"It sensed it!" Luna opened her eyes, her voice full of delight.
"Try again. Imagine the thread lightly brushing its forehead," Caesar instructed.
Luna did as he said.
The fluctuations in her magic grew steadier. The invisible thread slowly thickened, binding her tightly to the Niffler.
The Ink-Blue Niffler let out a faint squeak. It struggled to its feet and staggered a few inches toward Luna.
"Has it accepted me?" Luna's voice trembled slightly.
"It's accepted you as its master," Caesar corrected. He took a silver-foil-wrapped sweet bun from his satchel and handed it to Luna.
"Feed it a little. Then, with the hand you used to hold the food, repeat the gesture. Don't say the incantation. Just imagine looking at it."
Luna carefully took the sweet bun and reached out.
The Ink-Blue Niffler hesitated for less than a second before moving in to nibble at it. The other three young Nifflers were drawn over by the smell, too.
For the next hour, they cared for the litter of abandoned Nifflers together.
After teaching her Dark Magic, Caesar taught Luna some basic knowledge about Magical Creatures.
For instance, how to identify safe food sources nearby and set up a more concealed temporary shelter.
Luna learned quickly. Her talent showed remarkable practical value when it came to caring for Magical Creatures.
During a break in feeding, Luna cradled the Ink-Blue Niffler, now asleep in her palm, and asked in a quiet voice:
"Caesar, can only special people learn that spell? It feels different from the magic I usually encounter."
Caesar's movements paused for a moment.
Among the Divine Mountain Tribe, who believed in harmony and coexistence with nature, this magic was an extremely cruel Dark Magic curse, one that had long been strictly forbidden.
It could help a wizard tame, direct,