Chapter 32: Waffle in a dungeon
"Woof! Woof!" The sound was pure joy given voice.
But this wasn’t just any generic canine construct. The creature before him was unmistakably Waffle, his beloved companion from his world of origin, perfectly recreated down to the distinctive patch of white fur on his chest and the slightly crooked left ear that had never quite straightened after a childhood mishap.
"WAFFLE!" Mitch’s voice cracked with emotion as he dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms around the mana-constructed dog.
The familiar felt solid and warm, its fur soft beneath his fingers despite being composed entirely of magical energy.
Waffle’s behavior was identical to his flesh-and-blood counterpart, tail wagging so hard his entire back end wiggled, tongue lolling out as he attempted to lick every inch of Mitch’s face, whining with pure happiness at being reunited with his beloved human.
Along with the spell itself, Mitch had received comprehensive knowledge about its mechanics and applications.
The familiar could maintain its form for several minutes without additional mana investment, though he could extend that duration by feeding it more energy.
The initial casting cost approximately two hundred mana, a significant investment, but well within his expanded capacity thanks to his new passive ability.
The truly remarkable feature, however, was the sensory link. With proper concentration, Mitch could perceive everything the familiar experienced, seeing through its eyes, hearing through its ears, even detecting scents through its enhanced canine nose.
The tactical applications were immediately obvious: scouting dangerous areas, gathering intelligence, even maintaining surveillance from multiple vantage points simultaneously.
"Alright, boy," Mitch said, scratching behind Waffle’s ears exactly the way the real dog had always loved. "Let’s see what you can do."
The familiar obeyed Mitch’s every command with the unwavering devotion of a zealot, its ethereal form responding instantly to his mental directives.