My first Birthday has finally arrived, well almost. It's actually tomorrow, since I was born on the 8th day of the summer season and it's currently the seventh day. But more importantly, I think I might have figured out what the trip to the Forest is for. It's for a Contract with a monster of my choice. Familiar Magic is the easiest to learn since there is only one spell. It's also the most finicky magic, since you need to have a strong Contracted for it to be of any real use. There's a sweet spot for this spell, so to speak. The creature must be strong enough to put up a long fight but not so strong that you lose in the end. A monster that is completely sapped of strength is the perfect target for Contract, since it lacks the energy to resist.

I couldn't really practice this Magic in The Void, but I understand the mechanics behind it. Familiar Magic is a way to bind a creature to your soul, thus gaining an eternal companion. If you die, the creature dies, but you won't die if it does. Familiar Magic has an added effect, which is soul strengthening, since the stronger the soul the more Contracts it can have. It achieves this by taking bits of soul from the Contacted during the Contract process, and adding them to the Contractor's soul, nourishing it. The symbiosis of this allows the Contracted to hide within the Contractor's body. This effect also allows the Contractor to take on aspects of their Contracts. Claws, fur, scales, wings, horns, and tusks are some of the parts that can take form.

Well, I suppose I don't really need to take on any of those qualities, considering I can generate most of them. And nothing can compare to the claws and scales of a Dragon. I wonder if I can do that at this age? I probably can, but it's best to be certain.

(3rd Person POV)

Lugh lifts his arm into the air, and with a thought, it becomes covered with golden scales and claws appear at the end of his fingers. His claws look as though they are made of obsidian, but they appear even darker than black. His scales reflect what little light there is in the room, and they would command the attention of anyone in the room. They are beautiful and noble, giving him the bearing of a God. If he were more than a child, anyways. Right now he just looked like a bronzed kid with dry skin. The glory of his plates would emerge when he became an adult.

With the proof of his theory, Lugh decides it's time to sleep, he has a big day ahead of him.

(Lugh POV)

Waking up with the bit of sunlight that shined through the door, I can finally say I've lived in this world for an entire year. First things first, let's get out of this crib. With a simple application of Aura, we materialize a ladder, and then it's simple. A couple steps and I'm out.

Well, I'm out, but where are Mom and Dad? Usually they're still asleep when I wake up, but they aren't here. Maybe they're getting the party ready, and I'm sure it won't be long before they get back. I am a bit worried about what kind of hell awaits me, since Mom has demonstrated a bit of obsession towards her own child. It can't possibly be as bad as I think, right?

(Dining Hall POV)

"Oh, honey, it's perfect, this decor really suits little Lugh." Allisia voice carries through the hall

"Ah, well, you did say what you wanted with great detail. I'd be a complete idiot if I couldn't gather what you asked for." Durge's voice resounds over the entire room. His forehead his covered in sweat, however. 'Shit, this is so bad, this banner is just a giant portrait of Lugh sleeping. I have to get rid of this quickly, before any guests come.'

In Allisia's mind, 'Ah, so beautiful, my child really is just the cutest. He'll surely be a great man in the future. But what if he brings home a woman at that time? Mommy would be so heartbroken, knowing that he no longer needs her. Ahh, I can't let that happen!'

"Oh, darling look at the time, don't you think you should go pick up Lugh?" Durge's words snap Allisia out of her thoughts.

"You're right, there's only ten minutes left before the party starts, after all" Allisia quickly strides away to the bedroom.

"Alright, she's gone, EVERYBODY GET RID OF THIS DAMN THING" A fierce roar erupts from Durge's mouth. Luckily, his wife is occupied with her thoughts and doesn't hear him.

(Back to Lugh)

Well, she's here, and I guess that means it's time, I hope that what she's done isn't too bad.

(A few hours later)

That was not awful, wasn't fun, but it could have been worse. I learned as soon as I got in there that the banner was a painting, of me, sleeping. Or was, rather, as Father took it down as soon as Mom left the room to get me, thankfully.The only reason I found out was because she made a scene. It's not all that important right now, though.

I'm being carried off to the forest by Father, who seems to be taking great joy in his personal bonding time with me. He has always had this great desire to spend as much time as he can with me. I'm excited too, mainly cause I'm out of that damn castle. This is a new experience for me, one I've been waiting for.

(3rd POV)

The duo finally arrive at the forest, its trees tightly knit together, making a mesh of vegetation that most would get lost in. The woods are a dark and somber shade of green, as if a shadow is permanently cast over them. With a single look with his Aura Sight, Lugh could easily see thousands of creatures, portraying how densely populated this area is. Further to the south, a large open plain could be seen, it's emerald grasses swaying in the wind. Wild horses run freely through there, without any inhibition. Over head the two suns are shining down, with gentle rays falling upon Lugh's face, his eyes reflecting a feeling of peace.

His Father, in opposition, had a scowl plastered on his masculine face. 'Damn, this is just what I needed, I can feel the presence of a large group of Humans. What are they doing this far inland? These bastards usually stick to the coastal region, farther west. They'll ruin everything! I must get rid of them in a quick and silent manner so that won't get Lugh discovered.' Humans, bad ones at least, are known for hunting young Dragons for their exotic materials. The fledgling Dragons are not nearly as dangerous as those who make it past age ten, when they go through their first Tribulation.

Durge was well known for his precision use of Earth Magic, which he honed for Ages. It could be said that no one was better at wielding it than him. He developed many unique spells for myriads of different situations. He had a spell to sense disturbances of the ground, down to the slightest touch. And this Magic stretched for thousands of miles, nothing could escape it. With a tap of his foot, it was simple enough for him to create lances of stone and kill them instantly. The spears quickly pierced the group through their heads and a hundred men were no more.

(Lugh POV)

A hundred Auras just disappeared? A bunch of people died simultaneously, without a single noise. Magic is already serious business and Father's has been cultivated to its peak. Wait... There's still a few Auras at that location, but they don't match with a Human's, they appear to be monster Auras.

I think that Dad senses them too, we're starting to walk towards their position. Hold on, I think he's casting a Space-Time spell. Well, he's a Dragon, it's a given he knows more than one Magic. It's a simple spell to bridge two locations, nothing truly exciting. I can do that too, but I think I'd freak him out if I did that.

(3rd POV)

Stepping through the portal, Durge is the first to observe the area, locking down the surroundings with a barrier of dirt and stone. A few birds could be seen flying away, visibly distressed by the sudden appearance of a giant wall. Other animals were unable to leave and could only accept their fate, trapped within the grasp of a powerful Dragon.

The monsters, who are trapped beneath a net of pure adamantite chains, were a trio of horses, a mother and her two foals. Not your average everyday horses, though. They were adorned with gemstone scales which covered their lower legs, necks, and backs. The gems were different for each one, the mother appearing to have topaz-like crystals, which matched her chestnut coat well. The first foal, the color of ash, had what looked like moonstone, as if it was the night given form. The other child had a coat of pure white, unblemished by filth. This one's gems appeared to be opal, glittering like a rainbow in the limited light.

(Lugh POV)

How beautiful. I've never seen something like this before, I think this is what I'd imagine when I hear the term Unicorn, at least if they had horns. What are these called?

"Well, what an exceptionally rare find. A couple of Jewel Arion, finest and fastest horses to ever gallop across Ulder. Aren't many of them to be found, since they are usually captured as breeding stock or used as mobile gemstone mines. Good thing we found them when we did, a cruel fate would have befallen them otherwise. They stress the poor things out so much they stop eating and starve to death."

Aren't they monsters? How could they get stressed out? Hold on I shouldn't keep that reasoning , I'm following a very biased way of thinking. Of course if you capture a beast, lock it up, and use it as nothing but a breeding slave or shave off its skin, it will accumulate stress. And these two are but children, like me. This isn't right, even if they are monsters, they are still living creatures.

*Sigh*

Unfortunately, that attitude can't change centuries of culture and tradition. Dammit, I'd have to put in that same amount of time if I want to reverse this needless malice. But let's start with these three here and bring them some hope.

"I've been looking for a proper steed since my old horse died, So I'll be Contracting the mother. I leave the foals to you son."

Well, he's putting quite a task in front of me: Contracting two Jewel Arion, who are understandably distrusting of Humans and those who look like them. I'll observe what Dad does first.

(3rd POV)

As Durge begins forming the Mana in the air into his spell, Lugh looks on, internally commenting on what he does. 'Wait, really? That's such a slow method. Sure it saves internal Mana, but using external Mana stretches out the time significantly. We'll be here all day like that. I guess we do technically have time to spare. But that also lessens the quality of the Contract, you won't receive nearly as much loyalty as you would using your personal Mana.'

The glow of the spell starts to grow, increasing until it reaches a similar luminosity to the sun. Lugh has to look away at this point, as his eyes began watering. At this point the mother Jewel Arion knew what was happening, and began to struggle under the net, desperately hoping to save her foals from this fate. But her faith was dashed, adamantite was the heaviest metal around, 20 times denser than lead. Nothing short of a Giant could lift that net, and only a Dragon could break it. Though the were fast, and had near limitless stamina, these horses were a far cry from being as strong as a Giant.

The panic in her eyes faded, and despair replaced it. All light in her mind was gone, swapped with everlasting darkness. She couldn't protect the gifts she was given, and she knew she'd probably never see her children again. She gave in, and finally shut herself off from the world.

'Oh no, that's not a good sign, at this rate she'll only serve as statue. I've got to stop Dad from finishing the Contract this way.' Lugh, recovered from his blindness, notices the mother's struggling cease, not moving whatsoever. He quickly dumps a load of Water Magic on top of Durge's head, breaking his concentration.

"WHAT THE HELL DID'YA DO THAT FOR?" Durge's anger thunders across the forest. Many curious animals scamper back farther into the woods.

Lugh only points at the target of the Contract, which Durge notices has shut herself away.

"Well, how the hell am'I supposed to do it? It's just a monster, I'm still treatin' her better than Humans do."

Lugh shakes his head, visibly annoyed that his father thinks that way. He waddles over to the foals, who at this point are frightened by everything that happened. 'Maybe if I show off my Aura, which reveals a bit of my soul, they'll be more inclined to trust me?' He decides to unleash the full scope of his Aura Magic. The energy explodes out, covering the forest in its golden majesty, the faint silver lights infusing a pure calmness into the creatures that live there. A True King has descended, and all that live bask in his glory.

His Father was stunned, this amount of Aura was impossible unless you were an Archaic Dragon like himself. And its color is that of both gold and silver, which only come from Royal Dragons. He already knew of its radiance when he was a newborn, but now it's even more beautiful. He assumed that the color would change when he aged, but he thought it would turn into something like green or emerald, his hair color. Instead, the gold grew deeper and rich, while the silver lights increased in number, shining pure starlight. He truly had made a magnificent son, worthy of his promise.

When the glittering silver touched the foals, they felt the same kind of warmth that their mother would give. They knew this child before them meant no harm, and would care for them. Peering into his now golden eyes, they could see his concern and a hope that they'd follow him to whatever future lies ahead. Before they got the chance to accept, they felt a huge weight lift off their body. The net was gone, completely vanished without a trace, save the marks in the dirt.

As soon as she felt the chains disappear, the mother tried to flee, making a beeline for the plains. But she stopped as soon as she realized her foal weren't following, still laying in front of the child. Turning around, her line of thought was to try and scare the boy so her children could attempt to escape. Unfortunately, when she stomped down in front of the toddler, he just looked back at her, unmoved by what happened. His eyes carried the same concern she had for the foals, tugging on the mother's conscience. He wouldn't harm them, and wouldn't stop them either, as far as this Jewel Arion could tell, he wasn't a threat.

After gaining the mother's approval, Lugh casts the Contract, supplementing his Aura for Mana, as is his usual experiment. Unlike his Father's, his spell quickly grows in luminosity, completing it in a few seconds, rather than half an hour. The giant ball begins to compact, shrinking down to the size of an apple. When the ball of light is finished, Lugh puts it in front of the foals, letting them decide. Instantly, the white foal consumes the spell, emitting light in the same manner. The ash foal looks irritated, wanting to be the first but missing out by a few seconds. Lugh sees this and giggles, adding to his already abundant warmth. He creates another Contract, happy that both decide to become his family. Seeing this, the ash foal whinnies, excited that it gets the same treatment. Like the other, this one consumes the ball of light, shining albeit in a gray light.

Seeing how both her children so easily gave up their futures to this boy, she becomes slightly downtrodden. Her mate was already captured, what was left for her? Durge, observing the horse, understands why Lugh stopped him before. He walks up, gently stroking her back and neck, trying his best to comfort her. He realizes that a Contract should be done with kindness, not forced upon a creature.

At this time both Contracts conclude, both Lugh and the foals sleep, exhausted by the events of the day. The foals slowly fade from the area, forcefully entering Lugh's soul. Durge attempts the spell again, choosing to use his internal Mana this time. It goes by much quicker, since both the caster and horse are much more willing. She decides that it'd be much simpler to keep an eye on her kids if she came with the man. The Gem Arion enters Durge's soul, and he grab Lugh and returns home.

It has been quite a day, don't you think?