"Now, which one will it be?"

While his grandfather and the two scientists talked, Drake only had eyes for the two beings on the cage. One of them looked like a ball of green mist, with three bright red eyes. The eyes kept revolving around the Ifere's body, sometimes turning around, sometimes disappearing inside the mist. It was a creepy sight, but, when the red eyes looked at Drake, it felt like a puppy looking at it's owner.

The second Ifere was also small, but looked a lot more solid than the other one. In fact, it was very similar to a boulder, but it had two holes on the front, from where two long grey tentacles appeared. When it moved, it made a scraping sound.

Drake looked at the two tiny Iferes. They were young, probably no more than a few days of age. That was when it was easier to convince the Iferes to sign a Spirit Contract. Well, not just Iferes. When the Spirit Contracts were created, no one specified it had to be between a human and an Ifere. For the Mystic Iferes, humans and Iferes were one and the same.

Although contracts between Iferes and humans were the most common, they also existed between Iferes and Iferes, and humans and humans. And, the best time to create a contract was when one of the parties was young. That was when they were the most innocent, and unaware. The most likely to sign a contract with someone they wouldn't otherwise.

Some considered that a form of slavery. Maybe they were right. However, a Spirit Contract made it impossible for one to hurt the other, or even lie to one another. Whether that was slavery or not, everyone had to decide for themselves.

"They are a Frainer and a Bourdeial. Spirit-type and a rock-type, respectively. Have you decided with which one you are going to try and sign a contract?"

Caleb looked at his grandson patiently. This was an important decision, which would affect his entire life.

Drake contemplated the two Iferes for a long time, before extending a hand towards the Frainer. The small ball of mist focused it's three eyes on him, before chirping soundly.

Happy with the reaction he got, Drake touched the creature. It was cold, and soft, as if he was touching jelly. Closing his eyes, Drake tried to convey his emotions and thoughts to the Ifere, trying to show it that he wasn't going to hurt it, and that he only wished it well. That he wished to become family.

Maybe because he was too young, the Frainer accepted the feelings immediately. Suddenly, a purple light started glowing on both Drake and the Frainer, and small purple threads left their bodies, intertwining.

The purple light grew stronger, surrounding them both in a purple ball. The threads started surrounding the ball, creating a perfectly circular cocoon.

And then it disappeared, without any prior warning. Now, the Frainer was floating above Drake's shoulders, happily running against him. Drake had a huge grin on his face, and petted his new companion. More than a contract between two equal parties, it seemed like a father and his son.

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Caleb, Celia, and the other scientist clapped their hands, congratulating Drake. He had succeeded in signing the Spirit Contract, and now, for bad or for worse, they would be together until death set them apart.

The Bourdeial grunted sadly, and the Frainer floated towards it, making some noises. Although they were from different species, they were the closest to a brother they had, since they spent all their short life together.

"These two were to be used in an experiment, but your grandfather pulled some strings, Drake. They are both prime specimens, so be careful with Frainer."

"You got it."

"Ah, and also, before you go, take a little present from everyone at the university."

Celia pulled out a small box, and gave it to Drake. Inside, there was a necklace, with a small but sharp fang hanging from it. There was also a picture of a group of about thirty people. Drake easily recognized Celia, his mother, and some of her classmates.

"This is..."

"Your mother left it here, before she moved on to working on the mines. As for the necklace and pendant, we thought you would like it."

Drake smiled, and put on the necklace, before putting the box with the picture on his backpack.

"I love it. Thank you."

"It's nothing. And Drake... Be careful out there, all right? The wilderness is dangerous. Try not to die. I don't think your grandpa could take it."

Her last words were whispered at him, so Caleb didn't hear. Drake hugged Celia, and gave her a big smile, before turning around and leaving with his grandfather.

The two women watched them leave, and the younger one turned to Celia, a worried expression on her face.

"Why didn't you tell him?"

"He is stubborn and prideful just like his mother. If I told him the fang was from my companion, he wouldn't have taken it. But he is like a son for all of us here at the university. We can't let harm fall upon him."

‐---------------------------

"One last time... Are you sure about this?"

"Yeah. I am."

Drake smiled reassuringly to his worried grandfather, and Frainer floated around him happily making some noises, as if to give support. Now that he and Drake made a contract, they could understand each other's thoughts and intentions.

Taking another cab, the two of them made their way towards the border of the city. Gigantic walls, dozens of meters wide, and a hundred meters tall, limited Blue Coral. The walls were made of iron and steel, and thousands of human soldiers, as well as their Iferes' partners, patrolled it. Huge turrets and cannons were pointed to the outside world.

Beyond the walls was a massive forest expanse. Roads left the city, disappearing under the trees. Here and there, one could see flocks of aerial Iferes. Sometimes, loud roars were heard.

Unlike the safety of Blue Coral City, the wilderness was dangerous. Anyone who stepped outside of the cities had to do it knowing that he or she was risking it's life. Outlaws and wild Iferes wouldn't hesitate to kill unaware travelers.

That didn't mean it was always kill or be killed in the wilderness. In fact, most of the times, wild Iferes would simply avoid meeting others, especially humans. Their intellect wasn't much smaller than that of a human, and they also didn't like to fight and kill. Exceptions existed, of course, in both races.

Roads were secure most of the time, though. There were military outposts every few dozen kilometers, and the soldiers were famous for being cold-blooded and impartial. It didn't matter whether you were a human or an Ifere, if you were in the wrong, you would be punished. If you resisted, you would be killed. Of course, Iferes weren't able to put up much of a defense in a court of law. Not that many of those happened.

"Here we are. Drake... You know I don't agree with your idea. You could live a good life here, without ever putting yourself in danger. But, if that is what you want, so be it. I wish you the best of luck. Remember to call me if you ever need anything."

Hugging Caleb once again, Drake only nodded, before stepping out of the city, with Frainer floating after him. He didn't look back.