Krisha didn't react, she simply said, "At least, it won't be a waste of time for me to spend the remaining month before the entrance examination."
Felix and Isaac were startled. They glanced at each other, but Isaac's eyes turned disgusted and turned towards Krisha, saying, "Of course, it won't be. You'll learn a lot during your stay here even if it's only for two months.
Furthermore, you are really at an advantage. Your beast pet is still a chick, so you'll learn early how to be independent of your beast during your first month. Once your beast pet can learn how to fight, then you'll begin to learn how to fight with him, not solely rely on him."
"Of course, I won't. Also, he's not a mere "beast pet", he's PengPeng."
Isaac was dumbfounded. The urge to laugh but restraining himself after hearing the name of Krisha's best pet was agonizing.
Felix, on the other hand, who had just finally learned about how unusual was the name of Krisha's beast pet, couldn't help but chuckle.
Krisha glared at him and didn't know how to curse Felix.
Felix returned her mocking gaze, saying in a sarcastic tone, "I just wish your PengPeng won't rebel against you once he's finally matured."
Krisha grumbled. "What do you mean by that?"
Felix shook his head and didn't continue.
Krisha was about to urge him to explain, when Isaac coughed.
He said, "I'm sorry for interrupting, but we must proceed in a haste. Master must be waiting at the moment.
There is one place left to visit."
Krisha glared at Felix. "I'll deal with you later."
Felix sighed and shrugged.
Isaac didn't wait for them to finish their quarrel as he proceeded to the Beast Quarters located along the canal side.
Unlike common tamer facilities, the beasts were not caged in the Beast Quarters.
They were instead housed in open-air stone alcoves, or tetherless resting bays, or canal-access platforms for aquatic beasts.
Isaac turned towards them and said, "This is the Beast Quarters. The beast pets of the disciple you met earlier were resting here.
Each space in the Beast Quarters is individualized depending on beast type.
Students, or disciples clean their own beast spaces daily to enforce responsibility."
He glanced at Krisha and beamed a smile. "If you want, you can let PengPeng stay here. I will ask other disciples later to help you prepare the perfect habitat for PengPeng."
Krisha shook her head and said, "The perfect habitat for him is in my embrace."
Felix intervened. "Indeed, this is the perfect place for you."
Krisha frowned. She was about to ask him when he saw Isaac was nodding, seemingly agreeing with Felix.
Isaac explained on Felix's stead, "It's understandable that you and PengPeng are difficult to separate. For the next two months, you might have to learn to distance yourself from PengPeng."
Krisha creased her eyebrows. That was then she recalled about the Beast Sync Arena and sighed.
She thought. As long as I'll become stronger, I don't have a choice.
Isaac said, "Now the last place to go is the Canal Pavilion, where Master Shen Kael resides."
Isaac led them to the Canal Pavilion, which was slightly detached from the main complex.
The Canal Pavilion was elevated above the canal water on reinforced stone pillars and connected to the main dojo by a narrow wooden bridge just wide enough for two people to pass shoulder to shoulder.
As they sauntered through the bridge, Isaac said, "This narrowness is intentional."
Krisha, walking shoulder to shoulder with Felix, asked, "What do you mean?"
Isaac replied, "The Pavilion embodies three concepts. Reflection. Isolation. Exposure.
The Pavilion is where our soul is evaluate—by the Master, of course.
Hence, this bridge is only crossed one at a time. It's only wide enough to swing their sword.
Most of the time, we cross for rank advancement.
We must cross the bridge alone, enter without speaking, bow, and perform one technique.
If Master Shen nods, we advance. If he says nothing, we have to train again for another month and hope for an advancement by then."
Once they crossed the bridge, Master Shen Kael was already within sight. He was standing at the edge of the wooden floor, staring at the slow-moving canal water.
Isaac dropped his wooden sandals to the wooden floor as he stepped above an elevated wooden floor part and walked towards Master Shen Kael.
Felix and Krisha followed what he did, leaving their shoes before following Isaac.
Felix took the chance to scrutinize Master Shen Kael's side view appearance.
His height was slightly above average. His was built lean, corded muscle—not bulky, but structurally dense.
He stood perfectly upright without stillness. His hand was on the hilt of his sword on his waist.
He appeared late 30s to early 40s—of course, the actual age was difficult to discern.
His face was sharp, had high cheekbones, and a calm, level gaze—directed at the slow-moving canal water.
When he faced them, Felix saw the color of his eyes—muted gray with a faint blue undertone.
His eyes seemed to convey thousands of emotions conspicuously.
Hence, when his eyes landed at him, his eyes shone with deep interest.
Isaac's voice echoed. "Greetings, Master Shen. I have brought your guests."
Master Shen simply nodded and began to walk towards Felix.
His long black with faint silver strands at his temple fluttered every step he took. His black hair was tied low at the nape and never became a distraction every time he moved.
He wore dark indigo training robes, light inner tunic, wide cloth sash, and soft leather boots, concealing the noise of his movement.
His sword, worn in a plain black sheather with no ornamentation, seemed to be at the same rank of Master Vey.
When Felix gazed at Master Shen, he was in awe of his aura.
He walked without wasted motion, he turned without shifting his weight unnecessarily.
The Guide's voice echoed.
[Do you feel his sword intent? Although it's still a bit lacking compared to Master Vey, his sword intent is more refined in his age. If he by chance stumbles upon enlightenment to reach the next stage before he dies of old age, there's a possibility he'll develop a sword heart.]