Chapter 76: The pickiest one
While every beast in this world possesses the unlimited potential to rise to a higher level, the conditions under which an ’evolution’ takes place are too vague.
The academy scholars haven’t found the answer to the evolution question, but Sam personally did not possess that curiosity.
He knew some things were a mystery that the humans and mortals would never know. That was the limitations placed on the beings of the physical world like them.
"I’d have loved to dance with this one." He smiled while thinking back to certain moments of his past life, the strange nostalgia on his face clearly visible to the elder.
"You know about the Ceremonial Crane Dance?" She had many questions for this boy, but each new question overshadowed the previous one.
Looking at him was sometimes like looking at someone who had lived for as long as the elders like them.
"Let’s go, Elder."
He wished to visit the pond and see the other creatures but doing so in the presence of the Ghost crane would only scare the beast.
These creatures were shy and dangerous. If they sensed any danger, they would release a powerful poison fog which might prove fatal to most humans.
They were not called [Ghosts of Endless Valleys] because of their translucent head. They were one of the most talented and dangerous natural born killers of this world.
’It is said that the ire of a Ghost crane was the same as the anger of a thousand assassins.’
They are shy, calm birds but can kill you. And if you act out of your limits, they will kill you.
"Oh, hello~." The elder and the young tamer continued their walk around the Sanctuary, meeting new beasts and playing with many.
Sam had lost count of how long he had spent in this place. There was no morning or night here, at least distinctly.
There were areas where there was a night sky above, and areas covered in snow.
In this cradle, aside from this garden in the center, there were all kinds of environmental areas that were homes to different kinds of creatures.
This place was a world in its own right. But, we cannot spend too long in this pretty world.
"Elder..."
"Don’t even say it."
They were done looking around the place and meeting hundreds of creatures only to come back to the place where they had started.
And as it has been for the longest time with this elder, the boy had not found any creature that he could connect with as well as Felix.
"Just what is it that you want from them? Love? They have an abundance of it for you. Affection? I’ve never seen a Hydra Viper acting so docile with even the Assimilators.
You possess some kind of magic when it comes to these creatures... and yet, even though so many of them want to follow you, you’re not choosing any of them?"
The elder Lady wasn’t angry but frustrated at this grandchild of hers.
"Have you ever heard about four Legendary beasts fighting for someone’s attention? I certainly haven’t!"
Just seeing him being loved by so many of the Salamanders was a special sight for her, but when even the other important creatures of the sanctuary wanted to follow him, he did nothing to make a firm decision.
"I... cannot explain it." He would have loved to have any of these beings follow him happily. He would even choose all who wanted to be with him now that he could use the energy from a new source.
But that would not change what he had come here for.
"Mii?" The mole that had been on his head all this time could not understand his confusion.
Just what was so difficult about choosing a creature to use as a weapon?
"You’re hopeless, child."
He was simply making things complicated when he wasn’t even a pure [Affinist] like his father.
The School of Synchronicity allowed one to form a bond with practically any being they have even a fraction of affinity with. And yet, when it came to actually choosing a partner, he was more picky than anyone else the elder had known.
"Haaaa..."
She wanted this boy to go out of this house, she really wanted it with all her heart. But she could not give her approval until he showed her the only thing she wanted to see.
It wasn’t even about her ego. She would give him her pass anyways if this wasn’t about this particular boy.
He was too talented. And he knew things that the elder lady had wanted to know for a long time...
He was her only hope. So, she could not let him go unless he gave her what she wanted.
"I guess we should leave now. Your father will be waiting for you."
"Yes."
He was sad to have disappointed her once again, but there was nothing they could do anymore.
[ "We shall see you soon then." ]
After Sam said his goodbyes to the creatures and the cute mole, he collected some of the rare plants and materials from this place with the approval of the guardians.
He stored these things in the space of his ring’s storage that he could now activate at will, and then, the elder and the boy along with the little white bird and the gray kitten vanished from the sanctuary.
They travelled through the forest path once again, not encountering any monsters or falling for any traps.
It seemed like those things were removed from the path that they had followed before already.
It was strange, and also magical.
"Every time I see this wall, I’m reminded of how important this city is for all of us." The Elder Lady was now the one reminiscing about the past before the great wall.
The Sungrades have guarded this place for a long time. And throughout their history, there has been no boy that was as picky as the one she was bringing back home.
-Swiiiiiiiiiiiiiiish...
It was early morning even though it seemed like weeks had passed since she went to the sanctuary. It was much longer for Sam and his companions.
For a certain someone who had sneaked out of that sanctuary, however...
"Mii~!"
"Huh? What?"
A long, long... long time had passed since she had seen the face of this familiar wall.