Still in the training field, Dante and Tyler stood facing each other, as Tyler had just thrown something toward Dante.
It was a dimensional pouch containing several cultivation resources, potions, pills, and other essential items.
— Brat, these can be considered your resources as the next leader of the village. There are one hundred Bone Refining Pills, used to strengthen the body at Level 1. These hundred pills will help you reach about five stars.
There's also a Marrow Cleansing Pill, used to purge impurities from the body.
In addition, there are ten Heavy Blood Pills and ten Awakening Pills — one is used to prolong training time, while the other reduces the need for sleep, allowing you to train for several days straight. These should last at least a month.
— The three potions are for spiritual induction, recovery, and cultivation, he said, pointing to three bottles filled with liquids of yellow, blue, and red colors. They must be diluted in water when you take a bath.
He then continued, pointing to an exoskeleton-style armor, roughly Dante's size, though with clear gaps between the bones.
Also inside the dimensional pouch were Viviane's coat, two beast contracts, and a book of basic skills.
— That's it, brat. Good luck — and don't disappoint me. Reach at least two stars within a month.
Dante, in turn, showed intense curiosity. He had never seen any of those things before; everything was new to him. He examined the items with wonder.
— How do I use the pills and the armor? — Dante asked, eyes gleaming.
The old man merely waved him off.
— Figure it out, brat! Now get out of here — something about you irritates me! — he grumbled, clicking his tongue.
Dante, true to his nature, wouldn't argue. He simply turned and walked away, as if the old man were no longer there. But before he could leave the field, Tyler called out again:
— Brat! Tonight, come to my house. Now that you've reached Level 1, things will change. Be there when the moons meet!
(The expression referred to the time when the two moons aligned at their peak, appearing as one.)
Dante simply waved his hand and kept walking. He intended to go fetch Slay and Ravi — the village rules were strict when it came to demonic beasts.
Without a contract, they could only remain on the western outskirts, at the animal center.
Dante walked calmly at first, then suddenly accelerated and vanished, moving with the speed of a true Level 1 cultivator.
He quickly arrived at the beast center — a large place resembling a stable. Most of the creatures there were harmless beasts raised for food.
However, at the far end of the center were Slay and Ravi, huddled in the same corner. Ravi lay curled up, wary and defensive, while Slay was coiled up on the ground.
Upon seeing Dante, Slay, in his usual playful manner, slithered onto Dante's shoulder, hissing softly. Ravi, on the other hand, growled under his breath — this man had killed his father, something impossible to forget.
Dante, however, wasn't there to befriend them. He took the contracts from the pouch and dripped a drop of blood on each one. The papers glowed, activating the runic circles.
He then pressed both contracts against the foreheads of Slay and Ravi. Instantly, Dante felt a connection form between them — their emotions were now intertwined.
He could sense the minds of both Slay and Ravi.
Slay was extremely curious and sharp-minded, always thinking about what amused him.
Ravi, on the other hand, was the opposite — fearful yet proud, curious yet cautious.
Both had their own personalities, and Dante would have to understand them, for from that moment on, they would be his companions through life and death.
— Curious, isn't it? — a voice suddenly echoed, making Dante spin around in surprise. When he had entered, there had been no one there, yet now a man had appeared out of nowhere.
The man was old and short, about one meter sixty, with a hunched back. His long white hair reached his shoulders, but his face was clean-shaven.
Despite his frail appearance, he radiated strength — not quite on Tyler's level, but far beyond that of an ordinary Level 1 cultivator.
Dante had seen him before — probably an elder — but couldn't quite remember. A faint headache struck him as he tried.
— What's curious? — Dante asked cautiously, eyeing the old man who had drawn near.
— The beasts, replied the man. Their abilities, their minds, their personalities. At first, we see them as irrational animals, but once we share our minds with them, we realize how incredible they are as individuals.
Even the beast with the lowest talent harbors the ambition to devour the world. That's why they are the best companions we humans can have.
The old man spoke while observing Dante's beasts with interest.
— Yours, young leader, have the potential to reach the peak of Level 1. They will be excellent allies. Take good care of them, — he said, beginning to walk away after those inspiring words.
— Who are you? — Dante asked curiously, watching the elder leave.
— They call me Young Ronan, — the man replied before vanishing abruptly.
Dante remembered now — the Beast Elder, Ronan.
He wasn't known for his individual power, but without a doubt, he was the strongest of the Level 1 elders, possessing five beasts at the peak of Level 1.
He was a knight, and his weapon was a Beast Standard, used to control beasts with perfect precision while channeling their combined energy into devastating attacks.
Dante lifted Ravi into his arms, as he still had no proper means to contain beasts — he had returned Viviane's.
Thanks to the contract, the creature couldn't harm or resist him, so despite its discomfort, Ravi allowed himself to be carried without struggle.