"Finally! That wicked panda. I'll make sure I get my revenge."
Confusion shone in Nox's eyes.
What was this childish voice?
Nox froze in his steps, his full attention focused on the glowing blue portal that had suddenly popped out of nowhere. The reason he was a bit confused was because...
Nox's gaze drifted below, and he could see that Fluffington, Thirteen, and Astralus were still outside helping the Awakened with cleanups and other activities.
The Awakened had also grown fond of the beasts and appreciated their company. Among all of them, the one they loved most was Astralus because of her kind and gentle personality.
But this wasn't even important right now. Nox returned his gaze to the portal. All his pets and beasts were already outside, so what...
At that moment, Nox's eyes suddenly flashed as he thought about something, at which his heartbeat also sped up. That childish voice grew much stronger in his head, like a blaring speaker.
'Using me as a punching bag. Sleeping on me. Kicking me like a ball. Sitting on me. Wicked, evil panda! I'll report him to my father.'
"Could it be..." Nox's eyes gleamed with excitement and anticipation. It had only been a few seconds since the portal appeared; however, to Nox, it seemed as if days had already flown by in the blink of an eye.
After what felt like an eternity, and when it seemed as if Nox's heart was about to jump out of his chest, the head of a small snake emerged from the portal.
The scales of the snake were azure in color, with a pair of beautiful blue gem-like eyes that were filled with a mischievous twinkle. Merely staring at the beauty in front of him, Nox resisted the urge to pick it up and caress it to his heart's content.
He remained standing there, completely smitten by the python's otherworldly beauty.
"So beautiful." He whispered under his breath as he slowly approached the portal. At the side of the scales, Nox could see the symbol of infinity, which was his official marking.
The beautiful azure python, which looked more like its mother, who had died a few years prior, stared back at Nox. Those blue eyes radiated warmth. The look they gave Nox was the same affectionate gaze one would reserve for those they deeply cared about.
It felt as if he had known the blue python for a long time, when in reality, he was only meeting it for the first time.
Before Nox could reach the portal, however, the little snake lunged towards him and leaped up in the air, coiling itself around Nox's neck. The snake's action startled Nox slightly... its agility wasn't something he had expected from a baby snake.
[Father!] The python hissed and raised its head, rubbing its scales against Nox's neck. Its voice was soft and melodic, and Nox felt he would never get bored of hearing it.
But there was a nagging question in his heart: How did this little snake know that he was her father? Yes, the python was female—Nox had already confirmed it. Don't ask him how he confirmed it.
'How did you know I'm your father?' he asked, his voice echoing in the baby python's mind.
"Because I can sense it, silly." The baby python let out a long giggle as she pressed her head against Nox's cheeks.
If this were on Earth, Nox was very certain he wouldn't be this comfortable with this snake. Hell, he would have probably sent it to the afterlife, but this one...
This one, he wanted to protect with all his life!
As if sensing the overwhelming love, the python tightened its coil around Nox's neck, a way of reciprocating its love. Those blue eyes, full of innocence and trust, stared into his, and the urge to protect the beast only grew stronger.
At that moment, Nox used Analyze on his new pet.
[Baby Blue Fanged Python]
"A young serpent with azure scales, still learning to harness its venom and strength."
Rating: wildin Level 1
Tiny Venomous Bite (Basic-tier): A weak venomous bite that can cause mild discomfort, still growing stronger.
Camouflage (Advanced-tier ): Can blend in with surroundings but only in close proximity.
Light Constriction (Basic-tier): The python can coil around small objects or creatures, though it lacks the strength for more significant constriction.
Instinctive Reflexes (Intermediate-tier): Quick reaction time to sudden movements, though its instincts are still developing.
Ultimate Evolution Path(1)
Azure Serpent Empress :
Requirements: Reach King Tier, obtain the Sapphire Fang of Serpent Kings.
Description: As the python matures, it will gain immense strength and agility, with scales as hard as diamonds. It will learn to split into multiple serpentine forms, each with independent thought and action. It will also gain the power to command sea creatures, forming an army to overwhelm enemies.
Obviously, because it was a magical beast, it still had the physical attribute stat and the normal evolution path. The skills were also not bad.
'I guess I'll need to find a elemental crystal for you as well.' Nox thought as he looked at the evolution path for the python and the skills. But this would be for later.
"What should I call you?" Nox stroked his chin with a pondering expression. The little python waited expectantly.
Names were very important, and Nox didn't want to mess it up, so he took his time. After a while, he smiled brightly as he eventually thought of something.
"Your name is Solara." He declared.
[I love it!] The blue python hissed in satisfaction, earning a pat from Nox.
Nox suddenly froze and then asked, "This reminds me, what were you talking about? Who offended you?"
[Ah.] Solara's eyes didn't look that pleasing anymore. They were now filled with anger, and even her form had turned rigid.
[That stupid panda. He is a bit... mischievous. But don't worry, Father. I will keep him in line.]
"Thirteen?" Nox raised a brow. "Are you talking about Thirteen? What did he do to you?"
[He's evil!] The snake's voice took on a dramatic tone, and Nox could almost imagine it puffing out its tiny chest in exaggerated indignation. [He keeps sitting on me and calling me a 'snack'!]
[Wait, you remembered everything that happened during your egg stage??] Nox was speechless. Was that even possible?
[Yes, that white and black furball kicked me around and used me for his training. He's the evilest creature in the world. I must take my revenge!]
"But he's your brother," Nox attempted to quell the little snake's rage a little.
[Harrumph, of course, I won't kill him. I just want to make him feel a bit of pain, so that he'll learn how to respect others in the future.] The little python's tail flicked as she said this and tightened its hold on Nox's neck as if she were strangling the panda.
Nox chuckled as he stroked the python's head. He could almost picture the baby snake glaring at the imaginary panda in its mind.
"You're quite the troublemaker, aren't you?"
"Me, a troublemaker?" The python stared confusedly at Nox. "That fireball started it first."
At that moment, Nox saw the furball in question approaching curiously, with both Fluffington and Astralus. It seemed they had finished helping the Awakened.
Upon seeing Thirteen, the fiery spark in Solara's eyes returned.
"This won't end well." Nox offered a silent prayer for Thirteen in his heart.