Mistress Of The Evil Forest

Case 12: Family reunion.

Okay, let's calm down, it doesn't look like it wants to attack us.

[Inspect].

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Name: --              

Race: Zircon Snow Owl                    Title: --

Level: 35

HP: 130/130                    MP: 144/144

STR: 4.8                     INT: 5.1

AGI: 5.6                    STA: 4.5

Skill: [Sharp Claw Lv8], [Night Vision Lv.8],
[Enhanced Hearing Lv.8], [Stealth Lv.7], [Flight Lv.6],
[Inspect Lv.5], [Wind Magic Lv.5], [Parallel Thinking Lv.4],...>

State: Normal.

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Okay, I can't beat that. 

''What do we do, Lady Aurora?'' Skely whispers.

''Keep up your guard, but don't attack yet.'' I whisper back.

'''' ... ''''

The place falls into silence as the owl stares at us intently, perching on a big tree nearby, though I don't think that branch can support its weight... Probably because it's using a skill. Not important.

THUD

'''' !!! ''''

It jumps down to the ground and slowly walks towards us, eyes blinking repeatedly. In respond, I raise my leg to touch Smiley in case I need to teleport away, because you need to touch someone physically to bring them with you.

The owl is now standing right before us, focusing its eyes solely on me.

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'''' ... ''''

''Uh?!''

It reaches its giant wing out and strokes my head rather roughly, messing up my already messy hair. Not stopping at that, it wraps my entire body in its wing and lifts me up, bringing me closer to its face.

''Wait, don't attack.'' I speak out louder than usual.

HOOT HOOT

''...Sorry, I don't understand that.'' 

HOOT

It puts me down and turns around before seemingly couches down, mouth keep hooting something.

''Do you guys understand it?''

'''' No. '''' Both of them shake their heads at the same time.

What's the use of [Language], then?

''Isn't this your mother?'' Ariel asks with a confused face. ''You're a snow owl, right?''

''I mean, that could be possible... Ah, wait, Smiley...!''

The silly dog has somehow jumped on the owl's back and is sitting there very casually and comfortably.

auf auf

You want me to climb on it too...?

''Let's just go, Lady Aurora.'' Skely says after a light sigh. ''It doesn't seem hostile. We can teleport either way.''

''Hah... Fine.''

So we both climb on the owl's back, and it feels dangerously close to a bed up here, warm and fluffy. I could sleep here all day...

''Can you keep up with its flying speed?'' I turn around and ask Ariel.

''Uh... Probably not.'' She replies and flies closer to me. ''I'll just manifest here.''

Ariel's body turns physical again and she falls right between Skely and me. 

''We can go now.'' I hold Ariel's hand and tap the owl a few times.

HOOT

With that, we begin our ascent into the night sky, where the bright moon illuminates our path, along with the vast forest that I have never been able to admire before. The owl flaps its wings calmly and rhythmically, providing us with a rather stable flight session. The wind is still too loud though.

''Woah...''

As we climb higher and higher, beyond the forest and the horizon, I see an ocean of golden-white light coming from the distance. It's... A civilization. Though vaguely, I can still make out the general shapes of the buildings. In addition to those, there is also a big castle quite near this forest, right next to it, even.

Perhaps noticing me staring in that distance, Skely begins his explanation.

''That way is the Astra Empire, Lady Aurora!'' He shouts, trying to get his voice through the screeching wind. ''And the castle is where the Academy is!''

''I see!'' I shout back.

After a bit more of flying, the owl begins to gradually lower our altitude. It seems like we've reached our destination.

And as I have suspected, it is indeed the place where I first woke up in this world. Which means that this owl is probably my mom...

I still remember these eggs, even the one I was in.

THUD

We land on the ground with a big shockwave, making the empty eggshells near the trees roll around. As we jump down from my mom's back, I can hear small, high-pitched hoots coming from behind the trees. One, two, three, four, five... More than a dozen white heads pop out, all staring at me with their orange eyes intently.

'''' ... ''''

Seconds later, I'm surrounded by a bunch of child-sized white owls. Some hoots at me while tilting their heads, some blink repeatedly while standing motionless, some snuggle up my legs affectionately.

My siblings, you guys were alive after all...!

Let's see what's their statuses are like.

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Name: --              

Race: Zircon Snow Owl                    Title: --

Level: 2

HP: 10/10                    MP: 12/12

STR: 1.9                     INT: 5.0

AGI: 2.3                    STA: 2.1

Skill: [Sharp Claw Lv2], [Night Vision Lv.1],
[Enhanced Hearing Lv.1], [Stealth Lv.1].

State: Normal.

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Their skills are literally the same as mine when I first woke up...

''What is this family reunion...?'' Ariel mutters in disbelief.

''It looks like they're indeed my family.'' I nod in understanding.

''No, you look nothing like them?!''

''The important thing is that we're getting along, isn't it?'' I point to a certain owl, who's using its wing to touch Smiley very cautiously, like treating a precious baby.

''...''

While Ariel is speechless, it seems like Skely has already came up with something.

''Lady Aurora, why don't we ally with them?'' He says while looking at the big owl. ''Better if we make them your followers.''

''I was thinking about that, too.'' I reply. ''But probably not followers.''

''Why not?''

''...Just because.''

She's my first mom, and they're my first siblings, even if they don't look anything like me. I don't want to do that. Oh, wait, that might be my dad instead... Whatever.

''I see.'' Skely shrugs.

I look at my mom straight in the eyes and then send her the invitation.

[Ally request sent]

She notices the message and ponders for a bit, looking alternatively between me and my current party before using her beak to tap the message.

[ -- has become your ally]

''Thanks, mom.'' I smile lightly. ''For these little ones... They'll listen to their mom anyway, let's leave them for later.''

''That should be good enough.'' Skely replies, looking at Ariel as she tries to stroke an owl's head, but is ignored by it instead.

Now I just need to find three more followers to fill up my linked skill thingy. It is seriously broken, I mean, I could get five legendary skills for free? Count me in anyday.

Smiley is already my follower, but I couldn't copy any of his two skills. Apparently they can't be copied, which is fair enough, they're 'unique' after all.

HOOT

Mom walks closer to me and lifts my hood, together with my body up using her beak, then puts me right in the middle of the little owls.

''...''

HOOT HOOT

What's she saying... Okay, let's just try copying Ariel's [Language], even if it doesn't work, it will still be better than [Cuteness].

[Successfully linked Ariel's skill: Language]

HOOT HOOT

Oh? Wait, I'm actually understanding her...!

''You want me to hunt together with you all?''

HOOT

Mom nods merrily, eyes squinting.

''What do you guys think?'' I turn to Ariel and Skely.

''Why not? We can hunt on even bigger scale with her.'' Skely looks at mom and replies.

''No objection.'' Ariel adds.

Alright then. Wait, so I still have to ally all of these little ones? I certainly don't want them to turn crazy because of Smiley.