As the wolves dispersed to their assigned positions, Akira stood in the center of the village, taking in the sight of Apollo and the other newly evolved Blood-Tinged Wolves. The air hummed with a strange, charged energy, a sign of the power he had just unlocked. The weight of his new responsibilities started to settle in, but he felt a deep sense of pride as his new companions gazed at him with loyalty and reverence.

  Suddenly, a group of Beastlings approached him, their movements cautious yet resolute. These were the creatures he had helped before, those who had blessed him with their trust and shared their resources. They were a free-spirited race, not one focused on fighting or defending, yet their hearts held a genuine desire to protect their kin and their lands if need be.

  One of the Beastlings stepped forward, a younger one with a sense of courage in his stance. He looked up at Akira, his eyes filled with determination.

  Beastling Leader: "Mister Akira, we... we have seen the strength you possess. We may not be warriors by nature, but we are loyal, and we wish to protect our home and those we care about. We see how much you care for the ones you protect, and we... we want to stand by your side. Please, allow us to serve you. Let us be your subordinates."

  Akira was taken aback by their sincerity. These creatures were not warriors by tradition, but their resolve to fight and protect had been awakened through their admiration for him. He could sense their loyalty, even if their nature was far different from the wolves he had tamed.

  Akira (smiling): "You’ve shown me nothing but kindness, and I respect your bravery. If you truly wish to be my subordinates, I accept."

  As soon as he spoke those words, a surge of magical energy swept through the Beastlings. They stood tall, their forms flickering with light. Akira felt a brief drain on his energy as their connection to him deepened, but it was nothing like the overwhelming strain he had felt with the wolves.

  All 150 Beastlings glowed a radiant blue, and their bodies began to shift, undergoing a transformation. Akira watched, his heart pounding with anticipation. The energy flowing through them was unique—gentler, but still powerful. One by one, the Beastlings evolved into Lycanthropes, their forms blending the grace of their original shape with the formidable strength and agility of the wolves.

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  Their eyes glowed a striking shade of blue, mirroring their new bond with Akira. The transformation completed, and the Beastlings—now Lycanthropes—stood before him in their new forms, eyes full of newfound power and purpose.

  Akira braced himself for the usual aftereffect, the draining fatigue that would come with such a powerful bond. But this time, to his surprise, he felt perfectly fine. There was no overwhelming drain on his magic reserves, no sense of weakness creeping in. He felt... stable.

  Akira (frowning, puzzled): "Athena, why isn’t anything happening? I expected to pass out again."

  Athena (analyzing): "The reason you’re not experiencing fatigue this time is due to the nature of the Beastlings. They are a weaker race compared to the Blood-Tinged Wolves. As such, it takes less magical energy to bond with them. Their transformation required less of your energy to catalyze, and thus, you’re feeling no adverse effects."

  Akira absorbed the information, still amazed at how his bond with these creatures had evolved. The Lycanthropes stood proudly before him, a newfound strength emanating from each one. They had become more than just allies—they had become his kin, his companions in this new world.

  One of the Lycanthropes stepped forward, the leader of the group. His transformation was especially impressive, with sleek blue-black fur and an air of command that marked him as a natural leader.

  Lycanthrope Leader: "Thank you, Master Akira. We pledge our loyalty to you and will fight with everything we have to protect what matters."

  Akira nodded in acknowledgment, his chest swelling with pride at the loyalty and strength his new subordinates had shown. The bond was now cemented—he had gained not only a pack of wolves but a whole tribe of Lycanthropes, all bound by a shared purpose.

  Akira (firmly): "Together, we will protect this land, and we will rise stronger than ever."

  As the Lycanthropes howled in unison, their voices ringing out like a call to arms, Akira felt a surge of power and determination. He knew that with this new force by his side, his journey had taken a major turn. He wasn’t just a wanderer anymore. He was a leader, a protector—and he would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

  The world before him had just become a little bit smaller, as it was now filled with those who would follow his lead into battle, into victory, and into the unknown.