Class continued.
The other students’ resonance measurements went on, but the atmosphere had already changed from before.
Even as everyone waited for their turn, they kept glancing this way.
To be precise, at me and Elysia.
Resonance rate: 86.
The first day of the contract.
A rare silver-pink baby fox.
And on top of that, what had happened at the training grounds that morning.
There were far too many ingredients for the rumors to grow even larger.
With my eyes closed, I muttered inwardly.
‘Why is this day so long?’
At first, I had just been a baby fox she picked up in the rain.
But after coming to the Academy and passing lunchtime, I had become a rare species with an abnormally high familiar resonance rate.
At this pace, by evening I might end up becoming the kingdom’s guardian beast or something.
‘No way.’
It had better not.
Just then, Elysia’s emotions flowed over very faintly.
Confusion.
Surprise.
And a strangely warm sense of relief.
Feeling those emotions, I opened my eyes a little.
Elysia was looking forward.
But her fingertips had risen ever so slightly, touching the tip of my tail atop her head.
I hesitated for a moment, then didn’t move my tail away.
Through that small point of contact, Elysia’s emotions became a little clearer.
The relief of not being alone.
I quietly let out a breath.
‘……Can’t be helped.’
The high resonance rate was a problem.
People’s gazes would only increase.
Annoying guys like Richard would definitely start paying more attention too.
But if Elysia could become even a little more stable.
And if it helped this child properly find her sword.
Then perhaps I could endure just a little of it.
I curled my body more tightly on top of Elysia’s head.
‘Still, 86 was too high.’
I should be more careful next time.
The moment I resolved that, the professor’s voice came from the front.
“The most noteworthy result today is the case of Student Valerion and Haku.
Even if the contract period is short,
this is a good example showing that a high resonance rate can appear when mutual trust and energy compatibility align.”
The students’ gazes gathered again.
I closed my eyes.
‘Professor.’
Please don’t use us as an example.
But it was already too late.
Elysia quietly lowered her head,
and I crouched on top of her head like a baby fox that knew nothing at all.
Even so, small exclamations flowed from around us.
“That’s amazing.”
“If it’s that high from the first day……”
“As expected of Lady Valerion.”
“No, I think that familiar isn’t ordinary either.”
I sighed inwardly.
Elysia carefully raised her hand.
“Professor.”
“Yes, Student Valerion.”
The professor turned his gaze to her gently.
After hesitating for a moment, Elysia asked,
“If the resonance rate…… gets close to 100, what happens?”
At that question, the classroom fell silent.
I opened my eyes slightly too.
‘Why is she asking that?’
Elysia was looking toward the magic circle where the crystal orb had been.
It seemed the number 86 from earlier had been bothering her all this time.
86 on the first day of the contract.
Since even the professor had called it exceptional, it was only natural that Elysia, the person involved, would be concerned.
The professor thought for a moment, then slowly explained.
“A resonance rate of 100 is close to complete synchronization in the general sense.
It is not simply a matter of the familiar understanding commands well.”
“Complete synchronization……”
“Yes. At that level, the master and familiar are practically connected.
They understand each other’s intentions without speaking, and emotional changes are transmitted immediately.”
A low stir spread through the classroom.
Some looked fascinated, while others looked down at their familiars with shining eyes.
On top of Elysia’s head, I quietly folded my ears.
‘That’s an ominous explanation.’
The professor continued.
“For example, the moment a master senses danger, the familiar may react first,
or if the familiar feels fear, the master may detect it.
At very high stages, there are even cases where some senses are shared.”
“Even senses?”
“It is extremely rare, but possible. Sight, hearing, sense of direction, even pain.
Of course, such a deep connection is dangerous, so it is not recommended for just anyone.”
Elysia’s fingers moved ever so slightly.
I sensed that sign.
At the same time, Elysia’s emotions flowed over faintly.
Surprise.
Curiosity.
And a little worry.
‘She really is feeling it.’
I closed my eyes and pretended not to know.
But I already had the feeling it was too late.
The professor looked at Elysia and added,
“And in the case of higher familiars or high-ranking spirits, conversation also becomes possible once the resonance rate rises above a certain level.”
At those words, several students widened their eyes.
“Conversation?”
Someone asked quietly.
The professor nodded.
“Yes. Of course, that does not only mean speaking with the mouth.
It takes a form closer to intent, emotion, images, or direct mental transmission.
The master and familiar become able to understand each other deeply.”
“Then can they know what the other is thinking even without words?”
“To a certain extent, yes. However, not every thought is revealed as is.
Resonance is based on trust and permission.
If one side strongly closes themselves off, the connection becomes shallow.”
‘What a relief.’
I was relieved inwardly.
That meant not everything would be exposed.
The professor continued.
“However, it is true that the higher the resonance rate becomes, the easier it is for both parties to influence each other’s condition.
If the master is greatly shaken, the familiar will also become uneasy,
and if the familiar is injured, the master may suffer psychological shock as well.”
Elysia’s gaze shifted slightly upward.
To be precise, toward me.
I kept my eyes closed and pretended not to notice.
“So a high resonance rate is both a blessing and a responsibility.
You can understand each other better, but that also means it becomes easier to hurt each other.”
The classroom grew quiet.
It was a somewhat heavy explanation to simply listen to casually.
Elysia slowly nodded.
“Thank you, Professor.”
“That was a good question.”
The professor smiled.
“Student Valerion and Haku’s resonance rate is certainly special.
However, it is still only the first day, so rather than delving too deeply into it, prioritize becoming accustomed to each other.”
“Yes.”
“Especially if Haku is still a young individual.”
My ears twitched.
‘A young individual, sure, but I’m not actually young.’
But for now, I had to pretend to be a young individual.
I let out a small cry.
“Kiing.”
At that, the expressions of the students around us softened again.
“It really does seem young.”
“It’s so small.”
“But its resonance rate is 86……”
“It’s cute, but amazing.”
‘What does cute but amazing even mean?’
I sighed inwardly.
Elysia remained quiet until class ended.
But her emotions continued to faintly reach me.
It seemed she was turning over the professor’s explanation in her mind.
Resonance rate 100.
Wordless understanding.
Sharing emotions.
Conversation with a higher familiar.
Those words slowly circled within Elysia.
Feeling that flow, I narrowed my eyes.
‘This is troublesome.’
Elysia is perceptive.
On top of that, she had already sensed something strange several times today.
Her body becoming lighter during training.
Me erasing the magic.
Her suddenly grasping the flow of the sword in the mock battle.
And now, the resonance rate of 86.
Each one could be brushed off as coincidence.
But when they all came together, the story changed.
‘I’ll have to be more careful from now on.’
I quietly curled up.
But at that moment, Elysia’s fingertips very carefully touched the tip of my tail.
There were no words.
But a faint emotion was conveyed.
It’s all right.
It seemed to say that.
I stayed still for a moment.
‘……Is this resonance too?’
Until just now, I had only thought of it as annoying.
But that small emotion Elysia sent me was strangely not unpleasant.
It did not force itself on me.
It did not pry.
It was simply a warm sensation, just enough to say she would stay by my side.
Instead of answering, I moved the tip of my tail ever so slightly.
I tapped the back of Elysia’s hand.
Elysia drew in a small breath.
And smiled very faintly.
‘Ah.’
I closed my eyes.
‘This is more dangerous than I thought.’
If the resonance rate reached 100, they could understand each other without words.
If it was a higher familiar, conversation was possible too.
That explanation lingered in my mind.
Right now, it was 86.
It was not yet complete.
But at this pace, someday Elysia might truly become able to understand my words.
When that time came, what should I say?
That I am Haku?
That I’m actually not the ordinary familiar she thinks I am?
Or.
‘Explaining everything from the beginning would be too much of a bother.’
I let out a small breath.
It was not time yet.
So for the time being.
An ordinary baby fox.
A cute, docile familiar whose resonance rate was just a little high.
I only had to keep that up.
Probably.
“The resonance rates measured today are not absolute evaluations.
Familiars and spirits are not tools, but companions who grow alongside you.
Do not obsess over the numbers. Take time to understand one another.”
The students nodded.
Elysia also answered quietly.
“Yes.”
I closed my eyes on top of Elysia’s head.
‘Companion, huh.’
I liked that word a little.
Master and familiar.
Contractor and contracted being.
It was far better than words like those.
Of course, it was still a little ambiguous to say I was Elysia’s companion.
It hadn’t even been a day since she picked me up.
I was hiding my identity.
And I was secretly letting demonic energy flow into her too.
But at least in this moment, I knew Elysia would not treat me carelessly.
She treated me not as property, but as a small life.
I liked that.
“Haku.”
Elysia quietly called my name.
I only moved my ears.
“I’ll be in your care from now on too.”
Her voice was small.
So small the other students could not hear.
I was silent for a moment.
Then I cried very softly.
“Kiing.”
Yeah.
Me too.
Of course, that was not what came out of my mouth.
But strangely, Elysia seemed to understand that meaning a little.
Her emotions swayed gently.
I muttered inwardly.
‘……Resonance rate 86, huh.’
It seemed this number carried a far more troublesome meaning than I had thought.