We were outdoors by the fields almost near the forest. We directly went there after breakfast so we could talk about what we would do tonight.

“So bro, what’s the game plan?” Scurus asked while stretching.

“B-bro?” Ovis tilted her head.

“We’ll have to think for countermeasures but first, tell me about yourself.” I said.

“I’m Scurus, I’m sixteen years old. I like jumping from tree to tree. My favourite food is-“ he eagerly introduced.

“Not that, I mean do you have previous combat experience?”

“No, I haven’t fought before but I am confident with my stamina which I honed by working in the fields!”

“I see, so I guess you don’t have an experience with wielding a weapon either.”

“Nah, I think I’m a good shot with a bow!”

“Really? You’re not making things up, are you?”

“I’m not! I just kept it a secret from the old man. He’ll surely scold me if he knew I was practicing on my own!”

“You expect me to believe that? I think it’s hard for a kid to learn it by himself.”

“I actually got the basics from my pa when I was still a child. I also learned to create a makeshift bow and arrow from him.”

“If you are saying the truth, where is your bow then?”

“I hid it in the forest. I’ll go get it in a second!” Scurus rushed towards the sea of trees.

If he was definitely already proficient with a bow then it would decrease the difficulty of the fight. Not only would I no longer have to start from teaching him the basics of battle, having a ranged weapon would also increase the number of tactics we could employ.

“Say Ovis, I forgot to thank you.”

“Th-thank me?”

“For helping me convince Sergio. If not for you, I might not have been able to have my proposal approved.”

“N-no, I should be apologizing for a-acting without your consent. I-it was not my i-intention at all.” Ovis shook her head.

“It isn’t?”

“I-I said those because d-deep in my heart, I know his words are t-true. We familiars are nothing but s-slaves. I-I was aware of that.”

“…”

“B-but at the same time, it also f-feels like a lie. R-rather than to convince him, I wanted to c-confirm to myself that what I am experiencing now is not a d-dream.”

“But in the end, your actions helped. That much is enough reason for me to thank you.” I smiled as I patted her head.

“Hey I got-“ Scurus was running towards us when he suddenly stopped. “Sorry! I’ll just come back later!”

“You’re getting it wrong! Come back here!” I shouted.

Scurus did as I told. When he was already close enough, I did the same to him. I patted his head then I ran my fingers through his fluffy ears.

“What are you doing? Do you swing that way?” Scurus removed my hand then produced a distance between us.

“I don’t! Stop thinking that every contact is about that!” I then sighed to calm down. “So, where’s your bow and arrows?”

“Here they are!” He raised a wonky bow with technically sharpened branches as arrows.

“You call that a bow? Can you even shoot with that?”

“It is a bit hard to use but it can’t be helped! I had to use junk materials so I could keep it a secret from the old man!”

“I’m still not so sure about that.”

“Here, watch!” Scurus nocked and then aimed. “I’ll shoot the fruit hanging on a tree over there.”

The bow let out creaking sounds. It definitely sounded like it was about to break any moment.

Fwooom!

Scurus released the arrow and it flew straight towards the tree. I did not see where it hit though so I went closer to find out.

The makeshift arrow really hit at the center of a fruit!

“You believe me now?” Scurus haughtily asked.

“Wow! You’re good!” I patted him again in the head.

“Stop that!”

“Why not? It’s fluffy, especially this!” I grabbed his tail then played with it. Scurus flailed wildly while Ovis was just laughing as she watched us. Although I initially touched his tail to tease him, it actually felt really soft! I held myself back and released him after a short while. “That’s that then, you’ll be supporting us from behind.”

“I can hit fixed targets just fine but I want to let you know that I do not have any experience with shooting moving targets.”

“I see, thanks for the heads up.”

I produced the bestiary from my bag. I opened it to the page where the information about Ratisans was indicated.

“Haven’t you shown that already?” Scurus frowned.

“Yes, but I haven’t read much about some parts last night. Look here, it talks about the Ratisan’s special ability”

“Special ability?”

“Some have abilities they can use depending on what their race is. The Ratisans for example has the skill, Shadowbind.”

“Is that what stopped me from moving last night?”

“Yes, and that is what makes them dangerous. If they are able to step on our shadows, we won’t be able to move an inch.”

“That really sounds a lot of trouble.”

“But at the same time, the Ratisan that is using Shadowbind is unable to move. With that, they lose their ultimate weapon, their agility.

“I see, so that’s the time to strike!”

“Yes, so I want Scurus to do that job. You will aim at the Ratisans that use Shadowbind.”

“Got it!”

“But due to their fast reflexes, it won’t be surprising for them to be able to dodge Scurus’ arrow. When that time comes, Ovis or me should follow up with an attack while the Ratisan is in midair, understood?”

“Y-yes!”

“Also as a precaution, Ovis will use glow if by chance that all of us are immobilized by the Ratisan’s Shadowbind.”

“Glow? Is that the bright light last night?”

“Yes, it is a light magic Ovis can use. It can cancel out our shadows even for a moment which should also remove the Ratisan’s Shadowbind.”

“I see. You got this all thought out, eh bro?”

“I did wrack my brains up but don’t think everything will be easy. Everything may change during the actual thing.”

“Y-yes!”

“Do you guys have any questions?”

“N-none, master.”

“I got it all, bro!”

“That’s good. I want you both to train on your own for now while I go swing by the village to buy some things.”

“What are you gonna buy, bro?”

“Isn’t it obvious? You need a better bow and some real arrows!”

“What? But I already showed you that I can perfectly hit a target with it!”

“How about its durability? It looks like it’s about to split into two any second now!”

“It won’t! Its body is as firm as a rock!”

“Hard as a rock you say?” I picked up the bow in question from the ground. “Then it won’t break even if I hit it with my knee, right?”

“Hey bro, don’t! Stop! Stop!”

“But you said it’s like a rock! You won’t have to worry if that’s the case!” I let out an evil smile.

“Fine, fine! Buy another one just don’t break it!” Scurus finally yielded.

“That’s good then.” I placed the bow back to the ground. “I’ll be going now. Maybe there is something else you want me to buy?”

“N-none, master.”

“The new bow and arrows are enough…” Scurus enthusiasm was nowhere to be found.

“Got it, I’ll be back in a moment.”

I left for the town to buy some supplies. I went down the hill which was not as strenuous compared when going up. It was actually quite relaxing. The only problem was that I would have no choice but to climb back up again later.

I went back to the stall where weapons were sold. Unlike the ones in the city, the selections were very limited but the quality was not bad. I purchased a short bow, a quiver of arrows with a matching leather strap, as well as steel claws for Scurus. All those weapons cost a silver and a half.

I also looked at the other weapons in display, thinking if maybe I should buy myself a new one. But I decided that it was not the time since my weapon was still usable. Additionally, I actually did not have much money on me. I also went to another stall to buy a bottle of Tamer’s Seal. The great thing about the seal was that it was already programmed with magic. It would take effect as long as the target was a Beastkin.

After we accomplish my end of the deal, I would have to use it on Scurus. I knew that it would be heartbreaking for Sergio to see Scurus bound by it. But without a Tamer’s Seal, I could not officially call him my familiar. He could be readily captured by other tamers as well. I paid half a silver for the seal. I was actually not expecting to see one in a distant town. Somehow, they had one. I just kind of felt embarrassed buying it in a Beastkin hating town. The guy who was in the stall even gave me a hurtful glare.

I went back to the top of the hill with the newly bought supplies and a lighter purse. Two silvers were gone in an instant. Money was beginning to be tight again. But I was able to save money by obtaining a familiar for free. That at least was certainly worth it.

I arrived back at the fields with exhausted legs. It was nice to see that the two were actually sparring. Scurus was attacking Ovis while she used her shield to nullify the attacks. Ovis then countered with her mace but Scurus was fast in his feet. He was able to dodge all of Ovis’ blows without a problem.

“Oh bro! You’re back!” Scurus greeted which made Ovis stop attacking.

“Yeah, good job you guys. Here’s your new stuff.”

I handed him his weapons. He equipped the quiver by his waist and put the claws to his hands.

“This actually does not look so bad.” Scurus uttered while he squinted to examine the newly bought bow.

“Compared to your old one, it definitely isn’t.”

“Oh shut up! I get it already.” He then opened then closed his left palm. “These claws kind of feel weird though.”

“It does? If it messes with your shooting then feel free to remove it.”

“I don’t think it will. Maybe it just feels different because I am new to this thing.”

“I see, how about you give it a try then?”

Scurus nocked and aimed. He breathed in and out to focus before he released the arrow.

“Woah,” he uttered.

The arrow flew with much speed and force compared to the one earlier. It hit the fruit that he set as a target but it was slightly off the center. It was quite understandable though since he was using the ill constructed bow for quite a while.

“So, how does it feel?”

“Ugh…” Scurus frowned as he stared at the bow. “Fine, this is way better than my wonky bow! Satisfied?”

Ovis and I just laughed at the frustrated Scurus. His words proved that he was not as stubborn as I thought.

“Just use the whole day to get used to it.”

“Got it, bro. I’ll definitely shoot those damned bastards later!”

“That’s good to hear.” I said before I made my way towards the hut.

“Where are you going bro?”

“I’m going to catch some zonkers. Have fun there.”

“Hey, that’s not fair bro!”

“Feel free to rest as well when you’re already confident with your shooting.” I waved my hand.

Scurus and Ovis were talking about something as I left but I kind of did not understand what it was all about. I was not able to sleep well last night that was why I had to leave them by themselves. It was clear that the upcoming night would be long. I decided to rest up so I could face it with a conscious mind.