Logan was taken aback by Earl Victor's words.
He had been about to accept Rubina's suggestion to leave his small creature with the Rosengards so it could grow in a stable environment. But then a memory surfaced—a particular video game from his old world, one about training and capturing monsters—and his curiosity piqued.
His gaze drifted to the small, orange, newt-like animal. It was still busily draining the last fire stone of its power, pressing its head near the crystal and inhaling faint red particles that radiated from the deep red gems.
Yet even while feeding, Logan could sense the little creature's hunger through the Empathic Link. It wasn't satisfied. It wanted more.
"A fight? Like, actually attacking another animal?" Logan turned his attention back to the middle-aged man, his voice laced with apprehension.
"Yes," Earl Victor replied, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "A one-on-one controlled battle. We have several training grounds designed for that purpose. You don't think this little one is going to spend its life gorging on fire stones, do you?"
Rubina, still standing at Logan's side, gently placed a hand on Logan's shoulder.
"Don't worry, Logan. My dad might sound a little wild sometimes, but he's one of the top breeders in the entire kingdom. He knows what's important for a Scorchwyrm. He wouldn't bring harm to the baby or take reckless chances. Right, Dad?"
The earl gave a soft chuckle at her serious tone.
"You know me well, my dear." He turned back to Logan. "It's important for the young Scorchwyrm to begin developing its instincts and physical strength early. Especially while you're still here to guide it."
He clapped his hands once as he stood, prompting a few nearby servants to begin cleaning the room.
At that moment, his most trusted maid stepped forward. Hestia was a stern woman in her mid-thirties, with emerald-green hair tied back neatly and sharp eyes that missed nothing.
She moved like a seasoned professional, her calm presence instantly drawing attention. Without a word, she handed the earl a white lab coat, each gesture polished and precise, every move deliberate.
As if she had done this a hundred times before.
Logan watched in silence. Something about the sudden shift, the servants in motion, the earl's tone growing more focused, made it clear this wasn't just a casual offer.
This was the beginning of his Scorchwyrm's training arc, in the truest sense
Combing his hair back after slipping into a crisp white garment, Earl Victor Rosengard stepped through the back door, leading the way outside.
Logan and Rubina followed close behind, with Hestia walking just a few paces behind them. Rubina held the baby newt carefully in her arms, ready in case it decided to misbehave.
She glanced at Logan and smiled when she noticed him looking around, clearly intrigued.
They passed several unfamiliar facilities. Greenhouses teemed with strange plants, while silos and barn-like buildings echoed with animal noises.
Workers moved busily throughout the grounds—some cleaning animal waste, others delivering food in wheelbarrows or with donkey-like beasts hauling bundles of grass.
"Here we are. This should be the perfect place to train your little one, Logan," the earl announced, pointing toward a large, dome-shaped structure at the far end of the estate.
"Wait, don't tell me we're going in there… ugh!" Rubina turned her head in disgust, a visible shiver running through her shoulders.
"I'm afraid so, hun," the earl replied with a hearty laugh. "The only creatures this little one can safely fight are insects, so the Insectarium will be perfect."
With that, he pulled open a metallic door, and the group stepped inside.
One person let out a soft, cute whimper, while Logan was barely holding back a laugh.
The boy tried not to even show a grin, realizing how unexpectedly comfortable he felt around the father and daughter who had taken him in.
He found himself smiling, thinking back to moments from his own childhood. A sudden wave of nostalgia hit him, playing with Lisa without care as a kid.
He sniffled without meaning to—quickly covering it up with a cough.
What is happening to me today?
The boy let out a deep sigh, trying to shake off the thoughts lingering in his mind.
He kept his focus on the earl, following as they descended the staircase into the lower level of the dome-shaped building.
From the outside, the place hadn't looked that large. But once inside, it became clear how vast the interior truly was. Two staircases offered separate paths, one leading upward, the other down into the underground section where they now ventured.
Below, the space opened into a maze of cages and specialized enclosures. Glass walls and metal frames separated habitats, each one tailored to mimic a unique environment. Thousands of insects lived here, some contained within their miniature biomes, while others—mostly small, winged types—flew freely under a magically controlled dome.
"Wow, how are you able to keep so many animals in one place?" Logan asked, glancing around in amazement as the earl happily explained each creature in his usual chatty tone.
Earl Victor turned to him with a warm chuckle. "That's the benefit of my class. As a breeder, I gain insight into the creatures I raise. The more I raise, the stronger I get… not in raw power, but in understanding, affinity, and breadth. Unlike tamers, I can't enhance a beast's strength directly, and I don't work with plants. My strength comes from diversity and growth."
There was a subtle note of regret in his voice as he finished, but it quickly vanished.
"Still," he added with renewed energy, "that's why I'm happy to have you around, hero."
He gestured toward a nearby enclosure, leading the group into a massive chamber that resembled an ant farm, only scaled up to the size of a two-story building.
Inside, dozens of fist-sized ants moved through a network of glass and metal tubes. Each tunnel is connected to different chambers, simulating a complex underground colony.
The creatures scurried with purpose, each of their coordinated steps filling the air like the low beat of distant drums.
"Bleh. I told you how much I hate creatures with too many legs… but these hairy things are even worse," Rubina muttered, using Logan's back as a shield to block the sight of the giant ants.
Logan chuckled at her reaction but didn't have the heart to move away. Somehow, her leaning on him felt oddly comforting.
The earl continued leading them through the enclosure until they stopped in front of a large chamber. Inside, several ants were busily repairing part of their nest, carrying clumps of soil and carefully reinforcing a tunnel wall.
"These are Battle Ants," the earl explained, folding his arms with pride. "They make excellent training partners for young beasts like your Scorchwyrm. Strong and numerous, but their attacks focus more on testing endurance than agility. Perfect for developing a baby creature's instincts."
He clapped once and turned to the nearby workers. "Alright then, let's get started!"
At his signal, three staff members moved swiftly to arrange a ring of stones in an open area of the chamber. The small arena would serve as the battleground.
"We'll place your Scorchwyrm here and introduce one ant at a time until the little one tires out," the earl continued. "Remember, this isn't about winning. It's about instinct training… and feeding."
Rubina, clearly torn between worry and disgust, reluctantly stepped forward. She avoided looking at the ants as she gently placed the baby Scorchwyrm into the ring, then quickly stepped back, hands twitching as if to cover her eyes.
Almost immediately, two worker ants were released into the enclosure. They twitched their antennae, scanning their environment for potential repairs or food. Within moments, they locked onto the Scorchwyrm, recognizing it as a possible meal for the colony.
Moving in sync, the ants began to encircle their prey.
The baby Scorchwyrm, however, remained calm. It instinctively crouched low, eyes fixed on the nearest threat.
A heavy silence fell over the group as tension mounted. No one spoke. Even Rubina, despite her revulsion, couldn't look away.
One of the Battle Ants closed in, pincers ready to strike—only for the Scorchwyrm to release a sudden burst of flame. A searing jet shot toward the ant, catching two of its legs.
A sharp screech rang out as smoke filled the chamber. The burning ant staggered backward, its limbs sizzling from the attack.
Logan and Rubina both winced at the sound.
Weakened, the closest Battle Ant stood no chance as the Scorchwyrm lunged and bit down with brutal force, tearing through its armored head. The mandibles, once a defense mechanism, split cleanly under the pressure of its small but razor-sharp teeth.
Logan winced as he felt a sudden pulse from the mark on his collarbone—an eerie flare that vanished just as quickly as it came making him feel just a tad stronger.
The battle wasn't over yet.
The second Battle Ant let out a piercing screech, responding to its companion's death. Its stance shifted, uncertain if it should flee or fight—but hesitation sealed its fate. The Scorchwyrm, energized by its first kill, charged without mercy.
Driven by instinct and hunger, the young creature pounced. Its body moved with eagerness to eat, and within seconds, the second ant was already half-devoured. The lingering thought echoing in Logan's mind was clear:
[Food.]
"I doubt those two were enough to satisfy our little one," Earl Victor said with a chuckle. "Let's increase the difficulty. How about a Battle Ant Warrior instead of more workers?"
Without delay, several staff members rushed in to clean the ring, while others used earth magic to form a sturdier barrier of rocks. Logan could feel the mood shift from all the spectators witnessing the battle, something more dangerous was coming.
Anticipation built as the next opponent stepped into the ring.
The new ant was nearly twice the size of the workers. Its exoskeleton gleamed with a menacing polish, reinforced with glowing, sun-like orbs embedded across its body. It moved with heavy, deliberate steps, radiating power.
The earl stepped closer to the edge, narrowing his eyes as he studied the two combatants.
"This one should give us a clearer idea of how fast your tame is growing. Each kill should be feeding you experience too, Logan—however small it may be."
Logan nodded silently. He could already feel something in the connection shifting. The more the Scorchwyrm fought, the deeper the link felt.
The baby crouched again, muscles tightening, its growl low and steady. It didn't seem scared.
Across the ring, the Ant Warrior scanned its surroundings with sweeping antennae, sensing the threat.
Suddenly, a blast of flame surged across the ring.
The ant reacted fast this time, sidestepping just enough to avoid the brunt of the attack.
Only a few hairs on its legs were singed.
It countered immediately, mandibles raised in a swift, aggressive lunge.
But another wave of fire stopped its advance, forcing it to brace.
The Scorchwyrm didn't wait.
It launched forward, understanding its flames wouldn't last forever. It needed to end this quickly.
If it could cripple a leg—or two—it might just land the final blow it needed to win.