Ch.1313. Animal Friends (6)

“Grr, thank you for overestimating me… Gregory.”

“N-no, not at all. …Ugh, this is so awkward.”

“I know… haha.”

Right after what was possibly the most awkward meeting of my current life.

Astra and I sat facing each other in the yard, looking at each other with an awkward yet subtle gaze.

Since Astra had overheard me somewhat overestimating him, the atmosphere naturally became increasingly uncomfortable as time passed.

But despite this awkward atmosphere, there was one opinion that we both sincerely shared.

“Astra, you’re fully willing to form a contract, right?”

“Yes, Gregory.”

After hearing my brief explanation, Astra had definitely made up his mind to contract with me, and I had no objections whatsoever to forming a contract with him.

Therefore, normally at this stage, we would conclude this matter by forming an animal companion contract, but… this situation was by no means that simple.

“Hold on, you two.”

“Is there a problem, Master?”

“Yes, there’s one small issue. Forming a contract is fine, but shouldn’t we get permission from Astra’s parents first?”

“[Ah.]”

[That’s right, Master! Contracts with minors need parental permission to avoid trouble!]

I’m not sure where Corin picked up that information, but both Corin’s and Master’s words were extremely sensible and logical.

Trying to rehabilitate a runaway teenager… or something similar, and helping a youth (Astra) get a job without getting permission from the youth’s (Astra’s) parents would be nothing short of kidnapping. In professional terms, wouldn’t that be “voluntary enlistment”?

“Master, could you guide us?”

“Of course. Since we’re on the subject, shall we go right now?”

“…Yes!”

So, for the reason that we should visit before forming the contract, I moved toward the silver deer habitat in the Aleinos Forest with my master’s help.

[You, you! How could you leave so recklessly!]

[Do you have any idea how worried your mother was?!!]

[…I-I’m sorry.]

Naturally, Astra was scolded to tears by his parents and the adults who had heard the news and were waiting for him.

In fact, from what I heard, his mother had fainted after hearing that Astra almost died while she was worrying about him. From my perspective, it seemed like he was simply reaping what he had sown.

[Oh my, a Druid’s animal companion? You’re more than welcome!]

“I-I see…”

Meanwhile, the adult silver deer who had initially been scolding Astra harshly changed their tune when I explained why I had come to find them. Their faces brightened, and they seemed rather pleased with the idea.

[…Is it really okay to send a son who nearly died into danger?]

When I cautiously asked Astra’s mother this question, she maintained a surprisingly humble attitude that shocked me.

[Druid, our kind is undeniably fragile. Not only did you save my inadequate son, but you’re also offering to make him your companion… How could I possibly object?]

[…]

That’s right. While I hadn’t particularly felt it due to my six years as a serf and living only in this forest, my exact position was the rightful caretaker of the Aleinos Forest—the Druid’s successor.

In other words, I could be considered a minor lord of this forest domain, and according to my master, in this “kingdom,” a forest caretaker Druid is treated as a quasi-nobleman and pseudo-lord.

To put this in modern terms, it would be like the heir to a solid mid-sized company not only saving a runaway son’s life but also offering to make him a secretary, simultaneously providing recruitment and employment.

In this fantasy world where survival-of-the-fittest mentality is deeply rooted, my offer could be seen as far more generous and a greater opportunity than the example I just gave.

Anyway, contrary to what I had initially thought, there was no need to persuade the silver deer, and the situation progressed rapidly.

“Are you ready, Astra?”

[…Yes, Gregory. I’m ready.]

With Corin the observer bird watching, Astra and I sat facing each other in the backyard and began the animal companion contract procedure.

As the ‘contract’ begins, branches extending from our souls connect and intertwine to form a single connection, just as before.

A soul contract redefines the spiritual relationship between two beings. Thus, the connection with Astra takes its place right next to the established connection with Corin in the spiritual space, and unlike before, instead of mystery, certain memories are transmitted into my mind.

The beast mystery within my soul swells even more, and simultaneously, the memory that comes to mind is… none other than the method silver deer use to activate their healing abilities.

Of course, it’s impossible for me to use the silver deer’s healing ability without the necessary physical organs, but by applying this knowledge, I should be able to cast healing magic on others.

Druid magic that draws upon life force based on wild magic and enhances it with the amplifying effect of nature magic.

Meanwhile, these changes certainly weren’t limited to just me.

Just as Corin was strengthened by contracting with me, animals or magical beasts that become animal companions grow and change according to the Druid’s wild magic capacity.

So naturally, the silver deer Astra, who had contracted with me, also grew rapidly… and this ‘growth’ immediately transformed Astra’s appearance.

Silver deer typically become adults after a year, but Astra, who was barely six months old, instantly matured and quickly increased in size.

His body, which had been too small even for a not-yet-10-year-old like me to ride, grew to a size that could easily carry an average adult man—comparable to a large warhorse.

On top of his head grew beautiful crystal-like horns that shone with the silver deer’s characteristic silver light. These horns not only have aesthetic value but are also weapons of high durability and means to amplify healing abilities.

In other words, Astra had instantly grown to adulthood just from the impact of forming a contract with me.

While I was briefly pondering why Astra experienced such a dramatic change unlike Corin, I found the answer much more easily than expected.

‘…Ah, that’s why.’

It’s because the growth potential of the silver deer species itself isn’t that high. To use a gaming analogy, the experience points needed to level up are fewer, so the experience gained from the contract was enough to grow Astra to his maximum.

[Wow… amazing!]

[You big! Horns cool!]

[Thank—Whoa!]

—CRASH!

However, it’s understandable that Astra can’t immediately adapt to his suddenly enlarged body, causing him to stumble slightly.

※ ※ ※

“Delphin, are you watching?”

[…Yes, my friend.]

Inside Dalia and Gregory’s house. Perhaps the sight of the two beings forming a contract outside the window reminds them of old memories, as the two adults converse while watching the three fresh youngsters.

“Our disciple usually acts so sharp and mature, but at times like this, he looks just like a child his age.”

[Most children want to appear like adults, don’t they?]

“…Is that so? It’s been so long since I’ve seen human children that I can’t remember… Well, if you say so, it must be true.”

[…Indeed.]

The novice master and the aged silver stag sit side by side in silence. They worry whether they might be teaching Gregory, the future caretaker of this forest, incorrectly.

The novice master, Dalia Aleinos, could pride herself on doing her absolute best to educate Gregory.

She was well aware that her own educational abilities weren’t particularly outstanding, and that the achievements were possible only because Gregory was an exceptional student.

And for this type of student, she thought it better to let him grow freely rather than constraining him with inadequate teaching. After much deliberation, she granted Gregory’s request to gain practical experience.

But this was purely from her position as a master. As a kind of adoptive parent, an adoptive mother, Dalia secretly wished for Gregory to live peacefully instead of engaging in dangerous activities.

“…Life has value precisely because we cannot live exactly as we wish.”

[Suddenly? Well, you’re not wrong.]

However, as Dalia herself knew well, Gregory was clearly a Druid and her disciple.

Having noticed Gregory’s inner yearning for growth, Dalia couldn’t bring herself to dissuade him.

Additionally, considering that she couldn’t remain in the material world forever, and that Gregory would need to live as the caretaker of the Aleinos Forest…

‘…He really needs to reach the intermediate level before I can let him go with peace of mind.’

To safely send Gregory outside the forest, which teems with all sorts of dangers, he would need to reach at least the intermediate level.

Even setting aside all personal feelings, the minimum requirement for officially naming Gregory as her successor was achieving the intermediate level. This was something Dalia had no control over.