FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Back inside his room even after many hours of commotion and running around the city it still 8 P.M. Bill is very much awake. He sits at his table looking at a MAM in his hand.

It's been a few days now since he put a core inside his MAM and even measure it power. Later he busy running around library studying more about glyph and language of magic.

But he knows they are just excuse to not activate his glyph.

This MAM is only thing that gives him strength to go through it all with his mother believe it will save them one day. His only hope and love that father left him.

For the first time it finally has a core to power it all. Make it do anything he desire.

So why is he still can't press that activation button.

He been hoping for this day for a long time. He works on this MAM, fix and redesign the glyphs circle time and time again to make it as efficient as possible. He knows within his heart it should work.

But what if it doesn't?

What if I press this button and nothing happen?

Even worse what if my MAM explodes and hurt me and my friend just like those bombs? I never activate it before so this thing could be broken because I mess up somehow.

'Maybe I should double check every glyph inside and try again later...'

“What are you doing?" Josh look at Bill who been staring at his MAM for a while now.

“If you are going to test it, please don't worry about us. We don't mind at all right Calamity?" Josh who is now pay close attention to MAM turn to Calamity with big eyes hoping he would let Bill use MAM in their room.

Calamity looks at Josh not so subtle request and Bill's MAM before answer “Just don't set my bed on fire."

“Oh no I'm just checking its condition that all" Bill put his MAM in one of drawer.

'I don't need to activate it to get better at using MAM right? I got a high score in test so I should be fine'

“Aw come on Bill I still didn't get to see you use that thing yet. I want to see how it work."

Seeing Josh nagging him Bill knows he won't stop easily so Bill tries to postpone him “Ok ok how about tomorrow? I still need to check something first"

“Tomorrow. That a pinky promise." Josh lifts his claw up.

“Promise" Bill use his pinky to wrap one of Josh claw.

“I didn't know crow have concept of pinky too" said Bill.

“Oh, for crow we actually say Death be my witness" Josh taps his chest with wing “but I always want to try the pinky one."

“You know. If a wolf breaks pinky promise we cut their pinky off." Calamity says calmly.

“Oh, that sound good but we won't have to do that because you will keep your promise right Bill" Josh put his right wing around Bill.

“Yup." Bill swallows his smile.

Josh look at Bill before clap his wing “Ah are you perhaps redesigning your MAM to contest for internship at the forge?"

“How do you know about that?"

“I saw it on announcement board"

“Funny I thought no one actually read anything on those board" Calamity says from his observation.

“I read everything"

Calamity and Bill believed him.

Next morning in class Bill meet a sheep from yesterday. She seems more like a nun from Church of Amalthaea than a teacher.

“You can call me sister Fay or Professor Fay however you like" sister Fay introduce herself as our teacher for today lesson.

In the moment, Fay noticed that some wolf student is not paying attention to her and even stare at other sheep or goat in the room with animosity. Making most goat and sheep hunk their head down in fear ready to run away.

Knowing this happen because yesterday incident she decides to change today lesson.

“Today we're going to talk about The First Fenrir"

Like a flip of switch all grumpy wolf now turn to sister Fay with interest. This is every wolf favorite story after all. All pups heard this tale since they were young and dream of becoming like Fenrir one day.

“In the beginning all wolf are just like every other animal who were roaming the world day by day unknow of their destiny. Grey wolf hunt red wolf and red hunt grey wolf, each only care for their own pack. They don't have a name or purpose only know how to hunt and keep their pack safe under the guide of moonlight. Until one day when the star breaks a great storm have come for everyone. Every wolf red or grey must run for their life as many new creatures start to emerge and hunt them down from every shade. In the mountain they hide thinking they would be safe.

But the god have other plan, a great lightning strike at the top opening a crater to the sky above and a rock fell down trapping all wolf inside.

A rock was so big and heavy no wolf can move it no matter how hard they try. And a vent is too tall to climb out.

Many days passed and each wolf started to separate into two pack both prepare for battle when the final meat run out, they all know they will have to hunt each other soon.

However, one wolf who was a child of red and grey wolf doesn't want them to hunt each other look up to the sky outside of their cage and beg for someone to help them. No god answer him.

Just as they were about to strike at each other at last. He howls for the final time just as the moon come out and answer him.

The moon wraps him in the light that blind all wolf and transform him into a newform. A light shines out of the crater that day and the mountain will later be known as mount of Moonlight.

When the light gone out the side of mountain was blown open and with it the first Fenrir step out.

He was the first wolf who was awaken and will go on to awake every wolf and establish Ardolf, the first city of wolf. Legend said when he uses his power, he will transform into a giant wolf with nine tails and to this day the only known wolf who can wield magic."

Bill glance at Biscuit, a tale of the first Fenrir strangely reminds him of her situation of being a geep between goat and sheep.

Looking around the room Fay see that the student is now focus and calm she continue.

“As wolf in the old day were divided so are we now. Even the goat and sheep have problem with their differences now and then. The bird has their own grudge with other bird species, human had their civil war over resources."

“But just because other creatures is differences from you doesn't mean that there is something wrong with them. Or it is your job to fix them. You can only show compassion and understanding as we learn from each other."

“But they were just different color. Surely it is not the same with other races right Professor Fay" said one of the wolves.

“It is not. yet so much familiar. You might not believe it but some of the red wolf treat grey wolf as a different species entirely, same for some of the grey wolf too. Each look down at one another."

“Not everyone can be true friend with each other. You need to share some common belief and values with your friend and I know it's hard when other side eat your kind as a way of life but that just how life is. We are who we are and we'll never truly be equal. Still, everyone lives under the same star that awaken us so I hope you will let your heart guide you not fear nor hated."

Josh glance at Calamity and asks “So, if we don't understand them should we just keep living with other races and hope it will work?"

“Having too many groups of people that don't identify with each other within one place could indeed lead to many problems if we don't have a way to co-exist. One should try to learn about another person and their group as well because not knowing is a source of fear. And fear can lead to many sorrows down the path.

“Every teacher and this city are here to give you a chance to understand one another. If no red and grey wolf ever try to understand and be with each other. All of wolves' fate may already been seal that day. So is our fate should princess Alana did not choose to believe in possibility of love."

“All of your teachers here are one of the best each races have to offer. The best in their profession and the greatest people I ever got a chance to know. Even if some of them still have more than enough reason to hate each other. They're still choose to let go of the past and work together for all of your future."

“Perhaps the important question is why brother right? Why brother trying to understand and co-exist? Can't we just go live in our own country and leave them alone? Well for us teacher we already got our answer from our time in the great cleansing."

“Don't let it happen again."

“Not a very good reason I knows" Fay smile and look at the children “But I do hope that all of you will find a better reason than us one day."

After class, a certain black bird is hopping behind Bill with great enthusiasm but for Bill, he felt like a worm that was caught in open.

“So...Bill about that promise"

'The class just end and he already up and about'

“Oh, I'm still checking, maybe tonight?" Bill gives more excuse.

“But I already invite everyone to come"

'Is that why 5 of them is following me!'

“I always want to see how MAM work" said Eirian.

“You live for over 40 years and never see a MAM?"

“We do have some electronic at home but all glyph is seal inside I never get to see how it work."

“I want to see too" Biscuit speaks softly but her eyes tell Bill she really looks forward to it.

“Fine..."

Bill leads them to the forge basement to find a shooting range room that let student test their MAM fire power. He knows randomly use MAM outside is dangerous.

On the way Biscuit is looking at Calamity as if she has something to say. Amy who noticed annoy and tell her “If you have anything to say, say it proudly. I got your back."

The group stop to look at Biscuit as she closed her eyes and hand Bill, Josh and Calamity a box of cookie “Thank you for helping me yesterday."

“Oh, we barely do anything" Josh holds his wing up doesn't feel like he has a right to accept this gift.

'Free food?'

“You were all there with me when those wolves want to hurt me. Please accept this little gift. I bake them myself."

Bill and Josh look at each other before accept the cookies and thank her. Eirian and Amy already got them from Biscuit already.

Calamity is confused for a moment since no one ever give him gift before. He awkwardly snatches a box from her before standing still.

“Thank" he answer after Amy stabs him with her leg.

Biscuit then looks at a box in Calamity hand.

Seeing her still looking Calamity open a box and eat one cookie.

“Sweet" he answers.

Biscuit hope he would say more but seeing Calamity tail shaking is good enough for her.

The group continue walking as nothing has happen except Josh hopping rate is now double.

Inside was a hall with dozen shooting lanes, many sandbags in far end of room. The entire room is made of reinforce metal and glass to prevent any accident.

“Oh my god I never see so many guns before" Josh said as he rushes to the gun booth with human staff standing.

“Sorry kid only a person who have gun license is allow to rent a gun. You are free to use your own MAM or magic but if you want to shoot magic Magus outdoor area would fit you better." the staff speak knowing a bird that can't pull a trigger can never get a gun license.

“Can I at least touch it?"

“No"

“What if..."

“No"

Bill who was hoping that he would just test a few glyphs and quicky left before anyone noticed is now assault with eye of 7 people here. One of them just happen to be from his class too.

“Deacon? What are you doing here?"

“I always go shooting to sharpen my sense. What are you doing here?" he points at 5 non-human behind Bill whom he remembers from class.

“I just come here to test my MAM and They want to watch"

“Cool I can't wait to see too"

'Great'

“winchester?" Calamity word surprise Deacon who is holding a rifle.

“Ooh, you know this gun? Calamity right?"

“model 88"

“That right, do you fire one before?"

“Yes, but I didn't have a license."

“That too bad, I would love to see how your aim but Danny would kill me if I let anyone who doesn't have gun license hold a gun." Deacon looks at a gun staff who is keeping an eye on everyone here.

“Well let's do it Bill" Josh now turns to the only entertainment left since he is not allowed to touch anything in here.

'Here goes nothing'

Bill put on the glove in his left hand and slide a glyph of fire into a slot at the wrist.

This glove was originally made by his father who used it as a weapon to fight in a war so unlike other MAM that is design just to convert magic to power electronic it also has a small barrel at the top hand to shoot a small pellet in case the MAM pistol run out of magic or enemy get in close combat.

'I brought a BB to use as ammo hope it will work'

Bill standing in one of the lanes hold his hand out and aim at the sandbag head. He clutches his hand to trigger a release.

In that moment a path inside the glyph is complete and energy from a core rush to gather around one BB that in firing position, it forms into a fire element according to glyph at the center. All of this happen in less than a second as a BB is fire out into a small fireball at the sandbag.

The BB hit the sandbag and pierces right through and hit the wall behind and fall out of sight into a hole where they trap bullet that might bounce back. The fire then starts to spread from the spot as it engulfs the entire sandbag.

Bill hand froze midair at the sight of burning sandbag.

'It works...so this is power.'

“Can MAM do that?" said Biscuit.

“The fire seems more powerful than normal what did you do to the glyph?" Calamity asked.

“Glyph? Nah this guy has a B class core that why the pellet was so powerful." said Deacon.

Calamity looks unsatisfied with the answer but didn't ask further.

The gun staff is the only one who doesn't seem to care as he glances up to check everyone before go back to read his magazine.

Maybe other reason that people are surprise is because a sandbag that on fire is not one from Bill's Lane.

The panel above the fire then open as a white gas blast out and snuff it out.

“Your MAM is ever better than I thought but you could really use some work on your aim" Deacon hit Bill with his elbow.

“In my defend this thing does not have a front sight to begin with. It wasn't supposed to be use in long range any way."

“Can I try it?"

Calamity got a MAM from Bill and found his hand is a little too big for human glove still he takes aim and hit the mark right at the head.

“...nice shot" Bill compliment to evade the smile Deacon is aiming his way.

“If you want, I can teach you how to shoot, after you get a gun license that is."

“I think I'll stick being just a mechanic"

Bill looks at the price tag of a guns in showcase, most are over 30,000 nil. Bullet are sold separately.

'Third class citizen have no right to bear arm. Beside who have money to waste when one could spend on food. I'll adjust my glyph so it's not a fire hazard later'

Eirian and Amy keep their silence at the power of human tool that they thought were mere toy when compare to real magic while Biscuit ear jump every time other gun is shot nearby.

For Eirian he must now reconsider Bill role in a team since he can now contribute more than just help with knowledge of MAM and glyph.

“Do you want to try too?" Bill turns to Eirian who is the only one left in the group who have a hand to wear it.

'I don't like the arrogance way he sees the world but it is properly better to stay on his good side since I'll have to study with him for a few more years.'

“Thank you Bill" Eirian accepts a glove from Bill and inspect a glyph circle on the palm before put it on and shoot.

He didn't hit any sandbag.

“If you want, I can show you how to shoot one of these" Deacon holds up his rifle and aim at the sandbag.

“Thank for the offer but I'll have to decline. I don't really like gun or any weapons of war really."

“Oh ok" Deacon taken back a bit.

“No offended you know I'm just had bad memory with it" said Eirian but he didn't explain further.

“No no I understand. You are an Amiel, magic is properly way better than these guns anyway." Deacon taps his gun.

“Something like that."

after awkward silent Eirian offer “So... who hungry? My treat." he still didn't get a chance to treat everyone for a dinner yet.

Bill shamelessly raises his hand.

Everyone struggles to hold their smile at Bill as they head out together.

*****

At Mercurius shop Sagax brings a cart of paper back to Bernays after a long day of being interrogate since a lot of their staff present at stadium when the bomb go off.

“You done well getting those questionnaire back" said Bernays looking over some of the paper.

“One more thing" said Sagax after everyone walk out.

“What is it"

“There was this one wolf, Calamity. He is Bill's friend"

Bernays look up with surprise when Bill name come up.

“He is not normal...maybe even dangerous. We might need to keep an eye on him."

“Someone caught an eye of my Sagax?"

Sagax narrow his eyes but Bernays don't hide how much he enjoy teasing his loyal wolf.

“You worry too much about everything. I can't even fly alone if I listen to you but he must be quite special to caught your attention."

“I can't gauge how deep his Ki is. He is intentionally hiding it...if he didn't raise his hand to get the questionnaire I might not even noticed there is something wrong."

“So he strong? So what?"

“He didn't participate in Numenus" Sagax give serious answer.

“...maybe he don't like to fight?" Bernays feel like he have this conversation before.

“A wolf that train himself so hard he have Ki at that age and doesn't like to fight? Even know how to control it? Do you have any idea how rare Ki is?"

“Son of some great clan luck out with Ki since birth?"

“You are not listening I said he is hiding it. He can control his Ki. This is not some lazy noble pup."

“Fine keep an eye on him if you want but I think I'll just ask Bill about him if there is any sign of problem" Bernays choose to ignore Calamity for now. There are other people who worry him more.

“...very well."

“You are not thinking of abandon your post now that a scary puppy show up?" Bernays extend his wing to cast long shadow.

“I'll always honor my contact even if you trick me into it"

“Come on you know that was a fair contact"

Sagax shut a door behind him.