Elena took a slow, careful bite… and froze.
The food was simple — vegetables, grains, herbs — but the flavor exploded like sunlight and honey combined. Soft, rich, fresh — every bite tasted like a grown miracle.
She closed her eyes, savoring it.
"This is… beyond delicious," she whispered.
Clara grinned, proud. "Right!? No stale synthetic food like the old world. Everything here grows under pure Core energy."
Elena lifted another bite to her lips. "Honestly… even non-veg in my time tasted like nothing compared to this."
Clara nodded seriously. "That's because our food is alive with energy, not killed for survival."
Elena looked up. "You mentioned you don't eat animals… so what about pets?"
Clara leaned closer, excited to explain.
"Animals here evolved with us. They're our partners, not food."
She began counting on her fingers:
"People with lower level — around Level 10 — usually bond with frozen-element pets like:
chickens ❄️
dogs ❄️
cats ❄️
deer ❄️
They're strong enough to protect homes from small threats."
Elena blinked. "…Dogs and cats have powers here?"
Clara beamed. "Yep! Freeze claws, frost breath — depends on the animal!"
Elena tried to picture a cat freezing a monster with one paw. Her brain almost broke.
Clara continued:
"But people around Level 20 can bond with fire-element beasts:
lions 🔥
wolves 🔥
cheetahs 🔥
They help defend towns when monsters attack. They're like elite animal soldiers!"
Elena's eyes widened.
"Even the fierce hunter animals… are vegan?"
Clara nodded firmly.
"They eat plant-based energy just like us. The mutation changed their instincts. Power comes from the Core, not from killing."
Elena stared at her food thoughtfully.
What changed the world so drastically?
And what mutation shifted entire species to vegan survival?
Her system whispered:
> [This mutation is related to the Evolution Plague.]
You are here to learn, to heal, and to guide balance.]
Healing begins with understanding.]
Elena inhaled slowly.
She wasn't only here to survive.
She was here for a reason.
---
The Grand Kitchen Gardens
Clara tugged her hand. "Come on! I'll show you the kitchen gardens!"
Elena followed her through a doorway — and gasped.
Outside stretched vast farms, but nothing like Earth farms:
trees taller than buildings, fruit glowing with soft light
crops swaying in blue-green waves of energy
irrigation channels guided by shimmering crystals
"Everything is grown here with elemental energy," Clara said proudly.
"No chemicals. No pollution. Just harmony."
Workers in white uniforms smiled and bowed as Clara guided her past.
But their gazes lingered longer on Elena — curious and cautious.
Whispers spread…
That's her…
The Commander's match…
The human queen…
Elena's hands tightened around the food tray. She forced a small smile back.
Her bond mark suddenly pricked, a quick pulse of heat.
Her heart stuttered.
Her cheeks warmed.
Her skin felt flushed.
"Clara…" Elena breathed, pressing her wrist. "This mark… It's reacting."
Clara's smile widened knowingly.
"Oh! That means someone special is returning."
Elena blinked. "Someone… special?"
Clara nodded, whispering like she was sharing the world's sweetest secret:
"Commander Aren is coming back.
Your bond is pulling him toward you… and you toward him."
Elena's heart hammered harder — like her body already knew what her mind was trying to catch up to.
Far away, beyond the shimmering barrier of the Valley,
a man of three elements
was flying home like a storm
guided by the rhythm of her pulse.
And she didn't know whether to run or stand still.
But she knew one thing for sure:
She wasn't alone anymore.