Chapter 62: 62: Fenrir =?
As Kevin's words settled, everyone present couldn't help but glance around, realizing the truth in his statement. Fenrir, the massive demon wolf, gave a slow nod. If Kevin passed the tests Odin had set, Fenrir would indeed have to give his blood. But that didn't mean Fenrir couldn't lace the gesture with a few well-placed curses.
After all, acknowledgment of strength was one thing, but leaving Kevin unscathed would be entirely another.
Even so, Fenrir hesitated, his massive paws flexing slightly. "Why would you need to tell me all this?" he rumbled, his crimson eyes narrowing.
Kevin stood firm, meeting Fenrir's gaze without flinching. "Because I want to be your friend," he said simply.
Tyr, Slude, and Neil exchanged startled glances. Kevin's words rang with an unexpected sincerity that caught even the wolf off guard.
"If I didn't care about you," Kevin continued, "I would've hidden everything and tried to manipulate you like everyone else does. But I don't treat my friends that way. I believe in honesty."
Fenrir tilted his head slightly, the motion almost curious. Tyr chuckled heartily and stepped forward, clapping Kevin on the shoulder. "Well said! What do you say, Fenrir? Do I qualify as your friend, too?"
"Uh... no."
Tyr froze, blinking in disbelief.
Kevin's brow furrowed, his lips curling in faint disdain. "You joined the crowd calling me cute, didn't you?"
The tension in the air snapped like a taut string.
Slude and Neil both exchanged bewildered glances before doubling over in laughter. Even Fenrir, after a moment of silence, let out a booming laugh that shook the trees around them.
Tyr scratched his head awkwardly, trying to defend himself. "But... it's true."
"It's insulting," Kevin muttered, glaring.
Fenrir's laughter finally subsided, though his lips remained curled in an unmistakable grin. "You are an interesting human," he said. "Very well. Because you made me laugh so much today, I promise that if you pass Odin's three tests, I will willingly give you my blood."
Kevin tilted his head, smiling mischievously. "Does that mean we're friends?"
Fenrir's grin widened, his sharp teeth gleaming. "That depends on whether you're worthy. You've got a long way to go, little human!"
"I understand." Kevin nodded seriously, then suddenly looked up at Fenrir. "But, hey, can I ask for a small favor before we get there?"
Fenrir narrowed his eyes, suspicious. "What favor?"
"Well," Kevin began, rubbing his neck awkwardly, "you're enormous, and my neck's starting to hurt from looking up at you. Could you... shrink down a little?"
The request took everyone by surprise. Slude's jaw dropped, and Tyr's golden eyes widened.
"Shrink?" Fenrir repeated, his voice laced with incredulity.
Kevin nodded earnestly. "You're incredibly majestic, don't get me wrong. But isn't it inconvenient to move around when you're this big? And honestly, your dignity isn't tied to your size—it's tied to who you are."
Fenrir blinked, his tail flicking thoughtfully. "...You're not wrong," he muttered after a moment. "Fine. But just because it's easier to move around."
With that, a silver glow enveloped Fenrir's massive form. Slowly, he began to shrink, his colossal body diminishing until he stood roughly Kevin's height. His silver fur still shone brilliantly, and his crimson eyes retained their sharp intensity.
Kevin inspected him critically, circling Fenrir twice. "You're still too big," he mumbled. "But you look fantastic."
"Of course I do!" Fenrir replied, raising his head proudly, his tail swishing with satisfaction.
"Well, you're adorable now," Kevin said absentmindedly, then froze. His hand shot to his mouth as if trying to stuff the words back in.
"Adorable?" Fenrir's ears twitched. He tilted his head curiously. "What does that mean?"
"Uh..." Kevin hesitated, glancing at Tyr and Slude for help, but they both looked equally stunned. "It's... a compliment!" he blurted.
Fenrir stared at Kevin for a moment, then shrugged. "Fine. I'll accept it."
Neil, perched on Slude's shoulder, cackled. "This is priceless! I've never seen anyone get away with calling Fenrir adorable."
The next half-hour passed with Kevin and Fenrir conversing like old friends. Fenrir seemed genuinely intrigued by Kevin's forthright attitude and sharp wit.
Meanwhile, Slude leaned toward Neil and whispered, "Has he always been like this?"
"Pretty much," Neil replied with a sigh. "Kevin's a strange one. He can be incredibly serious and focused when he wants to be, but most of the time, he's just... unpredictable."
Slude frowned thoughtfully, glancing at the red thread around her wrist—the bond that linked her magic to Kevin's. After everything she'd seen, she couldn't deny that Kevin was a formidable warrior. But his personality was so odd that she found it difficult to reconcile the two sides of him.
"He's... fascinating," Slude murmured, almost to herself.
Meanwhile, behind a nearby tree, Loki watched the interaction with a faint smirk. He'd been observing Kevin from the shadows since his fight with Tyr, curious about this mortal who'd captured so much attention.
"So, you want Fenrir's blood, huh?" Loki muttered, his smile widening. "Interesting. Let's see how far you'll go, little miracle man."
With that, a breeze stirred the leaves, and Loki vanished into thin air.
Two weeks later...
It was a quiet afternoon outside Hodel's residence. Kevin, Balder, and Slude sat in the courtyard, chatting with the blind goddess. Hodel's delicate fingers tended to the vibrant flowers that adorned the area, her dark hair flowing like a waterfall in the soft breeze.
Kevin had grown fond of these moments. His daily visits to Hodel were as much about offering companionship as they were about finding peace amidst his chaotic schedule.
But today, Slude interrupted the tranquil scene. "Kevin," she said gently, "it's time. Fenrir is waiting for you."
Kevin blinked, startled. "Already? I lost track of time!"
He quickly stood, turning to Hodel with an apologetic smile. "Sister Hodel, I'm sorry to cut this short. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
Hodel tilted her head, her lips curving into a faint smile. "Go ahead, Kevin. Don't keep him waiting."
As Kevin and Slude approached the forest where Fenrir lived, they saw the wolf waiting impatiently at the edge of the divine barrier.
"Kevin, you're late!" Fenrir barked, his tail swishing irritably.
"Sorry, sorry!" Kevin called out, waving both hands. "I got caught up with my sisters!"
Fenrir's crimson eyes narrowed. "Sisters? Don't tell me you're still spending all your time with Hodel and Balder!"
"I made up the time later, didn't I?" Kevin grumbled. "I even skipped training in Valhalla for you."
Fenrir's irritation faded, replaced by smug satisfaction. "Good. Then what are we playing today?"
With a grin, Kevin reached into his enchanted silver bag and pulled out a gleaming frisbee. "I had this made just for you. Ready to catch?"
Fenrir's ears perked up, and his tail wagged furiously. "Throw it already!"
As Kevin hurled the frisbee into the distance, he couldn't help but laugh. Somehow, playing fetch with a legendary wolf felt like the most natural thing in the world.
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