Ben nodded.
"Now sit cross-legged and close your eyes."
"Try to feel the celestial energy flowing inside your body."
Ben nodded.
He sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes, and slowly began sensing the gentle flow of celestial energy within himself while Morbius patiently watched from the side.
Ben remained seated with his eyes closed.
Morbius nodded in satisfaction.
"Good."
"Now don’t try to force the energy to move."
"Simply observe it."
"It is already flowing through every part of your body."
Ben followed his instructions.
Soon, he could clearly sense countless streams of celestial energy moving through his body like tiny rivers.
"I can feel it," Ben said.
Morbius nodded.
"Good."
"Now guide a small portion of that energy toward your right hand."
"Don’t rush."
"Move it slowly."
Ben concentrated.
At first, the energy barely responded.
A few seconds later, it slowly began flowing toward his right arm.
When it finally reached his hand, a thin layer of white celestial energy covered his palm.
"I did it."
Morbius nodded.
"Now maintain it."
"Don’t let the energy scatter."
Ben continued focusing.
The white energy became more stable until it formed a smooth layer around his entire hand.
"Very good."
"Now do the same with your left hand."
Ben repeated the process.
This time, it was much easier.
Within a few moments, both of his hands were covered in white celestial energy.
Morbius smiled.
"You learn quickly."
"Most newly awakened people need several hours before they can even coat one hand with celestial energy."
Ben opened his eyes and looked at his glowing hands.
"It feels natural."
Morbius nodded.
"That is because your vessel is much larger than ordinary people."
"It allows you to control celestial energy more easily."
He then pointed toward the trapped white Null Slime.
"Now you’re ready."
"Walk over to it."
"Your celestial energy will protect your hands from its acidic body."
Ben stood up and slowly walked toward the circle of black flames.
The little white Null Slime looked at him cautiously, hopping back and forth inside its prison.
Ben reached out with his energy-covered hands.
This time, when he picked up the slime, the acid could no longer reach his skin.
Instead, it hissed softly as it touched the layer of celestial energy surrounding his hands.
Morbius nodded in approval.
"Good."
"Now we can begin the familiar contract."
Morbius floated closer.
"Hold it firmly, but don’t hurt it."
Ben nodded and adjusted his grip.
The little Null Slime wiggled a few times before calming down.
"Now repeat the spell exactly as I taught you."
Ben closed his eyes and recalled the knowledge that Morbius had transferred into his mind.
He slowly began chanting the contract spell.
As the final words left his mouth, the celestial energy in his body started flowing toward the slime.
A white magic circle appeared beneath Ben and another identical circle formed beneath the Null Slime.
Thin strands of white light connected the two circles.
The little slime looked around curiously but did not struggle.
Morbius watched quietly.
"Good."
"Keep supplying celestial energy."
"Don’t stop until the spell is complete."
Ben continued channeling energy into the magic circle.
The white light became brighter.
A small rune slowly appeared on the slime’s body.
At the same time, an identical rune appeared on the back of Ben’s right hand.
The two runes glowed for several seconds before fading into his skin.
The magic circles gradually disappeared.
The strands of light dissolved into countless tiny particles.
A familiar feeling appeared in Ben’s mind.
He could vaguely sense the slime’s emotions.
It was confused.
Curious.
And a little hungry.
Ben blinked.
"So... it worked?"
Morbius nodded.
"Yes."
"The contract is complete."
"You now have a second familiar."
Ben looked at the little white slime resting in his hands.
The slime bounced happily before rubbing itself against his palm.
A moment later, the system rang.
[Congratulations!]
[Familiar Contract Successful.]
[Familiar Registered.]
Name: Unnamed Null Slime
Race: Null Slime
Realm: First Stage Grey Realm
Status: Healthy
Loyalty: 100%
[You may now assign a name to your familiar.]
Ben smiled as he looked at the little slime.
The tiny creature bounced happily in his hands.
It seemed to enjoy the connection they now shared.
"I guess I should give you a name."
Ben thought for a few moments.
"You’ll be called Lumi."
The little slime immediately bounced twice as if it liked the name.
The system responded.
[Name Assigned Successfully.]
[Familiar Name: Lumi]
Ben smiled.
"Looks like you approve."
Lumi happily rubbed against Ben’s palm before sitting quietly in his hands.
Morbius glanced at the slime.
"Lumi?"
"It’s a simple name."
Ben shrugged.
"I think it suits a white slime."
Morbius nodded.
"I’ve heard much worse."
Ben laughed.
He then opened Lumi’s status screen.
[Familiar Status]
Name: Lumi
Race: Null Slime
Realm: First Stage Grey Realm
Attribute: None
Loyalty: 100%
Growth Potential: Extremely High
Skills:
Acid Body (Lv.1)
Energy Absorption (Lv.1)
Body Division (Locked)
Ben noticed the final skill.
"Body Division?"
Morbius looked at the status.
"That is a racial skill."
"Most slimes unlock it after becoming stronger."
"It allows them to divide part of their body without dying."
"It has many uses, but Lumi is still too weak to use it."
Ben nodded.
His attention then shifted back to another line on the status screen.
Growth Potential: Extremely High.
Since the system says it has extremely high growth potential, then I was right all along, Ben thought as he looked at the little slime in his hands.
Morbius looked at him.
"Now that you’ve formed the contract, let’s go back."
Ben looked at him.
"What’s the rush? I want to fight those goblins."
Morbius stared at him.
"Are you an idiot, human?"
"Why would you fight goblins for no reason?"
"Not to mention, you don’t even know how to fight properly yet."
Ben shrugged.
"I mean, I have my innate ability now."
"You said yourself that it’s powerful."
"So why not give it a try?"
Morbius thought about it for a moment before sighing.
"Fine."
"Then let’s start with celestial energy manipulation."
"If you can control your celestial energy properly, you’ll be able to use your innate ability much more efficiently."