19 Reaching Town (2/2)
”Listen here, lobster head. If you don't like my beast, why don't you try moving him?” Arnin was mad, but he didn't want to kill people from the academy in broad daylight... yet. He didn't think he was strong enough for that.
”L-lobster head? Who do you think you're calling lobster head? You wanna die?!” Brajus couldn't help but flare up. His eyes burned with fire while he flexed his arms and lifted his sleeves. ”Come at me little boy! Don't hide behind the beast!” Brajus got into fighting stance instantly. People from different stalls heard the commotion and rushed over.
”Lobster, I don't have time to fight you. Don't you have any shame trying to attack me, a five year old, when you are already in the twenties?” Arnins sharp, mocking words caused Brajus to hesitate.
”Brajus, pull back! Why are you making a scene right now?” Dane, with his expressionless face, pulled Brajus back. He looked at Arnin before walking into the crowd. Arnin patted the beast and smiled before following as well. The crowd dispersed when they saw that nothing happened.
While walking on the stone ground, Arnin saw many different types of shops that one wouldn't find in his village. Other then the common meat shops and other food places, there were shops for essence beast meat, cultivation resources and other things. Arnin wasn't surprised by the increase of shops because a town was supposed to be much larger than a small village, especially a town that had an academy looking over it.During the whole trip, Dane didn't speak a word and Brajus tearfully avoided shops that served lobsters.
”Little boy, is that a Rank One Beast?” Arnin was walking silently when suddenly an old woman called out to him. His head turned and he looked towards the sound. A large shop stood alone with small field behind it. The wooden roof resembled the top of a tower a point in each corner. The limestone walls were plastered with signs, some talking about discounts and others about the information of the shop. Arnin read the large sign that hung from the roof; 'Beast Shop'. Arnin was surprised by the sign and couldn't help but walk over with the tiger beast.
”Hello, Miss. I am sorry but I am unsure of what you mean by Rank One Beast.” Arnin spoke to the shop owner like a little boy. Although he was a child, the way he spoke greatly differed from his usual speech.
”Oh my, come here sit down. Let me explain this to you briefly. This old lady has been serving this shop alone so I was hoping to speak with someone, so please come little one.” The old woman showed great warmth when she looked at Arnin. She welcomed Arnin into the shop with great enthusiasm while the beast also followed Arnin in.
Dane and Brajus watched from the side before walking towards the shop as well. Arnin looked at the two approaching before smiling evilly.
”Old miss, don't let those two in. The one with lobster hair bullies me, while the other one doesn't let me do anything because of my friend. Can you tell them to go away?” Arnin didn't really need a guide to the academy once he came to the town. He could ask anyone for directions, however the two didn't seem to leave him alone. Arnin understood their intentions to keep an eye on him, but he hated when bugs swarmed around him.
The old woman looked at Arnin and at his 'friend' before nodding knowingly. ”Don't worry child. Not everyone loves beasts the way we do. Let me shoo them away for you, alright?” The old woman turned and faced the two humans. ”Why don't the two of you wait out here for now? I want to speak with this little friend alone.” The old woman didn't wait for a reply before closing the beast patterned door.
Dane didn't approach the shop and only stood outside waiting. Brajus, on the other hand, was about to rush forward but was held back by Dane. ”Don't do anything stupid. We can wait here for now.” Brajus crossed both of his arms over his chest before standing behind Dane.
”How dare that kid call me a lobster head again?” Brajus couldn't help but silently whisper to himself. Dane heard his complaints but said nothing about it.
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Inside the shop, Arnin sat beside a large window that faced the field. The tiger beast laid beside him on the ground, its eyes drooping and unfocused. Arnin placed his hand onto the head of the beast. The old woman closed the door behind her and walked towards Arnin amiably. She looked at Arnin as if he was her own grandchild, and her eyes lit up even more when she saw the tiger beast beside him.
”Little boy, what is your name? I want to chat with you so lets start with introductions. My name is Inme Tenebrae.” Arnin nodded with a smile before introducing himself as well.
”My name is Arnin, Arnin Foro.” Arnin didn't pick up any ill intent from Inme so he was alright with sharing his family name, anyway's a family name wasn't important unless the person was from a large family with great influence. Inme nodded her head before looking at the beast. ”He doesn't really have a name. I haven't given him one. Let me think.” Arnin pondered for a while before continuing. ”Maybe I will call him Vilis.” The beast didn't show much of a reaction towards the name that was chosen for him. However, the smile on Inme's face grew even more.
”So you didn't know what a Rank One beast was right? Well let me briefly explain the rankings of the essence beasts. An essence beast is a term used for any beast that can cultivate essence. As we know, beasts cultivate by taking it from others, while we cultivate by taking it from the world. Now, an essence beast is divided into two types of beasts. There are the demonic beasts and the radiant beasts. There are two major differences between the two. A demonic beast can only be tamed by a Demon or forcefully suppressed by demon crystals. These types of beasts are much more bloodthirsty, The radiant beasts are gentle creatures that can be tamed by anyone. Well, if they know how to tame them, that is.” Arnin was surprised that beasts could be tamed normally by others as well. In his past life, the only way to tame a beast if one was not of the same race or of the demon race was through suppression or through a very rare act of good. There was no other way, however in Afloria this was possible. The interest Arnin had for the worldly essence, grew.
”Old Miss Inme, what about the rankings of these beasts. Are they the same or what?” Arnin continued to act like a child in front of Inme.
”The ranking for both beasts are the same. A beast will only be considered Rank One when they reach Essence Manifest cultivation. Then, similar to the humanoid creatures, they have the Earth, Sky, Hell, and Heaven separation. So from what I can see, Vilis is a Rank One - Hell demonic beast.” Arnin's eyes 'brightened' when he heard that.
”Wow, my Vilis is so strong.” Arnin 'happily' rubbed Vilis' head, which irritated the beast. Arnin didn't mind the reaction and only continued to smile.
”So little Arnin, why are you here? Are you a traveler? Also, how did you tame a demonic beast?” Inme asked without any underlying meaning. She looked at Arnin with wonder filling her eyes.
”I am here to join the Lepidoptera Academy to further my studies. As for Vilis, I found him injured by a tree and I helped him. It was also really hungry so I gave it some food. After that, it never left my side.” Arnin forged a story for how he acquired Vilis. He knew it was because of his aura, which had some demonic presence, but he couldn't just tell her that.
”That is extremely lucky but dangerous. I am just happy that it didn't attack you or anything. Haha!” The old lady giggled before getting up and leading Arnin towards the door. Arnin followed behind the old woman with Vilis in tow. The door opened up and the light rushed in like a starving person.
”Well little Arnin, I can't hold you forever. Enjoy the academy because it is a wonderful place. We might even meet each other very soon.” Inme waved at Arnin, who began to walk towards the two waiting men.
The two nodded towards the old lady and continued to walk in the direction of the academy. Arnin took one last glance at the old woman who disappeared into her shop. Through their conversation, Arnin didn't learn anything about her other then her name. She also only asked questions about him and the beast. This seemed normal, however Arnin found this to be anything but.
”I hope the next time we meet, you won't be someone I have to get rid of.” Arnin solemnly whispered.