Chương 74: The Quickened

"Now then, which one wishes to go first? It won't hurt, I promise!" Maximus said, sitting on the floor.

"You go first. I'll observe!" Mochi nudged Bambi forward. She sighed while whipping him across the face with her slender tail and approached Maximus.

"Tell me what to do, new Max." She spoke.

"Just relax. I will create a small anchor within you that will act as a beacon for mana. Your body will slowly adapt and make you stronger. Now, whether you awaken some abilities, evolve further, or even specialize in specific mana elements or magics will depend on your predispositions, bloodline, and a bit of luck." Maximus explained and grabbed Bambi, cradling her so that her chest was easily accessible.

He then activated his World Sense, and the world of Earth's energies shone bright before his eyes for the very first time. Maximus observed the energies for a while before nodding. Mana here is very thin, lacking the true density of a mana-integrated world, but it should increase with time as this realm adjusts. Numina is also barely available, just enough for life to form. Though spirit energy is abundant, that again is normal for any world with life on it.

He nodded once again and guided mana into his index finger until it shone like a pale white firefly.

"Oooh, quite amusing. Now wave your finger!" Mochi commanded, his tail whipping playfully. Maximus chuckled and waved his finger a bit, making it look like a small wisp was flying.

"Like this?" Only for Bambi to grab it with both of her small paws, her claws sharply digging into his skin.

"Sorry, it's stronger than me." She meowed, retracting her claws and paws, making Maximus crack a soft smile.

"It's alright. We shall blame Mochi!" Maximus announced.

"Heeey, how dare you, peasant! It is your own fault for obeying my commands. Though it is as it should be!" He announced, still staring intently at Maximus's finger. Maximus chuckled. He was starting to like the crazy cat. Well, both of them, as a matter of fact. Then, finally, he focused on Bambi, noticing that she lacked any channels or mana-related organs. Quite an ordinary little kitty. Well, let's change that. A soft smile escaped him as his eyes glistened faintly and he pressed his finger against her chest.

Maximus guided the small wisp of mana through her chest until it settled right above her heart. He grew serious and started running calculations to find the most suitable amount of mana for the small being. He enveloped her with spirit energy, which seeped into her body, scanning her little frame and returning information such as her weight, length, height, age, and so on. Noting everything down, he moved his finger over her fur, making her purr.

"Purr, that is quite nice!" She purred, but he had to ignore her for now as the most important part came: the sigil anchor engraving. He began the intricate work, weaving the mana into a precise ancient sigil. He drew a vertical spine, then looped a circle around it like a containment field, finishing with a fractured crossbar at the top, the catalyst for the Quickening.

As the last strand of mana locked into place, the broken 'T' within the circle flared to life, humming with power, ready to be anchored into a living form. Maximus steadied his breath and slowly moved the sigil towards the center of Bambi's heart, letting it descend on its own. As the sigil landed on Bambi's heart, Maximus whispered, "Let the gift of Mana flow through you. Bind!"

As if pushed by his words, the sigil slowly merged into Bambi's heart, leaving behind a small glowing circle on its surface, while the broken 'T' marking sank deep within, slowly merging into her body and leaving behind a faint rhythmic warmth that pulsed in time with her heartbeat.

The 'T' mark would one day grow into proper mana channels, and the circle on the heart's surface would become the blueprint for her single circle, which mana beings would instinctively create once they had gathered enough mana within their vessel. The stronger they became, the thicker the circle grew, from something ethereal into a physical part of the beast.

As the sigil engraved itself into her being, Bambi's eyes flashed with a hint of pale light before she started purring and nudged Maximus's chin affectionately with her head.

"Thank you, Max. It truly didn't hurt, and I already feel so full of energy. I could hunt a whole family of rats now!" She chuckled as Maximus petted her head before letting her down. Only Max, huh? I'm glad. He smiled.

"I am glad that you are feeling well. It will take some time for you to truly sense the benefits, but you don't need to pay attention to it. The energy will slowly feed into you." Maximus explained with a soft smile.

"Move away! Now do me! Make me the greatest cat to ever live! Hahaha!" Mochi laughed as he lunged into Maximus's lap.

"You smell nice, like a snack! Much better than poor old Max. This will do! This will do indeed!" Mochi nodded, but one could still sense the longing for the old Max. Bambi exhaled and gently nudged Mochi before jumping onto the bed above them to observe. Beneath his theatrics, he truly misses old Max... It truly pains me to see them like this, but there is not much I can do here except help them move on and hope that one day, just as I have, they can smile again.

He sighed before starting the same process for Mochi. Maximus condensed the sigil, making sure to account for Mochi's increased size and weight before proceeding with the engraving. The engraving proceeded smoothly without any issues before a flash of pale light escaped Mochi's eyes.

"Oh, that truly felt nice. You did well, Max!" Mochi tapped Maximus's chest before lunging onto the bed and lying a bit further from Bambi.

"A question, Max." Bambi finally spoke. Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

"Go on." Maximus nodded and turned towards the bed.

"How come this went so smoothly? Feels like it should've been more dangerous than that," she asked.

"Haha, you are correct, wise little Bambi." Maximus smiled.

"Usually, it is very dangerous, and if you use just a little bit more mana, the animal can die or burst."

"What?" Mochi jumped, already shaking.

"You risked this great one's life like that?" He hissed.

"Calm down, fool. He is going to explain." Bambi hissed back.

"Yes, as I was saying. Luckily, you two have me, and my mana control and calculation are perfect, if I can say so myself. And with assistance from my spirit energy, the calculation became even more precise, since I could measure your very bodily age and all the hidden parameters of what makes you, well, you." He paused, expecting a reaction, but both cats just stared at him, unblinking.

"So, there was never any danger to begin with. Not like I would place you two in any danger in the first place. I owe Maximus this new life after all." He sighed.

"These mana and spirit, what are they?" Bambi asked.

"The world where we live is made of three main energies: Mana, Spirit, and Numina. Mana sets the rules, Numina creates the place where you can live, and Spirit gives life to everything. Understood?" He asked, a hint of an old lecturer flashing through him for a moment.

"I understand." Bambi nodded, lost in thought.

"I have no idea what nonsense you are spewing! My head aches. Max! Massage me!" Mochi roared before lunging into Maximus's lap and rubbing his head against his chest, forcing Maximus to massage the spoiled cat's head.

"Oh yes. That's the spot. Good Max!" Mochi purred.

"Somehow..." Maximus sighed, while Bambi rolled her eyes.

"Now then, are you two willing to join me? As I said, it will be beneficial for both of you, and I can make sure that you two are fine even when I am away." Maximus offered.

"I don't have a problem with that. You seem like a decent replacement for Max." Bambi spoke but added, "But you will never be our Max. I hope you understand that."

"I know that. I am me, and Max was Max. But I will be glad to have you both as my friends!" Maximus smiled gently.

"Alright, you delicious-smelling new Max. I'll allow you to serve me, but you are still on probation!" Mochi shouted. The animals have decided to follow the user Maximus Reid.

Skill Leveled Up: [One of Us (D) Level 11] Class Trait Leveled Up: [Call of the Wild (C) Level 16] Animals tamed: [Norwegian Forest Cat Level 1], [Domestic Cat (Albino) Level 1] Norwegian Forest Cat | Level: 1 Name: Mochi Rarity: E Gender: Male A purebred member of a very sought-after breed of cats known for being large, sturdy, and excellent climbers with water-resistant coats. This specific one has been terribly spoiled and thinks of himself as royalty.

Known Skills: None Traits: Cowardly, Conceited, Loyal, Protective, Quickened Domestic Cat (Albino) | Level: 1 Name: Bambi Rarity: E Gender: Female A species of domesticated cat that has grown more resilient from generation to generation. Usually very adaptable. This one in particular has greater intelligence, even compared to the best of her own kin. Her albinism makes her rarer than other members of her kin.

Known Skills: None Traits: Intelligent, Fierce, Loyal, Protective, Resilient, Quickened Alert: Due to taming a brand-new species, a new shapeshifting skill has been unlocked!

New Skill Unlocked: [Kitty Shape (F)] Kitty Shape (F) – Shapeshift into a small kitty form, allowing passage through areas inaccessible before and easier infiltration into enemy ranks. Costs no Spirit but might cause the user to become addicted to scratches behind the ear. Note: While the form currently possesses no combat skills, the senses of a feline are far superior to those of a human.

A kitty form? Even though I already have my trusted Cat Form? A bit redundant, but I guess it can be useful. Well, never enough skills, that is for certain! He shook his head as he observed the two cats, who were suddenly glowing with a faint green light as their bodies were strengthened through Call of the Wild.

"Well, are you satisfied?" Maximus asked as the light faded. Bambi, now much leaner than before and slightly longer, though still tiny when compared to other cats, jumped off the bed, lunged to the top of the cat tree and back, then nodded.

"Incredible. You really delivered as promised." She gasped. Then Mochi started laughing loudly.

"All this power within my paws. Muahahaha, Mochi the Butcher is born anew!" He lunged and started sprinting in circles before tossing himself onto the carpet, heaving.

"Though my royal lungs are not what they used to be!" He chuckled, clearly enthused. Maximus burst out laughing, Bambi joining him soon after.

"Alright, you two, come with me. I would like you to meet my team. They are large and strange, but they are truly good beasts and spirits!" Maximus explained.

"You mean that disgusting scaly oaf? Hah! Let's go. I fear nothing now!" Mochi laughed as he stood.

"Lead the way. I am intrigued." Bambi nodded. Maximus stood, stretched his back, and moved into the hallway, two strange cats walking proudly behind him. ‎