There were hundreds of Low-rank Fire Spirits for Vaan to choose from, but he wasn't sure which one would be the most suited for him.

Some Fire Spirits took on various forms of aerial creatures like eagles, hawks, crows, and phoenixes. Others took on the forms of ground creatures like salamanders, tigers, and cats.

There were many forms of Fire Spirits.

But regardless of whether they were aerial or ground Fire Spirits, they were all capable of flight, which didn't surprise Vaan.

They were Fire Spirits, after all.

"If you're interested in entering a contract with this person, come closer to him. He will choose one among you to be his spirit companion," Flamewing instructed, thinking it would help narrow down the options for Vaan to decide.

Naturally, the Fire Spirits were all interested.

However, even if they were all Low-rank Fire Spirits, they also have their differences in character and express different levels of eagerness.

Flamewing figured Vaan could decide based on how they reacted.

Without surprise, the Low-rank Fire Spirits all became excited and rushed toward Vaan with frenzied excitement after learning he was willing to contract one of them.

Many Fire Spirits didn't hesitate to push and shove others to get ahead of everyone. But, at the same time, some were also more considerate and tried not to bump into anyone.

Nevertheless, it was a chaotic rush.

Vaan watched as one of the Fire Spirits, a mountain bluebird, which stood at the front of the race, fell all the way to the very back.

Every time the mountain bluebird got knocked over or pushed aside, it would try to get back into the race, only to be pushed and knocked aside by others again.

After dozens of shoving and pushing, the mountain bluebird felt defeated. It turned its back to the others and slowly flew back toward the black pyramid's entrance dispiritedly.

Its strength was, more or less, the same as the other Low-rank Fire Spirits. But because of its gentle nature, it couldn't compete with any of them.

That said, the mountain bluebird wasn't the only Fire Spirit with a gentle nature. Even so, it was the only one to fall far behind until it hit dead last in the race.

It could be said that it was very unlucky.

Vaan's powerful sense captured the actions of every Fire Spirit in the race. However, only the Fire Spirit with the mountain bluebird form caught his interest.

He felt like its situation was very relatable.

"Have you decided which Fire Spirit you want to contract?" Flamewing asked after noticing Vaan's smile.

"Yeah," Vaan nodded and pointed to the leaving Fire Spirit. "I pick the one leaving in the far back."

"Are you sure?" Flamewing quickly asked with astonishment before adding, "That one seems to be the weakest Fire Spirit out of them."

"Weakest? Perhaps," Vaan acknowledged with a nod before stubbornly saying, "But that's the one I want."

He did not deny that kindness was a form of weakness. But it could also become a form of strength.

It just so happens that the mountain bluebird didn't get the chance to prove itself.

He had also been in the same situation.

Because of the uniqueness of his Heaven-Swallowing Physique, he couldn't cultivate his aura like every other aura user.

But did that mean his talent was poor and he was destined for mediocrity?

Definitely not.

He just needed the right conditionthe right opportunity to utilize his innate talent to its fullest potential.

That's why he decided he would also give the mountain bluebird an opportunity. Who knows, maybe it will also give him a pleasant surprise.

"Very well," Flamewing acknowledged Vaan's will before calling the dispirited Fire Spirit back.

After the dispirited Fire Spirit learned it had been chosen, it appeared stunned with disbelief. Even when it was brought in front of Vaan, it remained petrified.

"Well, little one, want to become my spirit companion?"

Only after Vaan asked a question did the Fire Spirit finally snap back to reality and become overjoyed. It flapped its wings around him, expressing its willingness to form a contract with him.

Ding!

<A Low-rank Fire Spirit wishes to enter a Spirit Contract with you>

<Do you accept? Y/N>

'Yes!" Vaan willed.

Shortly after he accepted the Spirit Contract, a spirit link was immediately formed between him and the mountain bluebird-type Fire Spirit.

Ding!

<The Spirit Contract has been established>

<You have acquired your third contracted spirit>

<The contracted spirit tab has been updated>

Contracted Spirits

First Spirit: Topaz (Named Spirit) (Earth Spirit)

True Name: Topaz

Nickname: Tia

Given Name: Tatiana

Spirit Rank: Early-High rank (Low-level Rank 4 equivalent)

Contracted Magic 1: [Telepathy (You can commute with other earth spirits)]

Contracted Magic 2: [Earth Manipulation (Power Limit: Low-level Rank 3 (One rank lower than contracted spirit))]

Contracted Magic 3: [Earth Transmutation (Transmutation Limit: Low-level Rank 3 materials (One rank lower than contracted spirit))]

Mana Capacity: 674/675

...

Second Spirit: Emerald (Named Spirit) (Wood Spirit)

True Name: Emerald

Nickname: Emmy

Given Name: Esmeralda

Spirit Rank: Peak-Mid rank (Peak-level Rank 3 equivalent)

Contracted Magic 1: [Telepathy (You can commute with other earth spirits)]

Contracted Magic 2: [Wood Manipulation (Power Limit: Peak-level Rank 2 (One rank lower than contracted spirit))]

Contracted Magic 3: [Plant Compendium (Recreation Limit: Peak-level Rank 2 (One rank lower than contracted spirit))]

Mana Capacity: 549/549

Third Spirit: Fire Spirit (Unnamed Spirit)

Spirit Rank: Peak-Low rank ( Peak-level Rank 2 equivalent)

Unique Talent: Unknown (Unawakened)

Contracted Magic 1: [Telepathy (You can commute with other fire spirits)]

Contracted Magic 2: [Fire Manipulation (Power Limit: Peak-level Rank 1 (One rank lower than contracted spirit))]

Mana Capacity: 220/249

After checking the Fire Spirit's status tab, Vaan knew he had made the right choice.

Although the Fire Spirit was much weaker than his first two contracted spirits, it possessed something the other two did not: a unique talent, albeit unawakened.

At the very least, the system managed to detect it.

(Nooo! This isn't fair. Why wasn't I chosen? I was first too)

(Aww, if I knew it, I wouldn't have tried so hard to race.)

(Well, we can still have our chances with the dragon lords)

(Oh, yeah The dragon lords)

Meanwhile, Vaan also heard the other Fire Spirits' complaints and didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

He kind of felt bad for the dragon lords.