As Fraser sat there and ate his meal a couple of Apprentices glanced toward him.

Most of the eyes were filled with jealousy and envy, especially those Apprentices who were at the outpost for the first time.

However, no one dared to approach Fraser as he was in the inner circle of Magus Sept. That meant that he was considered to be more talented and thus valued highly.

At least in the apprentice group of Magus Sept that allowed one to be of importance.

Fraser ignored most glares as he didn’t even recognize most apprentices. There were a couple of people he recognizes as he saw them when he first arrived at the Academy, but the rest were some unknown people.

One of the older apprentices who apparently already experienced one outpost session walked towards Fraser with a covered cage.

Why did Fraser think he already experienced one outpost session? Simply because the apprentice had similar attributes to the senior apprentices of the inner circle.

Completely concealed with no possibility of looking at the true body and a hoarse and neutral voice.

“I wish to trade for basic explosion potions with this baby bat. It is a common animal surrounding the outpost and it will be easily controlled with the spirit techniques which allow you to control animals.” whispered the apprentice towards Fraser.

Fraser didn’t expect that after being called out by the muscular woman other Apprentices would dare to trade with him.

However, Fraser quickly regained his calm manner.

‘So the muscular woman didn’t indirectly threaten the other Apprentices, instead, she just spoke what she wanted to do.’

Fraser expected that the social behavior of the Apprentices would be similar to the social behavior of nobles. However, after a quick thought, Fraser threw his experience from being a noble away.

‘Magus are way stronger than the common nobles. Though there are a few parts that are similar, most behavior and social structure are different. As I was able to lock myself up for three months without anyone expecting anything from me.’

The concealed figure awaited Fraser who answered in a calm manner: “Let me see the baby Bat.”

Fraser lowered his head in order to push the curtains of the cage aside for a little bit, allowing light to fall into the dark cage.

However, Fraser also blocked the views of the seemingly interested apprentices in order to not reveal the trade.

In the middle of the cage, a small and furry dark creature seemed to hug itself.

Curious Fraser poked the dark furry ball with his finger and it resulted in the opening of the dark furry ball revealing a pair of leathery wings and a cute snout.

This creature seemed to be able to melt every heart as it was chubby, round and furry. It behaved adorably and it the sensation when Fraser poked it felt like soft heaven.

However, Fraser ignored the traits of the baby bat and turned towards the potential trading partner.

“What is the bat able to do and how much explosion positions do you want in order to trade for the newborn bat?” asked Fraser while closing the curtains of the cage.

“A common bat in the surrounding area is able to be used a scout and has good hiding skills. It will grow up in a couple of years and it is extremely loyal if you spend time with it in the early days of its life. I haven’t spend any time with it yet so it should be a bonus to the number of potions. How about 5 explosive potions?” suggested the apprentice.

Fraser wasn’t sure of the real price of the baby bat as it doesn’t seem to be that useful. Only a scout with little to no battle power. Besides there is a high chance it is only common in the surroundings of the Howling Abyss and it easily spotted outside of it.

Since Fraser didn’t actually need to build up a good relationship with the apprentices outside of the inner circle Fraser hesitated.

‘I don’t even know if the older apprentices have a chance of joining the inner circle if they are powerful enough. Since this apprentice seems to be almost on the same concealing percentage as some senior apprentice of the inner circle I will try to invest in this unknown trade. After all, there is little to lose.’

With a quick nod, Fraser agreed to the trade before quickly devouring his meal and leading the apprentice towards his private chamber.

In front of the door, they made the transaction, five explosion potions for the baby bat.

As soon as Fraser stepped into his room he immediately took out the baby bat in order to analyze it.

The dark furry ball squeaked and wiggled in Fraser's hand, however, Fraser didn’t seem to care about the small protests of the bat and continued to touch the body of the baby bat.

After a short while, the baby bat relaxed and seemingly enjoyed the warmth of Fraser's palm.

‘There is nothing special, only the furry body, the leathery wings, and the snout. I shouldn’t have expected much from the animals in the Howling Abyss. Magical attributes are still rare, even in such a magical surrounding.’

Just as Fraser finished his thought a sharp pain spread throughout his palm.

The pain only lasted for a tiny period of time, however, Fraser could see how the baby bat bit him and a small drop of blood appeared on his palm which the baby bat quickly licked.

Still, in a calm manner, Fraser pinched the head of the baby bat before lifting it up.

The baby bat completely stopped resisting, instead, it just waited. It even glanced into Frasers eye with its round and dark eyes.

‘AI, did anything happen to me while the baby bat bit me? Is there any change in my attributes or perception?’

[No change detected]

‘Then what did the baby bat do?’

Pondering for a while Fraser put the now silence baby bat back into the cage and turned towards the traded things from the senior apprentices.

Just as he moved a couple of steps the baby bat started to scream.

*QUUUIIIIIIII* *QUIIIIIIIII* *QUUUUUUUUUUIIII*

Fraser ignored the screams of the baby bat for a while but it quickly turned out to be unbearable.

As a short time passed the baby bat even started to bang against the metallic cage causing the sound of a body smashing against a hard thing to echo through the chamber.

In order to stop the annoying sound, Fraser opened the cage and a dark furry cannonball shot out of it towards Fraser.

It was the baby bat to desperately clinging onto Fraser robe.

‘It is time to learn the four spirit technique I bought anyway, let's start with the animal controlling one. I remember it has the effect of understanding the animal's emotion as well as thoughts a little bit. It is inferior to a life bond, but it will allow the Apprentice to have the master-servant relationship and the Apprentice won’t die if the bonded animal dies so it is way safer. Naturally only weaker creatures can be controlled into submission.’