As they moved through the market, the air grew rich with scents of roasting nuts and spices. Merchants called out, advertising their wares, while Beast Tamers showcased their creatures to curious onlookers, hoping to catch the eye of potential clients.
"Seems like everyone here is trying to tame a beast just to show off, but I noticed... you haven't done that, Ren. I mean… one beast, after a whole year?"
Ren shrugged, giving his beast a fond glance.
"Guess I just… don't feel the need. This one's been with me since the beginning."
Mona raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"So, it's quality over quantity with you?"
"Something like that. A stronger bond feels worth more to me than a whole stable of half-trained beasts."
"That's rare… Maybe that's why your beast seems so loyal."
After walking for a while, they finally reached the bakery, and Ren held open the door with a grin.
"Well, here we are. Prepare to taste the best pastries in town."
As they get in, the smells of the freshly baked breads and cakes filled the air. They approached the counter, where a young woman stood wearing a white uniform and a brown apron. Her hair was pulled back in a messy bun, and her face flushed as soon as she saw Ren.
"Hey, Alianna! What's in the menu today?"
When Ren greets Alianna, her cheeks turn a faint pink, and she quickly glances down at the counter, fiddling with the edge of her apron.
"H-hi, Ren! We… we have some fresh honey rolls, um, your favorite…"
Ren flashed her a friendly grin, completely unaware of her flustered state.
"Perfect! We'll take a couple of those, then. Oh, and whatever's new today too!"
Alianna's hands fumbled as she quickly packed the items. Mona, observing the exchange, raised an eyebrow with an amused smile, leaning slightly toward Ren.
"She seems a bit nervous around you."
Mona whispered, just loud enough for him to hear.
Ren blinked in surprise, looking back at Alianna, who was intently focusing on the pastries, avoiding his gaze.
"Nervous? Alianna's always been like that. She's just… shy, I guess."
Mona gave him a knowing smirk, clearly amused by his obliviousness.
As Alianna handed him the bag, her fingers brushed against his briefly, and she nearly dropped the honey rolls.
"Enjoy… enjoy your treats, Ren."
She managed, her voice so soft it almost got lost in the background noise of the bakery.
"Thank you! I'll see you later, bye!"
As they left the bakery, Mona turned to Ren, an amused glint in her eye.
"So, where to next?"
Ren chuckled, shrugging his shoulders.
"Well, I could show you the training grounds, it's where most new tamers practice. Or we could head to the marketplace, you'll see tamers there showcasing all sorts of beasts to try to impress the crowds."
"Lead the way."
Mona replied, tucking her hands behind her head as they strolled.
As they walked through the bustling streets, Mona took in the variety of shops and the lively energy of Beast Tamers showing off their latest creatures. Some had vibrant feathers or sleek scales, others emitted strange sounds or glowed faintly, attracting the attention of passersby. Ren, however, seemed unfazed, occasionally patting his beast on the head when it chittered excitedly.
"You know, Ren, I think you're onto something with focusing on one beast. Anyone can have a full roster, but only a few tamers seem to have that connection you do. And you remind me of… someone I knew once."
"Really? Who?"
"Uhm... Anyway, I've got to head back. Duty calls."
It's like she wants to say something but she can't say it. She took the bag Ren was carrying and hurried to say goodbye.
"Thanks for this cakes! I'll make sure to give something back to you in return!"
She waved as she walked away from Ren.
He feels that he and Mona will meet again but for now, he has to go back to the Adventurers Guild to sell the herbs that he had gathered. Selling these would bring him one step closer to his goal.
Soon, he'd have the land he'd worked so hard to earn.
****
The Adventurers Guild was bustling with adventurers and they are all doing something, some are talking, some are drinking, and some are looking at the quest board.
Ren however, was at the guild counter where he was talking to a girl, they seem to be talking about the payment Ren will receive for the herbs that he sold.
"I see... well, that's actually just what I need to buy the land that I dreamed on."
He grinned at the girl and gave her a thumbs up.
"So, I guess, I'm going to leave now. Thanks for the coins!"
As he stepped out of the guild, he took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his hard-earned coins in his pocket. The bustling town around him seemed brighter, filled with possibilities. All of it... every herb gathered, every job completed, had led him to this very moment.
****
Ren arrived at the edge of the plot, greeted by the land agent. The land agent extended a hand, his smile wide as he recognized Ren's excitement.
"Congratulations, Sir Ren. This place will make a fine home."
He said, handing over the paperwork and accepting the coins with a nod.
Ren signed with a steady hand, then he stood back, taking in the expanse of land that was now his. A mix of wild grasses, scattered trees, and sunlight filtering through the branches.
This was just the beginning.
He could already picture it, a small hut by the creek where he could sleep without paying rent, a cleared area where his beast could roam, and, someday, maybe even a ranch filled with creatures he'd carefully tamed. This wild patch of land would grow with him.
Now, talking about the hut, maybe he needs to save again to buy the materials for the building.
He scratched his head, he was carried away by the thoughts of buying a land that he forgot that he still needs materials.
"This is going to be a long week..."
Guess he'd be gathering more herbs again.
****
In a distant part of the kingdom, the capital's busy streets were alive with the rush of day-to-day life when a commotion broke out near the royal courtyard. Shouts rang out, and startled passersby turned just in time to see a young man dart through the crowd.
Behind him, is a beast that looks a bit like a wolf, it has messy black fur and is following the young man. Its paw hitting the cobblestone with intensity.
"Stop him! Don't let him get away!"
The guard chasing after him shouted. The boy turned into an alley and his beast immediately followed him, the guard tried to chase them but when the guard turned around they were far away.
"He got away again."
The guard stopped and took a deep breath. He let the boy run because there was no reason for him to chase him, he would just waste more time chasing the boy.
"Make a note of that boy."
A voice suddenly speaks behind the guard, the guard turned and saw a man standing behind him.
The man is wearing expensive clothes that you can only wear if you are part of the royal family. He has blonde wild hair and dark green eyes, there's a spiral piercing hanging on his ear that glowed when the man moved.
"He's promising, could be a problem for other competitors."
He said, his dark green eyes gleaming under the sunlight. The guard stood up straight and saluted the expensive man.
"Understood! Prince Carlos."
---3 days later---
As the sun cast long shadows over his new plot of land, Ren wiped the sweat from his brow and surveyed his progress. The frame of his hut was slowly coming together, and all he needed to do now was lay down the foundation beams.
His beast, perched nearby, tilted its head curiously, watching every move with intense fascination.
"Alright, buddy, let's try to keep things smooth today, okay?"
He picked up one of the beams and positioned it carefully, aligning it with the support stakes he'd hammered in the day before. But just as he leaned over to nail it in place, he felt a weight press onto his back. His beast, evidently misinterpreting his crouched position as an invitation, had decided to hop up onto his shoulders.
"Whoa—hey! Not exactly helping here!"
Ignoring Ren's protest, the beast chittered with amusement, poking its snout into Ren's hair and curiously nudging his ears.
He reached for the hammer only to feel it slip out of his grasp as his beast, spotting the tool, scooped it up in its mouth.
"Hey! Not that!"
He watched as his beast, seemingly pleased with its 'assistance,' scampered off, holding the hammer in its mouth and prancing proudly around the unfinished hut.
"You thief, give it back."
Chasing his beast in circles around the construction site, Ren managed to get hold of the hammer at last, only for his beast to turn around, grab a nail, and dart off again.
Half an hour later, Ren finally got his tools back, though his beast had left a few of its own… creative pawprints all over the freshly laid foundation.
"Not quite how I planned it..."