The sound of the utensils faded away. 

Everyone wore expressions that seemed to wonder who would be the first to utter a word about what they had just seen, or rather seeing. 

Calmly, the Crown Prince was the first to speak a word. 

"To clarify, that is . . . a Rhinearian Beetle . . . correct?" 

General Marie replied shortly but with difficulty, "Y-Yes. Judging by its exterior appearance and its overall figure. It is probably . . . no definitely a Rhinearian Beetle."

It seemed like a rhetorical question. However, it was not an inappropriate inquiry to ask.

"Good grief.” Crown Prince Kayle gently swiped the bangs of his hair. “It appears that amongst the promising talents, there is a particularly ‘outstanding’ one.”

"HAHAHA!! That boy!!!" Apostle Wrau laughed out, very amused. 

"That child . . . is he using that tri-section staff as a whip to exert control over that Rhinearian Beetle?" General Zelgius frowned. 

On the screen displayed, Dalis was seen unhesitantly whipping a Rhinearian Beetle. His posture was upright like a groomed soldier, and his movements were exaggerated and expressive, scaring the beast into fervently accomplishing its designated duty. 

The beetle had knocked down several trees, and these were shaped and piled neatly to the side as logs. It seemed that the shaping process involved using the beast’s pair of mandibles and somehow using its Y-shaped forked horn as a saw. 

In the current moment, Dalis's gestures appeared to suggest that he was trying to ingrain and teach something to the Rhinearian Beetle. He was pointing back and forth to one of the logs in the pile and the beetle’s horn, making a saw-like gesture with his hands. 

It was as if he was training a pet. 

However, with how tyrannical he looked through his mannerisms and supposed shouting . . . this was simply animal abuse . . . no beast abuse! 

As further testament, he was now personally tightly gripping the shaft of the horn and using its proud horn as a tool to shave the bark of the log, demonstrating what it needed to do. 

To no surprise, when the beast had failed to do it by itself after three times, it was met with a crippling slash by a whip.  

Though the observers were able to see Dalis’s mouth open and close, they were unfortunately unable to hear what he was saying because sound was incapable of being transmitted. 

No? Perhaps that was fortunate censorship. 

"It's not that simple either . . . he's using the tri-section staff to provide directional guidance for the beast to grind those trees and encourage its movement!" Apostle Farden was impressed. 

"That boy, where is he from, Apostle Wrau?" Crown Prince Kayle asked.

"He's an orphan, Mother Michelle picked him up somewhere nearby." 

"Nearby? But I suppose he couldn't be from the north? That would be too presumptuous of me.”

"Your Royal Highness, are you thinking about that beast master clan from long ago? I heard that they had perished mysteriously three hundred years ago,” General Baseth questioned. 

"Yes. Those beast masters were said to have used a strange art to tame their beasts. In any case, it would be an impossible feat without the use of mana. I recall he had a dormant mana seed . . . ? He turned to General Zelgius of which the other responded with a nod. “It is as seen then. He is imparting pain through his whip to endorse the beast to his wishes: pain compliance."

"Your Royal Highness, I sincerely apologise for you having to bear witness to such an appalling scene.” General Marie then sought her superior for advice. “Apostle Wrau, although I have been an examiner for various incidents outside of the Pre-Soldier Exams, I have never seen anything like this occur. 

“Technically this is not a breach of the rules, but is this considered to be legal or . . . just? As they will grow to become future Vanquishers, this may be problematic or even detrimental. I ask senior Apostle Wrau for advice. Please do not put personal feelings into this," General Marie solemnly asked. She was aware that Apostle Wrau had Dalis in his eye.

Apostle Wrau tensed up a little in attention to respectfully answer his subordinates’ worry. "For now we will watch over him. In the first place, what Dalis is exerting control over is a beast. Not a human or a . . . demihuman. The children were tasked to kill beasts. Dalis simply chose a very different approach which was to tame it.” 

He flashed a smile. “Who knows, we may learn something from the youngster. However, if his actions reach a point which could be considered overboard . . . then I will make sure to give him a talk about it."

"L-Learn something? . . . Understood. Then we will remain vigilant in our watch. Should we send someone in to personally watch over him?"

"Unnecessary Marie."

"Learn something, hmmm. I cannot deny that I feel a little excited to see what actions he would showcase later," Crown Prince commented, leaving Marie more baffled.

"Apostle Farden is there something you wish to inquire? You appear deep in thought,” General Zelgius said.

"Oh, I was just contemplating about that boy. It is such a pity that he has a dormant mana seed. By his age, he would very likely not go under any transformations." Apostle Farden appeared visibly disappointed. 

"Ah! A deformed mana seed . . . " 

"Heyyy Baseth don't say his seed is deformed!” Apostle Wrau rebuked. “He is still young! In the coming future with his talent, I'd reckon he will shake the world up! Even if he continues to have his dormant mana seed. Who knows . . . maybe he will become the next big hero. Like Crown Prince's mother years ago!"

"That would be splendid news to hear for your Church. It's been a very very long time since the last person from a Church background became a hero," Crown Prince Kayle politely commented.

A few faces slightly contorted. Unlike the other nations, it was known throughout the Pedlar continent that the number of heroes that have been birthed from the Church was relatively much much less.

"It looks like the screen has switched to another perspective.” General Zelgius pointed out.

Apostle Wrau took a large bite from his grilled chicken wing. "The Pre-Soldier Exam is not all about that boy. Let us watch the other candidates. But he is definitely of interest. After all, he is one of a kind."

 

***

 

"Alright, that should do it. Good work."

Dalis used his tri-section staff to give the beetle one final flail as a pat on the back. Or rather, a smack on the back. The Rhinearian Beetle had thought it did something wrong as it released a little screech. Though it was probably a whimper . . . 

"No. You did nothing wrong. Instead, you did a staggering job. Here, this is your reward."

Dalis walked towards the beast and carefully took out the calpufer herbs from his inventory. He raised the arm which held a few calpufer herbs into the air and waited for the beast to take its well-deserved reward. 

At the beginning of his taming lessons, he wouldn't dare feed the beast with his bare hands and instead threw the herbs mercilessly onto the hard floor. This was not only because he wanted to avoid being bitten or attacked, but it was also to explicitly drill the idea that he was the master, and the beetle was the servant. 

Not a slave . . . no, he was unquestionably not merciless because of their past conflicts. Working conditions were definitely in accordance with the welfare of pets.

After all the madness that took place in the skies, he had managed to slowly but safely descend to the ground. At the time, the both of them had expended so much energy that neither could move for a long time. The beast did not run as it had effectively been traumitised into being struck still with fear. 

So, they stood apart from each other in the clearing in silence for hours. 

During those hours, Dalis pondered if he should slay the beast. In the end, he chose to abandon those thoughts. It would have been a waste of resources. Instead of killing it, why not actually tame it for real? When he followed through that line of thought, finding it very to his liking, he planned all sorts of ideas for his master-servant relationship, almost completely forgetting the idea of slaying it. 

And it was as he stood up from his rest to put his plan into action, he received an odd pop up when gazing at the beetle. 

Ding!

 

 

 

Dalis was delighted by this message as it was rare for the ability to activate. The more times he manages to activate it, the more growth it will get, potentially allowing him to use it whenever he wishes! Furthermore, the information provided was nice to know.

Taming? Could I possibly be on the pathway of learning a new skill?

Returning to the present, the beast understood its master’s actions and made a joyful cry. Slowly but carefully not to agitate its master, it savoured the calpufer herbs in his hand. Dalis was pleased with the result and as a matter of course, provided the beast with extra fillings. Watching the beast made him feel a sentimental attachment to it. 

Dalis used his other arm to stroke the beast’s head. If Stilla was here, she would definitely say the words, "how cute!"

Hmm . . . I can't possibly take the Rhinearian Beetle back, can I? Wait am I thinking of taking this beast back home as a pet? How ridiculous.

Dalis shook his head from side to side to rid those thoughts. It was very unlikely that the Church would accept this. Sister Edna would probably be able to be won over. However, she is just a Sister, and her authority only reaches so far. 

In any case, it was impossible. 

After all . . . 

When the Rhinearian Beetle had finished its meal, Dalis proceeded to start work. 

The trees, which had been roughly sawed into well-shaven logs, were notched at each end. Although the pieces varied, it was sufficient to construct a hut or a cabin. He utilised thick vines blessed with Caleyar's mana to tighten and assist the hold of wood together. While various other materials were used to construct the rooftop such as fern and branches, similarly held by the thick vines. 

 

***

 

A little after dusk, Dalis had finally finished his construction. 

"Not bad, not bad at all." Dalis could not help but compliment himself.

He subtly moved as though he was skipping around the cabin, admiring his finished product. Not even once did he touch his splendorous creation, after all, he was busy. 

The serene black eyes were sharp, mounted in his sockets, magnifying, and penetrating the naked cabin. Each layer of the design was scrutinised and examined without question. 

From his discovery, he found that there were actually several loose areas that did not appear to adequately affix. Some parts revealed gaps that may become a point of concern. This was especially the case with the rooftop, which was no surprise, considering the variety of materials used unlike the logs. 

"Upon closer examination, there is much to be improved." He nodded to himself.

On second thoughts, was it really necessary to build a lodging with the small number of days we have? Ah, forget it. This was a good experience in putting my learnt skills to work. It may even be amusing to see the reactions of others when they see my ‘residency’.

Dalis then gave a posh turn towards the Rhinearian Beetle. The Rhinearian Beetle seemed to jitter a little as if it had noticed the peculiar behaviour of its master.

"Rhinearian Beetle would you like to be the first to enter into my residency?" 

Dalis bowed and swayed his arms towards the cabin like a butler, serving the way.

The beast seemed to be confused and was ultimately unable to take its master's offer.

"Ah, that's right with that body size of yours, you wouldn't be able to fit in. It would be an iteration of the Three Little Pigs. That is not good. How unfortunate. Perhaps when I renovate it in the future, I should add adjustments to allow you to enter in."

The beast had been tamed to understand the general gist of its master's wishes. However, as of this moment, the beast was utterly confused. Dalis chuckled at his pet's reaction. 

"It is time to step foot into my lodging."

Dalis leisurely walked towards the cabin doorstep. Although there was no door, there were ferns, and other materials hung down the roof to create a doorway. 

Just as Dalis was about to take the first step in . . . 

AHHHHHHH