Chapter 55: Weakness Yet Cuteness

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Familiar.

It’s a kind of pet.

Unlike animals living in the modern Earth, these have high intelligence and feed on the user’s mana.

The types are diverse.

From caterpillars to dragons.

There are as many as 302 different kinds.

Characters get to test their once-in-a-lifetime luck with this one-time familiar summoning ritual.

“Now, come this way.”

“Are we starting right away?”

“Yes. All preparations are complete.”

Professor Chandler hid sharp observation behind his kind smile.

Of course, Manus was aware of all of this.

Without using the save/load cheat, this summoning ritual is a one-time opportunity.

If you summon an S-rank familiar, you’re considered a blessed character, while the opposite is considered cursed.

Familiars range from F to S rank.

“Stand over here-“

The summoning ritual was simple.

Inject mana, shed blood, and it’s done.

Since you have to permanently provide a portion of your mana to the familiar, there’s quite a bit of mana loss.

This was implemented in the game by making 10% of mana unusable.

If desired, you could provide even more mana.

Anyway, now the fateful moment had arrived.

“We need to draw blood. It will sting a bit.”

“…”

Manus watched droplets of blood well up on his thumb, feeling the slight sting.

This was probably the first time he voluntarily shed blood in this world?

He was too caught up in the moment during the fight with Aden, but now he could clearly see that vivid color.

“Let your mana flow in. Feel the presence beyond…”

The will to resonate with something beyond.

Professor Chandler’s words sounded like hypnosis.

Closing his eyes, he savored the resonance felt from the magic circle.

Indeed, he sensed the presence of countless beings.

The presence of those yearning and craving to cross over to this world.

Each one was trivial.

Even S-rank familiars aren’t strong from the beginning, so that was natural.

“Come forth.”

Manus instinctively felt it and poured in more mana.

He spoke to the presence he felt most strongly connected to among the countless presences.

Come here and live your whole life with me.

The abandoned lifeform beyond space cautiously approached.

Manus used mana to draw out the life.

Now, who will emerge?

[Hoing?]

An unusual sound was heard.

A cuteness that resonated with the soul.

A ball of white fur appeared.

“Hooh-“

“This is…”

Manus looked at the tiny lifeform.

His eyes trembled.

The creature that looked like a small ball of fur had pure white wings.

Its cat-like appearance instantly melted his cold heart.

“It’s an Albion. A friend called a divine beast.”

“Albion…”

Initially classified as an F-rank familiar, but transforms dramatically the moment it reaches level 99.

Difficult to raise, but truly returns to being a divine beast.

Up to about level 30, it only has two skills.

The healing skill [Protector].

And [Lavio], a skill that Pearson also has.

Still, if raised well, its performance is guaranteed to be incredible.

“I look forward to working with you.”

[Hoing!]

What an unusual cry.

Manus smiled faintly at the sound like a young horse’s neigh.

A cute familiar.

His gacha luck wasn’t bad.

As expected of a Caeser, I suppose.

Albion was quite a good divine beast.

Not bad at all.

‘I’ll give about 10%.’

He naturally knew.

How to transfer mana, how to raise it.

He could do everything naturally.

He had a reason to diligently visit the tower now.

He’d need countless mana crystals to raise Albion after all.

He placed Albion, who was looking up with bright round eyes, on his shoulder.

[Hoing-!]

With its cotton-like weight and that adorable appearance, Manus’ cold image seemed to soften a bit.

Alano looked at Albion with sparkling eyes.

It was weak yet cute.

Raising such a lifeform was unlike Manus.

“How cute. I wonder if I can summon a friend like that too?”

“Who knows.”

It’s not the summoner choosing the familiar, but the familiar choosing its master.

Alano stood on the magic circle with a determined expression.

What if she summoned a good familiar too?

‘The things I need to intervene in would decrease. In that case-‘

He needs to prepare to step in as a joker card anytime while handling things that didn’t appear in the original work.

He saw Aden’s shadow flickering near the entrance.

Still, he should at least watch what kind of familiar Alano summons.

“Hehe, this is quite exciting. Manus, you’ll need to put in a lot of effort. Now then, what about Alano?”

“I’d like a cute… no, a good familiar too.”

“Whether your wish comes true or not… is up to fate alone.”

Alano stood before the magic circle with a very tense face.

Huu-.

Taking a light breath, she closed her eyes and concentrated.

Pajijik-!

An ominous sound came from the magic circle.

The magic circle that began resonating after receiving Alano’s blood turned red.

Manus watched the result with folded arms.

‘This is exciting.’

[Kyaaak-!]

Hwururuk-.

Fire arose.

Bright red flames danced in the air.

Looking closely, a small bird wrapped in flames was flapping its wings.

“Oh my-“

“Ooh! A phoenix! A phoenix!”

Game companies usually put the romances we know in high tiers.

This game was no exception.

Phoenix, Pegasus, White Tiger, Azure Dragon, etc.

All the divine beasts from numerous myths were registered as S-rank.

The phoenix was no exception.

Black eyes and red feathers.

The red flames burning on its wings and tail were the romance of many people.

“This child is cute too. It’s not hot?”

“The phoenix is a divine beast passed down in legend. I thought I’d never see one in my lifetime… Alano is granting this old man’s wish.”

[Piyo-!]

Indeed, its large round eyes looking up at Alano were very cute.

At least it didn’t look weak thanks to the flames.

Compared to the cotton ball, it was truly a magnificent creature.

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you. Nice to meet you?”

[Piyo!]

The familiar still at chick level responded very energetically.

It was really weak, and really cute.

Alano stroked the phoenix.

“Well then, I’ll be going now. Thank you, Professor.”

“Hoho, do so. My… the academy will be abuzz. Talented ones are indeed different.”

Professor Chandler saw Manus off with a very satisfied expression.

Alano, who hadn’t heard the news yet, looked at him with round eyes.

There had been no news of him going anywhere yet.

“Where are you going?”

“Home. A request came in.”

“Ah… Be careful.”

“Take care of the kids.”

Alano nodded with a faint smile.

Now he was going to see his father and siblings again.

The Dire Order, was it?

‘I wonder what tricks they’ve pulled this time.’

Moreover, if he completes the mission, he’ll receive a hefty reward according to the rules.

The Dire Order was quite annoying in the late game, along with Eresis.

It would be good to reduce their influence now.

He stepped onto the teleportation magic circle.

He wondered how his family’s perception of him had changed.

Curiosity arose.

“Welcome. Where would you like to go?”

“Caeser Principality.”

“Understood. Setting coordinates.”

A bright light enveloped Manus.

When he opened his eyes, he was in an air both nostalgic and familiar.

Caeser Principality.

The place ruled by black-haired magicians.

He slowly walked out of the teleportation magic circle.

He had sent word ahead.

The knights should come to greet him soon.

“So this is your hometown, young master.”

“It’s a good place.”

Caeser Principality.

One of the great magician families.

One of the three pillars supporting the Empire.

Aden looked around, taking in the scenery of Caeser Principality.

Compared to the Imperial capital where the Imperial Palace was located, it was a modest city.

However, it was certainly peaceful.

Less bustling and less prosperous.

The faces of the residents were bright, and their quiet yet powerful footsteps stood out.

“It really is a nice town. The people’s faces are very bright.”

“Let’s go.”

He had instructed them not to bring a carriage when greeting him today.

It was due to Manus’ whim of wanting to fully experience Caeser Principality.

His mind was so extraordinary that he remembered every path he had taken by carriage.

Another reason he was walking was to introduce Caeser Principality to Aden.

He wanted to show her the beautiful streets, lively people, and proud family.

In the distance, a red flag fluttered.

“Make way!”

“Everyone bow your heads!”

“It’s the young master’s procession! Clear the path!”

As always, beings striving to elevate Caeser’s prestige.

When they appeared, people walking on the street parted to both sides.

They bowed their heads and paid homage to those who provided them with good land and good homes.

Black hair and blue eyes.

Caeser’s distinctive features could be recognized from afar.

Those wearing deeply pressed helmets stood before Manus.

“We’ve come to escort you, young master.”

“Let’s go.”

“And this person?”

“My personal secretary.”

The one commanding the knights bowed deeply.

An apology for daring to express curiosity.

And gratitude for kindly answering.

“Do you need horses?”

“It’s fine.”

Manus liked walking.

The same was true for the man from the past.

The new scenery felt with each step.

The thoughts bubbling up.

The act of walking was something that brought many gains to humans.

At least that’s what Manus thought.

“Coming only now despite this sister’s summons, you’ve become quite bold, little brother.”

“We greet the princess!”

The resounding echo emphasized her presence.

Only those bearing the same surname could stand proudly before her.

Aden too bowed her head deeply, having learned the etiquette through observation, to greet the new family member.

“A student must fulfill their duties.”

“My, that’s quite different from what you said a year ago? And beside you?”

“This is Aden.”

The sister, Invidea, carefully examined Aden.

The deep shadow cast made even her unable to treat Aden carelessly.

Strong.

Equal, or perhaps even beyond.

Manus beside her had also grown significantly in mana over the past few weeks.

What about the depth of his eyes?

They were deep and calm, just like father’s.

“She seems excessive for a maid… but it’s not my business. Let’s go.”

She turned around.

At the end of her steps, a splendid carriage was waiting.

Manus and Aden exchanged glances.

“Hurry and get in. You’re not saying you’ll walk, are you?”

“…Let’s go.”

He had planned to go leisurely, but his sister who came out to greet him kindly prevented that.

Now that it’s come to this, riding comfortably isn’t bad either.

Aden and Manus boarded the carriage.

Visiting the family for the second time.

Home was still a place he missed, and a comfortable place to return to anytime.

The scenery outside the window evoked faint nostalgia.

–TL Notes–
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