Shirley's Snow Ferret

Chapter 16: Shirley the Ferret

After being introduced to everyone by his unscrupulous captain, Zhang Yuan was soon surrounded by teammates who were surprised to have a Mage join their party.

"Hey, hey, we actually have a Mage joining our team? Is he a real Mage? Don't tell me he's like that idiot last time who pretended to be one with magic items."

—Ah, sorry, I can't afford the magic items you're talking about, someone thought to himself.

"By the way, what's your Mage level? High-level Mages probably wouldn't even look at our team, right?"

—You know too much. Not only am I not high-level, I'm only level one.

"That's what I thought. But having you is better than not having anyone. Even if it's not about spells, a Mage's knowledge should be broader than us sword-and-dagger types, right?"

—I'm truly sorry. As a foreign bumpkin, I really don't have much knowledge. No, I don't even have common sense.

Zhang Yuan, enjoying the treatment of a celebrity, felt both joy and pain. While his teammates' enthusiastic acceptance was good, he was only a level-one Mage. What if their expectations were too high and led to disappointment?

At this moment, Zhang Yuan still had the mindset of a student. Although he had read many novels and books, he was still too young, naive, and needed more learning and life experience.

If someone like Lei Jun were here, he would have been boasting and chatting with his teammates like he owned the place.

Better a short pain than a long one. Zhang Yuan eventually confessed his spell level. Although his teammates were a little disappointed upon learning this, they didn't mind too much. Having him was better than nothing.

"Hey, new guy, what spells do you know? Can you show us something?" a mercenary couldn't help but ask.

"That's his business, don't pry. Besides, his name is Charnem, didn't you hear the captain clearly just now?" another teammate interrupted to curb his curiosity.

"It's fine, I just happen to have a spell prepared, and it's for today." Zhang Yuan picked up the conversation.

Oh? Hearing that there would be a spell demonstration, the surrounding team members who were about to disperse gathered around again.

Skar also came over and said to a certain amateur magician, "You don't need to waste spells on a performance. A Mage can never have too many prepared spells."

Knowing Skar meant well, Zhang Yuan explained, "This spell's casting time doesn't affect anything. I plan to summon my familiar."

Skar no longer tried to dissuade him, merely watching the scene unfold quietly.

"Facio, Voco, Ferre! (I create, I call, weapon!)" As the incantation ended, a beam of white light shot out from the ground in front of Zhang Yuan. When the light dissipated, a pure white creature resembling a bamboo rat stood upright on the ground.

The creature had large, dark, glossy eyes. Its expression conveyed not the ignorance of ordinary animals, but a shrewdness that was very human-like.

A small tail trailed behind it, and its fur was snow-white and fluffy. Fortunately, the onlookers were all rough men, so no one shrieked and rushed to hug it.

"Is that a snow ferret?" a well-traveled mercenary recognized it.

Yes, a magic snow ferret. Very smart, the kind that could steal your wallet. The Mage, who already knew what he was about to summon, thought to himself with a hint of mischief.

As the snow ferret appeared, Zhang Yuan felt an inexplicable, unknown connection form between him and the little animal. Through this, he could not only sense the ferret's emotions but also felt a gentle power bolstering him.

Unlike a defensive spell, this power felt as if it originated from the same source as him, born from within. He presumed it was the feedback from the little creature before him.

Extending his hands towards the snow ferret, the little creature, as if it had known him for a long time, leaped directly into his hands. As a gesture of goodwill, it stretched out its tiny pink tongue and licked his nose.

Zhang Yuan, filled with joy, succumbed to chuunibyou. He carried the snow ferret up a wooden platform beside the training ground, held the little creature up before him, and declared, "This is my familiar! From now on, your name is Shirley!"

His teammates, who didn't get the Lion King reference at all, just thought the newcomer was a bit too excited. Skar, however, couldn't watch any longer. "Get down from there, stop being an embarrassment up there. So excited about summoning a familiar? I thought you summoned a dragon."

Zhang Yuan, unbothered, jumped down from the platform with his pet and ran to Skar. "Is there anything I can feed it? What do snow ferrets usually eat?"

Skar sighed. "You should feed yourself first. It's lunchtime now. You have one hour, no extensions."

"Normal snow ferrets are carnivores. As for the one in your hand, I'm not sure."

Zhang Yuan, also confused, decided not to overthink it. He could just place different foods in front of Shirley later. After all, his pet looked quite intelligent.

Not knowing where to find food, the newcomer simply latched onto the captain. Wherever the captain went, he followed.

Sticking to Skar like glue, Zhang Yuan rejoined the other teammates and headed to the left side of the first floor of the dormitory. It was then that Zhang Yuan realized their team even had a mess hall.

"This is our team's mess hall. Usually, everyone takes turns cooking, and the cost of ingredients is reimbursed by headquarters. When we're really short-handed, we'll order from outside taverns," Skar explained.

That's great, who doesn't love free lunch? Zhang Yuan, who was starving, went to the team member on duty to get a set meal, and also managed to get some food for Shirley.

Unexpectedly, Shirley was a picky eater, refusing anything vegetarian and only pecking at meat. The stingy owner, though pained, didn't stop it.

After finishing his "vegetarian meal," Zhang Yuan dispelled the summon, returning the familiar to its space. With nothing else to do, and not knowing what to do with himself, Zhang Yuan turned to find Skar for a chat.

As he walked, his teammates greeted him warmly and showed him favor. Zhang Yuan, responding to each of them, walked up to the captain.

"Are Mages really that rare in the Sword Coast region?" The secretly delighted Zhang Yuan felt that his popularity meant he was a rare commodity.

"Rare my ass!" Skar shattered Zhang Yuan's dream mercilessly. "Actually, there are plenty of low-level Mages like you. Or rather, any low-level profession isn't considered rare."

The stunned Zhang Yuan's jaw dropped. "Then why was I being stared at by so many people this morning?"

"What do you think they're curious about? They're not curious about Mages, but about a beginner Mage like you venturing out for adventures and joining our team."

Skar further explained, "There are several mage towers in Baldur's Gate alone, and many more Mages and apprentices living there. However, those who come out for training are mostly intermediate or at least near-intermediate Mages. And they generally don't join mercenary groups; instead, they recruit their own followers and companions or become private magical consultants for nobles, protected by their private guards."

"A novice like you would barely have enough time to study scriptures and conduct experiments by your mentor's side every day, so why would you be wandering around?"

"Meeting a weirdo like you is a sight worth seeing," Skar's evaluation sealed the deal, crushing the rookie Mage's spirits.