It's foggy, it's blurry, and it's hard to focus. It's almost like the land around me has melted away, leaving nothing but a dull gray world. The only thing left is the snake and me. It's hard to make out anything definitive.

My mind struggles to tell my body what to do. It's like I'm standing while having sleep paralysis, and the demon is a snake, taunting me. I don't know how, but I know it's talking to me. I can't hear any of it, but I can only take so much humiliation. I try my best to shake off the effect, but once it takes grasp on my mind, it feels like it's there to stay. I don't know if this is a skill or some mental magic. I’m ill-prepared to handle either.

I don't even know if I'm still in my body. I use all the willpower I can muster to clench my finger behind my thumb and snap it with as much force as possible. The pain almost jolts me from the trance, but it's not enough. Good, I feel pain, which means that I can still control my body. Using my broken finger as a catalyst, I activate my bone shot and fling it at the snake. The snake disappears like it was never there, an apparition.

Hissing fills my mind. I don't know if it's laughter or if it's taunting me. It could be speaking to me normally,

but I doubt it.

[Resistance: Mental 0>1]

I hope I'm not hallucinating my status now. Slowly adapting to my new situation, bidding for a time won't be an issue now. All I need to do Is build enough resistance and wait for it to fade away.

But I don't want to abide for a time, I want to win this test of willpower. I don't know who this snake is, to believe that they deserve such great lengths to tame when they’re still an F-rank, level 10 bottom of the totem pole snake.

It's hard to conjure my Mana, but I managed to heal my finger. I focus on the bones slowly connecting and it brings me a moment of clarity. I dumped my remaining stat points into Mind and focus as hard as I can. My brain starts nit-picking. The only details available are me and the feathered boa. I start scanning for inconsistencies to help me snap out of it.

Mind: 30 > 40

The Feather Boa has grown to an impressive size, towering over me. I know that this is not reality.

My [Insanity] trait is constantly tingling in the back of my cerebellum. Telling me that this isn't real life, this can't be. You are hearing things, you are seeing things.

I move my hand to my neck and grab something in front of it. The illusion shatters and I find myself standing in the middle of the snake’s cage. The Feathered Boa is draped on my shoulders and about to coil around my neck. I’m holding this snake’s neck with my clenched hand, and it seems surprised that I managed to break free from the trance I hear it in my mind once again.

[How did you break free? Those who don't resist can't break through it! That's impossible!]

“It doesn't matter what is possible, or impossible. The reality is I am stronger than you. Now you're my bitch. I smile in victory.

~

At some point, students start to crowd around the cages. There are whispers amongst the crowd, saying that the Feathered Boa that didn't allow anyone to approach, is now resting comfortably on the shoulders of someone they don't even know. I see Jerry in the crowd and he seems proud of me. I wonder what they would think if they heard what I can hear.

[Release me, human. You dare put your grubby paws on my feathers.]

“Honor the deal. Become my tamed beast before I make you.”

[You must have cheated somehow I know it. There is no possible explanation for you to break free of my Hypnotic Gaze.]

“There doesn't need to be an explanation, but since you want one so bad. Maybe you're weaker than you think. Perhaps I'm stronger than you think. Being confined in a cage has limited your worldview. From the first time I laid my eyes on you, I knew that you are different. Now become my team beast.”

[Crazy man!]

I activate [Servitude].

[Servitude C lv1 (2/5) > (3/5)

Any creature can be designated as a servant with their consent, or if they cannot resist. A servant is necessary for other Master skills to work. All servants know the location of their Master.

Servants cannot have a higher Spirit stat than the Designator

Registered Servants: Flash Gordon. Rob.]

Good, they finally accepted my offer. I check on their [status]

Name:

Nickname:

Species: Feathered Boa F (Rare)

Level: 10 (MAXED)

Evolution Requirements Unknown

~

Health: 50/50

Mana: 40/125

Armor: 0

~

Might: 10

Agility: 15

Vigor: 10

Mind: 25

Spirit: 10

Charisma: 15

~

Traits:

Divine Right A:

The user has the divine right to rule those that are underneath them in the Hierarchy. Those who are underneath cannot resist orders given unless they directly contradict their nature. The user cannot be subjected to earthly authority against their will.

Skills:

Mind Magic D lv4

The power of spells is dictated by the level of magic.

-Telepathy:

The caster can transmit their thoughts to the minds of those close to them.

Range: 50 Feet.

Mana: 0.5 per second.

-Hypnotic Gaze:

The caster attempts to lure the target into a dream-like state. The target can resist with sufficient Spirit. Breaking the dream will take over double the spirit.

Range: Target must make eye contact within 10 feet.

Mana: Mind of the target.

Duration: 1 minute.

-Mental Illusion:

The caster creates an illusion that only affects one target. The target can break free from the illusion if they identify the illusion.

Mana: Mind stat of the target.

Duration: Until dispelled.

~

Oh wow. The trait of this snake is crazy! I’m glad that It submitted under its own will, or else I would never have been able to tame this Feathered Boa. What are the limitations of hierarchy? Does it only work against snakes? Or does it work against anything lower level than it. Testing will be done.

“You will need a name, I’m going to name you Duke.”

[Explain that name to thisss one.]

“A Duke is a high-ranked male noble above everyone else besides the royal family. I being the King in this scenario.”

[Thisss one has problems with that name, for thisss one is not a male.]

“Duchess it is then, also what was up with that test?”

[Thisss one needs to make sure that any human that wanted to subjugate thisss one should be able to resist my mental magic]

“No, I mean you being around my neck. Were you going to fucking strangle me to death while I was fighting off your hallucinations?” I was pissed off at the idea that I could’ve died without a fight since I didn't even know I was in danger. Duchess could probably feel my anger rising since her response was hasty.

[No, thisss one wouldn’t dare! Thisss one was fearful at your projectile, thisss one figured that your neck would be the safest place to hide.]

It’s hard to tell If this creature is lying to me, the social nuances I learned throughout my life didn’t prepare me for talking to snakes. I look around and notice that I am still in this cage, whispering to the feathered snake around my neck. I make my way out, trying to find a private place to continue this conversation.

“What’s up with how you speak, hissing your s’s. You aren’t even hissing all of them.”

[Thisss one doesn’t know what you are talking about.]

“Whatever, my name is Ellis Vincere and you are my third tamed beast.”

[I have seniors?]

“Yes this is Flash Gordon, the first of my tamed beasts,” I let Rob out of the bag, he has learned not the squirm so much while riding around in it. “This is Rob, the second of my tamed beasts.”

“Flash Gordon, Rob, This is Duchess. She is the newest member of our group so don't go bullying her.”

Flash Gordon doesn’t respond while Rob gives a salute.

[My competition is a skeleton and a rock?]

“Yup and don't forget it. Right now you are losing.”

[...]

“I’m taking you home to show off to my family, so behave. Also, tell me about your life and how you managed to get mental magic.”

[As you wish]