I soared above the forest looking for something to hunt. The crisp morning air was clearing my mind. I should probably get some proper rest soon. With all that time spent teaching my family how to speak, at least telepathically, I had not had much time to myself.

My eyes scanned the trees, looking for something decent to fill my stomach. I could fly out over the plains as well but that was extra distance to travel. If I was able to hunt something a little closer I would be very happy.

There was a little rivulet running through splitting the trees which turned into a proper river further east after being fed by half a dozen more springs hidden in the mountains. The break in the green blanket made for a great spot to find prey.

As I descended, I heard some noise that was not expected this far out. Steps. Human steps, judging from how much they disturbed the undergrowth. They just slowed down and I heard a girl whisper some words. The air made it impossible to parse the words but it seemed to be Ordugh.

I changed my angle and soon spotted them. The girl was wearing practical robes made of leather with lots of pockets everywhere. On top of her long sandy hair sat a pointed hat with a wide brim. If someone would have told me she was a witch, I would not have second-guessed them. Her companion was a little taller if she had been standing up. The woman looked to be in her late forties or potentially fifties. She wore similar clothing to the girl just a little bit more used. Both of them had a walking stick in their hands that could likely be used as an impromptu spear to drive threats away.

The girl was edging towards a mink that sat next to the water. It must have just been drinking but was suddenly fully focused on the approaching stranger. She had a piece of dried meat in her hand. Was she trying to tame it? I was close enough to use [Hidden Identify] and shot it at both of them.

[Identify]

Species: Human (Youth)

Age: 12

Name: Circe Helio

Gender: female

Status: healthy, sapient

Level: 18

Class: [Witch Apprentice], -

[Identify]

Species: Black Forest Mink (mature)

Age: 26

Name: -

Gender: male

Status: healthy

Level: 44

Class: -

That… did not look good. Sure, Circe had a Class but it was an apprentice Class. Those were usually ditched not much after 25. That made for a combined 43 levels. They were on even footing. Just that the mink was older and used to fighting for its life. Now that I looked at it, it would make for a nice meal for the next two days or so as well.

I saw her hold out the meat and the mink edged forward, sniffing the air. It was interested but likely not in the way she expected. With how the animal was shifting its muscles, I could tell it was getting ready to fight for the food.

I silently swooped lower while observing the two. The stand-off lasted almost a minute which gave me plenty of time to get close enough. A glance at the older woman showed that she was ready to move should the mink attack. But I could see she was not close enough. So when I noticed the hindlegs of the rodent tense for a jump, I rush in accelerated by my [Sgiathan Dorcha] and picked it off the ground before anyone could react.

My wings caught the drop quickly and I moved over to a nearby branch, holding my prey down. I noticed how the humans flinched back, the girl enough to drop onto her butt, but they had not spotted me yet so I took a bite. Breakfast was good.

Several seconds later, they finally found me.

“Back!”, called the older witch. Her voice was sullen and a little raspy. Maybe she had to call her daughter out on a lot of shit.

I looked between them. The woman looked somewhere between terrified and determined to give her life while the girl showed much more curiosity. I managed to slip a [Hidden Identify] into my observations.

[Identify]

Species: Human (adult)

Age: 51

Name: Mira Selvos

Gender: female

Status: healthy, sapient, vis enriched (minor)

Level: 31

Class: [Forest Witch], -

Yup. Totally witches. They had to live in the small hut that stood a little out of the way. Come to think of it, I had seen them the day mum made me leave. Back then, Circe was sewing, right?

While all that went through my mind, Mira once again called the girl back. Judging by last names, they were not mother and daughter but that might have something to do with how names were passed on.

Circe ignored the older woman’s command and instead whispered some words that made me question her sanity.

“I want it!”

Was she out of her mind? I had just swooped in and killed an animal thrice her race level and she wanted me? What for?

The girl took a step, then another one. Mira grabbed for her shoulder but she managed to dodge, putting her right in front of me. A simple extension of my shadows and I could kill her. Not that I would do that but she seriously lacked a sense of self-preservation.

Then she spoke.

“Will you be my partner?”

Was she asking to marry me, or what

~ding~ Circe has activated her Skill [Familiar Bond lvl 1] on you. She offers friendship and knowledge. In return, you shall provide friendship and assistance. Do you wish to forge a life-long bond with Circe Helio?

What? No!

~ding~ You have declined Circe’s [Familiar Bond].

Good!

“Declined?”, the girl asked herself.

Mira seemed equally confused.

I connected to them with [Telepathy].

“Yes”, I sent.

The older woman, likely Circe’s mentor, seemed to immediately realize the implications of the voice in their heads. She stumbled back and tripped over a root.

While it was amusing to watch her panic, I soon refocused on the girl. She was very confused but a simple greeting as she met my eyes brought her on the right track. Yes, you just met a sapient owl. Stop freaking out.

“You’re amazing!”, she half-shouted once she figured it out.

“Thanks?”, I sent.

“Want to be my familiar?”

“Circe, NO!”, came a scream from behind.

While the Skill seemed interesting, I wanted to know more about it. It almost seemed like a contract to become friends with someone forever. I was also interested in the [Witch] Class. Maybe that was just what I was looking for. A magical Class that was not solely focused on thaumaturgy.

“No”, I said, “I don’t think so, at least. But we can be friends without that.”

“Aww, too bad”, Circe said, “Well, I’m fine with being friends. What’s your name?”

“I’m Fio Catori.”

“Cool! I’m Circe Helio.”

The owl nodded.

“I know. I identified you.”

That froze her for a few seconds. I chuckled to restart her.

“Do you mind showing me around?”, I asked, “I’m interested to learn more about humans.”

“Yes, we do mind!”, Mira said, “Beasts are not welcome in the human plains!”

“Is that so?”, I narrowed my eyes, “What about other sapients?”

“Uhm… well…”, she stammered, “That’s not a problem. Normally. But it’s… really rare to meet them?”

“Then we don’t have a problem, do we?”

“That’s not how that works!”, Circe’s master complained.

“Where’s the issue? I’m sapient. You don’t have problems with sapients. That means I can come along, right?”

“Yup!”, Circe said cheerily, “You’re my friend, too. Come, I’ll show you where I live!”

I smiled at the notification I got.

~ding~ You have made friends with a new species, congratulations! Experience is awarded!

~ding~ You have reached level 99. Attribute Points allocated. 2 Attribute Points awarded.

“Thank you”, I said.

That was so close! I could almost taste my second Class already. Just a little more!

Mira sighed as I opened my storage and put away the food. Circe stared while the older woman totally missed my showing off. I winked at the girl and hopped off, carefully landing on her shoulder. She buckled a little under my weight.

“I’m not too heavy for you, am I?”

“No. You’re fine. Just unexpected.”

“That’s good then.”

She was quite tall for her age. I estimated somewhere around 140 centimetres. Maybe even 150. Then again, Mira was closing in on two metres so it was probably just that humans were tall in this world. Still, I had trouble finding enough room on her shoulder to grip onto which she quickly noticed.

“You can sit on my arm?”, she suggested as she held it out.

I hopped down, slowing my drop with my wings. The girl grunted but held strong. Like this, I was just a little above her eyes with my beak.

“Tell me if I get too heavy, okay?”

She nodded cheerfully while starting to walk into the trees. Her stick was in her left hand, now, giving additional stability.

“Young lady, you stay right here!”, Mira called sternly.

We looked back at her in sync.

“What?”, “What?”

The woman rubbed her temples.

“We need to talk this through. You can’t just bring someone this dangerous into the village.”

“You guys live a little outside, right?”

She looked at me like she had just swallowed a spider. Not that those tasted bad.

“Yes”, she ground her teeth.

“Then let’s at least go there. It’ll be much more comfortable to talk things through than out here in the wilderness.”

Circe and I looked at the woman with amusement. She ground her teeth for nearly a minute before finally agreeing.

“Fine!”, she yipped and bolted into the trees.

Circe looked at me and shrugged before following. I was finally meeting humans. And I had already made a friend.