Luna nodded her head in understanding, then she noticed the look of fatigue on their faces.
Knowing that they were all tired and exhausted, she decided not to ask any more questions for now.
She wanted all of them to have a very good rest so she allowed them to return to the mansion to freshen up and have their rest.
That night, Aaron sat on a bench in the courtyard, staring at the stars in the night sky.
Glimmer curled up on his lap while he petted her, and she soon fell asleep on his lap.
Just like everyone else, Glimmer was also exhausted and that was why she fell asleep almost immediately.
However, Aaron currently had a silly smile on his face and it wasn't because of Glimmer.
Well technically, a part of the reason was due to his cute little fox, but it was mainly because of the screen displayed in front of him at the moment.
While he had been patting Glimmer, a series of notifications had popped up in front of him and Aaron still couldn't believe what he had been staring at.
[Congratulations to the host, Glimmer's loyalty has risen to 50%.]
[You have received an additional 10 bond energy points.]
[Your cumulative bond energy points are now 70 bond energy points.]
[Your Glimmerfox has also unlocked a new skill {Camouflage}.]
[You have also obtained a new skill {Camouflage}.]
[Camouflage:-This skill allows you to blend easily with your surroundings, making it easier for you to carry out surprise attacks.]
This was the skill that had caused Aaron's silly grin.
Never could he have imagined himself acquiring a skill like the one he was looking at.
With a skill called Camouflage in his arsenal, Aaron was thinking of the many benefits that would come with having a skill like that.
The camouflage skill was a very powerful and important skill that could be a major deciding factor in any victory he would have in future battles and he couldn't wait to use the skill in combat.
But while his mind was preoccupied with the matters of the future, Aaron suddenly noticed a new prompt in front of him.
[Would you like to take a look at your status?]
'Yes,' he replied and a new screen containing his status was displayed before him.
====
Name: Aaron
Bond Energy: 70/100
Physical Stats:
Strength: F+++
Agility: F+++
Endurance: F+++
Skills:- Fusion, Quick Reflex, Scout Instinct, Dual Strike, Electric Touch. Camouflage.
---
[Bonded Beasts]
======
Glimmerfox (Glimmer)
Loyalty:- 50%
Power level: F+++ {Potential:- D}
Skills:- Quick Reflex, Scout Instinct, Dual Strike, Camouflage.
Evolution path:- {Requires 50 bond energy points, 5 red mana crystals, and a 50% loyalty to be able to experience its first evolution.}
Thunderhoof (Unnamed)
Loyalty:- 20%
Power level: E {Potential:- C}
Skills:- Electric Touch.
Evolution path:- {Requires 60 bond energy points, 10 yellow mana crystals, and a 50% loyalty to be able to experience its first evolution.}
(The Thunderhoof currently needs nine more yellow mana crystals to evolve)
=======
Looking at the details displayed in front of him, Aaron could see that a few changes had occurred in his attributes.
He was pleased to see the changes, but he was more pleased with the new skills he had obtained, which were mainly the Camouflage skill and the skill he obtained from Thunderhoof.
Aaron looked at his hands and electrical sparks crackled around his fingers. He recalled the number of times he'd used the skill to stun and kill demonic beasts in the forest, but he couldn't help but wonder what other type of skill he would obtain after increasing Thunderhoof's loyalty.
While his mind was preoccupied with what might happen in the future, Aaron suddenly heard Diana's voice, pulling him out of his thoughts.
"You can't sleep?" Diana asked as she entered the courtyard and took a seat next to Aaron.
"Yeah, there's so much to do and I can't seem to feel relaxed enough to sleep."
"You need to rest, Baron. Your people look up to you now, and the last thing they would want to hear is you feeling stressed out because of all the things you've done for them."
"I guess you're right."
"Of course, I am," she smiled a bit before nudging him with her arm to cheer him up a bit. "So, what's next? I doubt the young Baron is going to be satisfied with just reclaiming the farmlands and dark forest. Am I right?"
Aaron smiled and replied. "Yeah, you're right and that's why the lava rock mines are next."
"The mines? Are you sure about that?"
"Yes."
"But I heard the mines are now a danger zone filled with fire-aligned demonic beasts, are you really sure you want to make the mines your next target?"
"Yes, I am. The volcanic areas in that zone are rich in important and valuable minerals that were once mined to fund the barony's economy."
"Is that why you want to reclaim it now? Because of the economic benefit it brings to the barony?"
"Technically, yes, but there's also another reason why I want us to reclaim the mines."
"Does it have something to do with Glimmer? I've seen a couple of Glimmerfoxes before and every single one of them had a strong affinity to fire, but yours doesn't seem to be like the other foxes I've seen."
"Yeah, that's why I need to get her a red mana crystal."
"Hmm, I see. The mine is the perfect place to find a red mana crystal, but it won't be easy to find one, and don't forget about the dangerous beasts dominating the area. Do you really think we're ready for this? Because clearing the mines will be our toughest challenge yet and we most likely won't come back alive if the rumors of a dangerous beast living there are correct."
"You say that, and it sounds like you're scared, Diana. But the look on your face says otherwise at the same time."
Although Diana might have sounded like she was scared and worried about what would happen to them if they were to venture into the mines, the truth was that Diana was really excited about the idea of facing off against more dangerous demonic beasts, and she couldn't wait to get started on their next adventure.