Chapter 22

"Collette? Is something wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing at all!"

"Really? But you seem—"

"Nothing, I tell you!"

"Hahaha, that's the heart of a maiden—"

*Chomp!*

"Don't say unnecessary things!"

Collette bit down on Chris and glared at her.

"Hahaha, my dear friend, do you understand what just happened?"

"Huh? What?"

"It's not something strange, just unnecessary—ouch!"

Collette's fangs sank deep into Chris's skin.

Chris cried out in surrender, and Collette reluctantly let go.

The bite marks remained, but as a Phoenix, Chris's wounds were enveloped in flames and healed instantly.

I thought to myself, Phoenixes are amazing.

While this was happening, the overflowed water drained out of the dragon house. Collette seemed to be feeling better than before, so I decided to change the subject.

I turned to Louise.

"Louise, can I make a contract with you?"

"Of course, Master."

Louise got up from her lying position, stepped forward, and stood in front of me.

"Chris"

"Aye."

Chris, still lying down, casually opened a magic circle. The magic circle was between me and Louise, enveloping both of us.

I cut the pad of my finger with a knife I had prepared in advance. A drop of fresh blood fell into the center of the magic circle but hung in the air without touching the ground.

Louise bit her front paw's finger, and a drop of fresh blood fell as well.

The two drops of blood mixed in the air above the magic circle.

At the same time, the magic circle emitted a brilliant light.

"Ugh..."

Louise let out a sound.

"What's wrong, are you feeling unwell?"

"No, just a bit strange."

"Strange?"

"It feels like ten people are tickling the back of my throat."

"That's strange!"

It seemed to be a more serious condition than I had expected.

"Is there anything else wrong?"

"Yes, I'm fine. ...Hey."

"What is it?"

"Master looks even more handsome than usual."

"Really?"

"As handsome as a god..."

Louise said this while staring at me with a dazed, feverish look. Given the situation, it was clearly the effect of the magic, so I decided to ignore it.

As we were talking, the light was absorbed into my body.

"Ah!"

"Ah..."

Louise and I spoke almost simultaneously. Images flowed into my mind.

It was very similar to what happened with Chris.

I could tell that the same images were forming in Louise's mind.

"This is... the contract."

"That's right."

"I see..."

"Well, the ability from the contract is... interesting."

"What kind of ability, dear friend?"

"Don't you know?"

"Aye. Each contract is different. Sometimes it's a power derived from the 'species,' and sometimes it's a power unique to the 'individual.'"

"I see."

"Well, I am a unique existence, both a 'species' and an 'individual.'"

"Fair enough."

"Hahaha."

Chris laughed heartily, looking up at the ceiling.

"So, what kind of ability is it?"

"Ah, it's faster to show you than to explain."

I said this and looked around.

The water had mostly receded, and the area around Chris, who had emitted regenerative flames, was dry. I sat on the ground, crossed my legs and arms, and gently closed my eyes.

I fell asleep in an unprecedentedly short time—three seconds.

...

...

...

"..."

I woke up.

I woke up with a feeling of almost falling.

Looking around, I saw that the four dragons, including Chris, were all staring at me.

"How was it, Master?"

"Ah, look at this."

I said this and pointed to my finger.

"What is this?"

Louise tilted her head.

"I see, the wound has completely disappeared."

Chris understood and explained.

"Oh... really. The place where Master cut himself for the contract is already healed."

"That's right."

I nodded clearly and explained.

"Sleep recovery... or something like that. It seems that while I'm sleeping, my body heals at a much faster rate than normal."

"Hahaha, it's not just that. It looks like a recovery spell level."

"A recovery spell?"

I thought it was amazing.

If I could recover just by sleeping, it would be very convenient.

It might not be immediate, but since sleeping is the best way to heal wounds anyway, this is a very useful and appreciated ability.

I looked straight at Louise.

"Thank you, Louise. This is incredible."

"Hehe, I'm glad."

Louise smiled happily.

"Then, it's my turn next."

Emma stepped forward.

"Emma. It seems you'll gain a combat-related ability."

"Is that so?"

"I'm looking forward to it... I'll count on you."

"Yes!"

Emma and I faced each other, and we each dripped blood onto the magic circle that Chris had created.