I Built a Divine Zoo in Another World

Lukas was left alone for only a few seconds, the silence filling the empty space.

Soon, Tilbo calmly entered through the door, his enormous body moving with surprising grace. Astra elegantly landed on the back of a nearby chair, her wings closing with precision.

Rourke jumped from Lukas’s shoulder onto the table, sniffing curiously, although he knew that the food was not for him.

Lukas smiled as he observed his companions, his eyes moving over each of them.

Then, he turned all his attention to the plate.

His stomach had been protesting for quite some time, an urgency that could not be ignored. Without ceremony, he began to eat, his movements quick but controlled.

And, as he recovered his energy, a single thought remained silently in the back of his mind.

Later, when he was completely rested, he would return to the forest.

...

Lukas remained seated for a few moments after finishing lunch, the pleasant feeling of fullness spreading warmth throughout his body. The hunger that had accumulated since the previous night had finally been satisfied, and the prolonged rest seemed to have renewed much of his energy.

His mind, however, kept returning repeatedly to the same subject, like a record stuck on the same melody.

The connection with Rourke. That strange ability that had awakened the previous night remained engraved in his memory with impressive clarity. The images seen through the eyes of those rats still seemed far too real to have been merely an illusion, a vivid dream.

He took a deep breath, feeling the air fill his lungs.

”There is no point thinking about this while sitting here.”

He pushed the chair back and stood up, his movements decisive.

After silently thanking his mother for the meal, he climbed the stairs toward the second floor of the mansion. The corridor was quiet, illuminated by the golden light streaming through the large windows along the sides. The silence of that afternoon contrasted completely with the intense pace of the past few days of training.

Upon entering the room, he found exactly what he expected.

Prata was not there, her web empty. The delicate silver web remained attached near the window, but its owner had been gone for quite some time. The small, not-so-small spider usually disappeared for much of the day to hunt large insects and small animals in the forest, always returning before nightfall.

He walked to the wardrobe and opened the wooden doors, the familiar creak filling the silence. The clothes he wore were comfortable for staying in the mansion, but not for spending hours walking through the forest.

He chose a tunic made of light fabric, resistant enough to withstand branches and bushes, along with dark pants reinforced at the knees.

Then he put on the leather boots he used during training, his feet finding the familiar fit.

He did not take the wooden sword. Today was not a day for training.

Clavor had been very clear about that, rest, recovery, and no exertion.

For the first time since he had begun cultivating the Lunar Source, there was no heavy physical or mental obligation. No sword exercises, no mandatory meditation, no opening of channels.

Still, a faint smile appeared on his lips as he adjusted the tunic’s belt.

That did not mean he needed to remain still.

His curiosity was far too great for that.

He finished tying his white hair behind his head and turned toward his companions, his eyes moving over each of them.

”Let’s go for a walk.”

Tilbo was the first to respond, his enormous form moving with surprising agility. The ant moved its front legs and slowly approached, emitting a faint click of its mandibles.

Astra launched herself from the wardrobe with a single elegant flap of her wings, the air moving around her. The bird made a small circle inside the room before gently landing on Lukas’s left shoulder, balancing naturally.

Lastly came Rourke, the small rat ran down from the bed, climbed up the boy’s pants with his usual agility, and settled inside the outer pocket of the tunic, leaving only his head outside. His whiskers trembled nonstop, catching every scent.

Lukas chuckled softly, a gentle and cheerful sound.

”Looks like you’re excited.”

Rourke merely let out a small squeak in response, his eyes shining.

The four of them left the room together, their footsteps echoing through the corridor.

They descended the mansion’s stairs at a leisurely pace, passing a few servants who smiled respectfully upon seeing the young heir pass by accompanied by his unusual companions.

As he crossed the main hall, Lukas opened the heavy front door, the wood creaking softly.

The afternoon breeze immediately blew against his face, cool and invigorating. It carried the scent of the flowers cultivated in the Dmond family’s gardens, roses, lavender, and jasmine, mixed with the damp smell of the forest that surrounded the entire estate.

The sky was clear, a deep blue without clouds. A few white clouds drifted slowly, like cotton scattered by the wind. The sun was already beginning its slow descent toward the horizon, spreading a golden light that made the leaves of the trees shine like liquid gold.

Lukas breathed deeply, feeling the air fill his lungs.

He felt light, lighter than he had felt in days. Not only because of the rest, but because of a deeper sense of completeness.

The Lunar Source pulsed serenely within his chest, stable and constant. The five newly connected channels conveyed a pleasant sense of completeness, as if his body were finally functioning the way it was supposed to. It was a sensation difficult to explain in words, more natural, more whole, more alive.

As he walked through the gardens, he calmly observed everything around him. The flowers swayed in the wind, their vibrant colors standing out against the green grass. Butterflies crossed his path, their colorful wings shining beneath the sun.

Small birds sang hidden among the treetops, their melodies filling the air.

Soon, he left the gardens behind, his steps leading him toward the forest.

The dirt path led directly into the forest, and the trees became increasingly taller, the shadows denser, the air cooler. As soon as he crossed the first row of ancient trunks, the sounds of the mansion disappeared completely, replaced by the singing of birds, the distant buzzing of insects, and the constant rustling of leaves.

Lukas naturally slowed his pace, there was no hurry. Today, he was not seeking strength, he was not seeking to surpass his limits, he was not seeking to conquer anything.

He simply wanted to understand a little better the mysterious gift he had received through his connection with Rourke.

Without realizing it, he brought a hand to the pocket of his tunic, feeling the small rat nestled there, calm and comfortable. The warmth of its body was a comforting presence.

A faint smile returned to his face as he advanced deeper and deeper into the forest.

”Let’s find out...” He murmured softly, his eyes scanning the vegetation.

”What exactly did you share with me, Rourke.”