Ch.1212. Animal Friends (5)

Young Astra, born among the silver deer herd in the Aleinos Forest, always longed to see the world beyond the barrier.

There was no special reason. It was simply the result of a child’s vague curiosity and ignorance, combined with a yearning for the outside world. The influence of being born with unusually rich emotions for a silver deer, a species known for their minimal emotional fluctuations, couldn’t be denied either.

[Astra, don’t say such things. The outside world is dangerous.]

[Buuut…]

Of course, the older silver deer in the herd, who were born in the outside world, tried to dissuade Astra, knowing how dangerous it was out there. But would a spirited six-month-old silver deer ever take such warnings at face value?

Equivalent to about 12 years old by human standards, silver deer Astra was at the perfect age to be rebellious and unruly as a precious child. The more the adults warned against it, the stronger Astra’s yearning for the outside world grew—a counterproductive effect.

However… despite this, there was no way for Astra to venture outside recklessly.

The barrier, said to have been erected by the forest’s guardian Druid, was a protective wall that controlled all unauthorized entry and exit. It wasn’t a barrier that a silver deer barely six months old could pass through.

…Therefore, what happened next was truly an unprecedented variable.

One day, as Astra was wandering near the barrier, still yearning for the outside world, an earthquake occurred nearby, causing the mystical energy of Aleinos Forest to slightly waver and distort.

Of course, this distortion was immediately detected by Dalia and restored after about 10 seconds, but…

The problem was that during those 10 seconds, by sheer coincidence, a small gap formed in the barrier right in front of Astra—just large enough for a young silver deer to pass through.

It was truly a twist of fate. Astra saw this as an opportunity and immediately leaped through the gap. The barrier was restored right after, resulting in an unintentional perfect crime.

And so, having escaped through the gap, Astra was finally able to step into the long-coveted outside world with a pounding heart—

Shortly after, Astra learned firsthand why the adults had warned that the outside was dangerous.

Excitedly roaming through the forest, Astra accidentally intruded into the territory of a blood hare pack and was nearly killed by their blood stream attacks, front teeth, and horn attacks.

Astra was barely hanging on using the silver deer’s innate magical healing abilities, but was in a state where death could come at any moment.

And then… Astra witnessed a bear suddenly rushing in and slaughtering the blood hare pack. The last thing Astra saw before losing consciousness was that bear taking on a human form.

[Child of my kind, are you awake?]

[…?!! Y-Yes!]

When Astra opened his eyes again, he saw a fellow silver deer… no, someone whose identity as a silver deer like himself was questionable, radiating tremendous dignity and power.

Perhaps this was the “Elder” that his parents and the adults had spoken of.

Although Astra had inwardly underestimated how impressive the “Elder” could be, upon actually encountering this “Elder,” he froze in place, but…

[Did you run outside because you felt confined?]

[Y-Yes, that’s right.]

[…I see. Actually, I was like that too when I was young.]

[R-Really?]

Contrary to expectations that the “Elder” would be extremely strict, he showed a rather gentle demeanor, which helped Astra’s tension quickly dissipate.

And according to what the Elder said—whom Astra had only heard about through the adults—the bear-human who had saved him was actually the apprentice of the Aleinos Forest guardian.

When Astra first met him, he was terrified by the blood-covered, menacing figure, but hearing the Elder’s explanation, it became clear that this apprentice had actually saved his life.

[Elder, what is the name of this apprentice?]

[Gregory… that’s what he’s called.]

[Mr. Gregory… is it.]

Saying the name of the person who had saved him from the pack of magical beasts, Astra began to contemplate how to express the gratitude that was filling his heart.

‘…Ah, this is delicious.’

[Do you like it?]

[Yes!]

Stuffing a handful of clover that the Elder had brought for his meal into his mouth, Astra enjoyed the rich sweetness and unique flavor that was hard to believe came from mere grass.

※ ※ ※

“…So, he ran away from home?”

“From what I’ve heard, that seems to be the case.”

The next morning, at the table right in front of the kitchen. As I was enjoying bread and rabbit stew for breakfast, I became curious about yesterday’s events.

My master told me the story he had heard through Delphin, about the young silver deer currently munching on clover in our front yard.

Having never experienced the outside world and being confined all this time, the deer seized an opportunity created by a series of coincidences and escaped, nearly dying in the process.

Normally, after such an experience, one would recognize the dangers of the outside world and reflect on their actions…

But no matter how I think about it, I can’t imagine that silver deer, Astra, giving up easily.

From the beginning, the emotion reflected in his eyes, even as he collapsed, was closer to a strange fervor rather than fear of the outside.

Unlike ordinary individuals who submit to the pressure exerted by stronger external forces, he seemed to possess a stubbornness to push forward with his own will.

Of course, Astra’s stubbornness isn’t about rejecting all forms of coercion and pressure like a rebel, but rather a stubbornness limited to his desire to see the outside world instead of remaining confined.

“…Master. If we leave that silver deer Astra alone, he’ll probably try to run away again as if it’s the most natural thing to do, right?”

“Yes, I think so. Such children are usually quite stubborn.”

Master Dalia seems to have noticed Astra’s stubborn self based on his years of experience.

Yes, someone like him isn’t the type to listen no matter how much you try to force him.

Then, wouldn’t it be better to manage his outside activities directly and let him release that energy?

“Do you perhaps want to form an animal companion contract with that child?”

“Yes, since he’ll clearly cause trouble if left alone… I think it would be better if I formed a contract with him directly and accompanied him.”

I answered my master’s question, which immediately grasped my thoughts, but he seemed to think I hadn’t told him everything, as he gave me a look that said to just spill it all out.

Yes, I should just be honest and get Master Dalia’s help. That would make it much easier to form an animal companion contract with that Astra.

“Master, the truth is, the moment I saw Astra the silver deer, I felt certain. Somehow, I felt I absolutely had to form a contract with him.”

“A prophecy?”

“…Yes, I think so.”

It’s puzzling that my astrology activated on its own without my intention to use it, but regardless, the one truth I’m certain of is that this strong conviction is a prophecy from celestial magic.

“Gregory, prophecies are not absolute. You don’t have to follow them completely. Still, do you want to form the contract?”

“Yes.”

“…Sigh, very well. Then let me tell you something else.”

Perhaps to confirm my determination, my master spoke as if interrogating me, while still being considerate enough not to pressure me into changing my mind through coercion.

“Silver deer are by no means powerful magical beasts. Unlike thunder birds, which become intermediate-level magical beasts just by reaching adulthood, silver deer remain low-level even as adults, with poor combat abilities. You will have countless alternatives in the future.”

Though it might sound harsh, objectively speaking, my master’s words are not far from the truth.

Compared to ordinary quadrupedal low-level magical beasts, silver deer don’t have any particularly outstanding qualities.

Being herbivorous magical beasts, they have quite fast legs, and they can exert healing abilities through the glow emanating from their faintly luminous bodies… but these are characteristics that can be easily substituted.

If it’s simply for riding purposes, I could just as well get a horse from somewhere. There are plenty of magical beasts with various special abilities, healing powers, or magic.

And while breaking through the limitations of a low-level beast through a contract sounds easy, according to my master, it’s not something that can be achieved effortlessly.

One could say it doesn’t make economic sense to jump in based on a prophecy whose exact content I don’t even know, but…

“Master, I don’t think that’s right.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes. I’m certain.”

I could deny that with absolute conviction.

An animal companion contract goes beyond mere calculation of benefits; it truly demonstrates its potential when both parties genuinely desire to form the contract.

The celestial prophecy was merely a catalyst. What truly made me want to form a contract with silver deer Astra was seeing his unique stubbornness.

He can move forward with conviction toward a goal, and this stubbornness is not directed in a negative way. Being stubborn doesn’t make him an uncontrollable egoist; rather, he’s an excellent talent who could become a collaborator if our purposes align.

So when I somewhat incoherently explained these opinions to my master, Master Dalia, having confirmed my firm resolve, smiled and said:

“If you’re that determined, I can hardly dissuade you, Gregory.”

“…That’s a relief.”

“Ah, Gregory. Could you look behind you?”

“Huh? …Yes, of course?”

And at Master Dalia’s somewhat abrupt request, as I turned my head in confusion, I saw silver deer Astra peering through the window, looking at me with a rather peculiar gaze.

…And so, an awkward silence persisted for a while.