Chapter 16: Training a Trickster
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I had questions.
A lot of questions.
Like—
<ol>
<li>What the hell was an Eldritch Beast Tamer?</li>
<li>Why did my system think I needed another smart-mouthed, reality-breaking companion?</li>
<li>Why was Noctis still grinning like he knew all my secrets?</li>
</ol>
Nyx hummed in my mind, her tone unimpressed. "Your new pet is insufferable."
Noctis flicked his tail, lazily floating midair. "Pet? Oh, darling blade, I am so much more than that."
I sighed, rubbing my temples. "I already regret this."
<hr>
Understanding the Class
The system finally gave me an answer.
<blockquote>
[CLASS: ELDRITCH BEAST TAMER]
Allows the user to form contracts with creatures beyond mortal comprehension. Each beast grants unique abilities, but beware—eldritch beings have their own wills and motives.
</blockquote>
I frowned. "Wait… so does that mean Noctis could refuse to listen to me?"
Noctis stretched, yawning. "Hmm. I could… but where’s the fun in that?"
Nyx scoffed. "Meaning he will listen only when it amuses him."
I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Great. Just what I needed. A sentient loophole."
<hr>
Training Begins (and Goes Immediately Wrong)
I dragged Noctis to a secluded training ground outside the academy walls, away from prying eyes.
"Alright," I said, cracking my knuckles. "Let’s see what you can actually do."
Noctis grinned. "Oh, we’ll have so much fun, master."
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
<blockquote>
[ABILITIES UNLOCKED: NOCTIS]
1. Starless Step – Allows the user to vanish into the void and reappear unpredictably.
2. Eldritch Whispers – Inflicts mild insanity upon enemies, confusing them.
3. Reality Flicker – Distorts perception, making attacks and movement unpredictable.
</blockquote>
I nodded slowly. "Okay, that’s actually useful."
Noctis’s tail flicked. "You doubted me?"
I pointed at him. "You literally tried to sell me a ‘mystery deal’ five minutes after being summoned."
He grinned wider. "The offer still stands."
<hr>
Testing Abilities
I started with Starless Step.
"Alright, teleport somewhere."
Noctis flickered out of existence.
I waited.
And waited.
"...Noctis?"
A voice whispered directly in my ear.
"Behind you, master~"
I jumped as Noctis reappeared, casually lounging on my shoulder.
Nyx laughed. "I like this one now."
I glared. "That was completely unnecessary."
Noctis smirked. "Oh, but it was fun."
<hr>
Next was Eldritch Whispers.
"Try it on something that isn’t me," I warned.
Noctis lazily waved a paw. The energy shimmered around a nearby tree.
The tree… screamed.
I took a slow step back. "Nope. Nope, absolutely not. Turn it off."
Noctis chuckled, and the whispers faded. "You should’ve seen your face, master."
"I hate you."
"You love me."
<hr>
Finally, we tested Reality Flicker.
Noctis blurred.
Then split into six copies of himself, each one laughing in a different pitch.
I swung Nyx at one—
My sword passed through empty air.
A dozen Noctises laughed at once. "Too slow, master!"
I took a deep breath. "I am going to kill you."
"Ah, but then you’d lose me. And let’s be honest…"
The copies all flickered back into one, sitting smugly at my feet.
"You’d miss me."
I groaned.
I was never going to get a normal companion, was I?
<hr>
The (Mostly) Final Verdict
After a few more hours of training—and several existential crises later—I sat on a rock, exhausted.
Noctis curled beside me, looking far too pleased with himself.
Nyx, still in her humanoid form, leaned against a tree, watching us with mild amusement. "He is useful, at least."
I sighed. "Yeah, if I can get him to take anything seriously."
Noctis purred. "Oh, master. I take everything seriously. I just prefer to have fun doing it."
I groaned. "We’re going to die."
Noctis grinned. "And what a glorious death it will be!"
I was so doomed.
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