I Contracted a Demon, but It Turned Into My Pet

Lucian snapped out of his cultivation state early the next morning, only to find Elvira Sol crouching right in front of him, staring intently. Their faces were so close he could feel her breath.

"Gah!" Lucian jerked back in surprise. "What are you doing?"

"You really are a freak of nature," Elvira said bluntly. "Your cultivation speed is faster than mine ever was."

In just one night, Lucian had advanced from newly entering Tier Four to nearly stabilizing the early phase. At this pace, he'd break through to Tier Five within half a month—just through regular cultivation alone. Not even the prodigies from the major powers could match that kind of growth rate.

Lucian grinned. "Of course. I'm a genius."

Elvira rolled her eyes. "Too bad you're still weak. I could completely crush you in a fight, and I'm also Tier Four."

Lucian scratched his head. "That's… not entirely fair, is it?"

"It is," she replied without hesitation. "When I was your age, I was training while fighting. My power was honed through battle. You've got talent, but you don't know how to use it."

"You can cast multiple spells instantly without cooldown, right? With that alone, you could've overwhelmed the Tier Five Furious Bear. Just aim twenty Flashbolts directly at its eyes, and it's game over. Even if it survived, it'd be half-blind and helpless."

Lucian nodded in reluctant agreement. It sounded simple in theory, but hitting a raging bear's eyeballs—each barely the size of a fist—while it was charging like a beast out of hell? That was easier said than done.

It was like giving someone the perfect sniper rifle, then asking them to land a headshot at a thousand meters… without teaching them how to shoot.

Elvira chuckled. "That's why real combat is the fastest way to grow stronger."

"And judging by how your body changed after killing the Furious Bear, I'd say defeating beasts helps you strengthen your physique too. For someone like you, fighting is the best form of training."

Lucian was quietly impressed. For all her fiery bravado, Elvira was unexpectedly observant and thoughtful.

"So," she continued, "you'll be doing combat training from now on. I've set up an array—it'll keep you safe. No monsters from outside will interfere, and the ones inside are handpicked to match your level."

"I kept the Furious Bear's core for you, but I want you to fight as you are now—Tier Four. It'll help you consolidate your foundation."

Lucian nodded firmly. "Got it!"

He followed Elvira deep into the forest, where a massive magic array spread across a kilometer-wide clearing. Several glowing cages stood within, each holding a different magical beast.

"The monsters inside are Tier Four and Tier Five. Once you kill one, another will be released after half a sandglass," Elvira explained. "There are also three Tier Six beasts. You can choose whether to fight them or not."

"To release one, just channel your mana into the cage. The seal will disengage automatically."

"I expect you to defeat all monsters under Tier Six before I get back," she added, arms crossed.

Lucian glanced at the caged beasts—some were even trembling in fear—and grinned. "No problem."

If he could take down a Tier Seven-class Furious Bear, these shouldn't be too difficult.

"Good." Elvira turned to leave, but a few seconds later, she swooped back down and pulled Lucian toward her. She tapped a finger to his forehead, leaving a glowing red flame-shaped sigil between his brows.

Lucian touched the mark. "What's this for?"

"Just a safety measure," Elvira said with a grin. "You're my savior, after all. I can't let you die before I decide whether to marry you."

Lucian's breath caught in his throat. He clenched a fist, determination blazing in his eyes. "Don't worry—I'm not dying anytime soon!"

Elvira chuckled, satisfied, then soared into the sky and vanished into the clouds.

Lucian sighed as he watched her disappear. "Flying really is amazing… Alright, let's get to work!"

"Gujyu!" Nobu bounced off his head with a cheerful squeak.

Lucian laughed. "You want to fight beside me?"

"Let's do this!"

Once Elvira was gone, the magical beasts in the cages began to stir. Even the three Tier Six creatures started ramming their cages in frustration, though the barriers held firm against their efforts.

Seconds later, one of the cages opened, releasing a long, sinewy lizard with blue scales and a forked tongue.

Lucian wasted no time.

[Appraisal: Blue Venom Lizard – Tier Three, Poison Attribute Beast.]

He nodded, then used his copy ability—not to replicate a spell this time, but to analyze the lizard's innate abilities.

Only two spells: Tier One [Venomous Bite], and Tier Three [Azure Poison Mist].

Lucian decided to copy [Azure Poison Mist]. Extra spells were always useful.

The lizard hissed warily, sensing Lucian's superior mana. Instead of fighting, it tried to bolt.

But Lucian was already casting.

"Flashbolt—thirty times!"

A barrage of searing white light burst forth, blanketing the area around the lizard. It let out a final screech before collapsing, its charred body crumpling into the grass.

Lucian felt a slight enhancement in his physical body.

One down.

Five minutes later, the next cage opened. Out came a creature resembling a large monkey.

[Appraisal: Rock Ape – Tier Three, Earth Attribute Beast.]

It possessed two spells: Tier One [Stone Toss], and Tier Three [Rock Smash].

Lucian copied [Rock Smash]. Thick stone gauntlets formed around his fists, heavy and powerful.

"Perfect. This one'll be good for melee practice."

But the Rock Ape had seen what happened to the last monster. It shrieked, vaulted ten meters into the air, and sprang into the trees—clearly not interested in fighting.

"Hey, get back here!" Lucian shouted, chasing after it.

The forest became a blur as man and monkey began a frantic chase. The Rock Ape proved to be annoyingly agile, using its tail and limbs to swing through the canopy while flinging rocks back at Lucian.

"Damn monkey! Come down and fight!"

Lucian had hoped for melee training, but the Rock Ape had other plans.

"Razorbind!"

Twin magic circles appeared at his waist, launching steel chains with pointed tips that embedded into distant tree trunks. Lucian activated the retraction mechanism and launched himself forward—

"Wooo—Wait! Oh crap—"

Thud!

He slammed into a tree with a loud grunt. No serious damage, but enough to leave his arms numb. Above, the Rock Ape hooted and mocked him.

Lucian groaned. The idea had come from an anime—a kind of 3D maneuver gear that let characters fly through forests with style. His execution, though…

"Alright then," he muttered, eyes narrowing. "If anime can do it, so can I."

He summoned a spell to act as a propulsion system.

Tier Three – [Blastfire Orb]!

Then another to reduce body weight and improve agility—[Spatial Slow]!

A crimson circle appeared behind him, blasting a jet of flame and propelling him forward with surprising force.

"Oh yeah," Lucian grinned. "Now we're talking."