Chapter 19: Ranger vs. Assassin (Rematch)

Within an infinite series of jagged peaks, Bahamut stirred as he felt Seras pawn finally move in the direction he wanted. Whereas Seras might only want to maintain the balance, Bahamut believed more drastic measures needed to be taken and the unique circumstances of her pawn’s existence and purpose allowed him to take advantage of the situation.

Seras may settle for a stalemate between good and evil but Bahamut would never compromise with the spawn of the Endless Abyss. Renala would grow into a fine consort, just like her mother. No, with the Dragon Rider at her side, she would become even stronger and would birth even more powerful dragons. His sacred race would return to a golden age of power and prominence, ushering a new age of peace under draconic domination.

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While pushing Renala out of the keep and to the stable pastures the next morning, I felt Idyia's glare drill holes into the back of my head. After I told her about the level, she wanted to return to the capital and find a Divination Orb so she could see her new Status. Attaining 6th Level was a true milestone for anyone. Even some of the luckiest, war-hardened battle veterans would barely reach 4th. I was a major anomaly; on my first night in Valeria, I slew half a dozen elite guards and Hasting's entire retinue of extraordinarily powerful summons. Under normal circumstances, it would take around 30 goblins kills, among the weakest monsters in the world, just to reach 2nd. While there was no Level cap, each subsequent Level up doubled in Experience requirements. Moreover Experience gained would decrease based on the Level difference between combatants.

So unless you were a serial killer or killing scores of soldiers in several wars, there was a practical plateau of growth.

"Wow, I've never seen you so annoyed."

Idyia responded with the smallest, nasally huff. She was adamantly against our grinding session out on the border now that she leveled because she wanted to personally assess her newfound strength. It was one of the few times she actually asserted her frustration with my decisions, so I found it a welcome breath of fresh air. I was worried Idyia would slowly lose her independence, but moments like this reminded me she had her own personal goals and desires to become stronger despite the geass placed upon her.

"You know I can just tell you your Status through my Party Window." I threw her a grin.

"So you were teasing me?" Idyia's lilac eyes narrowed.

"Just a little."

She shot me the most vicious smile I've ever seen her express. In that instant, I fully understood why Dark Elves were so feared. "Guard low the next time we spar."

"... That's not cool, man."

Idyia irrately jabbed a finger in Renala's direction. I turned to see the wyrmling towering over the various horses and beasts of burden released into the pasture pen. She was on her hind legs and her wings were spread wide, casting a massive, ominous shadow over them all. The animals shivered visibly, frozen in obvious fear.

I raised a brow. "Is that normal?" I asked.

"I think she's just teasing." Idyia folded her arms and copied my mocking tone.

"You can't eat them, Renala," I called out before her little game could escalate past the point of no return. She settled back on all four legs and folded her wings dejectedly. The frightened animals scattered like cockroaches before the sun as soon as she turned away. Her neck was sagged when she trotted back toward us. I scratched her eye ridges and hugged her oversized skull to try and cheer her up.

"Don't worry, you can hunt after our tests."

Renala's eyes gleamed then she squirmed her head out of my arms and stared at me expectantly.

"The Queen was right: you do spoil her too much,” Idyia exhaled through her nose.

“So, how does this work?" I asked, deflecting. Idyia perched on the fence outlining the pasture. She swung her legs back and forth in a surprising show of childish impatience.

She lightly shrugged. "Skills and Aspects are intrinsic and often instinctual."

I sighed heavily.

Instinctual, huh?

I took a few steps away from Renala and raised my hand toward her. I closed my eyes to meditate. Even on the sideline, I sensed Idyia tense. I inhaled deeply then slowly exhaled, searching for the metaphysical muscles that controlled my Skills.

Something pulled on my very soul and I snapped my eyes open. I met Renala's gaze with a glare of flaming intensity. I thrust my index finger at her in the most exaggerated pose I could muster.

"Renala, I choose you!"

My voice boomed.

Renala tilted her head.

Idyia blinked slowly.

Several seconds passed.

I fell to my hands and knees in despair.

"Did it work?" Idyia asked, her voice was laced with no small measure of amusement.

Both Idyia's and Renala's expectant gazes only made me want to curl into my stomach and die. I always tried to keep up a tough, silent and professional persona, so going full weeb in public was not a pleasant blow to my pride. At least Rebecca wasn't here to see me like this; she wouldn't let me live this down for years.

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I dusted myself off and patted Renala on the head.

Idyia was occupying herself by juggling four stiletto knives.

"Why not just ask her to be your Draconic Companion?" She suggested after catching each stiletto between her fingertips.

"It can't be that simple. What am I supposed to do? Just ask?" I scratched Renala's eye ridges. "Renala, do you wanna be my Draconic Companion?"

She looked up at me then a prompt appeared on my screen.

Renala becomes your Draconic Companion.

Renala gains half of all Experience you earn.

You may share senses with your Draconic Companion.

You may telepathically communicate with your Draconic Companion.

"This game sucks." I muttered.

"Did it work?" Idyia wore a condescending smirk.

"Yeah, it worked." I kissed Renala on the nose. She must have sensed we were pretty much done here, because she unfurled her wings and flapped them, kicking up grass and dust.

"All right, all right! Go, go!" I shooed her away.

Renala roared and immediately flew off. Even as she disappeared over the walls, I could still feel her through our bond. Several locals peeked out their doors and windows, catching the faint echoes of Renala’s roar as she passed overhead.

I felt someone tap me on the shoulder. I turned to face Idyia, practically breathing down my neck.

"My turn."

"Let's get some breakfast-"

"No."

She pushed me toward the fence line while I fiddled with the Menu. Now that the wyrmling left, the stable hands began to release more animals into the pasture to graze and stretch, leaving little space for the two of us.

Once we were out of the way, I sent a telepathic image of Idyia's character sheet into her mind. Her eyes went wide then she closed them in deep concentration. Unlike my own sheet, Valerian natives could not allocate their points or upgrades. They appeared more naturally, based on what the person did during their time on the previous level. I had to wonder what insane experiences Idyia had to endure to get something like Flash. Her life as a Dark Elf was obviously filled with much greater dangers than the average person.

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