Marmot
The town square—hell, the whole plaza—was buzzing with excitement.
I wondered what was up and hung back with the crowd of onlookers. Some official had apparently posted something on the public notice board in the center. Too many people swarming around to get a good look, though. No way I could read it from here.
"What the hell's going on...?"
I muttered to myself, and then some guy up front started talking, the murmurs rippling outward.
"They say there's been a big win down south."
"A war, huh? Figures. The south never settles down."
I overheard the guys nearby chatting. So it was a war announcement.
Kyures Kingdom shares borders with all sorts of countries everywhere except the east coast by the sea. The one that's always got skirmishes going is the border with the Zureshion Alliance to the south. That said, the national army based in the capital doesn't get deployed, and there's no conscription sending folks south.
It's just the nobles with lands on the southern border clashing with their counterparts across the line. Whoever wins the border squabbles gets to carve off some territory, so even if a Kyures noble comes out on top in a little dust-up, the royal family doesn't get a direct cut. Not big news for us civilians either. That's all straight from the tavern old-timer's wisdom.
That said, this new hotshot lord named Delard—who recently got handed some border turf—has been aggressive about fighting and keeps snagging more land with every scrap. His moves had been making minor headlines.
No skin off our backs whether they win or lose a bit, but sure, we'd all prefer the Kyures nobles come out ahead. Push too hard against us, and the capital might have to step in. A big defeat could mean enemies pouring over the border, and it's us regular folk who'd get looted.
And apparently, the Delard house on the border had finally scored a major victory, taking the enemy's border capital.
The royals probably wanted to use it to flex the kingdom's military might to the citizens. Posting the victory proclamation in that prime spot—which rarely gets used for anything important—must've kicked off the plaza commotion.
"Eh, a win's a win. Won't affect us much..."
We're heading south ourselves, but nowhere near the border hotspots. Oguri Kyuresu's port is up north-ish to begin with, and the monster-hunting holy lands are smack in the kingdom's center. Probably not relevant.
Sasha didn't look too interested when I glanced back, so I blew it off and hustled to the Magic Guild.
Pikata hadn't arrived yet when I got to the Magic Guild. Good—finally made it here first for once.
"You're here."
Just as I thought that, Pikata popped up like she'd been watching from somewhere.
"Hey, you're early."
"When I've got time, I usually kill it here."
Right, that explained why she was always waiting way ahead of time.
"Working on some research?"
"Yeah, all sorts. Today I had the training room reserved for magic development."
"Oh...? Mind if I ask what kind?"
"Secret. New spell development's a mage's research fruit— not something you blab about."
"Too bad. Had me curious."
A new technique from Pikata, who could already handle compound magic... must be pretty advanced.
"So, compound magic clicking yet?"
"Nah, no dice."
"Figures. Knew you didn't have that level of talent."
Pikata said it with a hint of glee. I'd picked up her homework fast, so maybe she had her doubts.
"That stuff's way too tough. Think I can pull it off training solo?"
"You will. Magic practice is mostly facing yourself. Studying spell theories and chemistry helps, though."
"Guess I'll hit libraries on the road for that."
"...What? You're leaving?"
Pikata blinked wide-eyed, staring up at me in surprise.
"Yeah, gotta start working soon, and I've got magic sorta down pat now. This is your last lesson, Pikata. Thanks for everything."
"...I see."
She sounded a little down, which honestly made me happy. Short time, but parting from Pikata—who'd been so generous with her knowledge—left me a tad blue too.
"If you need escorts for travel or whatever, post a job at the Merc Guild. I'll cut you a deal."
"Thought you were the one leaving."
"I wander. If the spot lines up, I'll take it."
"Hmph..."
The Merc Guild could sort that out, probably. Major core city like this wasn't bad to hang in. Once I had cash to spare, swinging back for fun—and quizzing Pikata on magic—sounded good.
"Oh, right. Got a place lined up? Want your contact info."
"Picking me up?"
"As if. Handy for questions if I swing back."
"Huh?"
"I'll bring souvenirs. Hell, pay you again if you want."
"Fine, whatev... But no clue where I'll be post-grad."
"Cross that bridge when we get there. My job could kill me anytime."
"If you die after I taught you magic, it'd give me nightmares."
"Then I'll bust my ass not to. Master."
"Master~?"
"Short stint, but you're the only one who taught me. Fits, right?"
"Whatever. Alright, disciple—final lesson time. We'll speed through key spell theory and practicals I think matter."
Spell theory sounds grandiose, but it's mostly ramblings on this weird phenomenon called magic. Lots of assumptions and guesses—basically wild speculation. Science probably starts that way too, though.
Pikata's big theory pick was the ancient imperial archmage's mana theory—one of the field's greats—on magic's source.
There's a power source for magic, filling the air and ground. Imagine tiny, invisible mana particles everywhere.
Common idea, but few dig into what mana is.
The old master said: "Mana is possibility."
If mana were a special substance, it'd run out with use. Light a fire in a sealed room, oxygen depletes, fire dies. But mana never vanishes no matter how much magic you cast. So he thought: What if it's not a substance? It's the very potential for all phenomena... or so the theory goes.
Still holds up today. Nothing else explains mana's nature so well.
Key takeaway: Picture mana filling space, but grasp it's not matter.
Treating it like tiny particles limits your imagery—and magic's infinite potential via the caster's will.
Tough to wrap my head around, but good to know.
Then practical review in the training room.
Fireball's still weak, but it forms. Walls and splashes are tricky, incomplete, but I've got the basics.
Daily grind from here.
"But can you fight monsters like this? Your level dropped too."
Pikata looked worried. Fair—could I merc properly now?
"I'll manage. Got plans."
"You sure? Oh, that magitech you mentioned?"
Sharp as ever. Actually multi-jobbing, but the magic gun's a legit ace too.
"Kinda. Hitting that spot you intro'd me to last time too."
"Huh? Pet shop?"
"Yeah, but not a pet."
One stop before leaving. When I mentioned Sasha and I might be shorthanded, Pikata suggested:
"Get a guardian beast then."
Sounded like a familiar. She didn't know details, so check it out.
Parting with Pikata was low-key, unlike Elliott's crew. Not much Sasha interaction either.
Quick wave goodbye, and off to the guardian beast shop based on her vague "west residential district" tip.
Found it quick.
Or rather, it stood out. Foxes and dog-like critters out front, yapping away.
Gonna piss off the neighbors with that noise.
"Anyone here?"
Sidestepped a bear and entered. Iron bars right away, tiny counter beside with a shadowy clerk.
Expected a pet shop vibe. Way off.
Most space was barred enclosures crawling with critters.
More like a safari park?
"Yeah, yeah, what?"
Clerk rubbed sleepy eyes, eyeing me. Human-ish, but slit pupils like a reptile. Face a human-lizard mashup, alien vibes.
"Here for a guardian beast."
"Figures. This is a guardian beast shop."
His sarcastic tone irked me, but info first—bite it back.
"Traveling light. These useful?"
"Hm? First-timer?"
"Yup."
Clerk finally stood, stretching shamelessly before exhaling.
"What for? We got variety, as you see."
Pointed to the bars: big beasts to mouse-sized, bugs to birds to crocs.
"Small party traveling. Need a lookout."
"Lookout? Hm~."
He slid the bars open casually, joining the beasts.
Wait, no lock?! Safe?
"C'mon in."
"Door okay open?"
"Eh? Fine, fine. Bars are just for show, per regs."
Seriously?
"Guardian beasts are smart. Won't bolt or attack folks."
"Right."
Shrugged and entered. Sasha followed hesitantly.
"Dogs reliable... Cats too fickle."
"Smart enough for travel?"
"Subjugation magic keeps 'em put. Understand speech too."
"No kidding. Impressive."
Not just pets.
"You know zilch, huh? Gotta be that smart for guardian status."
"News to me."
"Rules. Pets that just bond go to pet or livestock shops."
"Huh."
Beasts eyed us curiously. Most common: dog-like, bird-like?
"Budget?"
"Not much. Ten silver max?"
"Ten silver... Slim pickings."
Feed costs too. Ten's already stretching it.
Clerk showed ten-silver options. Apparently compatibility matters—skip uninterested ones.
That dog's staring, tail stiff. Not thrilled. Cat totally ignoring. Pass.
...Sasha vanished mid-scan. Where?
"Fwa... Master, this one..."
Sasha cradling a furball. What?
"Kelmi guardian beast. Want it?"
"Lemme see, Sasha. What's the fluffball?"
She handed it over. Held it up: meerkat bulked up big. Aussie outback vibe... Marmot? Yeah, like that.
Lazy eyes on me—not hostile. Probably.
"This one, Master!"
"You like it? Cute, sure."
Round, sleepy eyes, ultra-fluff fur. Pet material. But not why we're here.
"Abilities?"
"Alertness, basic combat. Nocturnal—great for night watch."
"Nice..."
"Eight silver. Long-lived breed—buy responsibly. Dumping 'em can get you fined."
"Got it."
Rare species? Eight's cheap, but eighty grand yen equivalent ain't nothing.
"Feed?"
"Omnivore. Grains fine, monster meat too."
"Solid."
Not bad... maybe?
"Poor thing was ditched once. Six silver if you take it now."
"Deal."
Snapped it up on the discount. Probably the real price anyway.
"Thanks much. Toss in a week's feed."
"...One thing: understands speech?"
"Supposed to."
"Supposed to" felt iffy, but took the marmot doppelganger.
"So fluffy..."
Passed to Sasha; she hugged it blissfully. Fine if she's happy.
"Subjugation time... Name?"
"No name yet?"
"New owner names 'em."
Right. Name... name.
Checked status post-subjugation. Guardian beasts show stats too.
Named him Don. His smug vibe screamed boss—Don fit. Spur of the moment.
Sasha had no objections, so Don it was.
"Gii."
Don rasped—welcome or protest? Who cares.
No job or stat bonuses on guardian beasts. Skills seem racial.
Young specimen, he said. But this weight, this presence. Respect, Don-sama.
"Gyu~."
Don purred under Sasha's pets. Another hidden side of her unlocked.
Last night in town. Public baths, then bathed Don in the inn tub, cleaned him up.
Whoa, fluff level upped. Infinite pets. Mofu mofu... Snap out—sleep for tomorrow.
But Sasha's period ended; post-bath, she smelled amazing. Couldn't hold back, pinned and ravaged her before crashing.
Been a while—intense. Burned out...
Don lounged oblivious on the floor. Yeah, we'll get along fine.
Oh, nocturnal—day plan? Backpack, carry him.
Next time might ruffle feathers? Kinda nervous.