After Mei’s class and explaining some details about processing the first hundred crystals, and ‘strategically’ skipping Song’s optional class, Ren finally met with Taro and Min at the agreed spot.
His mushrooms pulsed with resignation when he saw they weren’t alone.
Mira and Han stood nearby, surrounded by the four groups of noble girls. Far too many people for a discreet expedition.
“I managed to convince Mira and Han’s four team members to wait,” Taro scratched his head with an apologetic smile. “And Hector’s group understood it was better to try another day… but…”
“But we’re not missing this,” Larissa stepped forward with a mischievous smile, her mineral fairy glowing faintly in her hair. “Don’t worry, we have our own Bronze-rank guides,” she gestured to the “students” accompanying them.
Ren sighed, his mushrooms pulsing with what could only be described as defeated acceptance. “I suppose I don’t have a choice.”
“No, you don’t,” Luna confirmed, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
“It’ll be fun,” Liora added softly, though her gentle tone did nothing to hide her excitement.
Ren shouldered his pack and started walking toward the caves. The group followed, keeping their conversations to hushed whispers.
At the entrance, the guard greeted them with a familiar smile.
“Lucky shroom!” he called cheerfully while pulling out the registry. “Another productive expedition today?”
Ren nodded while filling out the form. The guard leaned casually over the paper, but his expression shifted dramatically as he read the details.
“Two hundred meters?” his eyebrows shot up. “And… you’re registering as Bronze? You and Taro?”
“We’ve registered that way two days before too,” Ren replied calmly.
The guard frowned and began reviewing previous records. His eyes widened.
“It’s true,” he muttered. “Sorry, you’re so consistent every day I stopped checking and never really…” He paused, pulling a special lens from his desk.
He held it up before Ren and Taro, and his jaw nearly hit the floor.
“By the twelve moons!” he exclaimed. “Not only are you Bronze, but this level of mana and… those are…” he stopped, staring at Taro in amazement. “Two beast cores?”
Silence fell over the group like a heavy blanket. All eyes turned to Taro, who suddenly found his shoes absolutely fascinating.
“Two beasts?” Han was the first to recover his voice. “Wasn’t Ren the only one who got a new one?”
“When did this happen?” Mira asked, her eyes as wide as saucers.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” several voices joined the interrogation.
Min started laughing, leaning against the wall to keep himself upright.
“Sorry,” he managed between fits of laughter. “It’s just… if you knew… his mouth…”
“It’s not a big deal,” Taro tried to deflect attention, but the questions only intensified.
“What kind of beast is it?” “How did you get it?” “Can it make tunnels too?”
“Enough,” Ren intervened, his voice cutting through the chaos. “We have work to do. Questions can wait.”
“But…” Han began to protest.
“Two hundred meters,” Ren reminded them. “We need to move soon.”
The guard, recovering from his surprise, began stamping everyone’s permits. “Be careful, lucky shroom,” he warned. “At that depth, even Bronze beasts need to watch out for common worms and, though rare… hunter bugs.”
Taro shifted uncomfortably with a forced smile.
“We know,” Ren nodded while pocketing the papers. “Everyone ready?”
The group nodded, though curious glances at Taro didn’t diminish.
“Keep your secrets for now,” Larissa smiled as she passed Taro. “But eventually we’ll want the full story.”
“And it better be good,” Luna added.
“Oh, it is,” Min, who had finally controlled his laughter, grinned widely. “Especially the part about his mouth becoming…”
“Min!” Taro cut him off, his face flushing crimson.
“Let’s go,” Ren started descending, his mushrooms illuminating the path. “And remember: no separating from the group.”
As they ventured into the darkness, whispers and theories about Taro’s second beast continued. Min occasionally let out a giggle, earning death glares from his friend.
‘At least,’ Ren thought, ‘this will keep them distracted from asking more uncomfortable questions about me… Your sacrifice will be honored, my warrior Taro.’ His mushrooms pulsed softly, as if in agreement.
♢♢♢♢
As they descended through the tunnels, Larissa stealthily approached Ren. Without warning, she leaned in and whispered directly in his ear:
“What would be a good synergy for my beast? Since you made me a double…”
Ren startled, blushing slightly at both the proximity and the tickle of her breath.
“But the Qilin is out,” she continued before he could respond. “I can’t get one, so don’t even suggest it.”
Ren’s mushrooms pulsed as he entered analysis mode. “Actually,” he began, regaining his composure, “the Qilin wouldn’t be the best option, though you might assume so because of the earth element synergy.”
“No?” Larissa arched an eyebrow, genuinely surprised.
“A Wind Lynx would be far more effective,” Ren explained, his mushrooms pulsing with enthusiasm. “Its natural perception and speed would perfectly complement your jumps. Nobody could catch you from behind so easily again.”
“Interesting,” Larissa blushed remembering but moved even closer, completely ignoring the concept of personal space. “But are those all the synergies? Other beasts have enhanced senses and speed too, even…”
“The ice crystals that the Lynx generates in its higher evolutions,” Ren continued, trying to maintain focus despite her pressing proximity, “have a natural affinity with your fairy’s minerals. You could create more complex and resistant crystalline structures, even manipulate the environment to your advantage.”
“Sounds promising,” Larissa smiled. “But I’ve only heard of Lynx reaching Bronze 2 at most. Would you help me find the technique to take it higher?”
“Of course,” Ren nodded. “After this we can…”
“Excellent!” Larissa interrupted, and just when Ren thought she’d finally leave him in peace, she added: “What about Luna and Liora?”
Ren sighed, but his mushrooms pulsed with what seemed like amused resignation.
“Luna has a situation similar to yours,” he began. “The White Celestial Tiger her father uses would be perfect. Being a light beast, it would create a perfect balance with her wolf’s darkness.”
“Like yin and yang?” Larissa asked, fascinated.
“Exactly. Both beasts would also mutually amplify their general elemental control. The tiger’s speed and perception would complement her jumps too like your case.”
“And Liora?”
“A Demonic Bashe,” Ren answered without hesitation. “Her will-o’-wisp is already powerful, but with the Bashe’s spirit manipulation ability…”
“Spirit manipulation?”
“The Bashe can alter how energy flows through the body,” Ren explained. “Combined with the will-o’-wisp, she could make parts of her body temporarily become black spirit fire and intangible.”
“Intangible?” Larissa’s eyes sparkled with interest.
“Yes, plus trying to hit her would burn enemies… But this is all basic,” Ren clarified. “Without a specific strategy or combat style defined by you, I’m just suggesting the natural synergies I consider strongest. The true potential will depend on how you decide to use your combinations.”
Larissa fell silent for a moment, processing the information.
“You know,” she finally said, a playful smile forming on her lips, “you understand so much about evolution and synergy. Maybe I should…”
Before she could finish, Taro called from ahead:
“First checkpoint ahead, guard’s there!”
“We’ll continue this conversation later,” Larissa winked before moving away to rejoin her cousins.
Ren watched her go, his mushrooms pulsing softly.
“Everything okay?” Min asked, noticing his thoughtful expression.
“Just thinking,” Ren responded, “about how interesting it’ll be to see what they do with that information.”
“Did you tell her something about their beasts…?”
“Just a little,” Ren smiled.
His mushrooms pulsed once more as they signed in with the guard and resumed their descent. After all, they’d still need more information, the real challenge for rich people perhaps wasn’t obtaining a second beast, but cultivating it and learning to use it properly.