My contractor is slowly waking up, her eyelashes flutter as she gasps and sits up in the bed. After looking around the room in a daze she spots me and I immediately feel a strange sensation in my mind of happiness and fulfillment. At first I mistook them as my own feelings but I know that my own emotions would not have had this strange feeling attached to them. 

 

Also I can not think of any reason for me to be feeling this happy or fulfilled. Sending mana to my eyes I can see a very thin almost unnoticeable line of mana connecting me and my contractor. This should be the cause of these foreign emotions entering my mind and I can assume this effect is part of the [link] skill.

 

My contract now shows a look of confusion on her face and I can easily assume that the skill is not one way so she is probably feeling the same strange sensation as I am. While wondering what emotions I am sending over the [link], I notice my contract quickly gets out of the bed, walks over and picks me up in a carry/hug like how you would hold a cat. I can't say I feel uncomfortable like this, but I get rather flustered when I feel emotions of pity sent through the [link] along with my contractor petting my head…

 

“Shhhh. It’s ok. Nothing is going to harm you here.” 

 

She says this while continuing to pet and comfort me. Getting used to it I am less flustered and unknowingly relax the tension I had ever since I awakened in this world. Still slowly relaxing I can't help but wonder what emotion she felt from me.

 

Once I have completely relaxed she stops petting me and says quietly to herself.

 

“Today I should just get used to this strange skill and my new companion. But I'm still confused how my contract was able to work on a demon beast when it was meant for spirits nor how the companion was able to use the demon contract skill. Hmm. I'll look for an answer in the library later on.” 

 

She exits the room and walks to the castle hall. While on the way to our new destination I take the free time to sort out my thoughts.

 

Currently she doesn't know I’m a demon just from the contract but based on the tone she used, My contractor would not be scared If I was a demon. She also has no way of knowing I am a Chimera. Before I reveal anything to her I want more time to check what type of person she is.

 

Now that I have learned the language of this world, I would have liked to just find a quiet place to live a peaceful life, maybe gain a fantasy-type occupation to make a living. But that is just a pipe dream with the contract in place. Even if I somehow found a way to break the contract and live my peaceful life. If she cannot defeat the demon king that it's only a matter of time until my quiet life is ruined. 

 

I don't hate thrilling fights and the feeling of taking skills from my slane opponents either. So now I can put my focus into getting stronger to fight the demon king along with hopefully solving the many questions I have about my situation. Ya that sounds good. It's just… I regret not confirming this earlier since I have to tell my contractor anyway about who I am if I want to fight the demon king with her, so there's no point in me acting like a normal fox. On top of that blunder I can't tell her now since anyone of the servants can hear us...

 

Another pat on my head quickly quells the regret I was feeling and redirects my once again calm thoughts to the [link] skill, at least until we get to our destination.The place we have arrived at is outside the castle in a courtyard type area, around the place are multiple training dummies that have seen better days along with racks full of many different types of wooden weapons.

 

The two that were practicing stop when we enter the place. After putting their weapons down they start talking to my contractor.

 

“Congrats Amanda! You Finally did it!” 

 

“Wahoo! Hehe”

 

The man that was holding the wooden sword and shield offers his congratulations. While the woman dashes over and hugs my contractor Amanda while giggling in joy. I of course have already jumped to the floor to avoid being squashed.

 

“Hehe. Ya all my dedication finally paid off. I even got a unique skill out of it.”

 

Amanda laughs with her friend and I can feel emotions of happiness and gradication being sent through the [link] skill. Amanda explains to her two friends of how my demon contract and her spirit contract were able to unlock a hidden quest granting her the skill. I was able to pick up during the conversation that the black haired man is called Makoto and the girl is called 

Hattori. 

 

Also apparently Amanda was not able to understand the information of the ring artifact she gained so they have to ask someone else about it. There seems to be some way to look at the stats of an artifact. The conversion moves to me and both her friends ask about my abilities. 

 

“I don't know what abilities he has specifically but normally I would get skills based on the elemental affinities of the spirit I forged a contract with. The three abilities I have learned are Shadow chain, lightning bolt and fireball. So his abilities definitely correspond to those elements.”

 

“Nice! Why not have your beast show us his abilities?”

 

“We can do that in combat practice tomorrow. I just want to relax and enjoy today.”

 

“Okay, fine.”

 

Makoto seems excited to learn what I can do, but he can't say anything after Amanda’s stern refusal. I was worried for a second about how much I should show them.

 

“Hey does your companion have a name?”

 

“No, I don't think so?”

 

After Hattoris question Amanda looks at me expecting an answer and in my haze thoughts I shake my head no. I feel a chill rise up my spine at the horror I never knew was there. No, I did not question it. I don't remember my name. Not only that, Middle school, High school, where I lived, my family. All my memories seem to be covered in a haze, I can remember some of the information, what country I lived in, a few games I've played and some other stuff. But past that, nothing…

 

Amanda picking me up and hugging me breaks the dark swirl of thoughts I got caught in. I am able to hear them debating what to name me before Amanda speaks out.

 

“Well. What about Kuro?”

 

“Sounds good.”

 

“I like it.”

 

[Would you like to accept the name Kuro? (Yes/No)]

 

I mentally select yes. My mind is still in a mess but I have a lead on why my memories are hazy. The unknown power that suppressed me after I used the demon contract is the most likely culprit, suppressing more than just the memories and knowledge I got from the raven.  For now memories or not I am still me. This memory issue will not change what I still have to do in this world nor would it have changed any choice I have made until now. 

 

Consuming the black raven. Stealing power from others. My cautious actions and thrilling fights against demon beasts. The sadness at the death of another and fear of rejection from those in a similar situation as I. The issue with my memories is just one more question added to my already large pile and to get any answers I need to change. I have always gotten stronger just to survive, survive and then live a peaceful life somewhere in this world. But what if during my slow life someone stronger than me comes and destroys it. Not only that, can I really feel content living peacefully without my questions answered, without freeing myself from the suppression of my power and memories. No. I need to grow, to learn about this world more, and I don't want to waste time sitting on my questions just because I'm cautious, that I'm scared others will reject me.

 

 The contract with the hero will ensure that I face new challenges and growth since we need to defeat the demon king. This contract can also protect me if anyone rejects me being a demon beast or I simply need to be stronger than those that will reject me. It's with this conviction, this will for power and growth that I accept the name Kuro.

 

This change in thoughts will not help me grow nor will it get me answers if I keep hiding as a normal beast companion. With that in mind I jump out of Amanda’s arms into the floor and [transform] back into my ‘human’ appearance. To face others as me, as Kuro. 

 

When the transformation is done other than the three shocked expressions, I realise that my viewpoint is higher than it was the last time I changed into a Demi-Human. The black cloak also changes its length to fit my new height, still ending below my knees.

… after a few seconds I decide to break the silence.

 

“Hello! I have accepted the name you gave me.”

 

“...”

“...”

“Right…”

 

The only one able to answer me is Amanda but I can still feel the shock being sent through the [link]. I mean, makes sense. Who would except the small cute fox would suddenly become a person out of nowhere like the plot in a bad disney movie. 

 

Seeing as they are still shocked, I decide to talk to the most composed person here and the one I trust the most out of the three, Amanda.

 

“Hey Amanda. You're a Hero right? Since the contract said you wanted to defeat the demon king.”

 

I decided to first confirm the assumption I have about her.

 

She takes a few seconds before responding.

 

“Yes. Me Makoto and Hattori were summoned as heroes a month ago.”

 

Wow that means the summoning magic for me must have happened around the same time. I thought I was here for a week but a month has passed.  

 

“You were originally from earth?”

 

“Yes! But how did you!-”

 

“I will tell you my story if you can take me to a place where we cannot be overhead.”

 

“Currently no one is watching us so it would be fine to have such a conversation here.”

 

Hattori now calm, answers me coolly. I look towards Amanda for confirmation and she nods.

 

“Even back in Japan Hattori has been able to tell if anyone is looking at her. I true her if she says we are safe here.”

 

I would have liked to complain and say that we need a better place to talk than just an open training area but that would be me acting cautious. If I want them to trust me it would be a good show of faith to believe in her words. 

 

So I tell them of my story from getting run over by a car up until the point I make a contract with Amanda. Of course I tell them mostly everything. The smart and cautious play I usually would have done is hide my nature as a chimera and my meeting with pride. But I want to live freely without restriction and adding more chains to the ones already binding me goes against this wish. I leave out some personal stuff, the suppression of my memories and the different skills I have amassed but I do tell them about my abilities to take skills and form of those I have killed.  

 

“I don't understand why the monster pride you meet called you and it demons? Also where did the demon contract skill you used come from?” 

 

“When you were using your contract skill I got attracted to it by my instincts as a demon and awakened the skill. But why do you think I'm not a demon? It says that I am next to my Demon Beast race?”

 

What I said to Amanda is technically not a lie, but going into how I learned the contract would deal with the issue of memories being suppressed and I want to deal with that alone.

 

“Hmm. That's strange. To me your race just shows Black Fox Demon Beast and nothing else, well it changed to Black Fox Demi-Human now.”

 

“Really?! Wait, how can you see my race?”

 

“To tell someone's level or race all you have to do is think about accessing their information like when you bring up the status.”

 

I look at Makoto and think about accessing his information, then above his head I see a window form with a signal line of text.

 

[ Makoto | Level 2 | Human ] 

 

“That’s very useful to tell if you can fight a monster or not, I just went off of how dangerous they felt, this is much safer. It is possible to see what skills someone has?”

 

This time it's Makoto that answers me. There is a skill called identify that at a high level lets you see someone's stat page, but it's only gained from a high level merchant class…

 

“Your devour skill is so broken! We only get three abilities from our classes and you can have an unlimited amount for free! That op!”

 

“Speaking of classes I actually have a question about them. Do you know anything about the class Warrior,Mage,Archer, rookie Artifact crafter. I was able to pick one when I reached level 10 but I wanted to wait to learn more about them before choosing.”

 

While Makoto’s still thinking, Amanda speaks out to answer my question.

 

“Warrior, Mage, and Archer are all advanced classes.I haven't seen the artifact crafter before but it seems to be a class that lets you make artifacts. Advanced classes are those that give you an extra point towards Magical or Physical stats compared to normal classes. If a normal Physical oriented class gives you an extra point toward strength when you level up then evolving it to warrior will let you have an extra point towards Agility or Vitality. Mage is a magical type so the same will happen for your mental or magic stat. After gaining an advanced class you will learn between 1 and 3 skills associated with the class. An example is Mokoto learned light slash for his light warrior class.”

 

I thank Amanda for the information and I’m happy that the shock has subsided after the talk. At least I don't have to worry about the heroes rejecting me. Remember the breeze I feel between my legs, I ask Makoto.

 

“ Do you have any clothes I can wear? All I have on is this robe…”

 

“Ya, you can just use some of mine from now, let's head to my room.”

 

Makoto offers me his clothes to wear and we move to his room. Along the way I can notice how long the castle halls are now focusing on where I'm walking. The servant stare’s make me a little worried but Amanda’s emotions of happiness (of finding someone else from earth.) through the [link] drive this away. This is what I have to deal with exposing myself. I can't waver now.

 

Arriving at his room it's mostly the same as Amanda’s, except for the wardrobe being full of mens clothes. Putting on a pair they are a little tight but a lot better going around with just the cloak on. Looking in the mirror I can finally see my appearance. My face should be similar to my past life but with my hazy memories I can't be sure. My hair is still black and eyes still purple, but now I look like a tall 18 year old instead of a child-like appearance. I welcome the change just confused at why it happened. Stepping out of the bathroom I grab the cloak left on the bed. Before I can think about what to do with it, suddenly it turns into a mist that mixes with the clothes I'm wearing, coloring parts of the outfit black and adding a hood. Makoto being in the room with me shouts out.

 

“Oooooh! Is that an artifact?”

 

“I think so, I just don't know how it works…”

 

“Right. I forget you haven't learned anything yet being in the wilderness. To identify an artifact you have to touch the item and think about bringing up the information like how you did with someone's race or level. Here I'll test it” 

 

Makoto grabs my shoulder and stares intently at the hood for a few seconds before sighting.

 

“That’s strange no information came up. Maybe it's like the artifact Amanda has, we can ask Princess Charlotte later.”

 

Now have clothes we all head to what I’ve been told is the mess hall to eat. Along the way I follow what Makoto said to try and check what was the robe myself and surprisingly the information pops up.

 

{

Name: Black Cloak

Rank: Unique

Durability: 5/5 (will change depending on the form)

Restrictions: One who has felt the desperation of survival

Abilities:

• Will change form depending on the user, and will merge with all clothes, gaining their form
• After being destroyed it will absorb the user's mana until the latest form is able to be constructed.

Description:

This artifact was Born after the will of survival from a dying assassin mixed with his rare cloak artifact that could repair itself.

}

 

I decide to keep that I can read the information of the cloak to myself and just wait to bring it up when the topic of Amanda’s ring comes up. Getting food and sitting down at a table I've still been getting stares but I don't know if it's cause I'm a new face with the heroes or a demi-human, I haven't seen any others around the castle so far.

 

The group of heroes starts to open up to me more. Talking about their life in the castle so far, or making reference to anime or games that I only half understand.

 

“I'm telling you Kuro, In the future I'm going to get a skill that's close to the level of emerald splash!”

 

Makoto’s voice is laced with sarcasm as he references an ability I assume is from a game.

 

“Hey, do you think I could be taught how to use a weapon by the Princess's uncle like you all did? I want to get used to fighting in human form.”

 

Makoto pats his chest confidently as he responds.

 

“Sure I’ll put in a good word for you with Princess Charlotte and we can see if she'll be able to convince her uncle.”

 

I have been thinking about all the classes I can choose, but I don't think I want any of the fighting classes. With my devour skill I’m already able to gain more combat skills that I know how to deal with if everyone else is going to have so few. Creating Artifacts interest me more If I can use them to increase my power more along with giving them to others or selling them to make money. It's a more versatile route than more combat related skills.

 

After dinner we head to the royal garden where the heroes usually meet the Princess.

 

Entering the place I can immediately feel a change, like as the malice of the world is blocked from entering this place.

 

Sitting under an ash tree is a girl looking to be around 17. She has long blond hair flowing down her back and green eyes that sparkle when she sees our group. The girl who could be no one but the princess stands to greet us.

 

“Hello everyone! Amanda I heard from the guards that you finally succeeded with the contract. I always knew you could do it!”

 

She give a radiant smile and then seems to startled as she notices me trailing the group of three.

 

“Are you going to introduce me to this new friend you have made.”

 

Stepping forward I present myself.

 

“Allow me to tell you my story princess.”

 

I look at Hattori for confirmation that no one is listening in before I tell the princess my tale.

 

I have thought about this on the walk over and to get the princess to help me convince her uncle Telling her the truth about me. Adding the fact if from the same world as the heroes she summoned would increase the odds. I tell her the same story as the heroes just leaving out my innate skills. I'm also hoping she will know something about pride.

 

After the story the princess is less shocked that I thought she would be.

 

“That is quite the ordeal you went through. I would normally dismiss such a tale as fiction if not for the backing of the heroes.”

 

“It is indeed a terrible tragedy you went through.”

 

An unknown voice echos out from behind the tree and puts me on alert. Out from behind the tree walks out a man with long dark blond hair and clothed in a formal suite. He fits the description of the princess uncle I got from the heroes to a tee.

 

I’m surprised that Hittori was not able to notice him but I guess even her abnormal sense cannot detect someone hiding with a skill. I would have been restless If I was trying to hide my nature like before but him finding out now just saves me the trouble of telling my story again.

 

“Sir I hope you can answer a few questions I have.”

 

“I suppose you know who I am since you're with that bunch.” He signals to the heroes with his chin. “Very well ask away.”

 

“I was hoping you can train me to use a weapon like you did them?”

 

“That is an easy request to fill just you’ll have to learn fast if you want to keep up with those two. They are real proteges.” He points to Makoto and Hittori as he says that.

 

“I also wanted to know If you know of pride. The Demon from my story?”

 

“The people of the central plane have records of them. They are known as calamities, Ancient High Level Demon Beasts That cause devastation to the surrounding whenever they fight. In fact a fight between them happened a few weeks ago near the kingdom so that fits with your story.”

 

Next I ask him about my rookie Artifact crafter class.

 

“That is quite strange. That class is an evolution from Blacksmith or Spell Crafter. I don't know how you got it as a level 10 class but It will lead you down the path of creating artifacts. I don't know much about it but I can assume it uses blacksmithing and spell crafting to make an artifact. I don't know If it will give you a magical or physical stat boost because of the classes that can evolve into it. You will also need to find a master to teach you how to craft artifacts, but if you are successful even kings have to show respect to beginner artifact crafters.”

 

“So you're saying I won't be able to make anything until I’m taught something…”

 

 It's a class that will show it worth in the future and not now. 

…

I still want to choose that class. It's rare to have it at my level so It should be that hard to find a teacher. Also in the future if I'm able to create artifacts like my robe that will be more helpful than a few combat abilities now. While I’m deep in thought about my future prospects Makoto brings up a topic to the princess uncle Dante that catches my attention.

 

“Dante, I wanted to know if you can look at the information for Kuro's clothes or Amanda's ring. We know it's an Artifact but the information does not appear.”

 

“You must have had some excellent luck to find two blank artifacts.Take note, A blank artifact is an artifact that information cannot be retrieved. It has strange abilities that don't fit the ridge nature of the artifacts in the market. The downside is there is no way to know how useful or powerful a blank artifact is besides trying to test all its abilities. No artifact crafter can see through their secrets or even knows how to make them.”

 

With that information from Dante I have made my decision. It seems no one can see the information of the blank artifacts but me and I want to see where this new profession of artifact crafter can lead me. 

 

[New Class options:

Evolution: null

New classes: 

Warrior,Mage,Archer, rookie Artifact crafter]

After pulling up the class section of my stats. I accept the class of rookie Artifact crafter.

 

{

Name: Kuro

Lv: 10

Class: Rookie Artifact Crafter

Hp: 30/30 Mp: 42/42

Strength: 15 Magic : 20 

Agility: 20 Mental: 15

Vitality: 15 Soul: 85

Base form: Black Fox Demon Beast (Chimera(demon))

Combat form: Gray wolf Demon Beast

Humanoid form: Black Fox Demi-Human 

Species absorbed: Raven Demon Beast,Flaming Phoenix Demon Beast, Bull Demon Beast, Mouse Demon Beast, Snake Demon Beast

Skills: 

Stealth, Fire Rush, Fireball, Lighting Blast , Lighting Boost, Lightning Clad, Guide, Demon Contract, Mana Eyes, Engrave

Innate Skills:

Mana control, Language Translation(Demon,Neues)(passive), Devour ,Transform

Unique skills: Link (passive)

Titles: Reincarnator, Second Chimera, Chaos Conductor, Speedrunner 

}

{

Mana Eyes:

This skill lets the uses see the mana pathways in an item or person. It also lets the user engrave spells inside a monster core.

}

 

{

Engrave:

This skill lets the users engrave their mana into objects crafting spell arrays or creating mana path circuits.

}

“I’m happy you choose that class. If you find a teacher, any problems of money will be non-existent. There is also the kingdom of Sonne having a connection with an artifact crafter.”

 

Princess Charlotte wears a sly smile when she says this.

 

“Also you don't have to be too sad about losing combat skills. There's a way to gain skills besides class skills. Just this information will harm you since your low level so I will tell you before you leave towards the central plane.”

 

“Why was I able to see the effects of the skills I just got?”

 

“When you evolve or gain a new class. You are also given the description of all the class skills to help you better understand them.”

 

“I see. Thank you for the help.”

 

After the meeting with Princess Charlotte and her uncle Dante everyone goes to their own rooms to sleep. Makoto lets me sleep in his room for now and I just transform back into my base form to sleep since it is still the most relaxing.