I Built a Divine Zoo in Another World

Lukas’s vision changed once again.

This time, the transition was less abrupt, less violent than the previous ones.

Darkness enveloped his consciousness for only an instant, the blink of an eye within the vastness of his mind, before giving way to a new landscape, a new point of view that unfolded before him like a canvas painted with colors he had never seen before.

He was high up. Much higher than in the previous visions. The world stretched beneath him like a green and golden carpet, the treetops forming a rolling sea that disappeared into the horizon.

Green leaves filled much of his field of vision, swaying gently in the night breeze like thousands of tiny hands waving in greeting.

Moonlight filtered through the gaps in the canopy, painting silver patches across the thick branches that stretched outward like ancient arms. The breeze was constant, making the leaves produce a soft rustling sound that blended with the distant song of nocturnal insects.

The creature, through whose eyes he was seeing, walked a few steps along a broad branch, its movements light and astonishingly well-balanced.

It was only when it lowered its head slightly that Lukas noticed a long, slender tail following every movement of its body, swaying gently to maintain balance like a natural counterweight.

He held his breath, a sense of recognition washing over him.

Ahead, through an opening between the branches, a familiar sight appeared.

The Dmond Manor.

Even from this distance, he would recognize that estate anywhere. The dark slate roof, the carefully maintained gardens stretching like a green carpet, and the few windows still illuminated, standing out amid the sleeping forest.

Beneath the moonlight, the estate seemed peaceful, almost silent, as though the entire world had fallen asleep while it continued its quiet vigil.

Lukas remained motionless, absorbing the scene with attention that went beyond ordinary observation. Every detail was engraved into his memory, the positions of the trees surrounding the manor, the angle of the moonlight across the roof, the shadows stretching through the gardens.

His heart beat faster, its rhythm echoing in his ears.

The lingering doubt that had remained in his mind disappeared completely, dissolving like morning mist beneath the rising sun.

’So that’s it...’ The thought came naturally, a realization that needed no words.

’I’m really seeing through the eyes of other rats.’

The understanding arrived with astonishing clarity. Up until that moment, everything made sense on a level that went beyond logic.

First, the rat walked through the forest, its paws finding a path among the dry leaves. Then another hidden within underground tunnels, navigating its narrow, dark passages. After that, a third explored the surroundings of the manor, its eyes capturing every movement.

And now this one, watching the estate from high in a tree, its privileged vantage point revealing a perspective no human could ever possess.

It wasn’t imagination. Nor was it an illusion or a dream. Every vision contained tiny details far too distinct to have come from his own mind, the angle of the light, the movements of the body, the sounds captured by keen ears, the scents revealing themselves in layered waves.

Everything changed depending on the animal, each one offering its own interpretation of the world.

And there was something else he realized with perfect clarity, a truth that imposed itself upon him.

He controlled none of them.

The rats continued living their lives as normal, wandering wherever they pleased, sniffing their surroundings, exploring the forest, completely indifferent to the presence of his consciousness within their minds.

He was merely an observer, a silent passenger inside their bodies.

The creature took a few more steps along the branch, its movements precise and confident. The wind grew a little stronger, causing the leaves to sway more vigorously. Moonlight danced through the vegetation, hiding and revealing the manor over and over again, as though the night itself were playing a game of hide-and-seek.

Lukas continued watching for several more moments, every second bringing a new discovery. He wanted to understand this strange experience better, to decipher the limits of this newly awakened ability.

But at that moment, he felt something different.

A sensation of heaviness began to grow slowly inside his head, as though someone were placing stones upon his consciousness. At first, it was subtle, merely a hint of fatigue. Then it became increasingly obvious, a pressure building behind his eyes.

It was as though his mind were growing heavier, his thoughts, once as clear as crystal water, beginning to lose some of their sharpness. Maintaining his focus on the vision started demanding more and more effort, like swimming against a powerful current.

Lukas frowned, a wrinkle of concern appearing on his forehead. The sensation was familiar, yet different.

No.

This wasn’t caused by the ability itself. It wasn’t a flaw or an inherent limitation.

It was him.

His body and mind had been pushed to their limits over the past few days, every night becoming a battle against exhaustion.

Five nights forging the Lunar Spring, every particle of mana earned through relentless effort. Five nights opening his primary mana channels, every connection demanding absolute precision. Hours upon hours of complete concentration, his mind working without rest.

And now, immediately after awakening an entirely new ability, his consciousness simply no longer possessed enough energy to continue, like a lamp going dark when its battery finally ran dry.

Instinctively, he wished to return.

Almost at the same instant, the landscape began to fade away. The leaves lost their focus, their edges becoming blurred. The moonlight dissolved into a silver haze. The sounds of the forest grew increasingly distant, as though they were being swallowed by a veil of silence.

Then everything vanished, plunging him into profound darkness.

...

Lukas suddenly opened his eyes, as though emerging from deep water. He was back in his room once more, the familiar objects slowly revealing themselves within the dim light. His breathing came out heavy, his chest rising and falling rapidly as air rushed in and out of his lungs.

For several seconds, he remained completely motionless, simply trying to reorganize his thoughts, separating what was real from what had been only a vision.