“So, this is the famous Hermes I heard the kids talk about.”

Wallace was admiring my Hermes and inspecting his feathers and beak, fascinated for some reason.

“Is he really your pet? I cannot find the slave crest anywhere.”

Hermes felt discomfort at being untiringly touched, so he flew out of Wallace's hands and on my shoulder. I think he even eyed him contemptuously…

“Oh, I apologize. Didn’t mean to disrespect you, dear Hermes. Mind if I give you a cookie?”

The man took out a pouch, taking the said cookie from inside. Hermes was at first doubtful but gave in in the end. He was happy eating his treat.

“Those two seem to be having fun,” said Hansel at my side.

“I suppose so.”

“So, how is your magic going? You said you were trying to practice," Hansel was trying his best to not laugh at me, failing gracefully, of course.

“I wish to say well, but that’s not the case, to be honest.”

“Perhaps we can be of help. Right, Wallace?”

“... Oh, yes,” he was just too distracted petting Hermes. “Whatever the Prince says.”

“Well…” Oh, shoot. I forgot I’m not supposed to say anything about the hidden skills. I don’t know how the other people see their skills, but it’s bound to be different to mine. I’m not from this world after all. “Sure, why not? I want to learn defensive magic, since I can use Hermes to attack.”

“I recommend you to also learn offensive magic. You can’t depend on your pet doing all the work. We should start with that,” my point exactly, yet...

“I’d love to, but I can’t learn offensive magic because of my talent,” I lied.

“Your talent doesn’t allow you to learn attacks? That’s quite punishing. I’ve never heard of restrictions in talents,” Hansel spoke out of his mind. “Talents exist to ease and define our path in magic, not limit it.”

“Well, I do gain power from my creatures. The more powerful they are, the more I can do.”

“Is that so? It is meant to balance your growth... That is interesting.”

“That makes you a Tamer then?” the sand man asked. I think I’ll go along with this one.

“Yes, sort of.”

“In all my travels, I never met a Tamer. Would you mind humoring me for a while, Leonard?”

“Humor you?”

“Yes, a battle between one of my sand soldiers and your dear Hermes here.”

A battle, huh? I do need him to get experience in fighting, and I can use some of the buff I already have to see how they work in a controlled environment.

“I accept. Hermes, come here,” he flew right into my arm, looking sharp. “Are you ready?”

He croaked loudly, agreeing to fight. Wallace didn’t lose time and conjured a tiny soldier on the ground. The soft orange soldier was holding a spear in his hands.

“Water: Atlantean Vest!” I casted on Hermes. “Also, Sacrifice!”

I felt how my strength left my body, leaving me almost on the ground. I could barely move at all.

“Jouchous are somewhere between D and E ranks in the monster category. This soldier has the strength of a D+ monster, so be aware, dear Hermes.”

The tiny man jumped way too fast to where Hermes was, aiming to the chest of the bird. He barely moved, but it was enough for the attack to miss, leaving him unscratched. Good boy. The soldier kept attacking relentlessly, but Hermes dodge every single attack, and in the ground!

“How is that possible?” Wallace was so impressed and, I’ve got to say, so was I.

The monster took flight at dizzying speed, and I saw as he concentrated his mana in the winds. He flew back to the tiny soldier and, with a single slice, cut through it in half, disintegrating it in sand.

“What?! I was sure this soldier was going to be a good challenge, but I guess I underestimated this fellow here. Mind for round two?”

“A sore loser?” I said, taunting.

“Perhaps. I’ll use a C- ranked soldier this time. After D rank, monsters start to ramp, so be careful, dear Hermes.”

I just had an idea. I can’t learn offensive skills, but perhaps my creatures can? I whispered Hermes the runes I used as well as the circle so he could use his mana on it.

“I’d like to try something, Sir Wallace.”

“Be my guest,” the man had such an intense expression it might consume me at any given moment. He was truly driven by his curiosity, huh?

He created another tiny soldier, this time with a winged horse to ride. It took Hermes a few seconds, but he managed to cast the circle and runes in front of him. I chanted the incantation briefly for him. The mana actually gathered and formed a sharp blade. As soon as it took shape, it crashed into the shield of the soldier, breaking his balance over the horse and falling to the ground. This is big news. I can teach them spells I can’t use to balance my team.

“What? Did he just learn that skill?” Wallace couldn’t believe his eyes. “That’s impossible. Tamers I heard of can’t teach skills to the tamed creatures… What a powerful talent.”

“Thanks, Wallace. Although, the attack didn’t kill your soldier this time.”

“I don’t know what to say Leo,” I didn’t notice the presence of Hansel behind me until he talked. What a scary skill. “I think you’d make a fine soldier of this Queendom.”

“Unfortunately, only nobles can join our forces,” Wallace sounded disappointed. “But you can always join the Guild. We could eventually hire you as a mercenary.”

“I guess that’s a good plan,” I particularly don’t mind their interest in having me close by, but I still need to get better at magic. “I do plan on visiting this Guild everyone mentions.”

“We can guide you there. I wanted to spend some time with you anyways,” Hansel sounded welcoming, but something in his eyes said otherwise.

I accepted the invitation regardless. The more, the merrier.