Being a Summoner on our Evolved Earth

(50)

When the sun rose in the sky the next morning, Lucia walked out of her room past the maid who just nodded off to sleep. She went to the hidden spot in the back yard that was still damp from the rain. She raised her hand in front of her.

 "[Summon Butterfly]." 

The summoning circle rose from the ground looking particularly bright against the dark surroundings. Lucia also noticed that the summoning time seemed to be five seconds faster. Soon the yellow and black swallowtail butterfly appeared looking slightly smaller, yet with a stranger glimmer. Lucia appraised it's strength to be at tier 5.

"Hello again, did you rest well?" Lucia bent down to let it climb on her hand. The butterfly was still as stoic as ever in its silence. Lucia pondered while staring at it on her hand. "Could it be you understand language, but don't know how to use it?

The butterfly gently flapped its wings once then flew onto the back of her head to pose as a hair clip. Lucia slowly shared memories related to language and communication and tried to teach it about using telepathy. 

{Like this?} A soft voice was soon heard in Lucia's mind. It was like a child's and was hard to tell gender.

{Yes, good job!} Lucia congratulated the butterfly and it softly flapped its wings. {What would you like for your reward for answering my request back when we first met?}

{A reward?} The butterfly sounded uncertain.

{Yes, like mana, or to see some flowers, just name what you desire and I'll see if I can fulfill it.} Lucia offered.

{Can... Can you get me a flower friend that won't eat me?} The butterfly asked hesitantly.

{A flower friend? Can you show me an image?} Lucia asked back while feeling curious.

Soon she received the mental image of a plant similar to what she'd seen before. It had a large red flower with fangs lining the center with pistil and stamen sticking out. The stem was long, thick, and covered in large leaves. It also seemed to use its roots above ground to walk. A strange green liquid dripped off the petals while the base of its stem seemed to be bulging. Looking carefully; there seemed to be some kind of red berry or fruit growing at the base of the stem, just above the roots. 

{It smells nice, but I can't approach it until it has eaten something else.} The butterfly explained. {A lot of creatures approach it because of the smell, and only a few successfully steal the fruit and get away alive.}

{Do the creatures live after eating the fruit?} Lucia asked curiously.

{Yes and they seem to grow too. Some even start evolving after eating a fruit.} 

{I'll see what I can do about getting you a flower friend. However, I cannot force them to be your friend nor can I force them to stay with you.} 

{Alright, I'll do my best to convince it to at least let me land on it without eating me.} The butterfly said with hopeful voice.

{ After you have your flower friend do you want to return home, stay on this world, or stay with me?} Lucia asked seriously.

The butterfly thought for a bit, {If I stay with you, I can become stronger right?}

{Yes, I'll support your growth as long as you choose to stay with me, and the flower friend too.}

{I'll stay with you then.} The butterfly responded enthusiastically. 

{I'll be asking you to work for me if you stay, are you sure?} Lucia clarified.

{Equivalent exchange is to be expected.} The butterfly said.