While Fina was busy appeasing her two previously tamed beasts, I explained to Julia what had happened. Although she seemed to doubt me initially, after seeing the proof of it, her and Fina's appearance, and the presence of the link between us, she soon sighed and bought into the idea.
"Alright. So, you mean, from now on, I would need to be within a kilometer of you for one full hour each day?"
I nodded my head in assent.
"Basically, that's it. I'm not sure what Guren plans to arrange for those in a similar situation with you, so I suggest you head to the Seimei's residence first."
Suddenly, her eyes narrowed as she scanned me from head to toe. Then she showed an impish smile as she turned around.
"Well, the premise isn't that bad. I'll head to the Seimei first, then. Fina, I'll catch up with you later!"
Without waiting for Fina's reply, she opened a crack in space before her and entered. A moment later, she completely vanished from the room; not even a sliver of space energy was left. She had perfect control over her energy, which I haven't seen from anyone else yet! Not even from the God Tamers!
"I'll definitely ask for some pointers from her later."
I made a mental note before facing Fina and her two tiny beasts, sitting by the edge of her bed before an open window. The white curtains were swaying gently in the night breeze, giving the scene a little emotional tint.
"So, did you explain the situation to them?"
I asked as I pulled a wooden chair before her study desk and sat down on it with my legs crossed. I looked at her previously tamed beasts and scrutinized them while using the monster appraisal function of the system.
The snake one, spanning less than a meter long and about as thick as a thumb, was called the Baroness of Endless Devouring. It had eye-catching blue-green scales that glittered beautifully under the warm light of the room. I can't really guess its specialty with that title and color alone, but from the mixture of energy colors I could see, it should be of the water, space, and poison attributes.
The spider was smaller in terms of size, but probably gigantic when thinking of normal spiders. Its body was dark gray and about a foot wide, thorax and abdomen included, with thin bony legs covered with short gray hair all over, similar to a tarantula, which seemed to be about twice as long as its body when stretched.
I looked at its name but was perplexed a little. It had three modifiers, after all, called the Baroness of Fatal Traps and Trickery. Looking at its energy patterns, it had poison similar to the snake but had darkness and light mixed.
I stared at the two of them, who moved to position themselves to protect Fina from me on top of her lap, for some reason. Seeing their reactions and thinking that it was cute, I smiled.
She probably found it cute too, as she gently patted the two of them with a sweet smile on her face.
"Although I couldn't understand them without the tamer's special link, I think they already comprehended the situation."
At her words, the two beasts seemingly pouted and started throwing a tantrum. However, they quickly settled down under Fina's gentle pats. After the two finally relaxed, Fina nodded, indicating that it was fine to start the contracting process.
I have more than enough mental energy anyway, so I sent the contract telepathically to the two of them at the same time. But after I did, I felt sudden dizziness. The two refused the contract instantly!
If not for my increased mental toughness, I may have vomited blood then and there. I swiped the cold sweat off my forehead as I looked at the two beasts, showing smug expressions based on their gestures.
'These two are playing me, huh?'
However, I'm not one to take a hit lying down. I stood up and pulled Fina away from the two, surprising her.
"Fina, sorry, but those two seemed to not want to contract with me. We can only give up and let them return to the wilderness."
At my words, Fina seemed to have realized my aim and acted as if she were both surprised and reluctant before she nodded her head helplessly. Her acting was flawless, enough to earn her an award.
"I guess it can't be helped. Sorry, Yorm. Sorry, Judy."
A single tear appeared at the corner of her eyes, making the two beasts jump around in panic. Then, as if to beg me, they went to my feet and bowed their heads. I looked down with a smile, or rather, a grin, after they acted just as I had predicted.
"No, I don't want to force you two to contract me. You already gave me an instant refusal, and I'm a man who knows when to back off."
I slowly walked away, gently supporting the "crying" Fina in my arms. The two beasts panicked even more but didn't know what to do. They moved around us, preventing us from leaving the room, and kept on moving around in circles.
As I watched the two run around like headless chickens, I finally gave them a lifeline.
"... But you two had been with Fina for a long time. I'm sure Fina would be sad if the two of you left her... What do you say about becoming my tamed beasts now, so that you'll be able to stay with Fina?"
The two stopped running, turned to me, and rushed to my legs. They rubbed against my legs like cats asking for attention, doing their best to relay their willingness to come under my contract.
Fina winked at me, seeing that our acting worked wonders.
I reformed another contract and sent it to the two of them before they got covered in a bright flash of light, indicating a successful contract. They accepted it almost instantly this time.
The light faded quickly before I started zoning off as the torrent of skills that the two had flooded my brain. The number of their skills was even higher than Igni's!
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