Today is the big day we’ve been waiting for…

After all these days of preparation, we are finally going to bring a deity to help us…

They told me that, when we have the power of divinity, we can get out of this world.

I looked at the pedestal in front of me, with high hopes of what would happen in a few hours.

Before me, several other priestesses failed to summon, but I am sure I will succeed.

Yes, I need to succeed… For my mom.

I had heard from my mother that she doesn’t have much time.

She would soon have to leave and the only way for me to accompany her would be through this summons.

This world is already at its limit…

After what happened hundreds of years ago, this world is destined to perish if a deity doesn’t return.

- Please, answer my call. – I pray in front of the pedestal. – I pray for your support, oh, unknown deity.

We don’t need a specific deity, just one that can support us.

It was at that moment something came up on the pedestal. It was a small white egg, extremely common.

I… Got it?!

Everyone around me, who came to see the procedure, was paralyzed.

The egg stood still for some time, until it rotated to one side and then broke a piece.

Soon, the creature that was inside him appeared.

And that is...

A Gallinus?!

Gallinus is one of the most common breeds of spiritual animals in the world.

It appears to be weak and powerless. It’s only difference would be his black and silver feathers.

But… Why?! Wait, maybe it’s the deity! Deities can hide their power, right?

Starting this to myself, I take a gold necklace with a Gallinus symbol in my hand. Since we didn’t know what kind of divinity might appear, we prepared all different types of necklace.

At the back, I hear confused voices, wondering if this Gallinus is really a deity.

I don’t care about the whispers and put the necklace on this Gallinus, before I bend down and pray.

We need your help, oh God Gallinus.

He has to be the deity!

I get up slowly and continue to watch the Gallinus.

- …He is not a deity. – Says the old priest behind me. – But why would this Gallinus appear here?! Is any deity playing with us?!

- Please, calm down, elder. – Says one of the older priestesses. – Maybe it was just another mistake.

- Yes, in fact it could have been that. – He says, a little calmer. – Let’s take advantage and sacrifice this Gallinus, so we can recover the contract necklace.

Sacrifice!?

I looked at the little Gallinus, who was still and unperturbed. It’s like he’s in a trance.

- Wait, Elder, do we really need to sacrifice him?! – I ask quickly.

- Do you think it is easy to get such a necklace? It is one of the few legitimate necklaces we have! – Says the priest, even more irritated.

- Can’t you reconsider?! – I exclaim as I quickly approach the Gallinus and pick it up.

I was the one who brought him, so it would be my fault that he died… I can’t accept that!

The priest looked at me coldly and asked me a single question.

- What do you prefer? Go out that door and never come back, losing your role as a priestess to whom we made a great sacrifice for someone without talent like you, or sacrifice that animal?

I was paralyzed.

Yes, they agreed me to become a priestess, even though I have no talent in cultivation…

But, I couldn’t accept being the cause of someone’s death.

- …Sorry. – I speak as I run out of the sanctuary.

- Never come back! – The elder screams.

[…]

As I walk home, I get a better look at this little Gallinus as I think.

I shouldn’t have pissed the old man off… he has spent so much time trying to summon a deity and so far, there have only been failures… Let’s stop thinking about it.

I look at the Gallinus again and bring it close to my face.

- Hi, I’m Suzy, nice to meet you! – I say smiling.

But there was no reaction from the animal.

… This Gallinus is strange.

As far as I know, the spiritual animals are usually born full of energy, or at least make some noise.

But it doesn’t even move.

I better get home fast and then I try to interact with him…

That way, I hurry home.

[...]

As soon as I get home, I find my mother at the door. She was probably waiting for me.

- Mom! – I exclaim as I quickly approach her. – I arrived!

- Oh, Suzy, you arrived early today. – She says smiling at me.

As soon as I take her side, I realize that little Gallinus has fallen asleep.

So, he was tired? I will let it sleep in the bedroom.

- What is that little animal in your hand? – My mother asks.

- It’s a long story… I’ll explain it as soon as I put it in the room.

After leaving the Gallinus in the room, I went back to the kitchen and explained what happened to my mother.

She was stunned at first, but soon she was angry with priest and curious about the Gallinus.

- This is really weird… I’ve never heard anything like this before. – Said my mother, looking thoughtful. – I have to research more about that sanctuary.

- Yes... Mom, do you really need to go? – I ask a little restrained.

She just nods before saying.

- I already told you, I’ll need to go soon. – My mother comes over and gives me a hug. – I wish I could stay, but I can’t have that privilege.

- What should I do? I lost the best way to accompany you. – I say as I feel some tears flow.

- You’ll find a way, I know. – She says calmly. – Why not try to go to the competition?

- But… I have no talent. – I answer painfully.

- Talent? Aren’t you the best fight around here?

- This is different…

- And now you have a partner, why don’t you try to train him?

- Yes…

That way, we stayed together until dinner time.

[…]

The next day, early in the morning, I wake up and notice the little Gallinus standing there, with his eyes open.

He woke up very early…

After greeting him, I open the window to feel the sunrise and then pick up the Gallinus to go to the kitchen.

In the kitchen, I try to see how the Gallinus would react to a command, placing a cup in front of him and then telling him to attack.

But, just like yesterday, he didn’t react until he tried to leave the table.

… Maybe he is too young to receive a command, right? But I heard that all spiritual animal are born already knowing, at least, to attack.

It should be an animal’s instinct, when commanded by the contract owner, to follow the order.

Especially when it is something simple, like attacking.

- He doesn’t even react to what I say… - I mumble, disappointed.

- You shouldn’t demand so much from him. – Says my mother, as soon as she entered the kitchen.

- But he does nothing!

- Give him a little time, it might be better to let him get used to the place. – My mother speaks as she approaches the table. – If he continues like this, you can look for another animal.

- But, how long should I….

At that moment, for the first time, I heard a sound being emitted by the Gallinus.

Apparently, I forgot that he hadn’t eaten since the previous day, so he was starving.

When I put his food and water, the Gallinus does something really weird, eating the corn while catching it with his foot.

Can he really be a good animal?

Because of this doubt, I decided to try to train him again.

[…]

After the Gallinus feeds, I take him outside and try to command him again.

This time, I finally realize he doesn’t know what to do.

He must not be following my orders, because he cannot understand them…

That was the only possible explanation, as animals always tend to follow the contractor’s order.

For this reason, I decide to take him to the Tower of Challenges to show him a real battle.

If this Gallinus come into combat with another animal, perhaps it will begin to hear my commands…

But, that is not what happened, because as soon as he saw his opponent, he quickly ran away.

- That’s hilarious! A spiritual animal is afraid to fight! – Exclaim my friend, Gabel.

He’s the one I asked to help me with my Gallinus training.

Seeing he laugh in that way, I end up getting irritated and we both end up fighting.

It was an easy fight, as I didn’t let Gabel use his cultivation. I probably would have lost it if he had completed his stone armor.

Perhaps, with this battle, the Gallinus can understand what to do?

I quickly grab my Gallinus and try to talk to him about it, but… He pecks my forehead, as if to protest.

His beak is very hard…

[…]

I don’t know what else to do…

This Gallinus doesn’t react to my orders and doesn’t like to fight.

Is he really a hopeless animal?

I start to believe this hypothesis, but I decide to try to do one last test.

I’m going to show him simple combat moves and ask him to copy.

I show him how to make a punch, but he remains still.

Hey, don’t you really want to do this?

I lost my post as a priestess because of him.

I will need to participate in the championship because of him.

I’m running out of time…

- Please, can’t you at least copy me? – I ask him, in all my sincerity.

I want to, at least, know that it was worth to choose you

I don’t know if he felt my sincerity or concern, but for the first time, the Gallinus copied me.

Did he… Really do that?!

I show another blow, and he tries to copy it again.

- Yes, that’s right! - I speak, excited.

He finally accepted me…

I finally started to have some hopes for my Gallinus success.