บท 9: Chapter 9: Poro
"Poro? Is that its name? Such a cute pronunciation!" Mira seems to really like the fluffy little Poro.
Rhodes also finds Poro adorable, but... what's the use of just being cute? What he wants is a super-powerful hero!
Holding Poro up to his face, Rhodes looks into its big, shiny black eyes. Can this little guy fight?
Poro's big tongue reaches out to lick him. Rhodes instinctively leans back, successfully dodging an impromptu face-washing.
Makarov inquired, "You know this creature? Does it have any special abilities?"
"He's called Poro and lives in a very cold place. Abilities..." Rhodes thought carefully.
"He can eat things, and after eating, he can grow bigger. If he eats too much, he'll explode. Besides that, he can... act cute?"
Mira praised, "What an interesting ability! Seems like a wonderful contract creature."
Rhodes said listlessly, "Ah, thanks for the encouragement."
"So that's how it is—an ornamental creature? Don't be discouraged; among celestial spirits, there are also ornamental ones, like Nikora of the Canis Minor."
Makarov said, "Having such a cute creature accompany you is great, isn't it?"
Poro seemed to sense Rhodes's disappointment. The pair of small horns on its head slowly drooped, and it retracted its tongue, looking pitiful like an abandoned puppy.
Rhodes scratched its chin. "Well, let's just consider you a pet."
"Pururu~" Poro rubbed against Rhodes's palm, making contented sounds, and its little horns perked up again.
Rhodes pinched Poro's tiny horns, patted its head, and rubbed its heart-shaped belly, gradually growing fond of the fluffy, soft sensation.
Poro seemed to enjoy it too, lying on the counter with its tongue lolling to one side.
"It looks like a little sheep but behaves more like a puppy." Mira picked up a slice of chopped apple. "Want some?"
Poro flipped over, escaping Rhodes's massage, and headed straight for Mira's offering with agility beyond expectation.
Does this guy only recognize food, not people? Rhodes fell into contemplation.
Makarov cleared his throat to draw Rhodes's attention and said to him:
"Putting aside Poro's strength for now, when you opened the gate just now, did you feel a power flowing out from your body? That was magic power."
Rhodes thought for a moment. "Now that you mention it, I think I did..."
"Generally speaking, Celestial Spirit Mages consume magic power to maintain the presence of celestial spirits after opening the gate; it should be the same for you."
Makarov said, "Now, meditate as I instruct, feel the slowly draining magic power, find its source, and then perceive your own power."
"Understood!"
Rhodes sat cross-legged on the spot, closed his eyes as the guild master instructed, and concentrated on sensing the slowly draining power within his body.
The tavern's noisy sounds gradually faded away, the playful sounds of Poro and Mira also drifted off, and the world became quiet.
In the darkness, Rhodes saw himself sitting cross-legged, surrounded by tiny blue light particles like mist.
Outside his 'self,' there was a faint, winding thin line composed of blue light particles, drifting to the side—that should be the connection between him and Poro.
Rhodes focused on observing within himself. Amidst the blue magic particles like mist, there was a conspicuous small vortex, slowly rotating at the center of his body, like a miniature galaxy.
It seemed all the magic power in his body was dissipating from there, and at the same time, sparse light particles were infiltrating from outside, converging into the vortex.
Magic power was being consumed and simultaneously restored.
Rhodes easily perceived this.
He could even feel the rate at which maintaining Poro consumed magic power compared to the rate of magic power recovery.
Expressed in the common way in online games:
MP -1
MP +99
The excess beyond consumption probably replenished the magic power consumed when opening the gate.
Realizing that Poro's magic consumption is so low, Rhodes completely lost hope in its combat abilities.
Putting aside Poro's matter, Rhodes focused on observing 'himself,' trying to direct the light particles within his body.
Although a bit clumsy, he could indeed simply control the flow direction of those light particles—the magic power.
In the real world, as Rhodes manipulated magic power, his hair gently swayed as if blown by the wind, shifting left and right.
Today's tavern was much quieter than usual because the guild master was watching.
If anyone tried to start a fight that might disturb Rhodes, the guild master's palm would land on their head.
When Rhodes opened his eyes, Makarov showed a satisfied smile. This kid has good talent.
"Today's practice on magic power ends here. You should pay attention to Poro now."
Makarov reminded, "Celestial Spirit Mages generally need to make contracts with their spirits and maintain good relationships. In your case, you'll have to figure it out yourself."
"Understood, thank you, Guild Master." Rhodes stood up, looked toward Mira, only to find that Poro was no longer with her.
"Over there." Mira smiled and pointed to the little guy frolicking in the tavern.
Following her gaze, Rhodes realized... his social skills aren't even as good as a dog's.
He had meditated for less than an hour, and Poro had already befriended many people in the tavern.
It stuck out its tongue, constantly shuttling between tables, occasionally rubbing its fluffy body against people's calves.
When picked up by someone who likes cute things, it acted coy, its big eyes fixed intently on the food on the table.
It was just short of writing 'Feed me' on its face.
What's more impressive is that after getting food, the little guy immediately bolted, heading straight for the next target, epitomizing a certain heartlessness.
In a very short time, everyone in the tavern remembered this cute creature, but only a few, through Mira and Laki's introductions, remembered its owner's name.
Rhodes waved.
Poro trotted over on its short legs but accidentally tripped, rolling to Rhodes's feet like a ball of yarn.
The little guy simply didn't get up, lying down and flipping over to expose its belly, becoming increasingly adept at its tactics.
Rhodes couldn't help but rub its heart-shaped belly again, then picked up Poro and placed it on the counter. "You can understand what I'm saying, right?"
"Pururu~" Poro tried hard to nod.
Rhodes asked, "Do we need to make a contract or something?"
Poro shook its head vigorously, nearly toppling over.
"Then if you go back, will it still be you I summon next time? I remember there are many Poros in the Howling Abyss."
Little Poro nodded, then shook its head, a pleading look on its face.
Rhodes guessed, "It will be you, but you don't want to go back?"
Poro displayed a happy expression.
Rhodes looked helplessly at the guild master.
Makarov said, "If magic power allows and both parties agree, it can stay as long as you like."
"However, if it affects your ability to open the next gate, you can send it back then."
Rhodes nodded. "Since you like it here, you can stay for now."
Little Poro happily spun in circles.
Mira suggested, "Why not give it a name?"
Rhodes said, "It's called Poro."
"But 'Poro' is a general term, right? Like 'dog' or 'cat' as species. I mean a name that's unique to it."
Poro looked at Rhodes expectantly.
"Um... I'm terrible at naming..." Rhodes thought for a while, looking at Poro. "How about Little White? Dumpling? Furball?"
Poro's little horns gradually drooped; it felt rather perfunctory.
Rhodes felt troubled. "Guild Master, Mira, do you have any suggestions?"
"How about 'Warm'?"
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