Chapter 10

I really thought I was going to die. That was the first thought that crossed my mind as I regained my senses after the bloody fight with Porori.

No joke, Porori had become ridiculously strong.

In recent encounters, I had come out on top, but it almost got turned on its head.

In the past, whenever we invaded each other’s territories, it was like a life-or-death battle. We always ended up fainting, so most of our fights ended in draws.

Before awakening my magic power, Porori had a much higher win rate. But after that, I boasted an overwhelming win rate.

And just like Porori used to do, I didn’t forget to leave my ‘mark of victory.’

Don’t call me dirty. It was that bugger who started it first. I have no regrets.

“… …”

But today was different. I quietly looked down at Porori, whose life signs were fading away.

Usually, I would have left a victory mark as always, not caring who was watching.

But it was thanks to Eli that I came to my senses. Whatever she poured in helped keep the flickering consciousness alive.

Though I had developed resistance to both medicine and poison, it wasn’t completely useless. In cases of near-death, even a little stimulus has a significant effect.

After that, it was just a matter of recovery through ‘regeneration.’ It consumes quite a bit of magic power, but as long as I eat well, that’s all that matters.

In short, I was feeling guilty. At least I had someone’s help, while Porori didn’t.

‘The more you hate, the more you love.’

It’d be a shame to just let it go like this. I didn’t want it to end this way; I might as well go down together.

So, I carefully picked Porori up with both hands. He was as hefty as a large dog.

Following that, I passed Luna and approached Eli. I had something I wanted to ask her.

When I got closer, Eli blinked for a moment, then pointed to herself with her finger when I presented Porori.

“Me? You want me to take it? You’re not keeping it?”

That’s not it, you lady.

I shook my head vigorously. Unable to speak, I had to express myself through actions.

First, I pointed to myself to show the liquid I had sprayed on my body, poking at the still damp part of my chest.

Eli tilted her head at my body language, then said in a voice of realization, “Potion? Are you talking about a potion?”

Saying that, Eli rummaged through her bag. Soon, she pulled out a glass bottle filled with a sloshing red liquid.

Overall, it was round, and the opening was long, sealed with a cork.

A health potion commonly seen in the Soul World. This is why Eli is dubbed the potion shuttle.

She always carries potions with her. As the story progresses, she gathers various potions.

Since it was the potion I wanted, I nodded. Eli then glanced at the nearly dead Porori.

“Weren’t you trying to kill it? Why do you want to save it?”

“You definitely shouldn’t give it. If it wakes up, it’ll just fight again.”

Before Eli could clarify her question, Luna expressed her disapproval. She made a good point.

If Porori drank the potion and woke up, it would surely want to fight again. It could even die for real.

However, Porori is a spirit creature. It should know that I showed mercy, so it’s likely to back down willingly.

“But it’s Sivar’s request. It seems like a friend, so let’s help.”

“Friends don’t risk their lives fighting. Not unless they’re enemies.”

That was a valid point. I never considered Porori to be a friend.

But I didn’t want it to end like this just because of some grudges. That’s all there is to it.

Swoosh—

I once again extended Porori towards the hesitating Eli. Eli looked back and forth between Porori and me.

Her golden, sparkling eyes were filled with deep concern.

Luna, watching this, had worry written all over her blue eyes.

I wondered how long it had been. Eli made a determined expression and said to me, “If I help this one, it won’t fight again, right? Just tell me that.”

“… …”

We’ll probably fight again next time. That was a hard thing to answer.

Eli stared at me intently while I remained silent, likely wanting to see the eyes hidden beneath my bangs.

Of course, it was curtained off, so it would be hard to see my face. Eventually, Eli sighed.

“Okay. Just pour the potion on this one, right? Like you did before.”

“Eli.”

“Don’t worry too much. Sivar will protect us anyway.”

That was a classically optimistic response from Eli.

Of course, as she said, if Porori started acting up, Sivar would surely intervene.

Anyway, it was decided to save Porori, and all that was left was to act.

I set down the barely alive Porori.

His limbs, not to mention his tail, were twisted in unnatural directions. But if I poured the potion, it would all recover.

He had regeneration abilities, just like me. He was once the ruler of a territory, so his regenerative capability was undeniable.

Drip, drip, drip—

The red potion was poured over Porori’s body. I also put some in his mouth, but mostly I sprayed it all over.

If we were to categorize it, it was a low-grade potion suitable for beginners. But the healing ability contained in the potion mattered more.

Lo and behold.

Crack! Crack!

Just like me before, Porori began to recover at an astonishing speed.

The broken arms, legs, and tail returned to their original forms, and minor wounds were wiped clean.

However, the claw marks on his chest remained as scars. Severe wounds don’t heal easily.

That’s also why I have leftover scars on my body. Most of those scars were from the time I lived as prey.

“Kiing…”

As his body fully recovered, Porori slowly came to his senses. I stepped back a couple of strides, just in case he might go berserk at the sight of me.

Luna also cautiously took a step back, leaving Eli alone beside Porori.

“Eli. Hurry and get away—”

“Are you okay? Have you come to your senses?”

Before Luna could finish her warning, Eli immediately asked Porori how he was doing.

That had me, and even Luna, gasping in disbelief. In a pale voice, Luna screamed at Eli.

“What are you doing! Get away quickly!”

“Seems like he’s back to his senses. Are you hurt anywhere?”

To say she was optimistic was an understatement; she lacked situational awareness. That was my assessment of Eli.

I don’t know why, but forgotten memories suddenly came rushing back. Eli’s lack of awareness is why she’s included in the death squad.

It seems she has a passive trait of being oblivious to danger. She often says she’s fine, only to end up in absurdly deadly situations.

It felt like the current situation was one of those cases. I silently gathered my magic power, twitching my hands.

Just as the red magic power began to glow in my hands, an unbelievable scene unfolded before my eyes.

“Kaah…?”

“Wow, you’re really cute like this. Are you that squirrel from earlier?”

Eli was quietly cradling Porori in her arms. While doing so, she poked his cheek as if to say he was cute.

Porori had a dumbfounded expression, as if he was baffled. But it seemed he didn’t mind it.

“Kiing. Kyi.”

Wait, not minding? It seemed he was burrowing in even more. Did he think he was a real puppy or something?

The hot-tempered Porori had completely disappeared, leaving only a harmless little squirrel behind. Perhaps he had taken a head injury from the fight earlier.

Regardless, Eli gently patted Porori’s head while smiling widely. He certainly looked cute on the outside.

“I guess he thinks of me as his lifesaver?”

“… …true.”

Just like Luna, I could hardly believe it. Far from being affectionate, this little rascal would always leave his business on my face whenever he had the chance.

With my magic simmering even more quietly, Porori’s ears perked up as he nestled deeper into Eli’s embrace. Indeed, instinct never fades.

Then, startled, he turned back and locked eyes with me.

“Kaah!”

Zap!

That’s definitely the little rat I knew. The moment Porori’s gaze met mine, he jumped out of Eli’s arms, getting all defensive.

Seeing those sparks in his eyes confirmed he was indeed alert. But something felt off.

With arms spread wide, he stood in front of Eli, looking like he was trying to protect her.

By the determined look on his face, it seemed he was indeed treating Eli as his lifesaver.

‘That rat?’

I was so shocked I couldn’t utter a single word. I wanted to shout for him to stop acting crazy and attack me instead.

While I was pondering this, Eli shouted at the cautious Porori, “Don’t fight! You two just tried to kill each other a moment ago! Why are you trying to fight again?”

I hadn’t done anything, but that little rat was the one who started it.

I felt a bit wronged, but it seemed Eli’s admonishment worked. Porori’s defensiveness softened.

“From now on, there will be no fighting. Can’t we all just get along?”

“Fuh?”

“Kaah?”

Both Porori and I responded simultaneously to Eli’s nonsense. What on earth was she talking about?

It was curious and miraculous that we were in agreement for the first time, but Eli’s words were hardly convincing.

No, before that, was Porori really able to understand human language? Looking at those wide, glaring eyes, I was half convinced he could.

“When we return to the Academy, we won’t be able to fight like this. So let’s make up and live quietly, okay?”

“… …wait a minute. Eli, you’re not seriously taking this squirrel with you, are you?”

“Yep. Is that a problem?”

“Do you have any idea what that creature is?!”

“A cute lightning squirrel?”

“… …”

Luna’s expression was one of confusion, as if she had no idea where to start explaining.

And rightly so; Porori had evolved into a spirit creature. If that information got out, the whole Academy would be turned upside down.

“Kaah.”

“?”

As Luna began to explain to Eli, Porori confidently approached me on two feet and called out to me.

Though there was some caution, he didn’t show any hostility. He wasn’t here to start a fight, just like Eli said.

“Kaah. Kough.”

Porori pointed at Eli, making a sound. Though what he tried to say came out as nothing more than animal noises, I understood perfectly.

He was asking if I was going to follow Eli. I looked towards Luna and Eli.

“Spirit creature, spirit creature! Just having that one could put you in danger!”

“Can’t we just say I found it in the forest? The Academy allows pets. There are even people who fight alongside animals.”

“A squirrel the size of a large dog? Where do you find such a thing?”

“Isn’t there an ogre-sized gorilla around? It’s not too weird, right?”

“That’s a monster! What I mean is…!”

Luna was having a tough time. Looking at the atmosphere, it was clear that taking Porori along was a done deal.

I probably wouldn’t be able to back out either. Eli wanted this, and all our homes had disappeared.

It’d be a hassle to try to find our hideout again, and I was sick of the forest. I was itching to connect with civilization again.

“Kaah.”

Nodding as a sign of agreement, he crossed his arms and gave a serious nod. It was a gesture of understanding.

Seeing him cross his arms made me seriously question whether a human soul resided in there.

“Kaah. Kang.”

He then pointed to Eli and then back at himself.

From his actions, it was as if he was saying, ‘This female is mine!’ But that wasn’t the case at all. He was just proclaiming he wouldn’t let her out of his sight.

‘This is a joke.’

What does that rat think he can protect? I almost chuckled.

It seemed like he had decided Eli was his lifesaver. Becoming a spirit creature had really turned him into a knight for her.

“Kaang.”

While I was mulling that over, he extended his hand forward. It was like a truce negotiation.

If I were to go to the Academy, I’d have to refrain from fighting him. This negotiation could work.

So, I slightly bent my knees and reached out to grab his hand. Shaking hands with a squirrel felt oddly surreal.

“Ha! I don’t know. You handle this yourself. I might help with anything about Sivar since I’m curious, but taking care of this squirrel is all your responsibility, alright?”

“Okay! Got it!”

“Ugh. Why do I have to deal with this…”

Just in time, it seemed that the discussions between Luna and Eli had concluded.

Although it was more likely they couldn’t bend Eli’s stubbornness. She really is a handful like that.

Anyway, having established a truce with Porori, the only thing left was to follow them out of the forest.

“Alright! Let’s head out now. But what should we name this one?”

“You’re the owner, so you should name it.”

“Hmmm… it’s a squirrel, so how about Darami? Darama?”

Eli said that brightly as she called out to Porori. At the same time, Porori’s face looked like it was rotting.

Just for reference, that little rascal is male. Naming a male something that sounds like a female really made his face twisted in displeasure.

“Oh? You don’t like this name? Then what should we name it?”

“Shouldn’t we be amazed that he can understand us even before we name him?”

“If Darami is unacceptable, what about Chewdori? Chuchu? Ratatouille?”

“What’s Ratatouille?”

Whatever Luna said, Porori shook his head back and forth as if he hated all of it.

As Eli was deep in thought about his reaction, I snickered and quietly muttered, “Damn.”

I meant like a fool. Honestly, calling him a fool would have been fine.

“Kaah!”

Hearing my comment, he raged towards me with his claws raised.

What the heck? He was the one who wanted a ceasefire first!

I was taken aback but decided to counter back. The fact that my lightning didn’t flicker showed he didn’t mean it.

“Hey! Why are you two fighting again? I told you not to!”

“Kaah.”

Porori protested with a seemingly unfair complaint to Eli.

‘But that little rascal attacked first,’ it seemed to vibe.

Of course, Eli wouldn’t understand. She warned Porori, “If you fight again, I’ll call you Darami. Got it?”

“Kiing…”

That was rich. I internally laughed at him.

Thus, after a series of comedic happenings, Porori was officially named ‘Ratatosk,’ thanks to Luna’s suggestion.

Honestly, it was regrettable since I think Ratatosk is such a fitting name for him. Originally, Porori was just a nickname among the users.

His real name was Ratatosk as Luna had given him.

I decided to keep calling him Porori anyway.

‘But here I am, toiling away and being called Sivar.’

I felt a bit discriminated against. If I had been acting like a caveman, they might have called me Ugar, right?

Just as I was lost in those useless thoughts, Eli, ready to leave, shouted, “Now let’s go back! The Academy is a super fun place, and you guys will love it!”

“Shouldn’t we get Sivar some new clothes first?”

“Oh! That’s right! I also need to get my hair done.”

As for my hair, I didn’t want to shave my beard. I grumbled internally.

And thus, my long life in the forest came to an end, allowing me to step back into the longed-for world of civilization.

‘First, I need to study some writing.’

The future was just as dark, but I knew at least a little about what was ahead.

‘… …I hope it’ll be okay?’

I believe it’ll be fine.

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