Abilities

Mateus followed the guard captain through the base in resignation. First he was taken to the sign in office, where he reported his name and background. The worker looked up his government file, reprinted his lost documents, and finished the enlistment.

Next he was sent to the general quartermaster to collect a standard uniform for new recruits. Boots, a knife, a starched shirt and camouflage jacket with pants. Mateus asked about getting a different weapon, and was told that those were distributed after the examination of his body and contracts was completed. It made sense - different abilities manifest in different ways, and it's impossible to have a weapon that suits everyone.

Finally the captain led Mateus into the examination area. It was large, and extremely well equipped, with three machines to assess Spirit Beasts. The first size had an examination area of around a meter square, the second was five meters square, the last was big enough to fit six trucks.

"Now, kid, let's get a look at your Companions." The captain said with a fierce grin. Clearly he had been looking forward to this.

"Right." Mateus said calmly, and the captain glared at him sharply. "I mean, yes sir." Raising his hand, Mateus called the pretty bird out of his wrist.

She sat on his hand, staring around silently, trembling in both anticipation and fear. This place was so foreign to her, and depending on what that strange machine decided, her future with Mateus would irrevocably change.

With a soft gaze and gentle thoughts, Mateus coaxed her into the examination area of the smallest machine. As the operator started it up, the pretty bird shivered in worry. Thirty seconds later the results were out. The operator took them and started reading them to Mateus and the captain.

"This is a young Atavistic Sparkling. Instead of being inclined to either Fire or electricity, this one is predisposed to ice and wind, with a touch of season. Through a comprehensive cultivation, we can expect this bird to develop into a strong control type combatant. For the moment, her abilities can be listed as Minor Flight, Minor Breeze, Chill Shot and Peace Song. Of these abilities, only Chill Shot does not rely on the bird's physical biology to activate, and can be shared. The Essence upkeep is 5 general units."

"Almost useless, but there is potential for great usefulness in future. Put it away and bring out the next." The captain ordered, and Mateus called his pretty bird back. He comforted her for a moment, before withdrawing her into the tattoo, and called out Endorphin.

The arrogant Roobit glared at the captain in a huff and didn't wait before stalking over to the medium machine and hopping into the examination area.

The operator worked for a moment, and five minutes later the results were out. The larger machine look longer because there was more to examine in larger Spirit Beasts, which is also why the machines come with built in sizes. Casually the operator announced the results.

"A juvenile hybrid Tinsureal (Roobit) of the Angora genus. It has no element affinities, and is unlikely to develop any. It's current abilities are Mating Call, Resistance Coat, Alpha Stare, Claw Boxing, Strong Kick and Marathon Hopping. When it reaches adulthood it can be used as a mount to some extent, and the Angora coat can be sold to make excellent equipment. The only abilities that can be shared are Alpha Stare and Mating Call. The Essence upkeep is 8 general units."

"An ordinary non-combatant beast. With Mating Call you could get a job at the Breeding Base, and sell its shed fur, but otherwise it's useless. Next." The captain evaluated, and the arrogant Roobit glared at him coldly, demonstrating his Alpha Stare. Sadly the captain was not impressed, and Mateus called him back to the tattoo before trouble could start.

With a careful thought, Mateus tried to call out the Alpha. Looking into the tattoo, he watched as the chain on its collar lengthened, and then he appeared by his side. The collar and chain were still in place, connected securely to Mateus' leg.

Seeing this, the captain widened his eyes in surprise. "A Dominated Beast! No wonder you didn't want to show your tattoos. However, it's not too unusual in the guards, and you don't need to hide it." The captain snorted, looking at the young pair in front of him.

"To examine a Dominated Beast, the Master needs to step into the machine as well." The operator announced briefly, and Mateus complied, leading the Alpha into the medium machine. Thankfully the space was big enough.

At first the operator thought everything was ordinary, but after five minutes when he saw the result he started trembling in shock.

"It's an Alpha?!?"