I Built a Divine Zoo in Another World

Lukas remained completely still, his body frozen in place.

”...”

He couldn’t even speak. His mouth opened, but no sound came out. His heart pounded, beating so fast that he could hear the blood rushing in his ears.

It... was unbelievable.

Clavor calmly shook his hand, brushing away some of the dust that had gathered on his fingers. His expression remained calm, as though he had just crushed a fly instead of destroying a boulder several meters wide.

”This...” He pointed toward the scattered rubble.

”...is the difference between an ordinary warrior and a warrior who possesses a Mana Source. Between someone who only trains the body and someone who trains both body and mana in harmony.”

Lukas stared at the scattered fragments of the enormous rock, his mind struggling to process what he had just witnessed.

”Father...” His voice came out almost as a whisper, filled with admiration and longing.

”Will I be able to do that someday too?”

Clavor smiled, his gaze softening.

”If you train. If you dedicate yourself. If you don’t give up when things become difficult.” He paused, allowing the words to sink in.

”Yes. You will.”

”But not tomorrow.” The man stepped closer to his son, placing a heavy hand on his shoulder.

”Not next month. Not next year. This result was built over decades. Years of training. Years of discipline. Years of failure and starting over.”

Lukas nodded, his eyes still fixed on the rubble. Even so, his excitement only grew. Before, he wanted to become strong, but it had been a vague, abstract desire. Now... he could clearly see just how far that path could take him. He could see the destination waiting for him at the end of the road.

Throughout the rest of the afternoon, Clavor demonstrated other feats, each one more impressive than the last. He leaped several meters into the air until he reached the top of an ancient tree, his muscles propelling him as though gravity were nothing more than a mere suggestion. He ran so fast that Lukas could barely follow his movements, the air warping around his moving body.

He showed how he used mana to strengthen only his legs during a jump or only his arms during a strike. There was no waste. Everything was incredibly efficient, every drop of mana used with surgical precision.

”Mana is precious.” Clavor explained as he sat down on a fallen log to rest.

”The better your control, the less you waste. An inexperienced warrior might spend ten times more mana to accomplish the same thing a veteran can do with only a fraction. That’s why training is so important.”

Lukas carefully stored those words away like treasures locked inside a vault.

When the sun began to disappear behind the mountains, painting the sky in shades of orange and red, father and son finally returned to the mansion. The walk back was quiet, yet comfortable, both lost in their own thoughts.

...

Dinner was served shortly afterward. The main hall was illuminated by candles and the gentle glow of the fireplace, which crackled softly as night settled over the estate.

Aurora and Helga had prepared a hearty meal. Roasted meat seasoned with herbs, sautéed vegetables, white rice, freshly baked bread still warm from the oven, and a thick, rich soup. The aroma filled the entire hall, making Lukas’ stomach growl with hunger.

As everyone began to eat, Aurora smiled at Lukas, curiosity shining in her eyes.

”So? What did you think of your first day?”

Lukas practically lit up the room with his smile, his eyes sparkling with genuine excitement.

”It was amazing. Even better than I imagined.”

Clavor let out a quiet chuckle, shaking his head.

”Today, he only saw a small glimpse of what’s possible. Just a sample of what awaits him in the future.”

Lukas nodded repeatedly, unable to contain his excitement.

”Father destroyed a huge rock with a single punch. It just exploded into pieces!”

Judite’s eyes widened, her fork freezing halfway to her mouth.

”Really? You’re kidding, right?”

”I’m serious!” Lukas turned toward his sister, gesturing excitedly.

”I saw it with my own eyes. First, he pushed the rock as if it were made of paper, and then he punched it, and it turned into dust.”

”I want to do that too.” Judite declared, her voice filled with childish determination.

Aurora laughed, her laughter soft and melodious.

”You chose the path of magic, my dear. Not the path of the warrior.”

Judite pouted, her lips curling into an exaggerated expression.

”I can learn both... can’t I?”

”Perhaps.” Clavor replied calmly as he cut a piece of meat.

”But first, master one. You have many years ahead of you to explore other paths.”

Judite sighed, defeated by her father’s logic.

”It was difficult when I started too.” she murmured, more to herself than to anyone else.

Lukas turned his attention to his sister, curious.

”It was?”

She nodded, her face tightening with the memory.

”The first time Master Thorne told me to sense mana, I didn’t feel anything at all. I sat there for hours, trying to concentrate, and nothing happened.”

Aurora smiled, remembering the scene.

”She was frustrated for days. She spent hours in the garden trying to feel something, and in the end, she just became irritated.”

”I wasn’t.” Judite protested, though her voice lacked conviction.

”You were.” Aurora insisted, her smile widening.

”Fine...” Judite laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of her neck.

”It took me almost two weeks just to perceive mana. And forming my first mental circle was even worse. It gave me terrible headaches, like my head was about to explode.”

Lukas listened attentively, absorbing every detail. Somehow, it reassured him. He realized that everyone encountered difficulties at the beginning. He would probably face them as well. But that was simply part of the journey.

After dinner, everyone talked for a few more minutes, sharing stories and laughing together before each of them retired to their own rooms. The exhaustion of the day was beginning to weigh on Lukas’ shoulders, but his heart still felt light.

...

As soon as he entered his room, Lukas smiled.

Astra was already sleeping peacefully on a perch near the window, her feathers softly glowing beneath the moonlight. The little eagle was curled up, her beak tucked beneath her wings.

Tilbo was lying on the floor, her enormous black body occupying nearly half the room. She had grown so much that she no longer fit on the bed where she used to sleep when she was little. Her antennae moved slowly, and her many legs rested comfortably against the floor.

Even so, she looked comfortable. An enormous and powerful creature, yet still his companion, his friend.

Lukas gently stroked her massive head, feeling the rough texture of her carapace. She merely twitched one antenna in response while continuing to sleep.

Prata wasn’t there. She was probably hunting in the forest, just as she did almost every night.

Lukas was already used to it.

Then he remembered something important.

”The rat.”