The Little Red Man

After discussing between the four of us for a while, Cal and Ryo cleared out of the room, leaving just me and Kuro.

*Click*

I locked the door again. As I turned back around, I held up the note.

"Is this supposed to be blackmail because I can assure you, this doesn't give you as much of an upper hand on me as you think, boy."

Kuro shook his head.

"No it's not like that. I just wanted to prove to you that my source was legitimate."

"This note you gave me only has a single word on it. Obviously whoever gave it to you understands the significance of it. The question is, do you understand its meaning?"

"I'll be completely honest. I have some ideas, but I don't fully understand what it means. 'HE' told me you would get it." Kuro responded.

"That makes perfect sense. This person is smart. When I look at you, I see a total pushover, who has nothing special about him whatsoever. Back in the barracks, I thought you used some kind of ability to teleport our sleep powder, but now I know that wasn't you at all..."

I began taking off my cowl.

"...It was actually that little devil man that's hiding under the table in the corner right now."

My skeletal face was now fully exposed. Kuro's eyes got wide.

"Th-that's what the word 'skeleton' meant. I thought it was referring to skeletons in your closet or something... and w-wait, you can see HIM!"

"Of course he can see me. He and I aren't all that different from each other." The devil man responded, as he came out from under the table.

He was about two feet tall with red skin and tiny horns poking out of his black hair. He was dressed in what looked to be a ninja costume.

"I suppose you're right, devil man. To be honest though, this kid doesn't seem like the type a familiar would have any interest in making a pact with." I said.

He grinned.

"I could say the same for you. What's an undead doing as the thrall of an innocent, naive girl."

"I can't argue with that. I'm sure we both have our reasons."

"I think you and I are going to get along fine, Arno. My name is Red. Put it there."

Red laughed as he put his hand out. I grabbed it and shook it.

Kuro suddenly interjected,

"I'm still confused. How is it that he can see and hear you, Red? I thought I'm the only one who can."

"Yes, typically that's the case, but that doesn't apply to undead and other familiars. Both are able to see and hear me as well as you can." Red explained.

Red was what was known as a familiar, which are beings from another plane of existence that can reveal themselves to certain individuals. Typically they offer some kind of agreement in exchange for their assistance. Not all of them look like Red, in fact their forms and abilities can drastically vary. Red seems to be a fairly weak familiar, but it seems like he makes up for it in other ways. I wasn't sure what motives this devil had, but so long as they didn't interfere with my own we shouldn't have any issues.

Kuro nodded.

"I see... Listen Arno, if it's alright with you I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone about Red. Part of my agreement with him dictates that I can't let anyone know about him. Ryo just thinks I have some kind of magic ability that lets me teleport things at certain times. In reality it's just Red."

"That's fine with me. The Alchemist knows about me already, but I'd appreciate it if you also kept my identity between us."

"Works for me. Kuro responded."

I put my cowl back on and Kuro and I proceeded to leave my room. Back in the lobby was Cal and Ryo. The two of them were chatting with two girls.

Ryo was speaking,

"This is my bro...uh...what's your name again, dude?"

"It's Cal." He whispered.

"...My bro, Cal, is visiting from the West Kingdom. I'm trying to show him a good time. How'd you ladies like to go out on the town with us tonight?"

"Yes, I'm but a humble traveler, who's looking to learn more about this country and its culture. I'd be honored if you fair maidens would be kind enough to accompany my friend and I." Cal added.

The two girls glanced uncomfortably at each other.

"Um... actually I have to go visit...my... Uh...sick aunt right now. I actually have to get going." The one said.

"Yeah, I coincidentally have to visit my sick aunt too." The other said.

"Well if you two are free later you know where to find us." Cal said.

"Yeah... We'll have to see..." The one said as they both proceeded to quickly head for the exit.

"Huh, I think that went pretty well." Ryo said.

"Yeah, I think we would have had them too. Can you believe the odds that both their aunts are sick? I have to say though you're a pretty good wingman, kid. I'll have to take you bar hopping once you’re old enough." Cal Responded.

Ryo smiled.

"That'd be awesome bro. I'd be happy to pick up chicks and party with you any day."

These two were surprisingly similar in a number of aspects. I just hoped they could stay focused on our plan rather than women.