In the aftermath of the battle, the once serene clearing bore the visible marks of the intense clash between Blue and the drake. Scorch marks marred the earth, tracing the paths of Blue's searing attacks and the explosion of the final solar fireball. The ground where the drake had fallen was still smouldering, emitting faint trails of smoke that mingled with the remnants of the battle.

The surrounding trees, once a protective canopy, now bore the signs of the fierce confrontation. Some branches had been broken or scorched, their leaves wilted and singed. Yet, despite the damage, the forest showed its resilience, with new buds beginning to emerge from the surviving foliage, a testament to nature's ability to heal.

The air carried a hint of burnt scales and smoke, a lingering reminder of the battle's aftermath. The scent mixed with the earthy fragrance of the forest, creating a unique blend that filled the clearing. Small gusts of wind rustled through the recovering leaves as if nature itself was breathing life back into the area.

Blue, standing amidst the aftermath, appeared both triumphant and worn. His magnificent plumage, once shimmering with the brilliance of the sun, now bore singe marks and small patches of ash. His wings, still flickering with residual heat, were slightly tattered but remained strong and ready for future challenges.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the clearing, it bathed the scene in a gentle, healing light. The golden rays highlighted the resilience of nature, illuminating the regrowth of vegetation and breathing life into the battle-scarred clearing. It was a testament to the cyclical nature of existence, where destruction and renewal coexisted.

[Ace POV],

As the battle came to an end, I gracefully descended from the sky, landing near my loyal beast, Blue. The exhaustion was evident in his eyes as he let out a soft screech upon seeing me approach. Blue had grown significantly since his evolution, now towering at a height of 6 meters. Standing next to him, I couldn't help but feel little, even though he was still resting on the ground.

The drake he had just defeated was even larger than him, now lying lifeless before us. "To think we'd encounter a drake," I muttered, gently stroking Blue's head. I had to make sure his ability wasn't active before daring to touch him. Having witnessed the destructive power of his flames, I had no desire to test my body's defences against them, seeing as they proved formidable enough to vanquish a creature like a drake.

It was ironic to reflect on how, just a few hours ago, I saw Blue as more of a burden than a companion. And yet, here he was now, far more powerful than his master. But what struck me, even more, was that his loyalty had not wavered.

historical

As I reminisced about our journey, I recalled the events that followed Blue's evolution. At the time, I believed it would be wise to test Blue's newfound strength while we awaited our meeting with the emperor. The plan itself was not flawed; it was my execution that led to the current situation.

Upon realizing that Blue had evolved into a legendary gryphon, despite my never having seen one before, I had high expectations for his capabilities. In my overestimation, I decided to venture into a forbidden zone—an area inhabited by formidable monsters. Drawing from my experience hunting creatures in the true world, I had a knack for recognizing such dangerous areas. Forbidden zones were characterized by an even denser concentration of mana compared to the already mana-rich true world. The deeper one ventured into the territory, the scarcer and stronger the monsters became. These areas served as dens for powerful creatures, hence the name "forbidden zone."

It did not take long for me to locate a forbidden zone, especially now that I could ride Blue like an aerial steed. However, I hadn't anticipated drawing the attention of the drake. Fortunately, the encounter ended well, and Blue not only discovered the extent of his power but also shared a portion of the primordial records from the defeated monsters. This meant that as Blue grew stronger by hunting monsters, I too would benefit and become stronger, although at a slower pace.

This newfound knowledge briefly tempted me to consider purchasing more beast eggs from the shop. However, I quickly dismissed the idea, realizing that I was not ready to take on the obligation of caring for more creatures, especially with the increasing chaos around us.

Blue's case was unique, as he had undergone a successful mutation, but there was no guarantee it would happen again. And even if it did, there was no assurance of a positive outcome. For now, it seemed I was bound to Blue, and I could not consider that a bad thing.

Lost in my thoughts, I turned to Blue, continuing to stroke his neck as I spoke. "Do you mind if I take the drake's corpse?" Blue looked at me with a perplexed expression, and when I pointed to the drake's body, he let out a short screech of approval. I interpreted it as his consent. Well, I had not learned to understand the language of gryphons so I took it like that. Furthermore, our bond reassured me that Blue had no particular interest in the drake's body.

Although I could have taken the drake's corpse without asking Blue, I did not desire to risk jeopardizing our bond by angering him. The consequences would be too great to bear. Satisfied with my decision, I made my way towards the immense carcass and, without hesitation, placed my hand on the non-smoking section, storing the entire body within my powerful ring. Even now, this item remained invaluable to me.

Turning to Blue, who had already risen to his feet and approached me, I addressed him once more. "Shall we have another round?" I conveyed my intent through the bond that connected us. Blue responded with an enthusiastic screech. Without uttering another word, I positioned myself on Blue's back, gripping the sides of his neck firmly.

"Let's go."

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