DxD: The Devil

Familiar Forest (2)

---

"Are you sure you want this?" the Familiar Master, Zatoshi, asked me. One could hear the uncertainty in his voice.

I looked at the multicolored slime—or rather, slimes—in front of me.

Yeah. I had learned about slimes' energy conductivity, and I was planning to borrow a certain mob technique.

There were many slimes before me, each a different color. Some shimmered with rainbow hues, while others were pitch black.

"Zatoshi, tell me about these slimes. I know the major facts, but I'm looking for more insider information."

Zatoshi smirked. "Well, these slimes are some of the weakest monsters in the Familiar Forest. They're gelatinous lifeforms without a fixed shape, meaning they can be molded into anything. Their colors represent their elemental compatibility. For example—"

He pointed at the green slimes.

"The green ones are the nasty bunch; they can dissolve things. The red ones have a flame attribute, and so on. The rainbow ones possess all seven attributes, making them one of the rarest types, while the black ones can absorb things."

I narrowed my eyes at those last words.

"Dissolve and absorb?"

"Yeah. The green ones can dissolve things, though most are weak enough to only dissolve clothing or small pebbles. The black ones, on the other hand, can absorb things and store them."

I nodded.

"They're also incredibly durable," Zatoshi added.

Another nod.

"So, which one would you like to become your familiar?"

What a stupid question.

"All of them."

"All of them!?" Zatoshi exclaimed in shock. "How are you planning to take all of them as your familiars?"

"...They'll fuse together into one."

"Huh? Is that even possible?"

"Aren't you the Familiar Master?"

"Well, I am, but these slimes can't communicate physically, and—why would I research slimes?"

He placed an odd emphasis on physically.

"Let me make a familiar pact with them."

"I've never seen a devil take a slime as a familiar before," Zatoshi muttered.

El Cid, who had remained silent through the exchange, finally spoke. "Even if you take these slimes, I think you should find another familiar—one that complements your clan trait or serves another purpose."

I nodded. "We'll search for another familiar after this."

El Cid nodded in approval.

I turned my attention back to the slimes.

"Are you all ready to become my familiar?"

The slimes jumped in excitement.

"But before that, can you all fuse together? It would be much easier that way."

From what I had studied, slimes could divide themselves to create new slimes, so it stood to reason that they could fuse as well… right?

As soon as I spoke, the slimes leaped toward one another, merging instantly. No magic circles, no complicated spells—just a simple, natural process.

In an instant, I was left with a single blue slime.

It reminded me of a certain other slime from a different world…

"Okay, let's do this."

A magic circle appeared in my palms as I placed my hand over the slime.

[Contractual Magic]

I felt the bond form between us, threading into our very souls. My understanding of lifeforce allowed me to see it—the string of magic and vitality connecting me to the slime.

I would analyze this magic further once I returned home.

This is going to be fun.

'Greetings, Master.'

A voice echoed in my mind. I already knew who it was.

'Hello. What is your name?'

'I do not possess a name, Master.'

I looked at the slime, thinking for a moment.

"Your name will be Mochi."

The slime emitted a faint glow, and I felt our bond deepen.

'Thank you, Master.'

"Congratulations! You're officially the first devil to make a slime your familiar!"

I smirked.

'Can I come with you, Master?'

'Of course.'

Mochi shrank down and jumped onto me. Its texture felt strange at first, but nothing I couldn't get used to. It slipped beneath my clothes, settling in.

"Congratulations, Lord Vael," El Cid—Vivar—said.

"Thank you, Vivar. Now, let's search for another familiar."

I used to call El Cid by his middle name, Vivar—the name I was most familiar with.

"What do you want next?" Zatoshi asked, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "Considering your clan trait, what about something like—"

And so, Zatoshi continued shouting ideas.

--

"So, this is where the Phantom Wolves are found?"

We were deep into the forest, far enough that the air felt heavier, charged with something unseen. We couldn't go too deep, disturbing the Chaos Dragon would be a grave mistake.

Zatoshi nodded. "Their species are rather mysterious. They are said to be wolves capable of phasing in and out of reality."

I narrowed my eyes. "Reality, you say?"

"Yeah. I haven't seen too much of them myself, but that's what the records say."

I turned to El Cid, the ever-stoic knight at my side. "Can you help me sense them?"

He smirked slightly, as if expecting the question. "I could but consider this a test for you."

Of course, he'd say that.

Sigh. I dropped into a lotus position, closing my eyes and slowing my breath. I let my awareness stretch outward, feeling the pulse of lifeforce energy threading through the land. The towering trees, the creatures lurking beyond sight—each flickered against my senses like stars in a vast sky. I molded my own energy, thinning it into delicate threads, weaving them outward like a spider spinning its web.

Time passed. Then—there. A presence. Something strong. Not overwhelming, but refined, controlled. A beast with great potential.

My eyes snapped open. I met El Cid's gaze, no words needed between us. He gave the barest nod of approval before I launched myself toward the west, wings unfurling in a sharp, fluid motion.

FLAP.

The wind roared in my ears as I shot through the dense forest canopy. Below, the towering trees blurred, the scent of damp earth rising to meet me. Within moments, I reached the place where I had sensed the lifeforce. I hovered for a moment, scanning the area before drifting down, the thick foliage swallowing me whole.

And that's when I saw it.

Not a Phantom Wolf.

A massive panther—midnight-black, its sleek fur rippling with every movement like liquid shadow. Silver runes pulsed faintly along its body, shifting ever so slightly, as though alive. And then—those eyes. Violet. Glowing. Unblinking. They locked onto mine, and for a fleeting moment, I felt the space between us distort.

I felt the surrounding morph and before I knew it, the panther's claw was seven meters away from my neck. 

'Illusion huh'

I grinned, 

My clan trait- my power flaring. 

--

Author's Note: Just so you all know, we still don't know Vael's clan trait or hell even his full capability, but next chapter might reveal some of it.

The plot has yet to truly begun for our dear Beleth. 

Throw me dem stones.