My Demon Pet System

"As much as you need to cultivate your Oracle's powers, Kenji can't be useful in every situation. I don't know if you know this, but every demon has one or more 'types' that it belong to. The 'types' are, in a nutshell, the energy sources from which the demons derive their powers. They also represent biomes," Shioko explained, returning under the shade of the tree. 

Ryutaro remained silent listening to the archer's explanation, ready to intervene in case of mistakes. 

"For example, a water demon will feel much more comfortable fighting in a coastal environment, by the sea or even underwater. Conversely, a fire demon's skills will be depowered in an aquatic biome. Also, it's quite trivial, but... a fire demon's attacks are much more effective against a grass-type demon than against a water-type demon... you dig?" Shioko asked, trying to understand Yoichi's level of attention.

"Yes, of course. I had already imagined some of the things you're telling me. But a thorough explanation can only do me good," Yoichi smiled, cordially. The one who explained things to him accurately every time was lying inside a carriage, but Shioko seemed to be a worthy substitute.

"Good. A good, competitive team is composed of demons of several different types, so they can deal with different enemies in each situation. Oh, one more thing: a demon tamer can carry as many Demon Teeth with him as he wants, but carrying that many is not always an advantage," the archer added.

Yoichi continued to listen to her, petting Kenji's head. His hand passed between the two dragon demon horns, immediately noticing the substantial difference in their size.

"One must always be ready to switch demons should the need arise. One of the first things Takamori-Sensei taught me is that a good number of demons for a fairly complete team is six." 

"Six? Wow, that's a lot of demons!" Yoichi commented, increasingly intrigued by the speech. The young tamer seemed to be quivering with a desire to add new members to his team. 

"Also, some demons can implement or change their type after evolution. Consider Rokuro, for example," the red-haired girl continued, referring to Enatsu's demon pet. "Morubas are earth type demons in their first evolutionary stage. But if Rokuro were to evolve into a Morugane, its claws would grow and harden a lot, and its hind legs would become much stronger. In fact, Moruganes are ground-steel type demons."

"And besides implementing its type, Rokuro would also gain new skills. Yeah, okay... I got it," Yoichi confirmed, nodding his head.

"Kenji's true strength lies precisely in its type, Yoichi-kun" Ryutaro interrupted, entering the conversation. "The 'dragon' type is only weak to attacks of the same type, but resistant to fire, grass, electricity, and water type attacks," he remarked, implementing Shioko's explanation.

"Water? Did I hear right?" Yoichi inquired, thinking about dragon fire in contact with a watery surface.

"Yes. Simple water is unable to extinguish your Oracle's draconic flame. If they were normal flames, they would have suffered a lot from that power, but not in your case," the gatekeeper promptly replied. "Being 'resistant' to a certain type allows you and your demon to receive half damage from any attacks of that source of power" the old monk added.

"It's all in the strengths and resistances. It's not just how big and fierce a demon is that counts... if I know all types of demons well, I can have an advantage in any fight," Yoichi repeated, summarizing everything he had just learned. "One last question... If I were to capture a common demon of the water type and then come across a rare demon of the same type..." 

"You don't necessarily have to give up the demon pets you no longer use Yoichi" - Enatsu's voice echoed from the carriage. Although he sounded sleepy, the young merchant was listening to the conversation from the beginning. 

"And how can I do that? Can I release them?" the young tamer asked, trying to imagine a similar scenario. 

"You can do that, yes. But the best solution is to sell them," Enatsu coldly replied, covering his face with one hand, annoyed by the sun's rays hitting his eyes. 

"Sell them?" 

"Of course. The only demon bound to you forever is your Oracle, remember?" the merchant added. 

The tamer world may seem easy to understand, but it includes so many rules and exceptions. Now I understand why Ryutaro-Sensei insists so much that I study his ancient tomes! Yoichi thought, putting together all the pieces of the puzzle of his new life a little at a time.

Even if the only one who knew about it was Enatsu, the young tamer was perfectly aware that the blood writings that occasionally appeared before his eyes would help him during his adventure and Lumya. 

In addition to granting him unexpected and very beneficial rewards, the Demon Pet System allowed him to have additional information about the demons on his team. One of the most important to know was the current level of his demons: according to his merchant friend, no one but him was able to know the current fighting level of his pets or Oracle. 

"There are tamers who have no interest in joining guilds or participating in factional wars. They dedicate their lives to tame rare demons and sell them on the black market. They call themselves Hunters," Enatsu explained, painfully raising his torso from the back of the carriage and turning his gaze to the others. 

Shioko and Yoichi looked at him suspiciously, as if what he had just said was bordering on the legal. "What? Have you perhaps forgotten that before I was dragged into this, I was a merchant? Well, every merchant knows that there are many ways to sell his goods. One of them is the black market of Hollowgate, on the far west coast of Tentochu," the young merchant muttered, justifying his knowledge on the subject.

"The black market is no place to spend a vacation, Enatsu," Ryutaro spoke, feeling compelled to intervene. His words froze the conversation. "Hollowgate is an infamous and dangerous place. It is not suitable for beginners like yourselves. Hate and poverty reign there: there are unscrupulous thugs, capable of killing people only for a few silver coins," the gatekeeper spoke, warning.