It takes a few minutes for Ruby's excitement to subside, but I have no intention of complaining. I'm quite enjoying the hug. When Ruby finally pulls away, she suddenly starts rubbing my chest and apologizing. When I look over, I see a few patches of hair burned from her tears.
-Don't worry, I didn't feel anything.
Ruby says, "I'm sorry, I've never cried before. In fact, I don't think I was capable of crying before now."
"That's okay. And at least your first time crying was from happiness. I'm glad you're not mad at me for what happened."
Ruby says, "Why should I be mad, this is unbelievable!"
"Because in my old world most people found change scary and to hide their fear they would get angry."
Ruby smiles and says, "I'm not the human Klein."
-Of course! But we still need to find out who you are. -I look at her and activate Observe.
==========
- Name: Ruby
- Race: Flame Spirit, minor
- Title: Klein's familiar.
- Class: Familiar
- Level: 1
- HP: 250/250
- MP: 50/550
- Strength: 32
- Agility: 36
- Endurance: 30
- Intelligence: 36
- Physical: 34
- Charm: 34
==========
"How is it possible that she gets levels and I don't, it's not fair!"
Ruby says "What do you see, can I see it?"
"I don't know, maybe. Try thinking STATE."
Ruby says "Oh, I see it! Oh, wow! Oh, wow!"
"What, what do you see?"
Ruby says "I can see everything! And now I'm a Spirit!"
"A spirit like those little bursts of light I saw?"
Ruby says, "Yes, those are typical lesser spirits, but that's just the beginning, humans often mistake greater spirits for gods. Okay, so humans are below elementals, right? What I mean is that a lesser elemental can easily kill most ordinary humans. Well, elementals are below spirits in the same way that humans are below elementals."
Ruby says, "No, it's just a strange feeling, but I really enjoy it."
We pass the dish back and forth, eating and enjoying the pleasant silence. We eat about half of the stew I prepared.
"Once we get out of here, I can't wait to present the meal to you with spices and sweets."
Ruby says, "I'll look forward to it, master. Should we go to the forge now?"
"No, that can wait until tomorrow. For now I want to test your skills and make sure we both know how they work in case we need to use them in combat."
Ruby says, "Sure. I wanted to test them anyway."
"I'm pretty sure I know what Fire Fists does, and we don't have room for Fireball, so let's start with Fire Shield."
With a nod, Ruby turns and activates the ability; instead of a shield appearing on her arm, a large shield appears floating in the air.
"Ah, it's that kind of shield! Useful, can you change its shape or move it?"
Ruby tries and says, "I can move it, but I can't change its shape."
"Okay, next time you throw it, try to imagine a different shape. For now, I'm going to attack it so we can gauge how much damage it can take.
Ruby nods and stops moving the shield, I draw my sword and swing at it.
"CRACK!"
The shield resists but it's riddled with cracks, obviously it won't withstand another hit.
"Don't be disappointed, I hit very hard. Based on that, I could withstand five or six normal attacks. Okay, go ahead and discard it and try Firearm next."
Ruby concentrates and then says, "Nothing happens when I activate the spell."
"I see. Okay, try this. -Then I hand you my sword."
Ruby takes the sword in her hand and activates the ability. Immediately the sword is covered in flames.
"Okay, it's a spell to enhance a weapon, do you know how to use a weapon?"
Ruby says, "No. I've never needed to use one before."
"Okay, I'll teach you, anyway I'm curious to see if you can learn skills like I do now."
I approach Ruby and show her how to hold the sword and how to swing it. Neither of us mention that our hearts are racing as we get closer. After showing her the steps, I step back and ask her to practice a few strokes.
Ruby says, "Did I just acquire a new skill called Basic Sword Knowledge?"
"Excellent! That means you can learn skills just like me!"
Ruby hands me back my sword, sits down and says, "Sorry, I don't have much mana left."
"No, that's okay. That's the next skill I plan to teach you anyway. Now sit down like me."
I sit cross-legged and wait for Ruby to mimic me.
"Now close your eyes, breathe evenly and try to clear your mind. If this works, you will gain a skill called Meditation."
After a few minutes, Ruby says, "Okay, I get it, that's helpful!"
"Yes, it's one of the best skills I've acquired being stuck here. Now we'll meditate until morning."
So we both sit facing each other, about a foot apart, and meditate for the next ten hours.