Target: Black Feather Crow Physique: 8.9 Spirit: 0.9 Status: Low-tier Supernatural Being. Abilities: Iron Claws, Steel Skin Assessment: Harak was once a Mortal Bird, but she now had claws sharp enough to tear through steel, defenses that could withstand any mundane blade, and speed that was impressive even among Low-tier Supernatural Beings.
Her black feathers were incredibly hard, as though molded from metal.
Ryan tapped them with his hand. The dull thunk, thunk testified to their strength.
Even without counting her wingspan, she was nearly as large as a young calf.
"Caw, caw, caw!"
Harak rubbed her head against Ryan's hand, fear in her blood-red eyes.
The daily nourishment of particle energy had made Harak deeply attached to Ryan.
A creature's intelligence improved to some degree when it entered the supernatural realm, but that transformation was far from simple. There was a chance it would fail and the creature would die.
"Don't be afraid, little one. No, I suppose I should call you big one now. Relax."
Ryan stroked Harak's head. With a body stronger than a Giant Bear Bull's, she nuzzled against his chest with enough force to knock an ordinary person to the ground, perhaps even break a few ribs.
A Wizard's particle energy, meanwhile, influenced the body every moment from the instant it formed within them. Guided by Spiritual Power, it developed the body in an orderly, beneficial direction.
Catching a tiger barehanded or shattering the gate of an ordinary city with one punch was easy for a Wizard.
Physical strength had never been a Wizard's weakness.
Ryan could bear Harak's force without difficulty.
But if a pet's affectionate nuzzling turned into a vicious bite, that was another matter entirely.
Harak was so comfortable under his touch that she nearly pressed herself into Ryan's arms and began to trill. She failed to notice the subtle look in his eyes suddenly turn still.
A needlelike stab pierced deep into her vulnerable consciousness, took root, and blossomed.
"Caw, caw, caw!" Harak's pupils flared. Her struggle lasted barely a second, but it left claw marks across Ryan's chest deep enough to expose bone.
The huge gashes ran from his collarbone to the bottom of his rib cage, blood streaming from them.
Fortunately, they had missed his organs. To him, they were merely flesh wounds that would heal in ten days or so.
A bit of bad luck. Ryan raised an eyebrow. The Eye of Truth had calculated eight possible reactions from Harak, and most outcomes had him escaping unhurt, if perhaps a little disheveled.
The Flesh and Blood Tissue beneath Ryan's skin swiftly stopped the bleeding and scabbed over. The stark scars across his chest gave him a somewhat fierce appearance.
This was one benefit of particle energy's influence on the body: a degree of control over its metabolism.
"The Seed of Consciousness has fully become a Consciousness Imprint. I can control Harak's actions and life at will, and share her vision."
A faint smile touched Ryan's lips.
The chance of a Nurtured Creature betraying its master was small in Wizard history, but it did exist.
Ryan would allow no chance of such an accident.
He had to maintain complete control over what belonged to him. Caution meant safety.
Chasing Truth was a long journey. Many Wizards who fell along the way regretted a tiny mistake.
The room was a mess. The desk and walls bore the marks of violent destruction.
Harak huddled in a corner, Ryan's approaching figure reflected fearfully in her blood-red eyes.
Ryan reached out as if to stroke her. Though Harak had remained on guard, an irresistible longing suddenly rose within her.
As her master stroked her again, Harak gradually relaxed. Pleasure filled her blood-red eyes. The idea of a "master" had only just taken shape in her mind: the person before her was the one who treated her best in the whole world, and she must obey his commands at all times.
"Go on. Find yourself something to eat."
He opened the window. A ray of sunlight broke through a gap in the clouds, bringing light to the dark world. Harak flew into it.
A Supernatural Lifeform stood at the top of the food chain. Hunting ordinary Sea Beasts would be effortless for her.
The salty sea breeze brushed Ryan's fair cheeks. "It's almost time, Lusen. I'll try each of the three methods Wizard Tuta mentioned."
He held the Wooden Box, his gaze deep.
The green-haired girl appeared faintly on the Phalanx Bone. Only her serene face could barely be made out, her green eyes looking somewhat vacant.
At the bow, Wizard Tuta stood in the shadows, silently watching the Dark Tide rise and fall across the sea. He glanced up at the supernatural Black Feather Crow soaring through the sky and sighed. "So we have been marked after all."
Half a month had passed, and they still had not shaken their pursuer. Its target was clear: the Wizard Ship. Its intent was utterly hostile.
"I wonder how many of these little ones will survive."
He had already released his aura. The fact that their pursuer remained proved it was an existence on his level.
After First-level through Third-level Wizard Apprentices came Limit Wizard Apprentices. His strength belonged to that final category.
As for anything higher... that was another level entirely. At the peak of the Pyramid stood the Decision Makers, far above them all.
Wizard Tuta slowly drew a vial of rippling purple liquid from the sleeve of his black robe. A cold look crossed his aged, wrinkled face.
He was not so old that he could no longer fight!
"New students, welcome to today's Wizard Exchange Meeting. Rowena will share his insights into the Wizard Meditation Method."
The Wizard Freshmen gathered around the four students with the greatest aptitude.
A freckled young man with brown hair stepped forward. He was Rowena.
"Let's give him a round of applause," Arthur called. Though Rowena was sharing his experience, Arthur still seemed to make himself the center of this makeshift stage.
"I might not explain it very well, so please bear with me," Rowena said shyly.
"We believe in you, Rowena. Your aptitude is outstanding. You must understand the Wizard Meditation Method better than we do."
"We can't wait to hear what you've learned. Speak freely, Rowena."
The Wizard Freshmen praised him and cheered.
Orson, a purple-haired young man with somewhat androgynous features, saw this and patted Rowena on the shoulder.
He said quietly, "You're one of the four of us. Your aptitude has earned our recognition, and these ordinary freshmen are destined to look up to you. So go up there and speak with confidence."
Rowena was pushed before the crowd. He forgot everything he had rehearsed over several nights and began to speak haltingly.
The joy, anticipation, and kindness on every student's face gave Rowena more confidence. His words began to flow.
Ryan watched for a few moments, then focused on the food in front of him.
It was like a student from an older kindergarten class teaching the younger class. No comparison could have been more apt.
After breakfast, Ryan returned to his room. Flecks of blue light gleamed in his eyes.
This time, the Eye of Truth examined Ryan's own information.
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