"Be mindful of hygiene and don't touch unfamiliar things with your tongue. Don't do this next time!" David Jones nagged Rainbow, trying to get her to break this bad habit.
After all, Rainbow was just a month-old baby, so David needed to teach her some human common sense in daily life.
He knew that snakes usually used their tongues to gather information, but as a superior creature, Rainbow didn't really need to use her tongue for smelling anymore. Her cute, innocent-looking eyes weren't just for show.
"Yiyi?" (Not food?)
Rainbow looked at it with confusion, evidently still not quite understanding.
"This is the packaging. The food is inside. Here, this is your dinner."
David unwrapped the parcel in his hand, then pointed to the Class I Ice Arcane Crystal and lively Spirit Fish inside.
"Yi." (Got it.) Rainbow tilted her head nonchalantly.
"Eat up."
David picked out a lively Spirit Fish, gently offering it towards Rainbow's mouth.
Rainbow looked at the fresh fish in David's hand and deep in thought, worried she might hurt her master.
"Yi." (Let it go.) Rainbow stared with her big watery eyes.
"Huh?" Originally wanting to hand-feed her, David disappointedly placed the wriggling fish on the clean table.
Rainbow's body shot forward, instantly biting down on the fish. With a burst of Cold Breath from her mouth, she immediately froze the fish into a block of ice.
"It seems that Rainbow prefers frozen food."
Watching Rainbow eat, David lowered his head to tidy up the remaining Spirit Fish and Arcane Crystal, then put them in the refrigerator for storage.
At 7 pm, after Rainbow had eaten her fill, David finished his own dinner and started his daily cultivation.
After completing his cultivation and feeling some progress, David woke Rainbow up from her deep sleep.
"Rainbow, wake up. It's time to Strengthen."
Upon hearing the word 'Strengthen,' Rainbow, who had been asleep, instantly became spirited, her eyes shot open, and she quickly wrapped herself around David's wrist.
Looking at Rainbow's eager actions, David smiled slightly. She really was an impatient one.
He gently stroked Rainbow's delicate body, using Dragon Force Strengthening twice.
Rainbow enjoyed David's gentle touch, feeling her strength visibly growing at a noticeable rate. Sadly, each time could only last a few minutes.
"Yi?" ε(┬┬﹏┬┬)3 (So soon?)
After the two Strengthenings, Rainbow looked up at David. She still wasn't satisfied and wanted to experience the feeling of gaining strength continuously.
Feeling Rainbow's pitiful gaze, David smiled helplessly.
"Didn't we agree? After winning a match, I'll Strengthen you four times a day. Including tonight's two, we've done it four times. I still have to help you prepare delicious Dragon Crystal food!"
Hearing that, Rainbow reluctantly released David's wrist. She slithered to his pillow and fell back asleep. Food's temptation was irresistible, and sleep was the better option - out of sight, out of mind. After all, the master had said that the Dragon Crystal was a gift for her promotion to Class I.
Once she broke through to Class I, she would happily taste that long-awaited Dragon Crystal!
"You must work hard, my future ace."
Watching Rainbow drift back to sleep, the corners of David's mouth slowly curled.
David got up, stretched, and moved his muscles, then let out a heavy breath. He vented out his tiredness. He still had Dragon Crystal homework to get done!
But he didn't Strengthen the Dragon Crystal today. According to his past experience, with his currently limited energy, he could barely make one Primary Dragon Crystal.
As for why he chose to create a Dragon Crystal, it was because he'd already set his sights on his second Pet – the Titanium Ragdoll he'd been longing for – even though he hadn't yet had the chance to pick one.
Not being content with too few, he needed to start preparing the gifts for his future Pet in advance to avoid conflict within the team.
David Jones, as a Trainer, wanted to ensure that he provided his Pets with equal Pet Resources, being fair and impartial.
"Sorry, Rainbow, please forgive me."
"I just can't resist the fluffy Silver Gradient Ragdoll."
After mocking himself, David expertly took out a disposable blood collection needle, alcohol for disinfection, and a band-aid from the bag beside his bed.
He had no choice; creating a Dragon Crystal required a drop of his blood.
As someone who reads about history, he couldn't possibly collect fresh blood by biting his finger like characters in novels.
Not to mention that the blood would flow wastefully, be unsanitary, and most importantly, David couldn't bring himself to do it.
He didn't have that level of ruthlessness or even know how ruthless individuals managed to draw blood in such a way.
David pressed his right thumb against his left index finger several times to allow blood to flow to the fingertip, then disinfected it with alcohol, and finally pricked the skin with the blood collection needle.
He let the blood drip onto his palm, then covered the wound on his fingertip with the band-aid.
Looking at the blood in his palm, David didn't hesitate and immediately activated his second talent, Dragon-Wielding.
Accompanied by a faint "sizzle" sound, an illusory blue flame ignited in the blood on his palm. The originally liquid blood emitted an enticing aroma as it condensed under the flame.
As the aroma spread, Rainbow, who was immersed in a beautiful dream, seemed to be attracted. Her head shook slightly before she suddenly opened her eyes and looked towards the source of the aroma.
David watched as the blood in his palm gradually contracted and solidified into a red crystalline essence. His face turned somewhat serious as he felt his physical strength rapidly draining into the red crystal. The consumption was much greater compared to previous times he created Dragon Crystals.
David tried to stop the creation process, but there was no response.
He forcefully pinched the muscles in his thigh, trying to use the pain to counteract the drowsiness that overwhelmed him.
At this moment, David's slightly pale face was covered in sweat, but he still stubbornly maintained the balance of the blood in his left palm.
Grinding his teeth, he persisted. After what felt like a long time, maybe a minute or more, a crisp cracking sound signaled the formation of the Dragon Crystal, and the enticing aroma disappeared instantly.
"Success!" David let out a sigh before blacking out and collapsing onto the bed.
"Huh? Huh?" (╯﹏╰)b (What happened? Why?)"
Rainbow sensed David's weakness through their contract and carefully climbed up beside him, rubbing her tiny cheeks against David's sweaty face with worried eyes.
She vigilantly watched the room, aware that the Trainer needed protection.
Moments later, her gaze fell on the Dragon Crystal tightly grasped in David's hand.
"Huh!" (ಥ_ಥ) (I'm so touched!)
A few drops of water appeared at the corner Rainbow's pure eyes.
He wore himself out preparing food for me? She thought back to when she was awakened by the aroma, watching David making the Dragon Crystal.
She sensed his persistence and determination from their contract at that time – could this really be the Trainer for her?
Moved and worried, Rainbow experienced an unusual feeling for the first time.
"What can I do in return?"
She immediately thought of today's battle; every time they won, she could feel David's happiness and excitement through their contract.
"I will bring you victory!"
With this determination, Rainbow tightly pressed against David's body, her eyes seemingly filled with a burning flame.