Chapter 32: Blood Bond! Chapter 32: Blood Bond! Status Update! Vitality - 7.5 -> 8.5 Strength - 12.1 -> 13.1 Agility - 10.6 -> 11.6 Stamina - 6.3/9.9 -> 7.3/10.9 Intelligence - 7.0/8.0 -> 8.0/9.0 Mana - 560/640 -> 640/720 "Yes! It’s nearly 50% share," Leo exclaimed, then he saw Shyra giving him a smug look and then turning her face away with a proud expression. "Yea yea sorry, I shouldn’t have shouted like that—!" Before he could complete his sentence, Shyra’s body started glowing white. And then- Shyra (Mid 1-star) -> Shyra (High 1-star) - Noble bloodline. The Black Obsidian Panther’s body began to expand, its frame swelling until it reached the height of Leo’s waist. The glow that had enveloped it slowly faded, revealing its true form beneath. Its body was pure black, sleek and muscular, with claws digging deep into the soil and a long, sinuous tail slicing through the air. Twin fangs, each nearly two inches long, gleamed under the dim light. Yet the most striking feature was its eyes—twin violet orbs that seemed to pierce straight into the soul. Then again came the status update. Vitality - 8.5 -> 10.0 Strength - 13.1 -> 14.6 Agility - 11.6 -> 13.1 Stamina - 7.3/10.9 -> 8.8/12.4 Intelligence - 8.0/9.0 -> 9.5/10.5 Mana - 640/720 -> 760/840 [Skill acquired by Shyra -> Critical Strike] - Focuses mana onto a chosen body part, amplifying strength and precision. Strikes empowered by this skill deal 500% increased damage with devastating impact. skill cost - 100 mana 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦 Blood-Bond perk -> 50% mana cost deduction when using the skills of the related Beast. Additionally grants the use of Beast racial traits. Leo was gawking at Shyra’s new look, then he saw the new notification that made him nearly jumped with joy. He didn’t waste a single moment and copied the skill in his arsenal. He thought of picking her up and doing a roundabout, but the new size killed the idea. Since it was already nearing night, he decided to head back. He sold all his mana crystals and high 1-star cores for 3 silver, except the all wolf’s core. He couldn’t find any beast that was related to cats, so now the only option was to upgrade Lily’s spirit, which was a wolf, through his talent [Beastiary of Souls]. He tried activating his talent while walking and aimed at the wolf core in his pouch. The change was immediate, the core crumbled into dust, and he could feel the essences floating in his mind somewhere, just like green glowing orbs that danced in a chaotic pattern confined in a glass jar. When he reached the restaurant, he saw it quiet. No customers. No noise. And the door read closed. But the moment he came close to the door, he heard hurried footsteps from inside and then the door opened. "Leo! You came back, come inside, let’s eat together." Lily said enthusiastically. "Wait, how did you know I was coming?" He raised his brow and asked. "Hm? I don’t know... it just felt like you were near." "...okay" Maybe her being my soulmate did the thing. He thought They went inside and ate dinner together with James and Sera. "Huh? Leo you... What the hell?!" James stood from his seat abruptly. "What happened, dear?" Sera asked. "This... now I can feel the aura of a 2-star Beast Master from him... and wait! Lily too! She also seems unusually powerful." Both Leo and Lily coughed awkwardly, trying to avoid his gaze. "Tell what happened!" James said, giving the table a soft slam. Leo shook his head in helplessness and explained to him that Lily had a peculiar talent of calling beasts from their core and taming them, and for him... he just said he got lucky with the Beast selection and chose a high Bloodline beast, carefully avoiding the topic of his soul. "You hid just good news from us?!" This time, it was Sera who scolded them. Both of them glared at the two cornered grown-up kids, who were scrunched up like they had been caught doing something wrong. Then somehow Lily gathered her courage and said. "So, master James... now can I go with you too in the quest that was assigned to you?" She continued. "I promise, I will be strong enough by then." James thought for a while, then looked at both of them with softened eyes. He could tell they were worried about him. "I don’t want to put you people in trouble... but looking at you, I can tell you would follow me even after I tell you no. So." He paused. "On the twelfth day, I will test you both. If you pass, you can follow me. And if you fail, you stay back. Okay?" He commanded, leaving no space for no. Leo and Lily both looked at each other and said in unison. "Yes!!" --- They finished their food, Lily and Leo were climbing the stairs when suddenly they heard Sera’s voice. "You still don’t need a second room? I am sure Leo is completely fine now." Her voice was playful, and a mischievous grin was plastered over her face. They both froze, especially Lily. She turned her head back reluctantly and said. "N-no, he is still not healed completely. I need to take care of him. Isn’t it right, Leo?" She glared at him as if daring him to say no. "That’s right, Miss Sera, I am still not healed..." He just went with the flow because he wanted to live for now to tell the tale later. Sera just chuckled and taunted. "Your ’sibling’ bond sure is strong." She purposefully stressed the word sibling, and they could tell she knew. But they chose to ignore and went straight to their room. "Fhew... I can tell she senses something wrong between us." Leo said. They both had freshened up, and Lily was drying her hair with a towel. Lily’s cheek had a tint of pink. "Well... it’s not like it is wrong." He sensed something was heading in the wrong direction and changed the topic. "Ah, right! The beast cores. Lily. quick, summon your wolf." She just clicked her tongue, knowing his tactics well. "Hmph!" But still, she proceeded to summon it