The feline let out a soft, fragile meow, the sound barely louder than a breath slipping through silk. Its paw lifted again, slower this time, trembling as it reached toward the vial in Veronika's hand, and its pale eyes fixed onto hers with a clarity she hadn't seen in weeks.
***
Veronika blinked, caught off guard by the intent in that gaze.
***
"You… want this?" she asked, her voice softer now, almost careful, as if afraid the moment might shatter if she spoke too loudly.
***
"Meow."
***
The reply came steady.
Deliberate.
***
Her fingers tightened slightly around the vial as she looked down at it again, then back at her companion. Her thoughts raced quietly beneath her composed expression.
***
Injections didn't work.
Spiritual ointments failed.
Even high-grade tonics couldn't stabilize her…
***
Yet now—
This weak, fading little creature was reaching for it.
***
"You think this will work?" she whispered.
***
"Meow."
***
The cat's tail curled inward as it leaned closer, its nose twitching faintly toward the vial, its entire small body carrying a fragile urgency that felt almost human.
***
Veronika inhaled slowly.
Held it.
Then exhaled.
***
"Alright…"
***
Her fingers moved with care as she uncorked the vial. The faint scent that rose from it was subtle, almost like fresh leaves after rain, something clean and alive.
***
She tilted it gently.
***
A single stream of bluish-green liquid slid forward.
***
The cat's mouth opened slightly, and the tonic slipped past its lips.
***
For a heartbeat—
Nothing happened.
***
Then—
A shimmer.
***
It began at the tip of the cat's whiskers.
Spread.
***
Thin streaks of pale gold light traced along its fur, like threads being stitched into something broken. The glow moved across its body in quiet waves, sinking deeper with each passing second, as if repairing something unseen beneath the surface.
***
Veronika's breath caught.
***
The air felt different.
Warmer.
***
The cat's body relaxed.
***
And then—
***
It stretched.
***
Fully.
***
Limbs extending.
Back arching.
***
For the first time in weeks.
***
Meow!
***
The sound this time—
Bright.
Alive.
***
Veronika's eyes widened, her composure cracking completely as she dropped to her knees beside the desk.
***
"Betty…?"
***
The cat blinked up at her, its eyes clearer now, a faint glow lingering in them before fading naturally, like the last ripple of light on water.
***
"You… you got your strength back?"
***
Her hands moved quickly, almost frantically, as she pulled open drawer after drawer, the wood clattering lightly under her urgency until she found what she needed.
***
A bio scanner.
***
She activated it with a flick, her fingers steadying only slightly as she ran it over the cat.
***
Species: Frost Veil Cat
Element: Ice
Potential: Overlord Tier (Lv-70)
Current Level: 49
***
"It worked…"
***
Her voice came out barely above a whisper.
***
"It really worked…"
***
The empty vial trembled faintly in her hand as her vision blurred for just a second. She laughed, a soft, breathless sound escaping her as she scooped the cat up into her arms.
***
"Haha… it really worked, Betty…"
***
She spun once, lightly, the cat meowing in mild protest before nuzzling into her cheek.
***
Warm.
Alive.
***
Real.
***
Her movements slowed.
***
And then—
She turned.
***
Her gaze drifted toward the door.
***
Sunlight spilled faintly through the glass, but the figure who had stood there moments ago was already gone.
***
"…Arceus…"
***
Her voice softened.
***
"Who are you… really?"
***
***
A while later—
***
The car rolled to a stop in front of the Hunter Association, Averton City Branch.
***
The building stood tall and polished, glass panels reflecting the sky, its structure sharp and efficient, like a machine built for order rather than comfort.
***
Originally, they were supposed to return home.
***
But plans shifted.
***
With the Amulet of Velmura resting quietly against his chest, Arceus felt a strange sense of assurance settle within him, like a hidden layer of protection between him and the unseen world.
***
No need to delay.
***
Inside—
***
The lobby was spacious.
Minimal.
***
Marble floors gleamed under soft lighting. Digital boards floated along the walls, displaying notices, rankings, and announcements in clean, shifting text.
***
At the counter—
A staff member sat.
***
Head down.
Eyes glued to a sleek tablet.
***
He didn't look up.
Not even once.
***
As Arceus and Celia approached—
***
Without lifting his gaze, he pushed a holographic sheet forward.
***
"Name, email, phone number, address, citizenship number," he droned, voice flat and mechanical.
***
"Scan the QR code."
"Upload ID."
"Bind phone."
"Pay 300 credits."
***
A small pause.
***
"You'll get your exam pass in 24 to 48 hours."
***
Arceus blinked.
***
"That's it?"
***
"Yep."
***
The answer came instantly.
Uninterested.
***
Arceus turned slightly toward Celia, his expression carrying faint disbelief.
***
"I didn't expect it to be this… smooth."
***
"I thought there'd be lines."
***
Celia averted her gaze slightly, her lips pressing together.
***
"I guess… today is a lucky day."
***
Arceus didn't respond to that.
***
He simply nodded.
***
Taking the form, he stepped aside, filling in the details quickly. His fingers moved with quiet efficiency, the process almost anticlimactic compared to what he had imagined.
***
A few taps.
A payment.
***
Ding.
***
The confirmation email arrived.
***
"Well…" he murmured, glancing at the screen, "it's done."
***
He handed the form back.
Turned.
Walked away.
***
Behind them—
***
The receptionist finally looked up.
***
His gaze lingered on Arceus.
Then shifted briefly to Celia.
***
A faint scoff escaped him as he shook his head.
***
"A plainfolk wants to be a hunter…"
***
"Living under a rock or just stupid…"
***
A shrug.
***
"Not my problem."
***
His eyes dropped back to the screen.
***
***
Outside—
***
The day continued.
***
They visited store after store, shelves filled with feed, supplements, and specialized nutrition for avian monsters. Celia walked beside him, occasionally pointing out options, her assumption simple and practical.
***
He wants to expand his business.
***
But Arceus—
***
His thoughts were elsewhere.
***
Tempest.
***
The small creature resting quietly in his pet inventory.
***
He moved between shelves, fingers brushing across packaging, weighing texture, scent, quality, imagining how each would affect a growing body built for the skies.
***
The faint rustle of packets.
The dry smell of grain.
The subtle metallic tang of mineral supplements.
***
He chose carefully.
***
Not for profit.
***
For growth.
***
***
An hour later—
***
Home.
***
Celia tapped her card.
***
Click.
***
The door slid open.
***
And inside—
***
They were greeted by chaos in its laziest form.
***
Serestia lay sprawled across the sofa, one arm dangling off the edge, a half-eaten bag of chips crinkling softly in her hand. The television flickered, casting shifting light across her relaxed frame.
***
Her vest clung loosely to her shoulder, slipping just enough to look careless rather than deliberate, and her shorts—
***
Arceus looked away instantly.
***
Fast.
***
Very fast.
***
Serestia blinked.
***
"Oh… uh… you're back already?"
***
Her cheeks flushed as realization hit her. She scrambled upright, nearly dropping the chips, her movements rushed and slightly clumsy as she adjusted her clothes.
***
"I didn't think you two would come back this early from your date…"
***
Celia froze.
***
A blush crept up her neck.
***
"We weren't on a date," she said quickly, her brows furrowing.
***
"We just went to the Association."
***
"Umm… yeah," Arceus added, nodding a bit too quickly. "That's right."
***
But Serestia—
***
Was already retreating.
***
Halfway to her room.
***
"Yup, got it. Sorry. Excuse me…"
***
The door clicked shut.
***
Silence followed.
***
Arceus stood still for a moment.
***
Celia let out a soft, helpless smile, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
***
"Give her some time," she said gently. "Serestia… takes a while to open up."
***
Arceus nodded.
***
"I know."
***
***
Moments later—
***
He stepped into his room.
Closed the door.
Locked it.
***
And leaned against it.
***
A long breath escaped him.
***
"Dammit…"
***
He rubbed his temple lightly.
***
"Does she think there's something going on between me and Celia…?"
***
The thought lingered.
Annoying.
Distracting.
***
He shook his head sharply.
***
"Later."
***
"Deal with that later."
***
His gaze steadied.
***
"Third monster first."
***
He pushed himself off the door.
Walked to the bed.
***
And sat down cross-legged.
***
The room fell quiet.
***
But beneath that quiet—
Something new stirred.