With every step the big-headed lizard took, the circles on his body shattered one by one.
One step, two steps... the ninth step!
Upon taking the ninth step, his body finally gave out, collapsing. Lying on his back in the rain, he looked at the wide street in front of him and slightly grinned.
Rainwater poured into his mouth, it was cold, but it didn't matter. He had managed to leave that woman's manor.
His consciousness grew heavier, and the weight of his eyelids forced him to slowly close his eyes.
In the rain, a big-headed lizard lay quietly at the manor gate. On his body, a fiery red ring fluctuated like a candle on the verge of extinguishing. Anyone who saw it would recognize it as a gift ring, a rare feature of newly hatched magical beasts.
[Tap~!]
A black carriage, fantastical in appearance, stopped at the manor's entrance. The carriage was drawn not by ordinary horses, but by two purple magical beasts with unicorn horns. Though they resembled horses, they were over three meters tall, robust, and powerful. Even in the heavy rain, their coats remained dry, as an invisible force deflected the raindrops.
The carriage door slowly opened, and a slender leg wrapped in black stockings stretched out. The figure held a black umbrella and stepped out.
She was not tall, only 16, wearing a white magical robe. Her long blue hair was casually draped behind her, making her petite and delicate physique appear even more fragile.
Cecilia walked to the small lizard, crouching down to examine him. Seeing the fluctuating gift ring, she understood everything. Another poor little guy abandoned by nobles due to low potential. As a contracted tutor, she had seen this many times and could do nothing to change it. But seeing the blood spilling from the little one's mouth, an unnamed anger rose in her heart.
If it was just for the lack of potential, they could have released him back into the wild. There was no need to beat him up like this.
Raising her head, she glanced at the manor gate. She recognized this manor; it belonged to a blood descendant of the Kingdom's Western Grand Duke.
Frowning slightly, she decided now was not the time for anger. She had to save the little guy first.
Cecilia let go of the umbrella, allowing the rain to soak her magical robe. She picked up the little one, cradling him in her arms, ignoring the blood staining her robe. Running to the carriage, she called out, "Maya, speed up the return."
"Whinny~"
The two unicorn horses snorted and moved their hooves, quickly transitioning from a slow trot to a fast gallop through the empty streets.
In the carriage, Cecilia held the little one on the couch. She took out a bottle of green potion from her spatial ring and poured it into his mouth. The little one cooperated, swallowing the bitter potion without resistance, saving her some trouble.
As the potion took effect, the fluctuating gift ring stabilized. Cecilia's tightly furrowed brows relaxed. The stabilized ring meant the little one would be fine for now. However, his broken internal organs still needed urgent treatment to avoid any lasting damage.
To treat him, she needed to return home. Normally, she carried potions for internal injuries, but the unconscious contract apprentices at the academy had led to a higher consumption of potions lately. She had already used up her stock, including the potion for internal injuries.
The academy had alchemy tables but lacked materials. Her potion materials were stored in her home's basement. Though she had a spatial ring, it was too small to store all her materials.
The unicorn horses soon arrived at Cecilia's small home, a hut in the outer city. She had moved there due to complaints from neighbors about the magical beasts she adopted. Though it was less safe, there were no more complaints, and the little ones had more freedom.
"I'm home!"
As she pushed open the door, magical beasts of all types swarmed to greet her.
"Stop, stop, stop!"
Cecilia raised her right hand, gesturing for them to stay back.
"I need to treat this little guy first. We'll have the welcoming ceremony later."
The little ones noticed the red big-headed lizard in Cecilia's arms and obediently stepped aside. They had all been carried back like this once.
For commoners, a bronze species was a good starting point. Though magical beasts could have cubs, most were ordinary beasts. If magical beasts with the same bloodline were easily born, contract masters would be the strongest profession.
Bronze breeds were not impressive at the noble academy where Cecilia worked. The guards beside noble heirs started at the second ring, so nobles wouldn't bother with bronze breeds.
With the little ones making way, Cecilia quickly walked to the basement. It was simple, resembling a material warehouse, with an alchemy table at the center. She placed the little one on the table and skillfully found the materials needed for the Potion of Healing Internal Viscera from a pile of small cabinets.