Rex trotted behind Ashe as the half elf hunter led the small group through a forest clearing. The hunter was focused on the tracks of their prey, a horned wolf that had been stealing sheep from the local farmers, but even so, the adventurer moved as silently as a gentle breeze.

Rex moved about as quietly as a now eighty pound dragonling could manage. Entering into his second month of life, his body was beginning to look more proportional, without the overly large paws and head of a newborn hatchling. He was sleeker and deadlier looking than before. Rex asked his internal partner.

Idea Seven had been busy trying to convince their now, near constant overseer, Idea Three, to share its bird’s eye view of the forest to locate their prey sooner. But, the raven’s AI was silent and refused to respond. Idea Three would follow orders and not interfere in any way, but was distrustful of the “defective” Idea Seven with it’s odd attachment to the “accidently uplifted” dragon. The raven AI was secretly hoping the two would get themselves killed so it could be freed to perform other duties less boring than watching the small group trudge through the forest.

Idea replied to Rex’s question.

The mention of levels made Rex feel a bit sulky. It had become something of a sore topic. In the last few hunts they’d participated in, Rex had been thrilled to finally progress his beast core, only for nothing to happen.

Idea was certain they’d gained two levels since that first fight with the fox beast, but so far, the beast core seemed to be sitting idle, what extra power it contained, unused. Idea had been pestering Rex to try the same meditation techniques Eric was being taught, but so far, nothing had worked. Rex complained,

Idea admitted. The AI had used about 10% of its rare metal reserves building intricate sensors around the core, including a miniaturized scanning electron microscope that would have made any 21st century scientist drool.

Rex said eagerly,

Idea muttered, rehashing the argument the two had been sharing for weeks.

After Rex, came Karla, sporting a new outfit of leather armor and a long spear. A lot had changed for the better now that Karla had demonstrated “her” unique ability to translate Rex’s random grunts into speech. The only drawbacks to the “dragon whisperer” plan so far had been that Leonard kept trying to figure out how to get her to be able to talk to the other dragons. The mage had even gone so far as to recommend the catgirl gain some levels. And more problematically, the second drawback was that Blake was literally seething with resentment at Karla’s improved living standards and status.

Blake’d been forced, over his strenuous objections, to allow Karla a small cot placed against one side of the stable, and a small wooden box to fit her few belongings. These small improvements had made Karla happy, but the biggest change was that she’d been allowed to take an adventuring class and accompany Rex on his hunts in an effort to “improve” her unique ability.

Idea worried what would happen if Karla didn’t ever show an ability to talk to other dragons, but Karla remained ignorant of the actual mechanism by which she heard Rex’s voice. Idea had decided that it was safest to keep Karla ignorant, not because they didn’t trust her, but because what she didn’t know couldn’t be forced out of her. Karla was also a terrible liar, so it was best that she believed their cover story.

The next person in the group, Eric, had been vocal about supporting Karla. He’d helped her prove her ability by whispering something in Rex’s ear to then have Rex grunt a random noise while the robot fleas transmitted what Eric had actually said to Karla’s sensitive ears. That demonstration and a few others like it had earned the interest of Eric’s father who had ordered that Karla’s status be improved. Though she was still a slave, now she was a more valuable one, and was entitled to better treatment. This was not really done for Karla's benefit, rather, the separating of slaves by status was a useful way to keep them in line and motivate them.

Eric was included in the hunt because he too had a class and levels. He was a level six nobleman. The nobleman class was a bit of a cheat, reserved for actual members of the nobility, it had far lower exp requirements and better stat growth than any other, except some of the “heroic” classes. The nobleman class was one of the ways the noble families maintained their power, so they were diligent about encouraging their children to start leveling even from an early age.

The final member of the small expedition was Leonard himself. The high level mage was completely overkill for the task of killing a humble horned wolf, but he had no intention of actually participating. Instead, he was there to ensure Eric was not injured. He was maintaining a powerful defensive spell on the duke’s son. He did not see the need for a similar level of protection on Karla or the young dragon, of course, but he would intervene if he felt either was in real danger of dying. Leonard also had healing magic and would step into fight if the group accidentally received the attention of a more serious threat.

“Hold still,” Ashe whispered, “I see the horned wolf, he’s right up ahead.”

Carefully, the two children and the dragon froze in their tracks, waiting for instructions.

“Ok, I’ll shoot it in the leg to slow it down and attract it’s attention. Then I’ll run back so I’m not in range to absorb any of your experience or anima. The three of you will have to work together to kill it, don’t let it chase me. Be careful, please. I like this job, don’t get me fired.” Ashe instructed. Leonard too shared that sentiment, though he was already far enough away that he’d not interfere with the leveling process.

Nervously, the trio of low level children and hatchling nodded their heads in unison.