Chapter 194

Chapter 194
## Chapter 194: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

A name?

“…Let’s get out of here first and think about it calmly.”

This was not a location to make such a choice in haste.

As though the creature completely grasped my words, it continued wagging its tail before sliding directly into the bag.

It mimicked scratching the ground a few times utilizing its front paws, then curled itself up and flopped down.

“Ppippi.”

Once the malevolent aura settled, Nature returned inside the bag.

Next, she lightly pecked at the fur of the evil influence using her beak.

Regardless of whether I understood anything or not, it undeniably appeared remarkably joyous.

‘I am glad they seem to get along.’

Since Nature had looked after it diligently since its days as an egg, I naturally assumed they would mesh well following its hatching.

Even so, witnessing them interact this harmoniously allows me to finally unwind entirely.

‘Indeed…….’

Viewed from Nature’s perspective, is this entity not essentially a comrade’s offspring?

“Rikschel. Let us head back.”

“Yes. Older Brother.”

Rikschel smiled, observing Lion chuckle as though relieved.

It felt somewhat unusual for a mammal to emerge from an egg, yet it remained tiny and lacked any appearance of severe danger.

‘Naturally, I cannot afford to drop my guard.’

At the very least for the present moment, seeing as it obeys Older Brother flawlessly… no, it trails behind him almost like a fledgling bird, would that not be acceptable?

‘The definitive judgment will ultimately rest with the Family Head himself, but….’

In Rikschel’s estimation, is it not a fine companion pet?

Harboring such sentiments within their hearts, the two individuals emerged from the training enclosure.

And outside…

Fortunately, nobody was present.

“Phew.”

Lion and Rikschel simultaneously released breaths of relief.

“That is a relief.”

“Indeed.”

Though they had stepped inside with bold intentions, this remained a territory where Grandfather had imposed a strict entry prohibition.

Rikschel had likewise been instructed never to enter except for designated training purposes.

“…Initially, it would prove wisest for us to depart separately, since traveling back together might invite suspicion.”

“Correct. You put in hard work.”

“Not at all. Rather, I felt delighted that Older Brother sought my assistance.”

Furthermore…

Rikschel stowed his staff away and offered a gentle smile.

‘I am pleased knowing I have secured yet another memory to treasure alongside Older Brother.’

On top of that, acquiring a minor realization served as the ultimate bonus.

“I am the one who should feel grateful. Very well then, I shall summon you once matters settle down somewhat.”

Lion briefly hoisted and lowered his bag, then strode ahead.

Although he desired to express deeper gratitude toward Rikschel, tending to the creature took precedence.

‘Even if it appears healthy, it is merely a newborn.’

Its energy reserves were likely depleted, necessitating a comfortable environment for rest.

Driven solely by that intention, Lion quickened his pace and slipped into his quarters.

Inside the room, the blanket that had previously wrapped the evil influence back when it was an egg remained neatly folded in a corner.

Lion spread the covering across the bed and gently laid the evil influence upon it.

“Were you feeling uncomfortable? You may emerge and rest now.”

The juvenile evil influence tilted its head on multiple occasions, subsequently bringing its adorable nose down to sniff the blanket.

Then, as if a realization dawned upon it independently…

“…!”

Its ears instantly pricked upward, and it promptly stretched out, rubbing itself affectionately against the material.

It appeared to appreciate the gesture.

“Indeed. This is the very blanket you utilized previously.”

Lion let out another sigh of relief.

At the very least, it looked capable of adapting reasonably well.

‘Hmm…….’

A significant dilemma remained.

Lion had never raised a domestic animal before.

Consequently, while he had performed some light research ever since acquiring the evil beast’s egg, that constituted the extent of his preparation.

‘With Nature… things are different, are they not?’

It resembled a fluffy potato, or perhaps a bird, yet Nature’s fundamental essence belonged to an otherworldly dimension entirely separate from the material plane. A spirit.

She relished the meals Lion prepared, yet that marked the limit; she neither contracted illnesses from eating nor gained physical mass.

However.

“Kiying!”

This infant evil influence differed entirely.

While it was undeniably a special entity, it possessed a tangible physical form and lived as a breathing organism.

Moreover, unlike Nature, whose physical vessel merely compressed in size, this creature was genuinely an infant.

Though it lacked the shriveled appearance common to other newborns, it remained undeniably young.

This implied that Lion bore the responsibility of managing every single aspect, ranging from nourishment to hygiene.

Naturally! Such tasks might prove clumsy at first, but I would master them swiftly.

The genuine complication lay elsewhere.

‘A name…….’

How ought I to bestow one?

Lion smiled awkwardly, planted his hands upon his hips, and sank into deep contemplation.

‘Bestowing the identical moniker utilized by the druist’s evil influence…….’

That felt somewhat excessive.

They shared the same classification, yet this was a distinct entity altogether.

Furthermore, regarding that other evil influence’s designation…

‘I believe I assigned that name rather haphazardly.’

Recalling the moniker, Lion immediately shook his head.

Appointing a fresh name proved preferable.

‘What choice might suit best then?’

Lion pondered briefly while observing the baby evil influence rolling about joyfully upon the blanket.

It seemed ecstatic to escape the cramped confines of the egg, scratching the fabric with its paws and nipping at the edge of Lion’s pillow using its underdeveloped, rice-grain-like teeth.

It seemed intent on displaying fierce, wild instincts, yet… its diminutive size rendered the display purely endearing.

‘What about Jjajangyi?’

Lion remembered ‘Jjajangyi,’ a canine companion raised by a junior colleague back at the corporate office prior to his transmigration.

The coworker had explained naming the animal Jjajangyi because its muzzle remained as dark as though it had consumed jajangmyeon.

‘Alternative instances…….’

He also mentioned a client’s feline—which had appeared white and fluffy like Baekseolgi during its kitten days of kneading bread—being named Seol-i, though the owner experienced great shock when its coat shifted toward a yellowish hue during maturation.

Regardless, such identifiers typically derived from closely observing a pet’s physical traits.

Just as the thought crossed his mind that he ought to observe the creature more intently…

‘W-wait…….’

…Why is the little one behaving in that manner?

He had merely been watching due to its sheer cuteness, but the behavior directed at the pillow appeared unusual.

Ought he to describe it as persistently fixating on a single spot?

That failed to represent the sole anomaly.

It struck the cushion with adorable front paw strikes, and its sharp claws gradually shredded the fabric carefully curated by the Asteri Family.

Wait… is it actually tearing?

Then…

The exact instant Lion moved forward to intervene!

Flap flap!

The creature finally clamped down firmly on the pillow and shook its head with violent enthusiasm.

Naturally, the fabric ripped completely apart, sending internal stuffing and feathers scattering across the bed and into the surrounding air.

“Oh dear.”

Lion chuckled powerlessly, gazing at the fluttering feathers.

It possessed considerably greater stamina than he had anticipated.

‘Countless tasks await once I finally establish a name.’

Canines remain members of the canine family, after all.

Initially, securing a few toys suited for tug-of-war would be wise.

“You have collected debris all over yourself. Come here.”

Lion chuckled softly and approached the creature, which currently sported a tiny feather balanced right on the tip of its snout.

“Futtchi!”

As though experiencing a tickle, the creature emitted multiple adorable sneezes, “Futtchi, futtchi,” and shook its entire body.

The feathers that had momentarily settled drifted into the air once more with the motion.

“…!”

At that precise second, for reasons unknown, the entire scene etched itself vividly into Lion’s consciousness.

Simultaneously, the name materialized.

“Pus. Let us call it Pus.”

Even if it eventually expands into a massive beast later on, or its sparse tails multiply into nine to complete its adult maturation, will these childhood recollections not endure eternally?

And even then, to Lion, it will likely forever remain the baby who sneezes adorably on account of feathers.

Consequently, he formulated a moniker by slightly altering the cadence of that specific sneeze.

‘The sound itself carries a charming quality.’

…Or perhaps not?

Even so, does it not possess its own unique charm?

『 Do you wish to designate the juvenile evil influence as ‘Pus’?』

『 You possess the option to modify the designation at any juncture.』

『 Nevertheless, frequent modifications to the identifier may induce confusion for the companion and result in complications during subsequent training phases.』

“What are your thoughts?”

Lion directed the inquiry toward the creature one final time prior to confirming the choice.

Regarding ordinary pets, he remained uncertain, but evil influences possessed surprisingly elevated intellect.

Thus, it might reject the option…

“Kiying!”

Fortunately, it expressed approval.

Lion reached outward and stroked its fur, while Nature plucked a stray strand of fluff from its tail using her beak.

“Indeed. Let us maintain a harmonious relationship.”

Though the initial stages might involve considerable clumsiness…

At the very least, he harbored absolute confidence that he would prevent it from experiencing starvation or isolation.

『 You have successfully tamed the sole surviving evil influence remaining within this realm!』

『 The evil influence (Pus) shall accompany you throughout your lifetime!』

And concurrently.

Minute, glass-bead-like motes of radiance began shimmering across Lion’s bedchamber.

『 Conditions have been satisfied.』

『 Your Spirit Arts talent has breached its prior limitations!』

He initially assumed it constituted mere ordinary illumination, yet upon lightly brushing against one of the glowing droplets, the boundless energy of nature surged forward.

An unparalleled sense of freshness enveloped his physical form in a warm embrace.

Lion shifted his gaze toward Nature.

As anticipated, an alteration appeared to manifest within Nature’s physical vessel as well.

Previously, he had sensed it on multiple occasions—a profound reservoir of power transmitted across dimensional boundaries.

That energy now resided securely inside Nature’s compact frame.

Furthermore, on this occasion, Lion possessed the capacity to withstand its immense weight.

Lion extended his hand toward Nature.

Whereupon her… no, her actual avian wing enveloped Lion’s hand as though pulling him into an embrace.

Accompanied by a comforting warmth, he experienced a sense of profound care directed toward Lion.

‘All is well. Whatever manner of entity you truly are, you remain Nature.’

Because you represent a cherished and valued companion who offers gentle reprimands and assistance whenever your master overworks or sustains injuries.

Ssshhh…

The luminous droplets gradually dissipated, and Nature’s commanding presence likewise receded.

Unlike prior instances when alternative talents breached their boundaries, no supplementary notifications appeared, yet Lion understood intuitively.

He had finally triumphed over an additional barrier within Spirit Arts.

『 Spirit Arts has attained Skilled Lv. 1.』

『 You are stepping across the threshold into an advanced realm.』

『 Knowledge concerning Beast Taming has been unlocked.』

“Phew.”

Lion smiled, noting his incomparably lighter physical condition.

A deeper happiness welled up because it felt as though his sincere intentions had successfully reached these two companions, surpassing even the pride of advancing his Spirit Arts to the skilled tier.

And…

“Hahaha!”

Fortuitously, comprehensive knowledge pertaining to Beast Taming flooded naturally into Lion’s mind!

Specifically, instructions detailing how best to rear Pus.

And fortunately, Lion possessed numerous advantageous provisions.

Among them, the most critical requirement at this precise moment involved…!

“Very well, you have expended sufficient energy playing. Shall we partake in some infant nourishment now?”

It constituted specialized sustenance formulated for evil influences.

Lion retrieved the infant rations he had previously acquired from Barg, verified the contents, resealed the packaging, and concealed the container.

The fine white powder revealed itself within the packaging.

‘Initially, upon receiving this powder labeled as infant food, I wondered what purpose it served….’

Examining it presently, it clearly transcends standard infant nourishment.

Pop.

Lion utilized his pinky finger to sample a small quantity of the powder.

‘Hmm. As expected.’

The flavor profile proved nutty, velvety, and subtly oily.

This confirms everything.

It functions as formula!