"I see." Mark's entire deanor changed, his irritation replaced by respect. His eyes moved past Moon to properly examine the white horse for the first ti, and his expression brightened with appreciation. "That's a magnificent nightmare you have there. A solid steed indeed."
He stepped out of his doorway to get a better look, his expert gaze taking in Mirage's proportions and bearing.
"Reminds of the ancient Arabian steed—Naborr. The horse had a really powerful bloodline known for their beauty, athleticism, and loyalty. Your companion has that sa... presence."
Moon accepted the complint by reaching up to rub Mirage's mane affectionately, a proud smile crossing his face. Mirage neighed aggressively, irritated outwardly, despite being pleased by the praise inwardly.
"Alright, let see what I'm working with," Mark said, respectfully. He approached Mirage slowly, hands extended in a non-threatening manner as he began a more thorough inspection.
As he continued his examination, moving around Mirage's body and checking various physical features, Mark's expression grew increasingly shocked.
"This horse... he's not a normal breed," Mark muttered, his fingers tracing along Mirage's hindquarters. "He has a fin-like tail structure here, and..." He leaned closer, peering at Mirage's neck. "...he has gills. Faint, almost vestigial, but they're definitely there."
His eyes snapped to Moon with newfound respect and curiosity. "What kind of nightmare is this? I've never seen adaptations like these."
"He's a rare breed," Moon replied simply, offering no further details. He wasn't going to elaborate about the transformation that occurred to Mirage during his ti bathing in the Blood of the Golden Fish.
"I see." Mark nodded slowly, his interest clearly piqued. "Then this big boy will be considerably harder to calm than a standard nightmare. The more unique and powerful the beast, the more resistance they have to external influence."
He took a breath, then stepped back slightly. "But I'll try my best."
Mark closed his eyes briefly, and Moon could see the older man beginning to activate his class skill. His mana was clearly rising in result.
Moon imdiately activated his own class slot skill, preparing to copy the class:
---
[Class Slot {1/1}]
[Class: Tar]
[Skills: Calmness, Beastmaster]
[Duration: 24 hours]
---
Moon's [Grim Reaper] talent activated automatically, analyzing the class structure and beginning the copying process. He could feel the knowledge flowing into his consciousness.
Two additional skill descriptions appeared in his vision:
---
[Calmness]
[Rank: Common]
[Proficiency: 0%]
[Details: You have the ability to calm beasts weaker than you by touching them, making them feel at ease and reducing their natural aggression or fear. Effectiveness depends on power differential between user and target.]
---
[Beastmaster]
[Rank: Uncommon]
[Proficiency: 0%]
[Details: You are able to form contracts with beasts and store them in your beast taming space. You are only able to contract one beast at a ti. Successful contraction depends on power differential and the potential of the beast in question.]
---
Moon imdiately assessed the skills.
[Calmness] was basic but useful—a simple utility for handling nervous or aggressive animals. Not particularly valuable for his purposes, but it ca packaged with the class.
[Beastmaster] was what he'd co for. The ability to form a contract with Mirage, to create a bond that would allow them to traverse realms together, to ensure his companion could accompany him to the Second Sanctuary when he evolved.
The limitation of only one contracted beast was restrictive, but Moon didn't plan on collecting multiple companions for the ti being anyway. Mirage was enough.
If he needed more than one contract, he was sure that evolving the skill or copying a more powerful one later down the line would solve the issue.
Mark approached Mirage with his hand extended, his [Calmness] skill apparently active. His palm touched Mirage's neck, and Moon could see the faint shimr of mana flowing from Mark into his companion.
Mirage's eyes locked in with Moon, and in that instant Moon communicated his intention, and Mirage understood imdiately.
Mirage's ears twitched, and he began to slowly lower his rowdiness. Mirage was slowly "relaxing" under Mark's touch, or so it appeared.
Mark's expression showed happiness and excitent. He was almost certain that this would be a tough one to calm, but it didn't seem like it.
"He's...relaxing easier than I thought." Mark said with a smile on his face, feeling proud of himself.
Moon smiled wryly, but didn't have any intention to inform the man, "We've been through a lot together, Mirage is usually calm, but it seems like he just needed the push to return."
For the next few minutes, Mark continued to cast his skill until eventually, Mirage relaxed completely. "He is back to normal, he doesn't seem to have any sort of rowdiness in him. You can return back to in case anything happens, I will be happy to help, it's rare to co in contact with such a rare steed.
Moon nodded, watching carefully as Mark began to back off from Mirage slowly. "Thank you for your help."
"Anyti." Mark nodded.
On his way back to the inn, Moon's eyes were on the road, but his attention was partially elsewhere.
'Perfect. First requirent will be satisfied within a few hours. There is two left to go.'
Moon needed to hunt forty-seven more S-rank beasts and sohow acquire a Legendary skill.
But that was a problem for tomorrow.
For now, he had what he ca for, and Mark was none the wiser that his class had just been perfectly replicated by the "client" he was trying to help.
On his way back to the inn, Moon began to practice the calming skill on Mirage, and the speed that the skill was being comprehended by him was nothing short of terrifying.
Moon grew shocked. In the span of thirty minutes, he had managed to reach the half way mark of comprehending the [Calmness] Skill.
It was the fastest he'd ever improved a skill so much. Even with skills that he had so sort of knowledge on, like [Ignite] or others.
**
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