Chapter 654 - 546: Partner, Natural Covenant

Chapter 654: Chapter 546: Partner, Natural Covenant

"Black Wind?"

Roland froze for a moment, caught off guard by the name.

Stunned, he turned his head, his gaze refocusing on the tall, mysterious Nightmare Beast before him, which was shrouded in an otherworldly aura.

Black Wind.

Of course he remembered that name.

It was a gift from his close friend Dalko, given to him long ago in Black Water Territory:

a fine steed.

But it wasn’t a Magical Creature, nor did it possess a special bloodline. It was just an ordinary horse with a coat as dark and glossy as the deepest night, long and slender legs, and a surprisingly gentle yet spirited temperament.

Roland had named it Black Wind because it ran like a black gale.

But...

Roland’s eyes carefully traced the outline of the being before him.

Nearly three meters tall at the shoulder, it was more powerfully built than any mortal horse.

What covered its body was not true fur, but a flowing substance of pure Shadow Energy that seemed to devour light. Eerie, swirling nebulae of deep blue and dark purple light occasionally drifted through it.

Unnatural, spectral white Soul Fire burned in its eye sockets.

A dense fog of Shadow clung to its four hooves, never dissipating.

A long tail made of Shadow and Star Shards swayed gracefully...

No matter how he looked at it, aside from a color that could charitably be called "black," this elegant and lethal Nightmare from the Otherworld shared no resemblance whatsoever with the "Black Wind" from his memory—a magnificent steed, yes, but one that had been an entirely mortal creature.

Its form, essence, and level of Power were all worlds apart.

And yet...

The creature’s familiar demeanor, like that of old friends reuniting; its unhesitating recognition and use of his name; and now, the name "Black Wind," clearly communicated with a tone of grievance and insistence...

These fragments pieced together pointed to a near-absurd, yet astonishing fact—the only one remaining after all other impossibilities had been ruled out.

A fact that transcended physical transformation, perhaps even involving deeper powers and the mysteries of time...

A miracle, or perhaps, a mutation.

Roland’s breath hitched almost imperceptibly.

"...Is it really you? Black Wind?"

Hearing the question, the hurt and anger in the Nightmare’s eyes instantly vanished, replaced by a relief and eagerness that practically screamed, ’You finally recognize me!’

It nodded its massive, Shadow Energy-wreathed head emphatically, a low rumble of agreement vibrating in its throat. At the same time, another clear thought came through, laced with a hint of complaint.

’Of course it’s me! Who else could it be? How could you forget me? Even though... even though I look a lot different now... I’m still Black Wind!’

It even made a subconscious move to nuzzle Roland’s hand with its snout.

It was an affectionate gesture the mortal horse, Black Wind, had often made.

But then it seemed to realize the vast difference in its current form and the cold Shadow Energy enveloping its body, and the motion froze halfway.

A flicker of dejection and apprehension passed through its Soul Fire eyes, almost too faint to see, as if it feared Roland would reject it in its new form.

Seeing the dejection and unease that his hesitation had caused Black Wind, Roland immediately stepped forward.

He reached out and gently stroked its mane—a mane made of flowing Shadow that felt strange to the touch, yet was surprisingly smooth.

"Buddy! I’m sorry, I was just..."

For a moment, Roland was at a loss for words. A thousand thoughts rushed through his mind, but he couldn’t find the right words to describe this unbelievable reunion and astonishing transformation.

He opened his mouth, and finally, with a mixture of helplessness and sheer astonishment, he spoke the simple truth.

"You have to understand, this is all a bit... unbelievable!"

Roland felt the strange, cool, and slightly clinging sensation under his fingertips. The look of astonishment didn’t leave his eyes as he repeatedly sized up this familiar yet strange partner.

More astonishing to Roland than the fact that Black Wind had transformed into a Nightmare was its intelligence, which was now on a completely different level.

The Black Wind of his memory, even when aided by the mental link from his [Animal Companion] Trait, could only communicate in a simple and direct manner.

Its responses had been based mostly on instinct, emotion, and simple logic—at best, equivalent to the intellect of a seven- or eight-year-old child.

But now...

Not only could it now fluently convey complex emotions and precise thoughts, but it could even grasp abstract concepts. It could feel "aggrieved," "annoyed," and "anxious," and it could keenly perceive the subtle shifts in Roland’s mood and react accordingly.

This level of intelligence and comprehension was on par with that of the cunning and clever Squirrel Qiao, and in some aspects, it even seemed more mature.

This quantum leap in "growth" was clearly tied to the fundamental shift in its very being—from a mortal horse to a Nightmare.

But beyond this unexpected intellectual boost, what truly filled Roland with irrepressible joy was the fulfillment of his long-held desire for a proper ’mount.’

Ever since acquiring the [Groom] Profession through his Professional Panel—and the various practical boons it provided via Professional Resonance with his other Professions—Roland had been searching for a truly reliable mount that could match his current power level and share a bond with him.

Unfortunately, despite a long search, he had never found a perfect match.

And now, here before him stood a living, exceptionally intelligent Nightmare that showed him absolute trust and affection.

As a mount, a Nightmare’s advantages were practically tailor-made for him.

Not only did it possess the Extraordinary mobility of Shadow-jumping, which made long-distance travel and crossing difficult terrain effortless, but its own formidable survival and combat capabilities also meant it was no longer a burden that needed constant protection. Instead, it was a dependable partner, capable of manipulating Shadow, influencing Spirit, and fighting by his side.