Aston’s fingers tightened around the black vial as he processed the words before him. A contract. He had never considered it before. Never would have thought that he would have the chance.
His gaze swept toward the kitten, its small frame still curled against his lap.
He hesitated for a moment before carefully tucking the bank card into his wallet. This wasn’t something to rush about.
A contract first…
Aston gently scooped the kitten up and set it down in front of him. The tiny creature blinked sleepily, as if asking a question why it had been moved.
He then asked, “How do I form a contract?”
[Query received.]
[Contract Formation. A bond forged between a contractor and a spirit beast, linking their essences. Requires mutual consent and an exchange of energy.]
[Contract can be established by placing your hand on the head of the spirit beast. Let your energy flow outside the palm.. Then let the spirit beast’s energy flow out, and let the two coalesce with each other. The contractor must recognize and acknowledge the spirit beast as their partner. The contractor will then feel the finalization of the contract when there is a connection between the contractor and the spirit beast.]
He looked at the kitten again, while taking a long breath.
“Alright… let’s do this.”
He placed his hand atop the kitten’s head. He concentrated and felt his energy leaving his palm. The kitten also calmed down and closed its eyes. He also felt the kitten released its energy, albeit pitiful and small. Aston then felt that the two energies combined into one, and then split in half. The two halves then returned both to Aston and the kitten.
Aston then felt an innate connection between him and the kitten. He can feel the kitten’s warmth through the link. It was as if a part of himself now resided in the tiny creature and in return could sense a faint echo of its thoughts, emotions, and instincts.
“From now on, you will be named Gray,” said Aston to the kitten. The kitten let out a purr, seemingly understanding what Aston had just said.
Then, his vision snapped to the black vial. It was time. He picked the vial up and said to the kitten, “Gray, drink the contents of this vial. It will help you awaken to a great potential.”
Gray sniffed the vial hesitantly before giving a small, questioning meow. Aston nodded, “It’s alright.” He reassured the kitten even though he wasn’t certain what would happen.
The kitten then lapped at the liquid. The moment the last drop slid down its throat, Gray’s body went rigid.
Aston’s stomach clenched. He could feel it through their bond - the sudden spike of energy. Gray let out a sharp cry.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
The kitten’s body arched, paws clawing at the ground. Its fur bristled as black veins snaked beneath its skin, spreading from its heart outwards. The cries escaping from its throat sounded more primal the longer it went.
Aston is unsure what to do. He instinctively reached out his hands to the shaking Gray but paused at the last second. Then, a crackling aura began to swirl around the kitten. Aston can see the changes in the kitten.
The tiny body enlarged slightly. What was once a body of around six inches doubled around a foot in length. The previously lean and malnourished body grew to being rotund and plump. Its once matted, gray fur becomes soft and fluffy, with stripes of white running across its back. Its claws become sharp like daggers of iron. Its bright blue eyes radiated mystery and strength, hiding its untamed nature and wildness.
Then Gray stopped releasing a painful cry. It felt a wash of coolness brush against its body. It looked at Aston with knowing eyes.
“What have you become?” asked Aston.
[Query received.]
[Analyzing spirit beast…]
[Analysis complete.]
[Spirit Beast: Obsidian Claw Tiger]
[Type: Bestial]
[Attribute: Metal]
[Genus: Panthera]
[Rank: 1-star]
[Potential: Emerald Core]
[Description: A legendary beast of the night. It hunts its prey using claws as sharp as obsidian. They are so sharp that they can easily tear through space. A lot of hunters and beastbinders flee from this beast but few to none have escaped it.]
[Skills:]
[Surgical Claw: Brandishes its claws towards the enemy. The cut is so precise and so thin that the enemy would not have felt it cut before it moved, causing tears and incisions.]
[Next skill will be unlocked at 3-star]
[Passive Skills:]
[Nightstalker: Blends into the night, stalking its prey in the dark. All statuses are increased in the night or in the dark.]
[Innate Skills:]
[A Tiger in Cat’s Clothing: Evolved from a regular cat species, one can transfigure itself back to its original, pre-evolved form at will. It also camouflages the owner’s potential, rank and skills.]
[Next skill will be unlocked at 5-star]
Aston stared at the floating words, then at the new Gray. It was no longer that frail, malnourished kitten. What sat before him was a fluffy, cute, but with a hint of regality of a creature. Its striped, fluffy fur shimmered in the night, rich and lustrous. Those bright, blue eyes now gleamed with intensity as shivers went down his spine.
Gray let out a soft growl. Then, to Aston’s complete disbelief, the tiger lowered its head slightly and rubbed its forehead against his arm.
A chuckle released from his throat.
“Are you thanking me?”
Gray purred in response.
Aston’s hands then reached out to the fluffball’s head, patting it. He can feel the soft, luxurious fur brush between his fingers. Gray’s tail flicked behind him in slow, deliberate motion.
Excitement ran through him, contrast to the hopelessness he felt earlier the day. But then, he realized. Gray is now a tiger! Who would believe that a red talent would contract a fighting spirit beast in the form of a tiger?
“Wait,” he asked. “You can turn back right?”
Gray blinked, and then nodded. A moment later, his form shimmered, shrinking back to the tiny kitten it once was, but now clean and a bit chubby.
Aston gawked. “You really are something.”
Gray let out a tiny meow, as if in agreement.
