After circling Kuro for a while, Sein nodded in satisfaction.
"Hmm, no problem," he said while running his fingers through Kuro's fur, which felt like normal fur not tentacles.
"System, can he take a human form?" Sein asked, his curiosity piqued.
[No, host. The beast cannot take a human form. However, it can mimic other beasts or creatures, provided their essence isn't too different from him. For example, you can't let a tiger transform into a dog, but it could become a cat.]
"Ohh," Sein muttered, intrigued by the system's response.
Deciding to explore further, he summoned Kuro's new information.
[
Name: Kuro
Species: Temporal Hunter
Potential: Unknown
Power Level: Peak Grandmaster
Skills: Space Jump, Future Sight, Blood Hunt, Hunter's Howl, Bloodlust
Description: A seemingly weak beast with an unimaginable future.
]
Sein's eyes widened as he read the details. "Peak Grandmaster?" he whispered to himself, a mix of astonishment and excitement flashing across his face.
In their small third-tier city, where Grandmasters were considered the most powerful individuals—numbering less than three in total—the realization that Kuro had already surpassed them sent waves of shock and excitement through Sein.
Taking a deep breath to calm his emotions, he focused on checking the details of Kuro's newly acquired skills:
[Space Jump: Allows teleportation within a 100-meter diameter.]
[Future Sight: Provides a 5-second glimpse into the future, automatically activating in the face of danger.]
[Blood Hunt: Once a target is specified, the Temporal Hunter can track it within a range of 1 km. No concealment skills or abilities can obscure the target.]
[Hunter's Howl: Emits a terrifying howl that instills fear and confusion in listeners.]
[Bloodlust: Enters a berserk state, increasing attack and defense by 25% while reducing speed by 30%.]
Looking at these skills, Sein couldn't hide his excitement. With such abilities, he realized that Kuro might even be capable of holding his own against weaker King-level beings.
Noticing the late hour, Sein glanced at the time before gently picking up Kuro. Holding the pup in his arms, he walked toward his room, his thoughts lingering on the events of the day.
Entering his room, he paused for a moment, taking in the simplicity and comfort of the space that had always been a refuge for him. He placed Kuro on the bed, then tossed aside his shoes, stretched his arms, and sank into the mattress. The soft bed felt like a long-lost embrace after the whirlwind of the day.
He considered putting Kuro into beast space, but seeing his reluctance, he decided to let him stay. With a soft sigh, he lay back, closing his eyes to settle his thoughts. "Good night, Kuro," he whispered, allowing the quiet to envelop them. Tomorrow was an important day—the final one at the academy. A farewell for everyone, whether awakened or not. The significance lingered in his mind, but exhaustion quickly dulled any emotions attached to it.
As the room fell into silence and the weight of sleep pressed on his eyelids, Sein's breathing slowed. With Kuro curled beside him, he slipped into a deep and peaceful slumber.
********************
In a dimly lit room, suffused with a faint yellow glow, several figures stood in eerie silence, their faces hidden behind plain white masks and black hoods. At the front of the gathering, a man stood tall, his white mask adorned with intricate red patterns that gave him an imposing presence.
"How is the preparation progressing?" the man with the red-patterned mask asked, his voice steady and commanding, every word carrying a sense of authority.
"It's all ready, Deacon," one of the hooded figures responded, their voice unwavering and confident.
"Good," the Deacon said, his gaze sweeping over the room. "Tomorrow, we set our plan in motion. There should be no issues. It's time to remind the people of the terror that is the Dark Temple."
"Yes, Deacon!!" came the frenzied, wild response from the gathered figures, their voices filled with a fanatical devotion.
The Deacon's eyes gleamed with madness. "Let the city tremble under our power. Tomorrow, Ravendale will drown in blood."
"Of course, Deacon!" another figure replied, their voice laced with fervor. "They'll never forget this day."
His tone returning to firm and unwavering, the Deacon ordered, "Alright, you may go now and finalize the preparations."
The hooded figures quickly dispersed at the Deacon's command, their footsteps echoing faintly before the room was left in silence.
Seeing that everyone had gone, the Deacon walked forward, his presence filling the room with an overwhelming sense of power. As he moved, his shadow stretched across the walls, growing larger until it consumed the light entirely, plunging the room into darkness. Only the soft echoes of his footsteps remained in the stillness.
*******************
With a wet feeling on his face, Sein slowly opened his eyes.
He found Kuro, licking his face, trying to wake him up.
Looking at the light streaming through the window, he noticed the sun had already risen. Sein reached out and gently placed his hand on Kuro, lifting him up. "Up," he said, yawning as he stretched.
Sein slowly rose from his bed, stretching his limbs as he yawned. Groggily, he made his way to the bathroom, the cool floor beneath his feet helping to shake off the last remnants of sleep. He splashed water on his face, the refreshing chill quickly waking him up.
After a quick shower, he dressed and headed to the kitchen. There, he began preparing food for Kuro and Cier, ready to start the day and take care of his responsibilities.
After preparing the food, Sein went to wake up Cier. Gently shaking him awake, he made sure Cier was ready for the day. Once Cier was up, they sat down together at the small table, enjoying their meal. Kuro, sat beside them, happily munching on his food.
After finishing the meal, Sein got up and started gathering his things. He locked the house behind him, making sure everything was secure. With a final glance at the home, he turned to Cier and led him out, walking towards the school.
Once they reached the school, Sein made sure Cier was all set for the day. He gave him a quick wave and a word of encouragement before heading off. With Cier safely inside, Sein walked towards the academy, with kuro in his arms.