It's been two months since I went through evolution. Since then, I've been fully focused on training my abilities, especially mana manipulation and soul creation. People might argue, "Creating beings to fight for you is immoral." But honestly? I don't care. I never wanted anyone to fight for me. My strength is enough to handle myself. Still, I have to admit that my shadow army is both effective and impressive. After all, who wouldn't want that kind of power at their side?
Plus, I wouldn't want to become dependent on the ability to die instantly. It would be too easy, too boring. Where's the challenge, where's the fun in that? That's why I started thinking about a different way to fight-about how to create true allies who would stand by my side not as tools, but as beings with an existence of their own. If I can create souls, why can't I create beings from the ground up? Ones that would be both maximally effective and immensely powerful?
The first creature I want to create is a dog... or rather a wolf. Wolves are majestic, strong and proud. After all, they say a dog is man's best friend, so why shouldn't a wolf be? A wolf that would not only be a loyal companion, but a powerful friend. I've long toyed with the idea of making a sidekick. Despite my immense power, I don't want to be alone. Yes, I could find a girlfriend or even someone to confide in. But to tell someone the truth about who and what I really am? That's a risk I'm not willing to take just yet. So if I create my own companion, I can travel with him across the omniverse without any complications.
I know I have Rachel, but she's not material. At least not yet…
It's been three months since I decided to create a 100% companion. A lot has changed in that time. Rudy finally showed up, and he's already showing off his magical powers. He recently broke a wall with his medium water magic. When I saw that, I just sighed in my mind. "This is supposed to be medium magic? This is so pathetic... with one finger, I could demolish an entire house like it was never there."
I know I shouldn't be thinking like this, but I'm starting to realize I'm getting a little arrogant. So what? Still, I have to admit, for a regular guy his age, Rudy's performance is admirable. There's something special about him... something that makes me root for him.
In a month or two, Rudy and I will be four years old. And that's when the Roxy should be coming up. I think it's time to move on. After all, Roxy can be sensitive to mana. If I wanted to create my wolf here, she could sense it. Sure, I could create a barrier to hide all the magical signatures, but I don't want to risk messing anything up. I'm not infallible, and I've barely practiced barriers. So tonight, I will finally create a friend who will always be by my side... or in my shadow.
As darkness fell and night enveloped the landscape in its velvet veil, the candlelight still flickered in my room. The fire flickered gently in the night breeze that came through the open window. The flame seemed to dance as if it had a life of its own.
"Rachel, please check the state of the soul I am about to create. I don't want anything to happen to it. If anything is amiss, intervene immediately. Do you understand?"
As soon as Rachel answered, black flames with a red tinge shot out of my hand. They didn't burn, but they were gently warm. The flames spread up my arm and then began to whip to the ground where they began to form. A sudden gust of wind rushed through the window into the room and immediately extinguished the candle. Darkness filled the room, but it didn't throw me off balance in the slightest.
A silhouette slowly began to form from the black flames on the ground. At first it was vague, almost ethereal, but with each passing second it became more and more defined. Soon it was clear that it was a wolf. A wolf that commanded both respect and awe. A wolf whose presence could frighten anyone. And yet... he was beautiful. His form was reminiscent of the night itself.
"Rachel, how does it look? Is everything all right?" I wanted to make sure before I joined soul to body.
That was the only answer I needed. At that moment, I focused on moving the soul. My eyes glowed with a red light and something powerful-even sacred-shot from my hand. A golden orb of light, resembling a screen of destiny, floated up and slowly merged with my newly formed body. The moment the soul merged with matter, the wolf body dissolved into darkness. And I uttered a single word:
"Arise!"
The word cut through the night like lightning. It was authoritative, implacable. An order that had to be obeyed. And it was. The darkness wavered and began to take shape. Out of it rose a huge wolf, nearly two metres tall. Once fully materialized, it bowed its head to its master.
"From now on, your name is Kurayami... I'll call you Kuray."
The wolf wagged its tail and then spoke, "Thank you, sir. I will serve you with honor."
I blinked in surprise. "You can talk? I didn't expect that... but that's amazing!" I hugged him without hesitation. Maybe I shouldn't do this since he sees me as his king... but he's my friend first and foremost. And judging by his wagging tail, he liked it.
"Kuray, can you change your size?"
The wolf barked loudly and calmly replied, "Yes, sir, I can."
I watched as his body began to shrink into a smaller and more compact form.
"Okay. Now go back to my shadow and stay there until I tell you." Kuray crouched down and in an instant was lost in my darkness. Smiling, I collapsed into bed. Tonight I created something amazing…
I stared at the ceiling. "So, having successfully created a living being today. If I can call it that. Even though I already have millions of other entities in my shadow army, with this one I could multiply their number. I'll leave it alone for now, but in the future... who knows?" With that thought, I slowly closed my eyes and fell asleep...