I Can See Evolution Paths

The group walked back into the Treasury. Nothing had changed. The mountains of gold still glittered beneath the crystal lights. Ancient weapons still rested inside their display cases. Books filled every shelf. The room looked just as unbelievable as when they had first discovered it.

Only now nobody rushed toward anything. After everything that had happened, the treasure somehow felt calmer.

Arthur slowly looked around the room before letting out a long whistle. "You know," he said.

Sun looked over. "What?"

Arthur scratched his cheek. "Exactly how many kingdoms did the Dawn Kingdom conquer?"

Silence. Everyone looked at him.

Arthur gestured around the room. "I’m serious," he said. He pointed toward one mountain of gold. "There’s enough treasure here to make several kingdoms rich." Then toward another. "And that’s only one room." He looked around again. "Did they just walk into places and accidentally leave with everything?"

For a moment nobody answered.

Mithra slowly folded her arms. "I’ve honestly never thought about it," she said.

Athena looked around the chamber again. "Neither have I." Even she looked slightly uncertain now.

Mara laughed awkwardly. "I don’t think they conquered that many kingdoms," she said.

Arthur blinked. "Really?"

She quickly nodded. "A lot of treasures like these were probably discovered," she said, walking over to one of the crystal cases. "Ancient ruins. Lost cities. Collapsed civilizations. Other Secret Realms." She smiled. "The Dawn Kingdom existed for a very long time. They probably gathered treasures from countless expeditions."

Sun rubbed his chin. "That actually sounds even crazier," he said.

Arthur nodded seriously. "So instead of conquering kingdoms, they conquered history," he said.

Silence.

Athena froze for a second. "That’s actually a surprisingly good way to describe it," she said.

Mara blinked. "I kind of agree," she said.

Sun slowly looked toward Arthur. "How do you accidentally say profound things?" he asked.

Arthur blinked. "Was that profound?"

Vedas nodded once.

Arthur looked around the Treasury.

Every sword.

Every book.

Every crown.

Someone had once called each of them home. "I was just thinking how each of them came from a different place... Now they’re all here."

Athena quietly nodded.

"I guess I’m just curious."

Mithra laughed. "You always are," she said.

Arthur smiled. "I like asking questions." Then he looked around the Treasury once more. "Actually, I’ve got a much bigger question," he said.

Everyone looked toward him.

He spread both arms toward the room. "How are we getting all of this home?"

Silence. Everyone turned to look at the mountains of treasure.

Sun slowly looked from one side of the room to the other. "Right," he said.

Kong walked over to one of the largest treasure chests and grabbed both handles.

Pulled.

But nothing moved even after trying his best. He shook both aching hands and then dramatically pointed at the chest before throwing both arms into the air.

Sun laughed. "Yeah it’s heavy."

Mithra giggled. "I think that’s the understatement of the day," she said.

Mara smiled helplessly. "I’m afraid this won’t be a one trip job," she said, sweeping her hand across the room. "Even if Raja gathered every Goblin outside, we’d still have to make several trips."

Arthur dramatically sighed. "So much walking," he said. "I suddenly don’t like treasure anymore."

Sun immediately looked at him. "Liar," he said.

Arthur nodded without hesitation. "You’re right," he said. "I still love treasure."

Everyone laughed.

Athena remained quiet. Her eyes slowly drifted toward Arthur, then toward Vedas, then toward Eden. Finally a thoughtful expression crossed her face.

"Actually," she said. "I think I have an idea."

"Oh, what is it?" Sun asked in surprise.

Everyone turned to look at Athena in hope.

"I think Arthur might be able to solve this," she said softly.

Arthur blinked. "Me?"

Athena nodded. "If my theory is correct," she said, folding her arms, "you should be able to store all of this inside your Mana Realm."

Silence.

Arthur stared. "I can do what?" He blinked twice. "Wait. The Mana Realm does that?"

Mithra giggled. "I did tell you your Mana Realm could do more," she said.

Arthur immediately whipped around. "You knew?!"

She smiled innocently. "Maybe," she said.

Arthur pointed dramatically. "Then why didn’t anyone tell me?!" He threw both hands into the air. "I’ve been suffering!"

Sun raised one finger. "Mostly complaining," he said.

Arthur ignored him. "We could’ve been using this the whole time!"

Mithra rubbed the back of her head. "Well, normally," she started.

Athena sighed. "The problem is," she said, pointing toward Arthur, "normal Bronze Beast Tamers only possess enough space inside their Mana Realm for one contracted Beast." She paused. "So storage isn’t something Bronze Rank Beast Tamers ever learn."

Arthur slowly nodded. "Because they can’t."

"Exactly," she said. "The ability to store objects inside your Mana Realm is something Silver Rank Beast Tamers begin learning. They’ve already expanded their Mana Realm enough." She looked toward Arthur again. "But you apparently skipped that step."

Arthur blinked. "So I’m weird again?"

Sun answered immediately. "Very."

Mithra nodded. "Extremely."

Mara smiled. "Exceptionally."

Even Melo nodded. "Weird."

Arthur looked toward Vedas. "You too?"

Vedas thought for a second, then nodded once.

Arthur sighed. "I’ve been betrayed," he said.

Everyone laughed.

Athena couldn’t help smiling. "Congratulations," she said. "You’ve somehow become capable of using a Silver Rank ability while still being Bronze Rank."

Arthur rubbed his chin. "That sounds less like bad news," he said, "and more like awesome news."

Eden’s eyes suddenly began sparkling. "So amazing!" she said, flying excitedly around Arthur’s head. "Arthur is amazing! I knew you were amazing!"

Arthur laughed. "Thank you," he said.

She happily pointed at him. "You even have extra rooms!"

Arthur proudly crossed his arms. "I do," he said.

Sun sighed. "He’s proud of having extra rooms inside his soul," he said.

Arthur looked at him. "You wouldn’t be?"

Sun opened his mouth, paused. "Maybe a little," he admitted.

Mithra burst into laughter. "I knew it!" she said.

Arthur grinned. "I knew everyone would eventually appreciate my Mana Realm," he said.

Athena pinched the bridge of her nose. "Can we focus?" she said.

Everyone immediately looked back at her. She walked over beside Arthur. "It’s actually very simple," she said. "The process isn’t any different from calling Vedas."

Arthur blinked. "Really?"

She nodded. "When Professor Rowan taught everyone how to summon their Contract Beast during the Entrance Exam," she said.

Arthur’s eyes widened. "Touch them. Picture the Mana Realm. Guide them inside."

Athena smiled. "The exact same principle," she said. "Except," she lightly tapped the treasure chest, "instead of Vedas, imagine placing this inside your hallway."

Arthur slowly looked down at the treasure, then closed his eyes. "Oh," he said. "I actually know how to do this." He smiled. "This is going to be fun."

Arthur knelt beside the first treasure chest. Everyone instinctively took a step closer. Even Eden held her breath.

Arthur placed one hand on the chest and closed his eyes. Instead of imagining Vedas, he imagined the blue hallway, the empty space beside the doors. He reached toward it in his mind.

"Go," he said.

Nothing.

Arthur opened one eye. "Maybe it didn’t hear me," he said.

Sun deadpanned. "Try saying please."

Arthur glared at him. "Very funny," he said.

Everyone chuckled.

He focused again and this time he didn’t think about the chest itself. He imagined placing it inside the hallway. Suddenly the chest glowed, white light covering it entirely.

Whoosh!

It transformed into a streak of light and shot straight into Arthur’s body. Arthur opened his eyes and the chest was gone.

He blinked once, twice, then threw both hands into the air. "It worked! I HAVE STORAGE!"

Eden squealed in excitement. "I knew you could do it!" she said, spinning around him happily. "So amazing! So cool!"

Arthur laughed so hard he nearly lost his balance.

Mara slowly clapped. "I’ve never seen anything like that," she said.

The Blazefang Lion turned away. "That human is impossible," it seemed to grumble.

Sun stared at Arthur. "Even after everything, I’m still surprised," he said.

Athena smiled faintly. "Me too," she said.

Kong walks over before looking around. He looks behind Arthur, then stands on his toes to stare at Arthur’s mouth, and then gently pokes Arthur’s stomach.

Arthur laughs. "...I’m not keeping them in there."

Kong immediately starts dragging three more over.

Arthur chuckle. "I’ve become a delivery service."

Kong proudly nods.

Everyone laughed and then he started storing away the others.

And he began getting addicted to it.

Every chest.

Every weapon.

Every crystal.

One after another was sucked up into his Mana Realm.

Eden kept on waving her arms. "Thirty seven! Oh! Thirty eight!"

Arthur laughed. "I’m going for one hundred," he said.

She pumped both fists. "I believe in you!" And then she suddenly gasped. "You skipped one!"

Arthur blinked. "I did?"

She pointed dramatically. "That crystal! You skipped over it."

Arthur laughed. "...Good catch."

She proudly crossed her tiny arms. "I’m the official counter."

Mithra watched Arthur and Eden work through the room together. "Those two really are alike," she said.

Sun nodded. "They’re both easily entertained," he said.

Arthur pointed at him without looking. "I heard that," he said.

The walk back to the surface stretched on, and Eden asked about everything along the way. The underground city. The Goblin homes. The statues. The flowers. The old murals lining every wall.

Arthur answered everything patiently, occasionally saying, "I don’t know."

Eden simply smiled each time. "Then we’ll learn together," she said.

Arthur smiled. "I’d like that," he said.

Eden nervously held her hands. "There are a lot of things I don’t know..."

Arthur nodded. "Me too!"

She blinked. "...Really?"

Arthur laughed. "I’ve just had a head start." Eden’s eyes lit up before she rushed over and snuggled against his cheek.

Mara ran ahead the moment she spotted Raku waiting near the surface entrance, throwing her arms around him. He checked her over immediately, turning her arms gently, looking for injuries.

She complained. "You worry too much," she said.

"I’m your father," he said simply.

Mara hugged him tighter. "You wouldn’t believe everything that happened," she said.

Raku laughed. "Try me," he said.

Mara excitedly began summarizing everything, the underground city, the Guardians, the Temple, Kyne, the fairy. Every few sentences, Raku became more shocked.

"You found WHAT?" he said.

Arthur laughed. "Right," he said.

Eden quietly flew toward Raku and he instinctively offers one finger.

She lands.

He smiles. "She’s lighter than a feather."

Eden giggles and said. "Hello."

Raku smile grew. "Hello little one–,"

Arthur immediately coughed. "Eden."

"Right. Eden."

She smiled brightly at Raku. "I like your beard," she said.

Raku froze again. "No one has ever complimented my beard," he said.

She nodded seriously. "It’s fluffy," she said.

Raku proudly stroked it. "It IS fluffy," he said.

Sun sighed. "Another victim," he said.

Everyone laughed.

Then Eden flew toward Luka , studying her for a moment. "You have kind eyes," she said.

Luka smiled warmly. "Thank you."

Without even realizing it, both Luka and Raku were smiling at her by the time she flew off again.

Mara quietly laughed. "She really charms everyone," she said.

Athena nodded. "Without trying," she said.

Arthur suddenly felt warmth spreading through his hand. The King’s Mark shone, and a golden trail appeared once more, stretching deeper into the ruins.

Arthur smiled. "Looks like we’re not done," he said.

Everyone followed.

Eden’s eyes shone at the sight of the trail. "Pretty! What is it?"

Mara smiled. "It’s the path left behind by the Ancient Goblin King," she said. "To guide his successor."

Eden gasped. "That’s amazing. I wish I’d been here from the beginning."

Raku smiled. "We’ll tell you," he said.

Luka laughed. "I’ll make Arthur sound ten times cooler," she said.

Arthur immediately objected. "No. Make it accurate."

Luka grinned. "That’s less fun," she said.

Arthur suddenly grew thoughtful. "Actually," he said. "I have to tell Mom."

Everyone looked over.

Arthur smiled softly. "I want her to know everything," he said. "The Goblins. The Temple. Vedas." He glanced at the others. "You." He smiled at Eden. "I want to write it so she can read it again years from now."

Eden giggled.

Melo suddenly smiled. "For Eden, I can let her see our adventures in her dreams," she said.

Eden gasped. "Melo, you’re incredible."

Melo blushed.

Arthur laughed. "That’s perfect," he said.

Eventually the golden trail stopped, and everyone entered a massive chamber. A throne stood at its center, surrounded by ancient murals, and an enormous altar rested beneath the throne itself. The golden light ended there.

Arthur walked closer. "Something goes here," he said.

Everyone began guessing.

Sun offered, "The treasure?"

Mithra offered, "Maybe Eden?"

Eden immediately shook her head. "Please don’t," she said.

Everyone laughed.

Athena studied the altar closely. "It definitely requires an object," she said.

Arthur looked down, then smiled. "Let’s try the Crown," he said.

Arthur took out the restored crown. The moment it appeared, it began vibrating, golden light bursting from its surface. Before Arthur could react, whoosh, it flew from his hands, straight toward the altar.

Clink.

The crown landed perfectly in place.

The moment the crown touched the altar...

Arthur’s King’s Mark became warm and for just a second he thought he heard laughter filled with joy and respect.

Then it was gone.

He blinked before the rumbling came.

The entire throne room shook violently.

Ancient lines carved into the altar ignited, golden light racing outward across the floor, across the walls, across every pillar, like veins awakening after centuries of stillness. The light rushed beyond the throne room, into the Underground City, into the Temple, into the mountain itself.

Arthur slowly smiled.

"I think," he said, "we just turned something on."