Helga glanced back and raised an eyebrow, noticing Lyra hopping along the floor behind Axis, her curious eyes fixed on him.
"Well, this is... unexpected," Helga murmured, her expression surprised. "Lyra usually keeps her distance from everyone but Lady Hccede."
Axis looked down at Lyra, who met his gaze with a small tilt of her head before chirping softly. "You mean she doesn’t usually follow people around?"
"Not at all, young master," Helga replied, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully as she studied the bird. "Lyra hasn’t fully bonded with anyone yet, and she’s naturally independent. Even with Lady Hccede, she mostly helps out at her own discretion. It’s rare to see her take to anyone, especially this quickly."
Axis smiled, reaching down to offer his hand to Lyra, who pecked at it gently. "Maybe she just likes me. Or maybe she’s curious?"
"Curious, perhaps, but still… she’s never lingered like this. And her attachment without a pact is... unusual," Helga remarked, a hint of wonder in her voice. "You must have made quite an impression on her."
Axis chuckled softly. "Well, I did promise to look after her, and I meant it. Maybe she can tell."
Helga observed the pair thoughtfully, a small smile breaking through her usual stern expression. "Perhaps she can. Just remember, young master, that Lyra is very much her own creature. She’s here by her own will, not bound by any pact. Lady Hccede saved her a while back, and she’s been... choosing to help ever since."
Axis’s eyes lit up as he looked back at Lyra, who was now hopping along with a little hop and flutter, as if she were showing off. "That’s incredible. So, she just follows Rida... because she wants to?"
"Exactly. She follows because she chooses to, which makes it all the more special. But to have her so interested in you—well, that’s something I’ve never seen." Helga chuckled, clearly surprised by the bond forming before her eyes.
As they continued down the hall, Helga kept glancing back with an amused, curious smile. Lyra chirped and stayed close to Axis, fluttering to his shoulder, watching the mansion tour unfold.
…
Evening
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Even at the dinner Rida did not come, presumably her duties were taking her longer than expected to finish.
After the dinner, in the room given to axis.
‘System tell me what Insight can do ‘
{ Ding… }
Skill: Insight (Rank A): Mastery: 0%
Type : Active
Grants the ability to perceive and comprehend the properties, functions, and hidden aspects of objects and beings.
Cooldown: None
Side effect: Causes mental fatigue with prolonged use.
Note: The effectiveness and depth of insight depend on the host's knowledge, experience, and focus. Usage may reveal varying levels of detail based on the user's understanding.
If the power difference between target and host is too wide then insight might not reveal many things.
‘So basically it's an upgraded version of analyze.’
{ Ding…}
{ A new quest has been generated }
Quest: Forest's Trial
Task 1: Reach the Sacred Grove, the location of the first broken metal piece.
Details: Scattered throughout the forest are five broken metal pieces, rumored to hold a mysterious power. By gathering all the pieces and submerging them in a sacred location, something extraordinary may happen. The trial consists of five tasks, each revealed only after completing the previous one. Begin by reaching the Sacred Grove, where the first piece awaits.
Rewards:
500 EXPA random grade skillA random grade itemTitle: Friend of the Forest
Note: The higher the rank achieved, the better the rewards.
Penalty: None. [ You won't get the rewards, and stay weak. ]
[
“ You don’t even need to ask, I accept. “
{Ding!}
{Quest: Forest’s Trial Accepted}
{First Task Issued}
Task 1: Reach the Sacred Grove, the location of the first broken metal piece.
Details: Scattered throughout the forest are five broken metal pieces rumored to hold mysterious power. By gathering all the pieces and submerging them in a sacred location, something extraordinary may happen. The trial consists of five tasks, each revealed only after completing the previous one. Begin by reaching the Sacred Grove, where the first piece awaits.
Rewards:
500 EXPA random-grade skillA random-grade itemTitle: Friend of the Forest
Note: The higher the rank achieved, the better the rewards.
Penalty: Termination of quest.
Suddenly, a small map window appeared, pointing to a location deep within the forest, beyond the walls of the mansion. Axis studied it closely, the spot marked as “Sacred Grove.”
"Kree…" Lyra screeched softly, a gentle glow enveloping her feathers.
{Ding!}
{The forest has chosen the guide for the trial.}
Axis looked at her, eyebrows raised in surprise. “Are you the guide for this trial?”
"Kree," Lyra confirmed with another soft screech, scratching at the ground as if to say yes and pointing with her small beak toward the forest.
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