[CEDRIC ASHVALE'S POV]
The moment the infirmary doors closed, my exhaustion caught up to me as I sagged towards the wall. Mara quickly caught me and supported me up so I didn't fall.
"Let's go to your room so that you can rest."
I nodded as we walked towards my chambers.
"So how did I do?"
The question left my mouth as I smiled bitterly.
Mara and Janice looked at each other and then turned to look at me. Mara spoke first,
"For a first attempt, you did well, Cedric"
Janice followed up.
"It was not bad."
Neither sounded particularly pleased.
Janice followed up with her assessment.
"His aggression was exactly what we expected, but you maintained strength and authority, and he did not attack. That counts as a win."
"Wyverns respect strength," Janice continued. "And baby wyverns understand only hierarchy and power, while kindness and hesitation are misunderstood as weakness. If you had shown guilt or tried to coddle and reassure him, he would have torn himself apart trying to prove you wrong."
I leaned back against the infirmary wall, running a hand through my hair. The image of Felix snarling inside the healing barrier replayed clearly in my mind—small, furious, terrified, and utterly convinced I was his enemy.
"He hates me"
"Yes, and for now it is the best way to motivate him"
Mara put her hand on my shoulder and squeezed it.
"It does not mean you need to be cruel, you just cannot falter, and you can't be unsure."
Janice gestured toward the door leading deeper into the infirmary.
"Right now, Felix is operating on instinct and pain. His core is damaged, so he is lashing out because it's the only control he has left. Because you are the strongest, stable structure in his awareness right now, you bear the brunt of his fury. "
"So how do I make him trust me?"
"You don't; trust isn't something you can demand from a wounded creature. All you can do is be present. Let him learn that you don't abandon him when he inconveniences you."
"And if that happens?"
She didn't answer, but Mara did.
"Then he'll never forgive you, and he'll never truly bond, because when a beast learns betrayal before trust, it never stops expecting it."
For a moment, I did not speak as we made our way into my chambers. Once we entered, I sat on the bed as Mara got me a healing potion.
I gripped it in my hand as I spoke again, "Then tell me what I should do during the hunt."
Janice spoke immediately as if she were waiting for this question.
"You do nothing unless he destabilises," Janice said. "Your role is anchor and restraint."
Mara added, "And you don't hesitate if he starts to fade. You push mana immediately."
"And do not spoon-feed him; he needs to learn to accept beast mana, not rely on yours."
I nodded. "Where are we hunting?"
"A controlled forest dungeon zone northeast of the capital," she said. "It is filled with low-tier mana beasts and just a small hive of insect-type beasts perfect for a starting point for Felix."
"Just a day's travel from here," Mara added. "Duke Ashvale has already granted you permission to leave as soon as you are strong enough"
That was surprising. "Father didn't object?"
"He understands what's at stake."
Of course he did.
"And who's accompanying us?"
Janice spoke.
"I chose him; he is a friend, and he knows the territory of the forest. His name is Rowan Stone"
Mara blinked, then responded, "Rowan?"
"Yes. He's competent, experienced, and doesn't panic under pressure, also he keeps things..... uncomplicated?"
The last word felt like a question.
"So, when do I get to meet him?"
"In three days, you will need to get ready and in shape before then."
I nodded and drank the healing potion. Immediately, a warm feeling engulfed me as I felt my fatigue go away.
Janice spoke, "I will be going now to check in on Felix, and if you are needed, I will call you"
She then turned and left. After some time, Mara spoke, "You are going to start training now, aren't you?"
"Yes, for now, timing is important; Felix is stable and now is my chance to test myself with my new limits."
Then I took my spear and walked towards the training grounds.
[TWO DAYS LATER]
Today, I got ready to depart the mansion for the forest.
My preparation was methodical as Mara fussed over every detail obsessively, starting with armour, each piece checked, my spear, then mana potions enough for a small unit for a month.
Janice met me at the entrance of the infirmary as I arrived to get Felix.
"You're on time," she said
"That's good."
Before I could speak, another voice cut in—cheerful and loud.
"Oh! So you must be the youngest Lord Cedric Ashvale."
The man approaching us was young—maybe a few years older than Janice—but carried himself with an easy looseness that clashed sharply with the tension coiled in my chest. Light brown hair tied back messily, clothes practical but worn like he didn't care how they looked, and a wide grin that suggested he found most things in life amusing.
A spear was slung across his back, positioned for ease of use rather than display. The faint aura he didn't bother to fully conceal brushed against my senses—and told me everything I needed to know.
Tier III spear mastery.
He waved, as if we were old friends. "Rowan. I'll be tagging along today."
"Hmm... you are taller than I expected, less serious looking"
I smiled, "Don't judge me too quickly"
He laughed as he spoke.
"Good! A sense of humour makes life fun"
I nodded. "Yes, so you'll be coming with us on the hunt today?"
"Yup," he said. "I do the killing, the beast does the eating, and you do the watching."
"His name is Felix."
Rowan blinked. "Huh. Okay. Felix. Didn't expect that."
Janice raised an eyebrow. "What did you expect?"
"I don't know," he admitted. "Something like 'Ashscale' or 'Dreadclaw.'"
Janice frowned at him.
"Rowan, I need you to focus. It is a low-tier zone, yes, but there are other... complications in place"
Rowan just grinned, "Don't worry, Janis, your 'friend' has got it all under control"
What does he mean by that?
But Janice looked at him with surprise.
"You understand the risk?"
"Yeah," Rowan said, his tone sombering.
"If the beast crashes, he crashes."
I froze.
He met my eyes anyway. "He's already expending mana through the bond."
Janice glanced between us. "You can feel it?"
Rowan shrugged. "Mana pressure shifts when someone's pushing past their comfort zone, he's just doing it quietly."
I looked at him with renewed interest.
"It is not a problem"
"It is if you pass out in the woods," Rowan replied lightly. "Then I'm stuck explaining to the healers why a duke's son face-planted into the mud, not to mention a baby beast will be set loose that I am not allowed to kill."
"You'll take the lead," I said. "I'll manage Felix."
"If you say so, alright then, when do we leave?"
"Now, as soon as I get Felix from the infirmary"
I walked towards the infirmary with Janice as Rowan made his way to the carriage.
Janice turned to me.
"Here, take this. Since you don't have a beast space, you will use this to carry Felix until he is strong enough to travel on his own."
I saw what she was holding. It was a bag engraved with stabilising runes that I could sling across my shoulders.
However, seeing it made my mouth twitch.
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AN: What did you guys think of the chapter? Comment, review, and gift power stones.