I want to be a Necromancer!

(Where are the skeletons that were fighting them? Were they killed?) Azrael thought as he slowly backed away, raising his hands slightly, just below chest level, signaling that he meant no harm. The wolves seemed to understand and focused on their leader, attempting to wake it.

Moments later, the skeleton warriors who had been fighting the wolves earlier returned.

"What happened to all of you?" Azrael asked.

The skeleton warriors remained silent, their gaze shifting toward the wolves surrounding their leader.

"What? Why are you all looking at them?" Azrael asked, confused.

The skeletons began moving closer to the wolves.

"Hey! Where are you all going?" Azrael called out. "Come back here!" he commanded, making the skeletons pause and look back at him.

"What? You want me to help them? Are you crazy?" Azrael asked in disbelief.

One skeleton suddenly spoke and said, "Master, they mean no harm to us. They were struck with fear when they sensed your mana."

Azrael was shocked—he could now truly understand the skeletons.

"What do you mean they're scared? Their leader literally tried to kill me!" Azrael replied incredulously.

The skeleton remained silent, standing still and staring at its master.

"Okay, fine. We'll help," Azrael said reluctantly.

The skeletons approached the wolves with their leader. It looks like they're communicating with each other.

(Are they communicating?) Azrael wondered, (this is interesting they can understand each other) Azrael said to himself

The skeleton that had been talking to the wolves approached Azrael and said, "Master, the wolves are worried about their leader's state. They want our help."

"I don't know how to help them," Azrael replied.

"They said it can be done through a mana transfer, so their leader can regain some of his strength," the skeleton explained.

"Mana transfer? I don't have such skill," Azrael said.

One of the wolves approached him and glanced at the skeleton. The skeleton then said, "Master, they said they can use a mana transfer through you to help their leader."

"They'll handle the mana transfer, huh?" Azrael said as he opened the system window to check his mana status.

//=== Mana Points: 420/1300 ===\\

"I've recovered some mana, but it's still not full. Is that okay?" Azrael asked. The wolf gave a slight nod, indicating that it was.

The wolf sat down, staring at Azrael. Soon, four more wolves approached him and sat down in front of him. Puzzled by their behavior, Azrael thought he might need to sit down too, so he did.

The wolves' eyes began to emit a faint light as they let out a unified howl—the mana transfer was initiating.

Azrael felt no pain during the process but gradually became lightheaded, as though his energy was being drained—but not in an unpleasant way. After a short while, a very bright, concentrated ball of mana formed in front of the wolves.

"Master, this is the mana, concentrated and compressed into its purest form," the skeleton explained.

"Ahhh, I feel like I'm going to throw up," Azrael muttered.

//=== Mana Points: 40/1300 ===\\

The glowing mana ball floated toward the wolf leader's body and merged with it. The once-unconscious alpha wolf began to stir, regaining consciousness and attempting to stand.

The wolf leader, his vision still blurry, looked around and spotted Azrael, his opponent from earlier. A low growl of anger rumbled from his throat, but his body was too weak to act. Before his anger could escalate, the other wolves jumped on him, greeting him with joy and relief.

The wolves that had initiated the mana transfer slowly approached their leader, gently communicating what had happened and how Azrael had helped save him.

The wolf leader glanced at Azrael after hearing the information, clearly processing it. Azrael, still unsure of what they were talking about, watched as the wolf leader slowly began to walk toward him.

Azrael stayed on high alert, sensing the wolf's movement. Even his skeletons remained tense, still wary of what might happen next.

After a while the once prideful alpha wolf bows down to Azrael, following this are the other wolves bowing down to him too.

"He is thankful for what you've done, Master," the skeleton explained.

"Oh..." Azrael said, then added, "Please, you can raise your head. No need to bow down. I would help you regardless of the situation anyways."

The wolf sat down, looking at Azrael, and muttered a word. "Why did you help your enemy?" the skeleton translated for Azrael.

"Well, I was asked to help, so I did. I really don't have any deeper reason" Azrael explained.

Azrael's words seemed to strike something in the alpha wolf's heart. The wolf leader then said, "I want to make a pact with you. Please, let me make you our master," as he bowed again with his head.

The skeleton translated this to Azrael, who was taken aback. "Me, become your master?" Azrael asked in surprise. "are you sure with that?" Azrael asked, after that the wolf let out a bark signaling Azrael that it's what he wants. "I also don't know how to do that... Perhaps you know because you're the one who suggested..." Azrael sai

"I will initiate the pact binding ritual," the leader wolf said, as Azrael's skeleton translated. Which Azrael replied with a nod.

The Alpha's forehead began to glow with a circle of runes and magical symbols.

"Touch the circle, Master," the alpha wolf said, and the skeleton repeated to Azrael.

"Are you sure this is not a trap?" Azrael, still cautious, asked his skeleton troop for assurance.

"I assure you, Master, that the wolf is telling the truth," the skeleton troop replied.

Azrael then reached out and touched the glowing symbol on the alpha wolf's head. A burst of light suddenly surged; my hands, arms, and up to my shoulders lit up. I could see the veins glowing. After a moment, the symbol on the wolf leader's head faded away.

"The pact binding is complete. Thank you, Master," the alpha wolf said, catching Azrael off guard. For the first time, Azrael could actually understand the alpha wolf's words.

//===

System: You have formed a binding relationship with the Southern Maggie Wolves leader.

With this bond, you will share strength with the pack. Your mana points and attributes will increase drastically to compensate for the current changes.

Mana Points (MP): 1300 → 2000

Attributes:

Strength: 14 → 20

Agility: 18 → 26

Endurance: 13 → 19

Intelligence: 12 → 28

===\\

"Woah, I can understand you now," Azrael said in surprise.

"Haha, yes, Master, it's an honor," the alpha wolf replied.

"Wait a second! I have to ask—why did you attack me out of nowhere?" Azrael asked, still confused.

"Uhmm... it was a mistake, Master. I'm really sorry," the alpha wolf explained. "I sensed your strong mana and thought you might be a threat to the forest."

Azrael sighed. "Is my mana really that noticeable?" he asked.

"Yes, Master. It's so strong that, for a moment, I thought you were a dragon," the wolf said.

"A dragon? So it's that strong, huh?" Azrael said, rubbing the back of his head.

"Master, there's a way to hide your mana," the alpha wolf said.

"Really? How?" Azrael asked eagerly.

"For starters, you need to sit down and close your eyes," the alpha wolf explained. Azrael followed the instructions and sat down, closing his eyes.

"Now, clear your mind and focus on your inner self. Relax. Feel the magical energy flowing through your body. Once you find it, gather it into one place—like your chest—and compress it as much as you can," the alpha wolf continued.

Azrael focused, carefully following each step.

First, he cleared his mind and relaxed.

I can't feel anything yet... Okay, now I sense it! Magic energy... it's flowing through me...

After a while, Azrael found the energy within himself. He guided it to the center of his chest and compressed it as hard as he could.

The forest was completely silent as Azrael opened his eyes, looking at the alpha wolf and his skeletons.

"Wow! I feel so different now. That was amazing!" Azrael said with a grin.

"It's because earlier, your mana was overleaking. You weren't controlling it, which is why I sensed your presence in the first place," the alpha wolf explained.

"Thank you for teaching me that," Azrael said, feeling grateful.

"Oh no, Master, it's the least I could do, especially after everything you did for me," the alpha wolf replied with a respectful nod.

Azrael looked up at the sky. "It's getting late. I should head home now," he said.

"Don't worry, Master. We'll stay here in the forest and wait for you to come back," the alpha wolf replied.

"Alright, I'll be back tomorrow. Where should I find you?" Azrael asked.

"I can sense you as soon as you enter the forest, Master. I'll come to you instead," the alpha wolf said confidently.

"Got it" Azrael said with a small smile. "See you tomorrow. Goodbye."

Using Soul Traversal, Azrael left, following the trail of skeletons he'd left behind to guide his way out of he forest.

Exiting the forest, Azrael unsummoned the skeletons, sending them back to his inventory, and made his way home.