John stood still, watching Liam's silhouette shrink in the distance, his gaze fixed on the massive lion trailing gracefully behind him. The beast's sheer presence sent ripples through the air, its golden mane gleaming under the fading sunlight.
Listen, John thought, narrowing his focus, channeling his mental energy toward the creature.
To his astonishment, the lion paused mid-step and turned its great head to lock eyes with him. There was something ancient and wise behind those eyes—something that saw deeper than the surface. Then, without warning, it began to approach.
John instinctively tensed. The aura radiating from the lion was immense—powerful and untamed. As the beast stopped right in front of him, John felt a flicker of fear stir inside him. But then, the lion did something unexpected. It leaned in and gently licked his hand, its tongue rough but strangely affectionate. With a quiet, dignified motion, it turned and walked back toward Liam.
From atop a ridge, Liam watched the exchange, a flicker of surprise flashing across his face. He turned his mount and called out, "I must say, John—aside from me, you're the first person to impress Drago that much."
He offered a proud smile. "Well, I should take my leave now. I'll see you soon at the senior level. There are many who are eager to meet you. Even the Senior Principal himself is quite impressed—and trust me, that doesn't happen often."
His smile faded slightly as a more serious tone crept into his voice.
"I'll admit, at first I thought your Neuro-Core might've awakened by accident—some sudden surge brought on by anger, seeing your sister's name dragged through the mud. That kind of emotional storm… it can push anyone over the edge."
He paused, then shook his head.
"But when I saw you out there, commanding so many beasts at once with clarity and control—I knew there was more to you. Something rare. Something powerful."
Liam leaned slightly forward on Drago's back, his voice lowered in warning.
"But remember this, John—no matter how talented you become, never let arrogance take root. Right now, you may stand unmatched here. But at the senior level, there are many like you. Some can command four beasts at once—and they won't go easy on a newcomer who underestimates them."
John met his gaze without flinching. "Don't worry," he said casually, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I've been through a lot. Do you really think I'd let arrogance ruin me now?"
Liam nodded, a trace of satisfaction in his eyes. "Good. Then I'll see you at the top."
With that, he gave a gentle nudge, and the great lion leapt forward. The ground trembled under its massive paws as it bounded away, carrying Liam into the horizon.
John remained where he was, still absorbing everything that had just happened. Around him, the air felt different—charged, expectant. Whatever was coming next, he was ready to face it.