A black snake. Larissa recognized it instantly, it was the most common beast from the random black egg, the one everyone had expected Luna to get in the first place.
Its abilities were similar to the shadow wolf's, though it lacked elemental control and its potential was limited to silver rank 3. It was a respectable beast, but not exceptional.
'Uncle Sirius's second beast,' Larissa realized as the snake deposited the envelope in Luna's hands.
The change was subtle but immediate. Luna's somber countenance seemed to lighten slightly while her fingers caressed the envelope. The snake slid back into the shadows, vanishing as if it had never been there.
Luna carefully tucked the envelope into her clothes, her movements almost reverent.
"Is everything alright?" Larissa asked softly.
Luna's cheeks tinged pink. She avoided her cousin's gaze, her eyes fixed on a distant point.
"Yes," she finally responded, her voice barely a whisper.
It was the smallest voice Larissa had ever heard from her cousin, so different from her usual confident and controlled tone. But there was something in it, a note of... happiness?
Larissa observed Luna for a moment more before returning to her own bed. She wouldn't press. If her cousin wanted to share the message's contents, she would in her own time.
Meanwhile, she couldn't help but wonder what kind of message could cause such a change in Luna's always stoic countenance. What words could uncle Sirius have written that could transform sadness into that soft blush?
Perhaps, Larissa thought while her mineral fairy glowed with curiosity, other families' traditions weren't as simple as they appeared at first glance.
"I've been thinking," Lin caressed the potion while speaking, "about which beast to choose."
"Do you already have an idea?" Ren asked while his mushrooms pulsed with interest.
"All my life I've practiced hand-to-hand combat," Lin explained. "I'd like to deepen that. I was considering beasts that increase speed or strength."
She stood and began walking around the room, gesturing while explaining. "The problem is that the main family doesn't know decent cultivation methods for direct combat beasts, except for the crane."
"And that worries you because...?" Ren encouraged her to continue.
"I'd need classic noble beasts if I want to reach gold," Lin sighed. "In school, the beasts known to have a chance to reach gold 1 are basically three: the Cockatrice, the gargoyle, and the pegasus."
"They're not seen often..." Min leaned forward, interested.
"No, they all have less than 1% probability in random eggs," Lin grimaced. "And they're expensive eggs. Besides, none gives me exactly what I'm looking for..."
"...The pegasus could be useful," she suggested while sitting again. "Though it's not ideal."
"For what you're looking for," Ren intervened, "a fire panther lizard would be excellent... It also has good synergy."
Lin blinked in surprise. "Well, yes. They have a 40% increase in speed and 40% in attack, but..." she shook her head. "They only reach bronze 1. Nobody chooses them if they can avoid it."
"No," Ren smiled while his mushrooms pulsed with more intensity. "I know how to take them at least to gold 1, remember? Like all beasts."
The silence that followed was deafening. Taro, Min, and Liu exchanged knowing looks, but Lin remained motionless, processing the words.
It wasn't the first time they'd heard him say it. He'd mentioned it when he obtained his little mushroom, but now... now that they saw him ready to apply that knowledge again, the reality of what it meant hit harder.
"It's surreal," Liu murmured, breaking the silence.
Lin straightened. "Well, then I'll get an orange egg. They have a good probability of containing a panther lizard, and I have enough money saved..."
"You don't need the egg," Ren interrupted. "We just need a core from one, or failing to get that from another beast, though preferably of the same type to save the big tentacles..."
"...We'll also need several parts of the panther lizard. With that I can make the egg."
Lin, who hadn't seen Ren process cores from scratch, looked at the other three boys, who nodded confirming what Ren was saying. Clearly, they had seen this process before...
"The core is extremely cheap," Taro rubbed his chin. "And the parts are easy to buy."
"Ren can transform all that into a perfect egg," Min added proudly.
"We've seen him do it," Liu confirmed.
Lin stood with determination and drank the potion in one gulp. "Then it's time to visit the bank."
"Are you sure?" Ren asked. "Once you decide on the beast..."
"Completely," Lin smiled. "Besides, what kind of teacher would I be if I didn't trust my favorite student?"
Ren's mushrooms pulsed with what seemed like embarrassment while the other boys laughed.
"Though," Lin added with a mischievous smile, "I still find it incredible that the same boy who can't dodge my basic strike knows how to take beasts to gold."
"Hey!" Ren protested. "Those strikes are impossible to dodge!"
"They're not," Lin sang while heading to the door. "You just need more practice. But when I have my panther lizard, they'll be even faster so prepare to train harder."
Ren visibly paled while his friends burst into laughter.
"You know?" Min managed to say between laughs. "Maybe you should have suggested a slower beast."
"It's too late for regrets," Lin smiled from the door. "Come on, the bank awaits."
As they followed Lin down the hallway, Ren couldn't help but wonder if he had just committed a tactical error by suggesting a beast that would increase his already terrifying teacher's speed.
His mushrooms pulsed with resignation. At least, he thought, the training would serve to improve his reflexes.
When they reached the shop, Ren stepped ahead of the group.
"Jessy," he called while his mushrooms pulsed softly. "How much does it cost to safeguard two very valuable objects?"
The merchant looked up from her account book, arching an eyebrow. "Ah, hello Ren... That's quite expensive. Ten thousand crystals per month for each safeguarded object, I don't think it's worth it for those hydra scales..."
"Twenty thousand a month..." Ren murmured, making mental calculations.
Lin stepped forward. "It's fine, I'll pay for it."
"It's not necessary," Ren shook his head. "I just wanted to know the price. I have enough crystals."
"I insist," Lin frowned. "It's the least I can do after..."
"Really, don't worry," Ren interrupted her quickly, noticing Jessy's confused expression.
He turned back to the merchant. "More importantly now, what's the price for Panther Lizard parts?"