Chapter 564: Little Kitty
Chapter 564: Little Kitty
Seeing the little girl cheerfully run toward him, Adam was at a loss for words.
Who is this child? And what is she doing in Professor's office? He thought to himself.
"Kitty! Kitty!" The little girl started running around Adam, jumping in joy and reaching out her hands toward Valerian, who was sitting on the young man's shoulder.
Valerian glared at the child and hissed, "I am not a kitty!"
The little girl covered her mouth in astonishment. "The kitty can speak..."
A moment later, she beamed with happiness. "Kitty, come play with me!"
She then tugged on Adam's cloak and asked with an innocent look on her face, "Mister, can I please play with your kitty?"
"Myu! I am not a kitty!" Valerian glared at her.
Meanwhile, Adam was rooted on the spot witnessing the interaction between his familiar and this little girl.
He couldn't help but look toward Professor Whitaker and ask," Uh, Professor... Who is this child?"
Professor glanced at the little girl and spoke warmly, "Her name is Autumn, my pupil."
Adam's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Your pupil?"
He then looked at the little girl, wondering, But she's yet to become a Magus. Where did Professor find her?
"Autumn, this is my research assistant, Magus Adam Constantine," said the Professor to the little girl. "He is your senior so go ahead and introduce yourself."
Hearing her words, the little girl stood straight. She placed her right hand over her chest and respectfully bowed. "Good morning, Mister. My name is Autumn Godsaint. Pleased to meet you."
Then, she looked up and requested the young man with beady eyes, "Now, may I please play with the kitty?"
Seeing such an adorable expression on her face, Adam couldn't help but gently pat her head. "Nice to meet you too, Autumn."
He then grabbed Valerian by the fur on his neck and handed him over to the little girl. "And yes, you may play with the kitty."
"Brother, what?!" Valerian flailed his paws around. "Why must you do this to me?! I am a mighty dragon! Not a kitty!"
"Val, behave." Adam looked at his familiar with mocking eyes. "Play with her for a little bit while I talk to Professor."
Autumn reached out for Valerian and then hugged him tightly. "Kitty, your fur is so soft! Hee hee, let's play now!"
With that said, she took the young dragon to the other side of the room, toward the fireplace.
Meanwhile, Valerian was gazing at Adam with vacant eyes, seemingly hurt by the latter's betrayal.
Adam ignored his familiar and took a seat across from Professor Whitaker. "So what's the deal with her?" He asked.
"Oh, she's a splendid child," said the old woman with a doting smile on her face. "She was born with an A-grade aptitude, so I thought why not take her in as my disciple?"
Adam resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Surely, that cannot be it. I admit spellcasters with A- grade aptitude are rare, but that's not enough to pique your interest."
"Huhu, do you really wish to know?" Asked the old professor with a chuckle.
"Yes, please."
The old woman took a deep breath and began, "Truth is, I happened to meet her during my travels a few months ago. I saw her first in a forest, surrounded by a group of animals from various species."
"Surrounded by animals in a forest?" Adam spoke with a raised eyebrow. "Was she going to get attacked by them or something? And you saved her?"
Professor Whitaker shook her head. "Far from it. She was communicating with these animals, making them do her bidding!"
"What?!" Adam was astonished.
Now, it wasn't a big deal for Magi to commune with animals. There were several spells for it.
But the point here was, that Autumn was a mortal!
He turned around to look at the little girl, but he was once again shocked. He saw her gently petting Valerian who was now cozily lying on her lap.
Only a moment ago, the young dragon was hissing at her. But now, he seemed to have gotten very comfortable with her.
Adam's eyes flashed with a brilliant light and he thought, To be able to form a bond with animals as a mere mortal? Could she really have the talent to become that type of Magus?
He then turned back around and asked the old woman, "Professor, have you heard about the subdivision of Magi known as druids?"
Professor Whitaker's lips curled up in a knowing smile, "Now, where did you read about that, Magus Constantine?"
Adam's lips twitched. Shit! Did I say something I shouldn't have? Damn it, it's so difficult to determine which arcane knowledge is esoteric in Tron and which isn't.
He laughed awkwardly while scratching the back of his head, ""H-Haha, of course, I learned
it from my mentor back in the Southern Federation!"
Professor Whitaker deeply looked at him and then nodded, "Alright, I believe you."
I know you don't! Adam countered inwardly.
The professor then continued, "I had the same thought as you when I came across her. I believe, if nurtured the right way, she can become a great Magus from the School of
Summoning."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
Adam thought for a few moments, thinking of the right words to say. Or rather, the right words to divulge.
"Not just the School of Summoning," Adam shook his head slightly. "In the ancient texts that I've read, it is said that druids have great talent for the School of Alteration and the School of
Invoca
as well."
The old professor was slightly taken aback. She then gestured for him to continue. "What else did you read about this Magus subclass?"
"You see, druids are said to draw their magical power from nature itself, meaning they have a great affinity for the five fundamental elements that govern the world," Adam began.
"Their abilities are strongly tied with animals and plants. They can shapeshift into beasts and are often seen as protectors of the natural world."
In the memories of the experts, Adam had seen a few druids who could command an endless army of magical beasts to fight for them.
Not just that, he had also seen them nourish and bring to life an expansive rainforest with just a swing of their hands.
Of course, all this was only possible when they advanced toward the latter ranks in their paths
as Magi.
"So Summoning, Alteration, and Invocation is it?" Asked the professor as she went into deep
thought.
She then looked at Adam and asked, "Can you tell me everything you know about the druids?
Or rather, can you lend me those ancient texts that you read? Of course, that is if you still have
them."
"Of course, I have them." Adam nodded.
But what he actually meant was - of course, I can write them.
"Good." Professor Whitaker nodded with a smile. "So what do you want in return? I have
some advanced texts on the School of Summoning."
"Oh, don't worry about it." Adam waved his hand.
"Are you sure?" Asked the old woman. "You can ask for anything you like."
"Yes, I'm sure." Adam nodded. "If I ever need anything, I'll let you know."
"Alright, now tell me, what did you want to see me for?" she asked.
"Ah, right. I'll be away from the castle for two months. I just wanted to inform you before I
left."
"Two months?" The professor's brows furrowed ever so slightly. "What is it for?"
"It's a mission from the Herbalist's Guild," Adam blatantly lied through his teeth. "Apparently they've found a new type of magical ingredient a little west of here, and want me
to go inspect it."
"Hmm, alright." The professor nodded.
However, deep down she had a guess that this was something related to the Raven
Inheritance. But she didn't call him out on this.
She then thought of something and asked with a smile, "In a few years, Autumn will go through the ritual of becoming a Magus. At that time, would you mind teaching her a thing or
two about the arcane arts?"
Adam was slightly taken aback. "You... want me to teach her?"
"Why not?" The old woman chuckled. "Your three students have turned out to be quite the capable Magi under your tutelage. I'd love for Autumn to study under you from time to time." Adam thought for a moment before nodding with a smile. "Sure, I'd be happy to!"
He then got up from his seat, intending to leave. Suddenly, he recalled something and said to
the professor, "In the years leading to the ritual, I would suggest having Autumn spend the majority of her time in nature.
"For a future Magus of her capabilities, it is imperative that she forms a connection with nature and live in harmony with it in her formative years. Anyway, the book I'll give you will
explain more about this."
Professor Whitaker couldn't help but smile warmly. "Thank you, Adam."
"No problem." Adam nodded with a smile.
He then turned around and walked toward the door. He noticed that Autumn had already fallen asleep near the fireplace. Meanwhile, Valerian was cozily napping on her lap as well. Seeing such a scene, Adam couldn't help but chuckle. "Alright, little kitty, time to go."
Valerian's ears twitched and he slowly opened his eyes. He first silently hopped off of Autmun's lap, making sure not to wake her up.
Then, he ran after Adam with a menacing look on his face.
"I am a mighty dragon! You will come to fear me! Myuu!"