Chapter 310: The grand elder’s oath.

Zyra wiped her nose on her sleeve and offered a small, watery laugh. "Thank you, grandpa."

The old man’s face instantly brightened, a huge, triumphant grin spreading across his face. "Ha! Now that is more like it!"

He gave her hands a couple of brisk, affectionate pats. Then, he rubbed his palms together, his eyes lighting up with unholy curiosity. "Alright, enough crying! Show me these multiple beasts of yours before I die of old age waiting to see the biggest miracle since the creation of New earth."

Zyra wiped the rest of her tears, nodding with a grin. "Alright, alright. Come with me to the pavilion."

High above the training ground, on the glass-walled balcony of the opposite pavilion, Hunter stood with his hands resting lightly on the railing.

He watched his grandfather following Zyra excitedly like a little kid. A soft, rare smile played at the corner of his lips as he watched Zyra laugh again at something he said before the two took off running.

His heart felt remarkably full. His two absolute favorite people in the world had finally found their way to each other. Now, all he had to do was make sure they all remained as one family.

Zyra and the Grand Elder entered the feeding section of the pavilion, where the ambient sound of loud crunching, slurping, and contented grunts filled the air. Rows of high-tier beasts were busily devouring their afternoon meals.

Zyra cleared her throat, clapped her hands twice, and called out, "Alright, my personal beasts! Parade formation! Line up we have a guest!"

The response was immediate, and none of it was pleased.

Spice, who was currently halfway through swallowing another meat cube let out a muffled, outraged hiss. It reluctantly abandoned its meal.

Squirrel rolled his eyes so hard like a human. "Here we go again," he grumbled through their mental bond, dusting off his paws. "Showing us off like we’re goods on a market stall. ’Look at my beasts, buy two get one free!’"

Snowy sighed. "I feel like a prized insect in a zoo. Should I dance for a berry fish next?"

Zyra crossed her arms, trying to look stern but failing miserable as her lips twitched. "Hey! That is completely unfair. I’m not using you! I am just a proud mother showing off her very talented, very dramatic children."

The beasts froze. Spice’s aggressive crawling instantly deflated. Squirrel stopped his grumbling, his tiny ears twitching softly, and Snowy let out a small, satisfied squeak. The magical phrase ’proud mother’ worked like absolute cheat code every single time. Their grumpy attitudes softened in an instant.

Zyra giggled under her breath. "Alright, alright, back to eating, everyone."

The beasts immediately scrambled back to their food bowls like they hadn’t just been complaining two seconds ago.

Behind her, the Grand Elder was holding his beard, his eyes wide as saucers as he rapidly counted on his fingers. "One_two_ three_" He swallowed hard, his voice squeaking slightly. "three?! You bonded with three half-life beasts! Can you actually communicate with them?"

Zyra turned around, giving him a bright nod. "Yep! Sometimes I wish I couldn’t hear them. Forget the innocent faces, they are ruthless."

Before the old man’s brain could process that impossible fact, Zyra led him further down the hall, turning the corner into the drake sanctuary.

The moment the Grand Elder stepped into the spacious pond enclosure, his breath hitched. He staggered backward two full steps, his hand flying to his chest as if he’d been hit by a physical palm strike. Swimming in the middle of the pond was a majestic creature.

"My world!" The Grand Elder gasped, his jaw practically touching the floor. "That duck_ it’s fully evolved?! How?"

Zyra burst out laughing, clutching her stomach at his expression. "Grandpa, you really have to stop asking ’how’ by now. My head is going to start hurting if I keep explaining!"

"How can I not ask?!" the old man yelled, pointing a trembling finger at the imposing drake. "That thing could flatten a small city with a sneeze!"

"If you think that’s something," Zyra said, leaning in with a sly grin, "you see that gigantic tree sitting in the middle of the courtyard?" She pointed out of the window.

"Yes." The Grand Elder blinked.

"Yep. That’s my beast too." She shared proudly.

The Grand Elder stared at her for five long, agonizing seconds. He didn’t move. He barely breathed. "A plant beast? Is that not just an ancient myth told to low-borns that can’t bond with half-life beasts?"

Zyra just laughed and shook her head. "In future, I will have thousands of beasts. I have that feeling." She couldn’t say she had a system which allowed her to bond with or command as many beasts as she wanted.

The Grand Elder sank onto a nearby stone bench, holding his head in his hands, completely overwhelmed with awe.

"Unbelievable. Truly, unbelievable." He sat up, shaking his head with a bitter smile. "Here I was, feeling like a big shot because I managed to fully evolve my own beast after ten years. And I had help, a lot of it."

To prove it, the Grand Elder let out a lion’s growl. Fur appeared around his neck and arms.

Zyra didn’t even flinch. She just smiled. "Oh, fusion? Yeah, Hunter and I can do that too."

With a flick of her wrist, Zyra channeled her connection to the drake. Instantly, sleek, claws extended from her fingertips.

The Grand Elder looked at her claws, then looked down at his own talons. The sheer difference in raw quality and energy density made his own look like plastic toys in comparison.

The room fell dead silent.

Slowly, the fur faded from the old man’s skin. The shock on his face melted away, replaced by an expression of profound, solemn respect.

Without a warning, the Grand Elder, a man who had ruled over generations, feared and respected by thousands_ dropped to one knee. He folded his hands together and bowed his head deeply before her.

"Grandpa!" Zyra gasped, stepping forward to pull him up. "What are you doing?!"

"I am securing the future of the entire Kaelion clan," the Grand Elder said, his voice deep, steady, and filled with unwavering conviction as he looked up into her eyes. "I am extraordinarily lucky to have someone like you in my corner, child."

He straightened his back while still on his knee, his eyes shining with absolute reverence.

"From this day forth, my life and my loyalty belong to you, Divine Maiden. I hope you take the seat after we take out Trinity. The world will be a better place with you at the helm. Would you consider it?"