Chapter 18 - Squirrel and his Act

"Yum! Are these really those bastards, Bro?" Scurus licked his lips.

We were having a feast from the Ratisans we recently slew. According to the bestiary, it was safe to eat so Ovis and I took the risk to cook it up.

"It really is delicious." Sergio added.

"Yeah, I was also unsure at first but I'm glad it turned out great." I replied.

"Vo evwen thwink thwis twests sow gwud!"

"Scurus, it is bad manners to talk while your mouth is full." Sergio scolded.

"Awm swori, awm jwust ekswayted!"

"I said don't talk!" Sergio pounded Scurus' head with his fist. "Don't hesitate to discipline this kid when I'm not around, got it Mest?"

I just replied with an awkward laugh while Scurus couldn't stop coughing since his food went down the wrong way. I also dove into my plate and it tasted amazing. It was juicier and more savory than the usual meat that I was able to partake. I would like to hunt more beasts if all of them tasted like this. I knew that beasts were technically animals that were deemed to be dangerous but this was just unexpected.

We ate until there was none left. I did not know that Scurus had that much appetite despite his small body. Ovis also became a bigger eater than before yet it did not look like she actually gained some weight.

"So Mest, when will you be setting out?" Sergio asked.

"Since our job is done, I plan to set out this morning. But if you-"

"No, don't mind me. He's all yours now."

"Thank you, I'll be sure to keep an eye on him."

"Since you already fulfilled your side of the deal, are you not going to make him your familiar yet?"

"Well, I plan to do so after we leave."

"You are concerned of my feelings are you?"

I averted my eyes from him. I thought it would be quite painful for him to see Scurus become a familiar. It was as if he sold his own child to slavery.

"Then I'd like to ask this of you, please do it before you leave," Sergio requested.

"Huh?"

"It will at least give me assurance that he will be under your care."

"Are you sure?"

"I was not at first. But after I saw how you fought last night, I'm sure you'll take proper care of him." Sergio smiled.

"I see, I'll do that then." I produced the bottle of Tamer's Seal that I bought from the town. I went closer to Scurus then stared at him right in the eyes. "Are you ready?"

"Yes, Bro!"

"Do you understand that once you become my familiar, there is no turning back? You cannot hurt me or escape from me. You will not be able to disobey my commands. We will be bound by magic that will allow me to give you orders even when we are apart. That is how the seal works."

"Don't sweat the details, just do it!"

I tried to explain the consequences of being a familiar since I thought he lacked the knowledge about it. Yet he seemed to take the situation lightly. I was not sure if it was because he was just innocent or merely carefree. To him, it might just be as if he was about to go on an adventure. I did not think it was bad to think that way but it was also kind of worrying.

I began pouring the liquid into his arm. Upon touching Scurus' skin, the fluid formed into a circle-like shape with some kind of pattern in the middle. As easy as that, Scurus became my familiar.

"That's it?" Scurus asked.

"That's it."

"Then Bro, try giving me a command!"

"Huh? Why?"

"I want to know how it feels! I also want to try if I can resist it!"

The kid was not in the least aware of his situation. I could not help but sigh upon hearing his request. "Fine, you better not regret this."

"I won't!"

"I command you to hug Sergio right now and say a proper goodbye."

"What? What?" He had a confused expression. The seal on his arm gave a green glow before his body began moving on its own. Scurus hugged the old man tightly who did not resist at all. He hugged him back with wet eyes.

"Thank you for everything, old man," said Scurus, which was because of my command.

Sergio grabbed him tightly and tears started pouring down. The effect of my command already wore off but Scurus did not let go. After he heard the old man sobbing, he also began bawling. I did not know if he was crying because he was going to be separated from the old man or because he finally realized what he got himself into.

"We'll just wait for you outside. Just come out when you're ready." Ovis and I grabbed our things before we went outdoors. We sat in the ground covered in grass while waiting.

"Say Ovis, do you have a family?" I asked.

"E-eh?" Her eyes widened.

"You don't have to answer if you don't feel like it."

"N-no, it's not that I-I don't want to answer. I-I was just surprised you a-asked me all of a sudden."

"Ah, I just got curious upon seeing Scurus and Sergio like that."

"I d-do have a family, b-but it's not like they l-like me."

"They don't?"

Ovis shook her head to say no. It was clear that she also had her own circumstances. I decided not to poke in any further.

"H-how about you M-master?"

"I don't. I was raised in a shelter for war orphans so I don't really know much about family."

"I-I see."

I just stared at the sky and watched the clouds float amidst. After a while, Scurus left the house with Sergio. I stood up to meet him.

"Here, take this." Sergio handed me a small pouch.

I took it and I was surprised after seeing its contents. Inside it were five silvers and a letter addressed to the guild.

"Are you backing out from our agreement?" I asked as I tried to hide my disappointment.

"No, that's not it. I just want you to take this as an additional reward."

"Really? But why? I thought you were tight on budget?"

"That's true but since I will be back to living alone, I don't have much need for money."

"Sorry but I just can't take this. I already got my payment right here!" I ruffled Scurus' hair.

"Then how about you just consider it as an advanced gift of mine for taking care of that boy?"

"If you say it like that then I guess I can't refuse, can I?" I put the pouch in my pocket, then bowed. "Thank you very much for everything!"

"No, I should be the one thanking you. Be careful on your way."

We waved goodbye then started walking away. I had Scurus and Ovis equip a cloak to hide their animal features before we went down the hill even further.

"Hey Bro, can I ask you a favor?"

"It depends."

Scurus then went closer to me then whispered something to my ears.

"Are you serious? I'm sure Sergio won't like it."

"I know but this is for the best, trust me!"

"Well if you say so."

I was not sure if what Scurus was plotting would turn out nicely. I at least knew that he meant well, that was why I decided to go along with him. We already arrived at the center of the town. I grabbed Scurus by the arm and began dragging him.

"Let go of me!" Scurus angrily cried out.

"No way, I caught you now so just follow me obediently."

"Why would I?" Scurus flailed wildly which resulted for his cloak to come down, revealing his squirrel ears. Everyone on the streets began looking at us. A crowd formed and the area was filled by the sound of murmurs.

"Your easy days are over! I am just glad that the old man came to us for help! If not, he'll have to live the rest of his life being threatened by you!" I shouted loud enough so that the people around us could hear me.

"That bastard! Why didn't I notice that he was starting to plot against me?" Scurus removed his arm from my grasp.

He brandished his claws and was about to hit me in the face. That was when his body stopped on its own as the Tamer's Seal in his arm glowed. The seal was programmed to automatically stop a familiar's body if it tried to hurt its master. The seal merely did its job.

"You are my familiar now so you can't do anything. Now, I command you to follow me quietly," I said which made the seal glow again.

He did as I told him to as we passed through the streets. Everyone was looking at us, some were even whispering among themselves. I kind of felt uneasy since I was not comfortable being stared at by many. We just made our way across the town quietly until we passed through the border. When there were no longer any people in sight, we finally dropped the act.

"W-wow, the two of you are g-great actors!" Ovis clapped her hands.

"I was actually nervous that your claws would touch my face for a moment there."

"Sorry about that Bro." Scurus chuckled.

"I just hope that the little antics of yours will prove to be effective."

"It will! With the villagers thinking that I was manipulating the old man, I'm sure they will no longer hate him."

"And how about you? You do know that you just made them scorn the Beastkins even more in the process, right?"

"I know, but at least the old man wouldn't have to suffer for it anymore."

"I guess you're right. But better be prepared for a beating when you meet again."

"That's the only problem."

Ovis and I laughed at Scurus' worried expression. The three of us then walked our way back to Gehorsam. It took a few hours before we reached the city.

"Wow, so this is what a city looks like!" Scurus wandered with amazement.

"Yeah, better stick to me closely or else you might get lost."

"Yes bro!"

I went to the guild first to report my accomplishment of the quest. I also registered Scurus as my official familiar.

"Wow, that's your new familiar? How cute!" Miss Mathi said with zeal.

"Yeah, his name is Scurus."

"Say, can I pet him?" Miss Mathi asked with dangerous eyes.

Scurus sensed the risk and hid behind me. She was not like that with Ovis. She must have had an overwhelming interest in rodents and alike.

"Well, he is kind of shy so maybe not now." I replied.

"I see." Miss Mathi lazily replied as if her spirit left her. "So he is now officially your familiar and you successfully completed a quest. Anything else I can help you with?"

"No, that's all, thanks."

We readily made our way out of the guild but I felt as if someone was glaring at me. I looked around and it was Dusty. He was sitting by the bar counter, scowling. He must be irritated that I was able to complete the quest which he set me up into.

I abhor the rascal but I also knew that I should be thankful of him. If he did not do that, I would not have been able to have Scurus for myself. I wanted to thank him just to see what kind of expression he would make. Although it sounded enticing, I decided not to as to prevent agitating him even more.

Since it was still early, we also swung by the armor shop to gear Scurus up. I had him pick up his own armor as long as it did not exceed three silvers. He picked up simple leather guards, boots, and gloves. After he was fully armed, we went to the magic shop to have his affinity checked. He had a very weak affinity with wind and dark elements while having medium magic reservoir. Since that was the case, I also had him learn the basic spells Shadowseal and Tailwind.

Shadowseal was a spell that should be used on a weapon. When the weapon hit the opponent's shadow, the opponent would be unable to move. It was almost similar with the Ratisan's Shadowbind except that the length of effect was dependent on the user's magic.

On the other hand, Tailwind was a basic spell that would increase one's speed. Since Scurus' affinities were very weak, I was not expecting his magic to be as effective as Ovis'. On the other hand, his higher magic reservoir should allow him to readily use spells in combat.

We also visited another shop to buy a bed roll for Scurus since I only had two beds back at the house. With that, I was able to get back home safely from my first E ranked quest.