I Built a Divine Zoo in Another World

Clavor felt a quiet sense of pride grow within his chest, a feeling he rarely allowed himself to experience.

”He really learns fast...”

The four companions also remained surprisingly silent, as if they understood the importance of that moment.

Not even Astra made a sound, her wings motionless against the branch. Nor did Tilbo run among the leaves, his body as still as a statue. Even Rourke remained completely still, his small body curled up near Lukas’s feet.

As if they all sensed that something crucial was happening.

...

Another half hour passed, the minutes dragging by with a slowness that felt eternal. Inside Lukas’s body, the mana finally began to pass completely through the first of the five pathways, reaching its destination in the front of his head.

Then the second, reaching the back. Soon the third, nourishing the sides. With each small victory, the next became a little easier, the pathways opening like flowers beneath the sunlight.

Even so, he did not change his pace, did not speed up, and did not try to rush the process. He continued guiding one particle at a time, each one finding its place, without wasting energy, without forcing anything.

Until... the last trace of resistance disappeared, like a wall finally collapsing.

The five pathways stabilized simultaneously, their lights shining in perfect unison.

It was at that moment that everything changed.

A powerful current of mana flowed through all the newly formed pathways at the same time, as though a floodgate had been thrown open.

The familiar chill spread rapidly, climbing through his neck and flooding his entire head. For a single second, Lukas felt as though his brain had been submerged in icy water, a sensation so intense that he instinctively held his breath.

Immediately afterward came warmth. A gentle, comforting warmth, like the first rays of the sun after a cold dawn. It spread throughout his consciousness, embracing every thought, every sensation.

The five pathways began to pulse, perfectly synchronized with the Lunar Source. And for the first time, his body’s entire mana network became one, arms, legs, torso, and head. Everything was connected, everything answered to the same core.

The sensation was indescribable. His body felt infinitely more complete, more whole, more alive. As though something that had always been missing had finally found its rightful place.

Lukas slowly opened his eyes, his eyelashes lifting like butterfly wings.

For a moment, he had to blink as his eyes adjusted to his new reality. The moonlight seemed different, brighter, sharper, every ray perceived with a clarity that had never existed before.

The leaves of the trees swayed in the wind, yet now he could distinguish the individual movement of every branch, every leaf in its dance.

The chirping of the crickets sounded cleaner, more distinct, each note separated within its melody. He could hear a small owl landing many meters away, the sound of its claws scraping against the wood.

He could smell the damp earth, the wood of the lantern, and the night flowers hidden among the bushes.

Even the ambient mana felt far more apparent, not because it had increased, but because his perception had become so much more refined.

A smile slowly appeared on his face, small at first before widening. It was an expression of pure happiness, fulfillment, and triumph. A quiet laugh escaped his lips, filled with relief and satisfaction.

”I...” He took a deep breath, feeling the air fill his lungs. He placed one hand over his chest, feeling the Lunar Source pulsing.

Then he raised the other to his forehead, touching the spot where the new pathways connected. The pathways responded immediately, a gentle vibration beneath his fingertips.

Still fragile, yet completely real.

”I did it...” His voice trembled with emotion, carrying years of waiting and determination.

Clavor slowly approached, his footsteps silent upon the grass. There was no haste in his movements, only the calm of someone who already knew the outcome. He stopped before his son, his shadow cast by the moonlight.

He knelt, his eyes meeting Lukas’s violet ones. First, he placed two fingers against the boy’s chest, feeling the pulse of the Source. Then he moved his hand to the base of his neck, sensing the upward flow. Finally, he placed it against his forehead, where the final connection had been completed.

He remained like that for several seconds, his own perception traveling through the inside of Lukas’s body. Their mana came into contact silently, evaluating the stability of the new pathways.

When he finally opened his eyes, a rare smile appeared on his face. It was not merely satisfaction, it was pride, genuine pride, the kind that needed no words.

”Excellent.”

Lukas looked at his father, his eyes seeking confirmation.

”Is... everything alright?”

Clavor nodded, his voice steady.

”Better than alright.”

He slowly withdrew his hand, his fingers lingering in one final gesture of approval.

”The five primary pathways are completely stabilized. No ruptures, no deviations, no signs of instability.”

Lukas let out the breath he had not even realized he had been holding, a sigh of relief that seemed to come from somewhere deep within.

Clavor continued, his voice taking on a solemn tone.

”From this day forward, your foundation as a warrior is complete.”

Lukas listened carefully to those words, feeling their weight. Foundation. That was exactly what it was. Everything he had done until now, sensing mana, creating the Source, opening the five pathways, none of it had been directly meant for combat. It had only been the base, the structure upon which everything else would be built.

But it was a solid foundation, a structure that would not collapse.

Clavor placed a hand on his shoulder, his touch firm and reassuring.

”The day after tomorrow, we will begin an entirely different stage.”

Lukas raised his gaze, his eyes shining with anticipation.

”Body reinforcement?”

The warrior confirmed, his voice filled with promise.

”For the first time, you will learn to draw mana from the Source and consciously use it to strengthen your muscles, bones, speed, and endurance.”

Lukas’s violet eyes gleamed, an intense light reflecting the moon. At last. After weeks of preparation, after countless hours spent breathing, visualizing, guiding, and stabilizing mana, the time had come to truly use it.

Clavor smiled faintly, a smile carrying years of experience.

”Today, you have ceased to be merely someone who possesses a Mana Source.”

He paused briefly, his eyes meeting his son’s.

”Starting tomorrow, you will truly begin walking the path of a real warrior.”

Lukas felt those words echo within his chest, warming him from the inside. The path lay open before him, and for the first time, he could clearly see the steps he needed to take.