Tamed beasts are the norm in Etterra. People can easily bait them with food and treat them with care and they will help. Not all beast are easy to tame. That's why there are monster studies are a research subject.
Hippogriffs is a half eagle and half horse monster that are common for fast individual transportation. They had bird brains and as long they are provided food and safety they will be in service. The Cross family only had two hippogriffs, that is the ones Malcom and Adrian are flying with.
It took Adrian quite some time to get a hang of riding it with a 5 year old body but he still manage to stay in balance for the journey.
"Analyse"
[Creature: Hippogriff] [Type: Avian beast]
[Level: 15]
[Strength: 90] [Agility: 130] [Endurance: 110]
[Intelligence: 30] [Mana: 1023]
[Affinity: Wind]
"Aria, why do beast show levels in numerical value?"
[Responding. Monsters shows numerical level because they are creatures made purely by mana. They depended on mana in mana sustenance to thrive. Different to beings with intelligence made from flesh and blood.]
"Come to think off it, grandpa did told me about mana patterns in creatures and objects." Adrian starts to understand the principal.
[Responding. Master can use 'Deconstruction' to extract the mana pattern of 'Target: Hippogriff'.]
"What will happen to the hippogriff when I did 'Deconstruction' on it?" Adrian is just about to try it.
[Responding. 'Deconstruction' is a process of pulling apart entangled mana pattern of the target into a clearer view for Master. The target will dissipate after 'Deconstruction' is use.]
"Are you crazy? I will fall to my death if I deconstruct this hippogriff right now." Adrian cursed out loud. His father heard him.
"Adrian what's wrong? Why are you babbling about 'falling to death'? Are you still scared about falling? Don't worry, I fly close to you. Try your best to get the hang of it." Malcom tries to ease his son fears.
"Okay dad. I do my best. Good boy Hippy. Don't let me fall now, dad will buy you delicious meat and fruit if we arrive safely." Adrian pats the hippogriff neck while giving it a sudden name.
"Cawkk…" the hippogriff responded excitedly seemingly understanding Adrian.
"Aria, explain to me 'Deconstruction and construction'." Adrian is curious about the overpowered skill.
[Responding. 'Deconstruction' works in conjunction to 'Construction'. Master can deconstruct magic circles or mana patterns from different targets to construct and create a new magic formula.]
[Warning. 'Construction' process needs mana to function. 'Construction' temporarily disable.]
"Wow, doesn't that mean I can make some ground breaking discovery?" Adrian ponders while having a huge grin on his face.
Malcom saw this and relived that Adrian is grinning while flying steadily. It will be a smooth journey.
The sun was in the process of setting over the horizon. Adrian saw a huge city ahead with many creatures flying over it looking tiny from afar, and at the centre of it is a huge palace. The birthday venue, The Twilight Palace.
Landing a little further from the front gate, Malcom disembarks first wanting to help Adrian of his hippogriff but it seems to be not needed. The hippogriff kneels down to help Adrian off. Adrian hugged the hippogriff of doing a good job while feeding the two some beef jerky.
Arriving at the front gate, Malcom and Adrian show their Cross Family Insignia, swords stacked on each other forming an 'X' under a setting sun, and the invitation. The guards bow and let them inside.
"Let's go to the noble district first. We ask a beast keeper to tend the hippogriffs and find an inn to stay until tomorrow. Tomorrow before evening, I can follow you around and get what you want as a payment for preparing the birthday presents." Malcom tries to excite Adrian while feeling guilty for pushing responsibility to a 5 year old.
"Really? Yay!" Adrian jumped for joy he wanted to search for close combat manual for spear, bow and body while looking for souvenirs.
After sending the hippogriffs to the beast keepers, Malcom and Adrian walk towards a luxurious inn. When they enter, Adrian recognizes some familiar and unfamiliar faces.
"Oh, the Cross family had finally arrived and they brought their cunning eldest too." Count Tate Turner gave a joking remark.
"Hohoho, Malcom why not join us for dinner. We can let our children socialize with each other." Says Count Patrick Shields who guards the south boarder.
"That's right. It is rare for counts and their children to joined together for a meal. I'll pay for it. My treat." Count Shawn Davison added.
"If you insist, me and Adrian will gladly join you all after we store our belongings first." Malcom and Adrian give a bow.
After that they enjoy dinner together. Malcom is in a table with the adults and Adrian is in a table with the kids.
"You must be the rumoured 'genius' Adrian Cross. Only 5 years old, and already standing toe to toe with the adults." Count Davison's son, Conor Davison said with dissatisfaction in his tone.
"You should cut him some slack Conor he is just 5 years younger than you. You are a kid too." A woman looked in her late teens from the Turner Family retort back.
"Julie, Conor, save your breath, you two didn't see the other noble's reaction that time. Just look at him, ignoring your argument like you two didn't exist. Just eat finish your dinner and let this be done with it. You too, Scott you are the same age as him, don't let other people emotions affect you." The eldest on the table, Kyle Shields stopping a bicker while giving advise to his little brother.
"Understood, eldest brother" Scott replies while continuing to eat.
Adrian didn't have the mood to strike a conversation with them. He is tired and want to immediately rest. After finishing, Adrian stood up from the table and give a bow while apologising.
"I apologize for ignoring your greeting earlier. I'm a bit tired from the journey as we just arrived. I hope we will have a proper conversation in a perfect situation." Adrian extends his hand.
"Don't worry, we understand. I apologize as well on behalf of them for forcing you. You have an accident during your birthday a month ago. I remember what you say today. I hope we can build a good connection." Kyle replied and shaking Adrian's hand.
After Adrian politely excuse himself from the counts and the children then proceed to his room to sleep. Kyle seeing Adrian fleeting figure heading upstairs letting out a smile.
"That little guy had started training. His hands are rough as a swordsman." Kyle let out a comment.
"What?!" The counts and kids heard this. The count stared daggers at Malcom and the kid's jaws dropped.
Malcom was thinking on how to get away from this situation.
Next morning, Malcom was drunk, drinking till late night. Adrian lifted him up with the 27 strength he had and toss his father in the shower.
"Get ready. It's time to fulfil your promise." Adrian said with a threatening tone while turning on a cold shower startling Malcom.
"Alright. Alright." Malcom wide awake begin sobering up.
Amber Rose Capital had 3 districts centring the Royal palace. The inner ring, the noble district. The middle ring, market district. Lastly, the outer ring, the common district. With the market district dividing the commoners and nobles, they interact with each other quite a lot.
There are some beast kin here working at the capital but not many. They are given and equal treatment as a citizen of the kingdom. Still there are still some supremacists but they don't dare on going too far.
The Twilight Kingdom is being kind to its citizens because the kingdom only been established for 50 years. The kingdom is also at the centre of 4 older civilizations. The king is doing everything to keep the kingdom standing. Any disharmony and disorder will be punished very heavily.
"Dad, I want combat manuals and some fur fabric for sewing while looking for suitable souvenir for mom and Marylyn." Adrian states his intentions.
"Okay, you can pick anything you want." Malcom don't say anything more. Afterall, he promised Adrian.