Frightened by the possibility that Amoux might hurt Gray, Damon sprints towards his furry friend and covers him with his body. "Leave him alone! He was thirsty!"
"Then go chug some water at the back!" Amoux' mouth hung agape as she slowly brings her hands up to her head and rubs it furiously. "Ahhh! That was the last elixir I had that would help me elevate!" Glaring at the scared Gray, she relaxed her expression the next second and sighed. "Now I have to struggle again."
Amoux walks towards them and bends down with her hand reaching out for Gray. Seeing Damons determined expression at keeping Gray safe, Amoux can't help but smile wryly, "I won't harm him. I just need the bottle."
Damon struggled at figuring out why Amoux was so concerned about that potion and couldn't help but ask, "What's so special about that elixir? It doesn't seem to have an effect at all."
Amoux hunches her back and walks to her room while dragging her feet before slightly turning her head, "It won't work unless you know how to use it. It's meant for magical beasts to help them get stronger." opening her door and heading in before coming out the next second, she continues, "Remember what I told you about ranks?"
Damon nods. Although Amoux looked reluctant to explain, she had no choice but to bring him up to speed with the world.
Magical beasts didn't have ranks but tiers. Even though the tiers were lesser than the ranks, one tier represents two ranks. Some even could fight about their tier but those were special cases. It ranged from Tier 1 to Tier 10.
At Tier 6, magical beasts who have gone through the process of transforming their cores to a new one which suited their affinity and housed their new forms, would find it difficult to increase their power. As such, there are specific elixirs they use to help them overcome their tiers barriers and advance to the next one. Obviously these were more expensive than selling half of your assets if you're a noble.
Of course, there are other ways to increase their tier without the use of elixir but it would be harder.
"Because magical beasts are being hunted everyday, less of my kind are reaching Tier 5." Amoux' defeated look caused the atmosphere to turn awkward. "As a result you'll find even less Tier 10 magical beats roaming around."
Although Amoux was a loner and proud to the extent that it might even reach the heavens, she still held a deep love for magical beasts.
"I'm sorry. I'll work to pay it off. How much is it?" Damon stood up, dusted his pants and stared at Amoux with determination burning in his eyes.
It's said that these elixirs were made by beasts for beasts and as such, was monopolized and auctioned off to the highest bidder. No one knows who the creator of the elixir is but knows that it's a magical beast.
"You'll have to work day and night for 5 years to recoup the expense! Hahaha!" Shooting up to her feet. Amoux gave Damon a sly smirk as if this was her plan all along. "But don't worry, you will have plenty of time to train. You'll also be sent on missions once I know you're ready! As they say, strength speaks for itself!"
As if the flames of determination in Damons eyes got extinguished by the cold wind that brought paleness to his face! Five years?! For one elixir?!
He knew he had to work for Amoux as he wasn't someone who would loaf around. He was a loner himself, feeling as though the world was always against him. Damon had no choice but to go head to head with whatever life threw at him.
Gray –being the culprit– senses the coming emotion of determination surfacing in Damons eyes yet again and trods over to Damon and lightly bumps his head against Damons leg.
Even though Gray could not speak yet, his eyes were telling Damon that he would be with him. "Fine! But I still want some free time."
Amoux' smile spread from ear to ear as if this was what she wanted all along. It creeped Damon out looking at his facial expression and took a step back involuntarily.
"Hahaha! I'm going to work you to the bone–" Then noticing the look on Damons face and how she had been exposing his devious smile, she coughed. "Ahem. I mean, you will gradually grow stronger during these 5 years."
Already seeing the devious expression of his new, teachers face. Damon was taken aback and a little frightened at what this beast had in store for him for the next month, let alone 5 years! But there was nothing he could do as who would take in a poor 14 year old boy from the street? Even if that boy was somehow self taught during street fights, he was garbage in the eyes of the people.
To be able to be taught by someone who is recognized as special in the eyes of a Kingdom is a great honor! But Damon didn't see it that way as he had nothing to lose when he accepted this beast as his teacher.
"So when do we start?" His words slightly surprised Amoux but nonetheless, she accepted it as this boy was somehow unnaturally determined.
"We will use the this two weeks for you to get acquainted with the Kingdom but mostly we'll train and I'll see what's your specialization." Hands on her hips and head slightly raised, she spoke proudly as if no one could could train a disciple better than her. " You'll get more muscle mass meaning more work... You ready?"
Without hesitation, he moved towards her, "Yes, teacher!" Amoux smiled at him as Damons eyes gleamed with a new light.
"Then let's get started!" Amoux felt unnaturally good about this new development in her life.