Karl sat down with the warriors, one of whom was still nursing a sore foot with his boot off.
“As you can see, the most effective strategy against many targets is actually the feet and legs. They’re not as protected, and while the target will be careful what they step on, that also means they will be hesitant to approach you.” Daniel explained, taking on the role of the spokesman after having watched Karl in his regular classes for a week.
“That makes sense. The boot has to have some feeling, or you won’t be able to walk as smoothly, but that also means that the armour is limited. I wasn’t expecting someone to actually step on the trip wire, though.” Karl agreed.
That made the other warriors chuckle.
“Thin wires in the fog is a great combination technique, and it was what we were initially planning to suggest. There are only so many different ways to use Rend, but if you treat it like wire, then you should be able to make a number of quality traps, as well as set up ambushes.
Our discussion today will be less about new ways to use your technique, and what we should be finding you for a second pet attempt. If you had someone who could fight at your side in that situation, like the Golem, you would have increased your potential defences by a lot, and it might have been enough to deal with all the attackers.
The official position is that we should have you try with more newborns or eggs, as that was how Hawk started. If you try to bond a larger, aggressive monster, there is a strong possibility that it would remain hostile to you and waste your talent until it is put down.
There is also the chance that a lost pet might not be able to be replaced. The classes that can summon a Familiar or helper pet are like that. Once it’s gone, it is gone and they can’t do it again.
Your class is unique, and you can bond with actual monsters, not use magic to summon a mouse or cat level common animal, plus you can bring them into that space in your mind, that nobody knows the limitations of. But that is why we are being cautious, there is a lot of potential there, and we don’t want to make a fatal error.” Daniel explained.
Karl nodded slowly. The explanation made sense, but the space felt more like it was a nest, a home for whatever lived there. It didn’t stop existing when Hawk was outside, and the second space was just sitting empty, waiting for Karl to build a nest for something else.
“Alright, what did you have in mind? Is there like some strategic reserve of monster babies for study or something?” Karl asked.
The team laughed and shook their heads. “No, what we’re going to do is go for a little adventure. There are a few tame species of monsters that the scientists study, but those aren’t what we need for an Elite that cultivates combat pets. Instead, we are going to head to the southern plains and go find you a proper monster.
The place is infested with them, and they’re all brutal killers. They have to be to survive there among their own kind. So, the initial plan is to drive around until you find one that feels promising to your class, then hunt it.
We have surveillance, and we’ve marked nearly a hundred nests and infant monsters, so there is a good chance that we can find what you need.
Look at the hawk. He started out as an egg in the kitchen, and now he’s one of the largest birds of prey that I have ever seen. Most birds his size, even the monstrous ones, are flightless, but his body is light and powerful despite his size. If another pet went through a similar advancement, we could be looking at a whole new strain of monster that is more deadly than any other on its level.”
Daniel was clearly excited as he finished his speech, and the others were preparing to bring out the maps to show Karl the possible matches that they had found.
“We’ve got everything from snakes to badgers to a Crystalline Mammoth cub tracked. So whatever you think would be best can be available.” Daniel added.
A crystalline Mammoth would be a nightmare for anyone to fight against. They were supposed to have incredible magical powers according to folklore, but the book said that it was a result of their hide reflecting and changing any attacks sent against them.
Plus, they stood over five metres tall and could crush armoured cars with just their feet. Having one would be cool, but feeding one could be much more difficult than keeping Hawk happy.
One of the others gestured to spots on a map they unrolled. “We have also prepared for the possibility that your skills only allow you to bond with birds, so there are six different powerful potential avian partners who have eggs in their nests.
Now, actually getting the eggs won’t be easy, but that’s why we’re here. We will send two teams with you to gather the new pet, and then we will impose a full blackout on the information so that it doesn’t leak out until you are ready for others to know.
If it is a baby, you will need time to help it grow, and nobody wants everyone to know their true power if they have the chance to hold a secret skill back for emergencies.”
Daniel smiled at Karl’s hesitation. “We’re all on the same team, but we’re all competing for the best jobs, the next promotion, that special chance that will give us something that we want. Having a little something in reserve can help impress people at just the right moment.”
Karl smiled at the warriors as he understood the logic. “Alright, when do we leave?”
“Now. I will go get Alice, and we will take Jodi and Anise as well, so that Dave and Jill can stay to watch over Dana as she recovers. They will likely spend the night here, resting and practising through the off day. The Academy is too loud to really focus, so having a night to just sit in silence should be appreciated.” Daniel explained.
