Rei stood among the unconscious bodies of the bandits, the aftermath of the warehouse battle settling into silence. He moved swiftly, methodically checking each one. They were alive—bruised, bloodied, but alive. Satisfied with their condition, Rei knelt and bound their wrists and ankles with sturdy rope scavenged from the warehouse. To ensure none of them could cast spells, he tore cloth strips from a torn curtain and stuffed them into their mouths, securing them tightly so they couldn't speak an incantation, even if they woke.
Only when that was done did Rei leave the warehouse and return with Midgard. The cart, his most trusted creation, creaked gently as it rolled into the open space before the broken building. He parked it just outside and climbed into the storage compartment. One by one, Rei began gathering the bandits' scattered belongings—sacks of coin, weapons, potion flasks, rare herbs, scrolls, and even some enchanted items. It was a mess of stolen goods, evidence of months—perhaps years—of criminal activity.
He didn't take everything. Some things, clearly personal or magical in nature, he decided to leave behind for the town's authorities. But those with value—tools, supplies, and neutral goods—he loaded into Midgard. As he packed, his eyes caught a glint of movement in the corner of the warehouse. A faint growl followed.
There, in a rusted iron cage, was a small creature.
It was no ordinary animal. Rei approached cautiously and knelt before it. Inside the cage was a fox-like beast no larger than the length from his hand to his elbow. Its fur shimmered like snow under sunlight, pristine and soft, yet streaked with delicate red markings along its legs and tail. Its eyes, sharp and intelligent, stared back at Rei—not with fear, but with warning. It growled lowly, a sound not of weakness, but of pride.
"You're not just a pet," Rei murmured, watching the creature's tense posture.
He didn't open the cage. Not yet. Instead, he gently placed the cage in Midgard among the other items and shut the back compartment. Then, steering the cart away from the warehouse, he drove until they reached a quiet clearing just beyond the town's edge—somewhere spacious, secluded, and peaceful.
The moment the brakes were engaged, Rei climbed out and pulled one of his old reference books from a drawer beneath the driver's seat. It was a worn, leather-bound volume titled Beasts and Bonds: A Scholar's Compendium on Tamable Creatures. He flipped through the familiar pages, eyes scanning rapidly through species until he found the entry.
There it was. The creature in the cage.
Navarion – The 9 tail Fox
Rei read aloud under his breath:
"Navarions are rare deadly beasts, commonly mistaken for magical beasts due to their graceful appearance and intelligence. Unlike magical beasts, Navarions are of the Qi-bearing class, possessing deep internal reserves of raw life force. Their lifespans are immense, and as they age or evolve, they grow multiple tails—each one housing a unique Qi sense. Their most well-known ability is their power to shift their size at will, a trait that has made them favored companions of kings and emperors throughout the ages."
Rei closed the book softly and looked at the cage once more. The Navarion met his gaze, its tail twitching slightly.
Slowly, Rei opened the cage door. He didn't move closer or say anything. The Navarion stepped out on its own terms, padding gently onto the grass, sniffing the air. It glanced once at Rei but made no attempt to flee.
Rei sat cross-legged, a few feet away. He remembered what the taming book had said: "When faced with beasts of intelligence, seek a bond—not dominance."
"I won't force you," Rei said, keeping his voice soft. "But I do want to ask you something."
The Navarion tilted its head.
"Will you allow me to tame you?"
The fox immediately shook its head.
Rei nodded, not discouraged. "Then… will you travel with me as partners?"
There was a moment of consideration in the creature's gaze. It narrowed its eyes and then let out a soft bark—short, sharp, and inquisitive. Its expression seemed to say, "What's in it for me?"
"I figured you'd ask that," Rei said with a smile. "If you travel with me, you'll get meals as much as you want—no cages, no collars. You'll be free. And you won't have to worry about hunters or bandits."
The Navarion looked unimpressed.
"But there's something else too," Rei continued. "You've got Qi, right? Massive reserves. But have you ever wondered what it'd be like to use magic too? To have both?"
That caught the creature's attention.
Rei raised his hand, channeling his inner Qi. A flicker of flame appeared above his palm—dancing, twisting gently in the breeze.
"I can teach you this. If you want it."
The Navarion stared at the flame for a long time. Then, it slowly nodded its head.
"Looks like you are interested in this power, huh? Fine, I would teach you everything about my sorcery." Rei chuckled.
The fox barked again, a different tone—curious about what he wanted from him.
"I want to study you," Rei said honestly. "I'm curious about your size-changing ability, your Qi structure, and your evolution. You don't have to fight if you don't want to. Just let me observe. In exchange, I'll keep you safe, and I'll make sure you live freely."
The Navarion blinked slowly. Then, it stepped forward—graceful, silent. In a blur of motion, it leapt lightly onto Rei's shoulders and curled its fluffy tail around his neck like a scarf. Rei could feel its warmth, soft and wild at the same time.
He grinned. "So… is that a yes?"
The fox gave a soft yip.
"Well then," Rei said, standing up with the Navarion still perched on his shoulder, "you'll need a name."
He paused, thinking. Something fitting. Something noble.
"Tenko," Rei said finally. "It was the name of the strongest fox ever recorded in history. I think it suits you."
The fox—no, Tenko—let out a low growl, not of disapproval, but something more akin to pride. Rei could almost sense the acceptance in its posture as it snuggled closer, its tail flicking with contentment.
With his new companion and a cart full of stolen goods meant to be returned to the rightful owners, Rei climbed back into Midgard. He cast one last glance back toward the town's silhouette in the distance, wondering what challenges lay ahead.
But now, he wasn't alone.
The road to discovery—and to destiny—just got a little more wild.