more, especially since this is your first time," the guide continued.

"There are two methods to form a contract with a beast. The first involves acquiring a contract rune scroll, while the second is more challenging, requiring the tamer to fuse their blood with their soul power and infuse the beast's body with it," the guide explained.

"So, which method do you prefer?"

"I want a contract rune scroll," Blake said, opting for the simpler route.

"Hmm, the scrolls are over there," the guide pointed to neatly stacked scrolls on a nearby table.

"And you?" he turned to August.

[Host, you can easily accomplish the second method with my help, so you can choose that option.]

"I will opt for the second method," August declared.

"Very well," the guide acknowledged, as a worker entered the room with the chosen beasts.

August sat beside the ice serpent, which remained motionless even after he settled beside it.

Carefully, he pricked his finger with a needle, allowing a drop of blood infused with soul power to drip out of the wound.

[Do you wish to form a contract with the beast? Y/N]

August chose 'yes,' and a strand of soul power emerged from him, making contact with the white serpent's forehead, establishing a connection. As the bond formed, he sensed a rush of emotions from the beast—pain and sadness.

The ice serpent opened its piercing blue eyes, gazing at him. In that moment, August felt a sense of understanding pass between them.

"From now on, your name will be Aurora," he whispered softly.

With that acknowledgment, the ice serpent closed its eyes, resting peacefully on August's lap.

[Ding! You have completed the Quest]

Reward: Ability Extract unlocked]

[A new quest has been given]

Title: Aurora is sick

Type: {Forced quest}

Requirement: Cure your first contracted beast

Reward: Unknown

Time limit: 1 week

Penalty: Failure to cure your beast in time will result in its death. ]

August felt a mix of joy and worry upon receiving the quest reward. While he was excited about the amazing reward, he was also concerned about finding a solution for Aurora's illness.

He opened the system panel to gather more details on the new feature.

[Status]

Host Profile

Name: August

Age: 15

Mana Rank: 1 (initial)

Beast Space Level 1: 1/1 (1000 SP to upgrade)

SP: 1100

Traits: Rune Body

Inventory, Inspect, Shop, Ability Extract, (locked) ]

August clicked on the Ability Extract icon and saw the details of the new feature.

[Ability Extract Lv 1]

It is an ability to extract an ability from a dead beast and apply it to the host's contracted beasts.

Requirement: The targeted beast must not have been dead for more than 24 hours.

Cooldown: 24 hours

'Oh yeah! It's a cheat feature! Thank you, system' August thought with excitement. He wanted to hug the system and give it a smooch on its forehead.

[Ew! Stay away from me!!]

August chuckled at the system's reaction. Then, he unsummoned Aurora, watching as her body broke into fragments and disappeared from his sight.

As he was getting up from his place, Blake asked, "Hey August, I have successfully formed a contract with the Fury. What about you?"

August thought, 'He must have named the crimson bear cub Fury.'

"Yeah, same as you, and I've named her Aurora," August replied.

"Congrats, my besto friendo!" Blake complimented him.

"Haha, you too," August said, returning the compliment.

"See ya," they said as they parted ways.

August got home and was surprised to find his mother and sister congratulating him for becoming a beast master. He then told them everything that happened at school and how he acquired a beast. His mother reminded him to take extra good care of Aurora, to which he nodded in affirmation.

At bedtime, August stared at the system panel and opened the store section. "Let's see what's in there."

[Shop]

Knowledge: (Tier-I),(Tier-II), (Tier-III), (Tier-IV), (Tier-V)

Technique: Accessible up to 5 stars

Weapons: N/A

Artifact: N/A ]

'Why does it show 'N/A' for weapons and artifacts?' August wondered, unclear about the system's reasoning.

[You have not met the required authority to give you the answer to the question]

It was the second time he received this prompt, indicating he lacked the necessary authority for certain answers.

'That's for later. Can you give me information on how to cure Aurora?' he prioritized Aurora's well-being before exploring other parts of the shop section.

[I will search for it]

[Found]

[Do you wish to buy this information for 100 SP? Y/N]

"Yes," he accepted, and a surge of information flooded his mind.

'So, I have to provide her with sufficient ice element and nutrition like a mana core to stabilize her condition' he realized, now aware of what to obtain from the shop section.

[Knowledge: (Tier-I): Alchemy]

[Do you wish to buy this (Tier I) alchemy knowledge for 1000 SP? Y/N]

He quickly accepted, and knowledge about alchemy flooded his mind.

"Argh!" August exclaimed in pain as a surge of headache hit him, causing his head to throb and making him roll in bed.

[fufufu what a lovely sight]

"I fucking hate this pain," August cursed through gritted teeth, standing up once the pain subsided.

*Ting!* His smartwatch rang, and when he glanced at the text, he smiled, feeling the pain slowly dissipate.

Uncle Leo: Congrats on becoming a beast tamer. I will visit you when I have completed my current task.