The black horse pulled the carriage through the night sky, the wind howling past the outside of the carriage compartment.
Saiphina sat in her seat, gazing out the window, the corners of her mouth lifted, her mood seemingly quite good.
Lin Shu sat across from her, fingers rubbing the key hanging around her neck. This key, given by the system and related to going home, was already tied securely with a thin cord and worn close to her skin.
She was making plans in her mind for what to do next:
Accumulating Saiphina’s Wish Value, and searching for clues related to the key—these two goals could be pursued simultaneously.
Lin Shu didn’t know much about Saiphina yet. After signing the new contract, she also needed to quickly familiarize herself with her new skills.
Thinking of this, Lin Shu summoned the system panel with a thought. The translucent panel unfolded silently before her eyes:
[Master: Saiphina Drago]
[Race: Bloodkin]
[Familiar Skill: Thorned Rose]
[Skill Description: Can generate and manipulate thorny vines within a 10-meter range; works better in environments with soil and vegetation (This skill can evolve based on the progress of the master’s Wish Value.)]
After the contract with Lia was dissolved, the former Blood Control Technique had also disappeared.
The new power now flowing through her body felt completely different from before.
Lin Shu opened her palm, willed her power, and tried to awaken this force. At that moment, a thin vine curled around her fingertip, a tiny rosebud blooming at its tip, only to fade away immediately.
So this is the new power granted by the contract with Saiphina… If used well, there seem to be plenty of directions to develop it.
Lin Shu’s gaze fell on Saiphina’s skill. After signing the contract, the master could also obtain a new skill.
[Master Skill: Eternal Garden]
[Skill Description: Generates a domain; within this domain, the user can freely manipulate the familiar’s thorns.]
It’s actually a domain skill. Lin Shu’s eyes lit up.
It seemed the system assigned mutually supportive skills to familiars and their masters.
Saiphina’s domain, combined with her own skill—if used properly, there was no doubt their combat power would be greatly enhanced.
“Master.” Lin Shu looked up, ready to share this discovery with Saiphina, “You can try your new ski—”
Lin Shu’s words were abruptly cut off.
Because she saw Saiphina was looking at her with a smile. It wasn’t her usual lazy and casual smile; her bright red eyes curved up, sparkling with light.
Like a child who had just received her favorite toy—pure, unadulterated joy.
“Eh…” The words stuck in Lin Shu’s throat. Unable to hold back, she asked, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
Saiphina tapped her fingertip gently on the seat cushion beneath her: “Because I’m very happy, little cutie.”
“Happy?”
“Mm.” Saiphina nodded, “I remembered just now, in front of the maids and guards, you admitted out loud that I’m your master.”
It was as if she had heard a wonderful melody; she hummed softly for a few notes. “I didn’t expect that being called ‘master’ by little cutie would sound even better than I imagined.”
Lin Shu blinked, puzzled.
Just being called that… is enough to make her this happy?
What a strange person.
*****
At the same time, deep within the Forbidden Forest.
Lia stood, holding a scythe as tall as herself. At her feet lay the bodies of several corpse beasts, their dark green blood soaking into the ground below.
She pinched her nose, wrinkling it in distaste, and lifted her black boots, stepping over the twisted corpses as she walked forward.
Lia stopped in front of a strange plant and bent down to pluck its root and stem.
The demonized petals shimmered with intertwining black and crimson light, exuding a sinister aura.
Finally, she had it in hand.
She raised the demon flower high, displaying it to everyone.
“Congratulations, Young Lady!”
“You did it!”
“We only encountered a few monsters this time, all thanks to the earlier intel.”
The family warriors behind her erupted into congratulations and flattery, excitement written across their faces.
This expedition to the Forbidden Forest had seen no casualties, and only two young warriors had been injured in the recent fight. For any exploration team, this was a rare outcome.
All of this was thanks to knowing the location of the monster nest in advance, allowing them to avoid the most dangerous areas.
“You, come here.” Lia lifted her chin at one of the wounded female warriors, her expression full of pride.
Normally, Lia wouldn’t casually use healing magic on her subordinates. But having secured the demon flower, her mood was exceptionally good, and she decided to grant a rare favor.
Although Bloodkin possessed regenerative abilities, these two young members were low on mana and healed slowly. Using healing magic was much more convenient.
At times like this, Lia did admit that Lin Shu’s familiar contract had its uses.
“Eh? Me?” The female warrior froze, subconsciously glancing around at her companions in disbelief, uncertain if the Young Lady was calling her.
“The Young Lady can use healing magic, go on,” a family member helpfully explained.
Only then did the female warrior realize the Young Lady intended to heal her.
“This… what an honor, thank you, Young Lady!”
She hurried forward a few steps, dropping to one knee before Lia, bowing her head in preparation for healing.
Lia habitually raised her hand, intending to cast healing magic as usual—
?
Nothing happened?
Lia frowned, focusing again to try, only to find the power within her was gone.
Her hand froze in mid-air, the proud expression on her face solidifying instantly.
“Young Lady?” The other warriors, seeing her unmoving, looked on in confusion.
No! The healing magic is gone?!
Suddenly, Lia remembered that strange sensation before departure, as if some link had suddenly disappeared.
It was her connection to Lin Shu! Was the familiar contract broken?!
She’d obtained healing magic only through her contract with Lin Shu. Now that her ability had vanished inexplicably, didn’t it mean the contract had been dissolved?
Isn’t the contract only breakable by the master? How could it end without her authorization? How was this possible?!
What exactly did that Lin Shu do?!
Lia withdrew her hand in anger, fury boiling in her chest. Gritting her teeth, she glared in the direction of the camp.
The team members behind her, bewildered by her failure to heal and sensing her sudden rage, didn’t dare breathe loudly, only exchanging nervous glances in private.
Lia tossed a sentence to the kneeling female warrior: “It’s just a scratch, handle it yourself.” Then she strode toward her horse, black boots stepping onto the stirrup. She yanked the reins hard and shouted:
“Everyone, assemble immediately! We’re heading back!!”
She had to hurry home and drag Lin Shu over for a proper explanation!