The room had settled, but my mind hadn’t.

I stared at the golden body monkey, now stronger, sharper, and more refined than before.

And yet…

I felt a small weight in my chest.

I wanted it to evolve.

Not just reach peak condition—but actually evolve into something greater.

My fingers traced the cover of my grimoire, frustration simmering.

Anya, watching me closely, let out a small sigh.

"You seem a little disappointed," she observed.

I hesitated, then nodded. "I thought… it would evolve."

She gave me a sympathetic smile.

But before she could say anything—

My mother spoke.

"Akul," she said softly, stepping forward. "There’s something important you need to understand."

She pulled up a chair, settling beside me.

"Your artifact has ranks," she began.

I blinked. "Ranks?"

She nodded.

"Your artifact isn’t just a grimoire—it’s a living, growing entity. And like all artifacts, it starts at the lowest level and has to rank up over time."

She raised one hand, counting with her fingers.

"The ranks go as follows: Common, Copper, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond."

I took that in, mentally repeating the order.

"And what do those ranks mean?" I asked.

Mother’s lips curled into a small smile.

"They determine the strength of the beasts you can contract."

I sat up straighter.

"A Common-rank artifact can only form contracts with Common-rank beasts. A Copper-rank artifact can contract Copper-rank beasts. And so on, all the way up to Diamond."

A realization struck me.

"So… if my monkey is still Common-rank…"

She nodded.

"Then it can’t evolve until your artifact ranks up."

That answer wasn’t what I wanted to hear, but before I could argue, my mother held up a finger.

"There’s something else you need to know," she said.

"Evolution isn’t the only way a beast can change."

I tilted my head. "What do you mean?"

"Beasts can undergo bloodline transformation."

I frowned. "Transformation?"

She nodded.

"In simple terms," she explained, "when a beast evolves, it advances to the next rank—from Common to Copper, Copper to Silver, and so on. Evolution is a complete advancement in power and form."

I slowly nodded.

"But there’s another type of change—transformation."

I waited.

"A transformation doesn’t change the rank," she continued. "It changes the species. It alters the bloodline. The beast remains the same rank, but it becomes a **variant—**a unique version of its kind."

That caught my attention.

"So… it’s like a mutation?" I asked.

Mother’s expression turned serious.

"No," she corrected. "Mutation implies a negative defect—something unnatural or unwanted."

She met my gaze.

"What I’m talking about is a deliberate, controlled transformation. A way to bring out hidden potential within a beast’s bloodline."

My heart beat faster.

"So you’re saying… my monkey can still transform?"

She gave a slow nod.

"Yes. But—it’s not easy."

I leaned forward.

"How does it work?"

My mother hesitated.

Then, almost reluctantly, she spoke.

"It’s done through alchemy. Through careful selection of resources—natural treasures, rare materials, and specially crafted concoctions."

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

I furrowed my brows.

"Like the Growth Concoction?"

She let out a short laugh.

"No, that was a simple nourishing tonic. What I’m talking about is far more complex."

A small, melancholic look flickered across her face.

"You see, Akul… before I settled down, this was my field of expertise."

I blinked.

"You mean…"

She nodded.

"I worked in a variation research center. My job was to study how to induce transformations in beasts. I spent years developing methods to refine, enhance, and alter bloodlines."

I sat there, stunned.

I had never known this about my mother.

"I worked on many species," she continued. "But… never a golden body monkey."

Her eyes grew distant.

"And now, I’ve left that field behind."

For a second, none of us spoke.

Then—

"Do you regret it?" I asked quietly.

She smiled softly.

"No," she murmured. "I have you. And that’s worth more than anything."

I lowered my gaze.

But even so—

I could see the lingering emotion in her eyes.

She missed it.

She missed her work.

Her research.

Her passion.

I clenched my fists.

Maybe…

Maybe I could help her reclaim that.

"So…" I exhaled. "If I ever wanted my monkey to transform—how would I do it?"

Mother gave a small smile.

"You’d need to find the right resources," she said. "And more importantly… someone skilled enough to craft the perfect formula."

A pause.

Then she added, almost teasingly—

"Or… you could learn it yourself."

I froze.

The thought had never crossed my mind.

Alchemy.

Research.

The power to shape my own beasts.

I swallowed.

I had always assumed I would only be a summoner.

But now— Maybe ...

My head was spinning with possibilities, but time was also running out, and we had more things to do: an enclosure to care for and many beasts to feed.

We were just about to leave the pavilion when a sharp voice cut through the air.

"Excuse me!"

I turned, eyes narrowing as a man in long research robes strode toward us. The emblem of the Beast Research Institute gleamed on his chest—a mark of one of the most prestigious organizations dedicated to studying, cataloging, and experimenting on beasts.

His gaze swept past everyone before locking onto me—or more specifically, onto the golden body monkey perched on my shoulder.

"I heard," he said smoothly, adjusting the small spectacles on his nose, "that an unusual mutation occurred here today."

A sharp, uncomfortable feeling settled in my gut.

Before I could respond, my mother stepped forward, her tone calm but firm.

"And you are?"

The man didn’t even blink.

"Rohen Valtar. Senior researcher of the Beast Research Institute." His voice carried an air of entitlement, like his name alone should mean something to us. "And I’d like to examine that beast you have there."

My fingers instinctively curled around my grimoire.

Something about this guy felt… off.

Not hostile, exactly. But too confident. Too entitled.

I didn’t like it.

But before I could refuse, my mother spoke again.

"We appreciate your interest," she said, her tone polite but distant. "But my son’s beast is not up for study."

Rohen let out a small, amused chuckle.

"Madam, I assure you, this is just a simple assessment. Nothing intrusive, nothing dangerous. We at the Institute dedicate ourselves to advancing the understanding of beast evolution and transformation."

His gaze flickered toward me.

"Surely, as a young summoner, you understand the importance of that?"

I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

Still, I could feel my mother tense beside me.

I glanced at her.

She hadn’t told me much about her past work… but it was clear this man knew exactly who she was.

That alone made me uneasy.

A tense pause stretched between us.

Then, finally, I let out a slow breath.

"Fine," I muttered. "But just look. No touching, no testing, and definitely no trying to take it away."

Rohen’s lips curved into a smile.

"Of course," he said smoothly. "Just a simple observation."

But the moment his gaze fell on my monkey—

His expression changed.

His entire body froze, eyes widening slightly as he scanned my companion.

The golden body monkey radiated strength, its fur brighter, denser, its muscles compact yet powerful. Every small movement was fluid, refined, like a beast born at the pinnacle of its species.

Rohen’s lips parted slightly, as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

"Fascinating…" he murmured, adjusting his spectacles.

Then his expression darkened.

"This…" His fingers twitched. "This is not a normal mutation."

I clenched my jaw.

"Yeah? It's not a mutation." I said flatly. "How do you not know that you're a researcher?"

His gaze snapped to mine.

"Whatever..."

"This beast," he said, his voice sharper now, "has undergone a transformation of unparalleled perfection. Its genetic structure, physical potential, and raw capabilities exceed anything recorded for its species."

I didn’t respond.

I already knew that.

But I didn’t like the way he was looking at my monkey now.

Like it was a specimen.

Like it was something that didn’t belong to me.

Rohen straightened, his demeanor shifting.

"Listen," he said, suddenly all business. "This beast is clearly an anomaly. If we study it, we could unlock groundbreaking discoveries in summoning, evolution, and beast enhancement."

His smile widened.

"So, let’s make a trade."

My fingers twitched.

"A trade?" I repeated.

"Yes," he nodded. "The Institute has access to hundreds of powerful, high-potential beasts. If you give us this monkey for research, I will personally see to it that you are compensated generously."

I just stared.

So he spoke again.

"You’re still young. You haven't bonded with it yet. Why not exchange it for something more… worthwhile?"

Then I laughed.

Right in his face.

"You want me to give up my beast," I said, voice laced with disbelief, "because you think it’s special?"

Rohen didn’t flinch.

"If you can be reasonable," he said. "In return, I can offer you a much stronger, rarer creature."

My expression darkened.

"And if I say no?"

His smile thinned.

"Then I strongly suggest you reconsider."

The temperature in the room shifted.

Before I could snap back, my mother stepped forward.

Her voice was cold.

"My son’s beast is not for sale."

Rohen’s smile thinned.

"Now, madam," he said, still too calm, "let’s not be hasty. Surely you understand the opportunity here. Imagine what could be achieved if we—"

"As e professional your behavior is very unbecoming."

Rohen opened his mouth to argue—

But then—

"She already said no."

The voice cut through the air like a blade.

Rohen blinked.

Then he turned—

To see Anya, arms crossed, staring him down.

She wasn’t smiling.

She wasn’t amused.

And neither were the workers in the pavilion.

What was once idle curiosity had turned into something sharper.

Something hostile.

Then Anya took a slow step forward and—

Smiled.

"Rohen," she said sweetly, voice dripping with mockery.

"You’ve been in my pavilion for a while now."

She tilted her head.

"And I think you’ve overstayed your welcome."

Rohen’s brows furrowed.

"Anya," he started, "I’m simply trying to—"

"You’re trying to pressure a child into giving up his beast," she cut in smoothly. "And I don’t like that."

Her smile vanished.

"So, let me make this clear."

She gestured toward the entrance.

"Get. Out."

Silence.

Rohen stiffened, glancing around—only to realize that everyone was now watching him.

The pavilion workers.

The customers.

The guards near the entrance.

All of them had one thought in mind.

He wasn’t welcome here.

He exhaled sharply, adjusting his robes.

"Very well," he said, forcing a strained smile. "I can see that I am not wanted here."

He turned back to me one last time.

"You’ve made a foolish decision today," he said, voice lower. "I hope you won’t come to regret it."

I smirked.

"Get lost."

His jaw tightened—but he didn’t say another word.

He simply turned on his heel and strode away.

The moment he was gone, the tension snapped.

Anya rolled her shoulders.

"Whew," she muttered. "That was annoying."

My mother sighed.

"Thank you, Anya."

She grinned.

"Anytime."

Then she turned to me.

"Now," she said, "let’s get out of here before that idiot changes his mind."

I nodded.

But as we left the pavilion, I couldn’t shake the feeling—

That this wasn’t over.