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The owl wrote something else. He read: "I will only give you this opportunity once more. Make the right choice"

He was scared. If he lost this opportunity that came to him like fate, wouldn't he go straight to his grave after dodging the reaper once already?! He hardened his expression. It might be a test too…but he couldn't risk it. If he truly lost this… He spoke: "I will do it, brother owl"

The owl nodded and went forward, closer to him.

There were three types of contracts that a beast tamer could use:

1) Complete Taming: It meant that the beast bowed down to its owner completely and would forever obey whatever his orders were, even if it led to its death. It was also a binding contract in the sense that if the tamer died, the beast would die along with him. It was mostly used on the weaker beasts or by the cultivators who feared their enemies would steal their beasts if they died…It was a horrible kind of contract that forced the beast to serve its new owner like a slave until it died or the owner died.

2) Friendly Contract: It was the same as the previous one except that the beast wouldn't die if the cultivator died. It would be freed once again. This was the contract most beast tamers used as it made it easier to build a relationship of trust with the tamed beast. A beast wasn't a stupid being, it knew when one treated it crudely. And while it would obey orders, he would obey them however he wished. So, it was better to have a good relationship with one's tamed beast. And that's why this was the kind of contract most cultivators favored.

3) Equal's Contract: This was a kind of contract different from the other two. Neither of the two parties would be forced to do anything and neither would die if the other died. They would feel a slight rebound but nothing life-threatening. What it did was link the beast and the tamer, as if a mutual acknowledgement of partnership. It bound them to become partners and enables them to have the usual link to communicate with each other mentally. But that was it. A contract to acknowledge being 'friends' or 'partners'

It was only used on beasts at the apex, those who failed to evolved into sentients but still stood at the top and had the brains that went with it.

What this owl wanted was to make an equal's contract… It meant that he would never be able to control it. But it also meant that the owl would be deemed as 'his' to anyone else and no one could see the kind of contract that had been signed. He would earn this genius beast as his partner. It was a great benefit regardless of how he looked at it. Every angle pointed to profits, survival and brighter future.

He saw the owl pointing its wings forward with a glimpse of spiritual energy condensed at the tip. He marveled at the sight. This owl was a genius amongst geniuses when it came to spiritual beasts! It actually knew how to initiate a taming contract!

He didn't waste any more time and extended his own hand. Both a wing and a hand came into contact with each other as spiritual energy began to intertwine. They sent their own energy through the other and received the other's energy inside themselves. It was an exchange and a way to symbolize the acceptance. Then, after a few minutes, a connection was bridged between the two of them and the contract was formed.

A tattoo appeared on the back of its hand. An eye within the cover of two wings, fully colored black. This was the proof of the beast tamer. This was the proof that a contract had been created. And now, he could feel a mental link with the owl. However, before he could marvel any longer, he heard a high-pitched glassy voice inside its head.

"Test, test, can you hear this owl, young one?"

He jumped in fright. Well, he couldn't move so, it was only a spasm motion that happened. Still, the surprise was real. He didn't expect the owl to actually be capable of speech. One had to know that only peak existences could do so when it came to spiritual beasts. They mostly shared their emotions as a way to communicate. Something that made many tamers go bald from stress…

He was stunned in place for longer than he thought since the owl seemed to think it didn't work as it said: "Is this thing not working?"

He hurriedly spoke before the owl had the wrong idea: "I can hear you, brother owl!"

The owl nodded as it said: "Oh, good! We can start to discuss our partnership further then!"

Partnership? He was quite puzzled about what this owl was talking about… How was it so smart and knowledgeable anyways?

…

Finally.

After having been born for close to two years now, he had the opportunity to speak once again. Thanks to the equal's contract, one could share his thoughts mentally with the other. It was all thanks to the link created through it. With high hopes, and trying not to mess his act, he tentatively spoke for the first time in this new life:

"Test, test, can you hear this owl, young one?"

There was no response. The kid was staring at him with a blank look. Did he actually remember the way to contract wrong? Had he fried up the poor kid's brain instead? This would be a shame if it was true. He would probably wouldn't be able to find another pushover like this guy in days maybe weeks…

Or, maybe it was him that had failed? He couldn't understand owl speech back then so, could it be he also lost the ability to speak human? He began to grow irritated, frowning in anger. As much as an owl could frown at least. In its anger, he grumbled inside the link: "Is this thing not working?"

Then, the kid regained his spirit and told him he could hear him. He was so delighted that he could finally exchange with someone that he completely broke his act of a mysterious powerful senior as he spoke his true thoughts without filter: "Oh, good! We can start to discuss our partnership further then!"

He thought he had fucked up but the kid remained silent. Wait, wasn't that proof that he failed? He tried to think of a way to retake control of his act. Before he could, the kid spoke: "Can you really help me, brother owl?"

Brother Owl… Since the start, it had felt slightly weird to be called so. He had a name after all. Yeah, he had…Maybe he should just embrace a new identity with this new life? What was the point of keeping his previous name anyways? It wouldn't bring any benefits. Still, he was quite attached to it… For now, he would leave this question aside. He would think about it later. There were more pressing matters.

He puffed out his chest as he answered the kid: "Indeed, young one! This Owl does not lie! I can help you take revenge!"

The kid was still in a weakened state but his looks showed that he was excited. This was promising. He would be able to scam this pushover easily. This youth with sparkling stars in his eyes had no idea he fell for his trick. He was giggling to himself at the mere thoughts of scamming all those kids and securing a stable supply of goods.

That's when the kid said something that nearly made him fall: "So, brother owl, what will you give me?! A super strong cultivation technique?! Or maybe, an extremely powerful spiritual treasure?!"

He wondered if this kid had been hit too hard in the head. What cultivation technique? What spiritual treasure? You only get to have this scamming owl!

Obviously, he wouldn't dampen the spirits of his newly acquired minion. He needed the kid to remain enthusiastic and positive about their relationship. An equal's contract also had its downside, it was a double-edged sword. The fact that both parties could break it at any given time was a true danger. It was a risk he was willing to take though. He had to enter the cultivator society if he wanted to grow further.

So, he answered the kid in a way that would please him: "Better than that, young one! I will teach and train you until we reach the apex together!"

The kid was grinning like never before. No one could have guessed from his delighted expression that he had been beaten up minutes ago. Unless masochists happened to pass by…

As for the owl, he was grinning too. He had found the perfect idiot to lead him to new heights. Now, he only needed to make sure he kept a tight leash around his neck.

They were both rejoicing at the turns of events.