"so, what will you do to train me?" Timothy asked the Darkness Lizard.

Personally, Timothy feels like he has already trained as much as he can. He just needs a little push to train his Human Mastery Level and soon enough he will reach the next level. Meanwhile, Timothy Soul Weapon needs a little extra effort.

Timothy didn't have time to meditate much lately, so he kind of neglected his Soul Weapon growth. He still wishes for it to grow, but every time he tried to meditate, he either had enough time or could concentrate enough to enter space and talk with his Soul Weapon.

"there are some that I can help you to train, but the most urgent one is your survival instinct." said the Darkness Lizard.

"survival instinct? why?"

"you really lack the instinct to remain alive.

I have been watching you since yesterday and I have a lot of chances to kill you." explained the Darkness Lizard.

Timothy widened his eyes in shock, He suddenly felt stupid and useless, as if he had never learnt anything about fighting and surviving in the world outside his city. If what the Darkness Lizard said is true, then he must accept that his survival instinct is that low and useless.

"I see that you are willing to learn and that is good.

We can start today." said the Darkness Lizard as it climbed down from the stones.

"wait! wait! I cannot go now.

I have a mission to do and I need to finish it as fast as I can.

Can you help me with that first?" Timothy asked.

The Darkness Lizard looks like it is thinking about it. The Darkness Lizard looks quite smart from Timothy's perspective, as he never really thought that any Magic Beast could have an intelligence like this one. Timothy always thought that the Magic Beast was just a big strong monster, nothing more, nothing less. They can lead, they can act, but only as much as a normal animal. not enough to even talk or make a constructive conversation.

"what do you need for your mission?" the Darkness Lizard asked curiously.

"hmm let me check.." said Timothy as he took out his mission paper and then showed it to the Darkness Lizard.

"here said that if I want to finish the mission, I need to return with the beast's corpse as a prove." said Timothy, didn't realize how much it affected the Darkness Lizard.

The Darkness Lizard didn't let Timothy's words hurt it, keeping its mind clear and peaceful while thinking about how to help Timothy. There were several options appeared in the Darkness Lizard's mind but it just didn't want to let it happen. I am just not willing to do it.

"hey, is there any other darkness Magic Beast around here other than you and he looks like a lizard?" Timothy asked.

"not around here, but I know where some of them are." said the Darkness Lizard a bit hesitantly.

"then I will just hunt them then as a replacement for you." Timothy said lightly.

"I will not let that happen, sorry."

The Darkness Lizard then quickly leave, walking calmly to the direction of the flower garden. Timothy didn't understand why the Darkness Lizard refused Timothy's idea, because, in Timothy's mind, that idea was a very good one. He can have his mission cleared, the Darkness Lizard can also fulfill his contract by staying alive. It was supposed to be a win - win solution.

Timothy chases after the Darkness Lizard and sees that it is resting its head on the ground at the edge of the flower garden. it look at the butterflies and bugs that live happily in there. Timothy can somehow feel envy from the Darkness Lizard, as if it hopes to become a simple butterfly that can live in a flower garden.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

then Timothy began to connect the dot. his status page that said his contract is based on similarity, the Darkness Lizard's unwillingness towards Timothy's plan and its kind effort to help Timothy from the Forest of Patience then protect him until he is healed. Timothy sat down near the Darkness Lizard head and looked at the butterfly together with it.

"I am sorry, my idea is bad." said Timothy with remorse in his voice.

"it's okay, I will probably say the same thing about human." said the Darkness Lizard calmly.

"do you have any other suggestions?

My mission is to hunt a darkness type lizard magic beast.

Do you have any idea how I can finish that?" Timothy said, calmly and more sympathetic this time.

They both remained silent for some time, both drowned in their own mind. They both think about each other too, how their action might hurt the other's feelings. The Darkness Lizard thinks that his refusal has put the human in a difficult position, which then threatens its contract with the human. If she ever failed to do her end of the bargain, both of them will have a severe repercussion which will ruin her effort to avoid hurting human.

On the other hand, Timothy also feeling guilty by announcing the idea of killing other Darkness Lizard kin. For him, killing a magic beast is nothing more than a job, but for the Darkness Beast it will feel like it is trading its life with another innocent magic beast. Timothy tried to put himself in the scenario and he believed he would do just like what the Darkness Lizard did.

as they both remain silent, a pair of butterflies catches their attention. Both have similar color and fly together in harmony. Then suddenly a moth flew right in between the two butterflies, disturbing their beautiful dance with its powerful wings. Timothy's mind suddenly sparked with an idea that he quickly told to the Darkness Lizard.

"hey, is there any darkness type magic beast that looks closely like a lizard but not one?" said Timothy.

The Darkness Lizard's mind begins to spin quickly and its eyes brighten. I do know a beast that looks similar to its kin, that also happens to have the same element type. Even better, the magic beast in the Darkness beast's mind is also having a feud with its kin, which means Timothy's action might help the Darkness Lizard kin even if it is just a bit.

"there is indeed one that fits your question.

My kin has a rival with a similar look to ours.

We fight for similar hunting grounds and I hope you can take one down." said the Darkness Lizard,

"that's great! When should we-"

"BUT! Do not kill too much. One is enough." The Darkness Lizard warns Timothy.

"ah.. yes of course! I will be careful to only hunt one.

Can you please help me pick a weaker one so I can fight it on my own?" Timothy tried to bargain for help.

"sure and while we are at that, I will teach you on our way to save time."

Timothy and the Darkness Lizard remain at their place for another thirty minutes before Timothy leaves to pick up his stuff. Timothy came back after several minutes with all his belongings tidily packed up on his back. Timothy is about to walk beside the Darkness Lizard before it suddenly offers him to ride on its back.

"ride on my back. I can take us there faster."

Timothy decided to accept the offer and easily climb on the Darkness Lizard back. When he sat there, he just realized that there was a place for Timothy to grab on and help maintain his balance.

"your first lesson is balance.

You lack knowledge of your power other than what you are told.

Try to find out more about yourself." said the Darkness Lizard as it prepared to run.

"wait! wait!

Before we go, can you tell me your name?

It is weird to keep calling you Darkness Lizard since, well, you are obviously not just a lizard."

"hmm Magic Beast doesn't usually have a name and I myself have been away for quite a long time from my kin to be given a name.

Why don't you name me, human." offer the Darkness Lizard.

"my name is Timothy. Timothy Brightblade of Jakurtan City.

about your name.. how about Asteria?"

"why do you want to call me Asteria?"

"it comes from the word Aster, which is a flower that represents patience.

I meet you in the Forest of Patience, so I think the name suits you.

oh, I also changed it a bit to show that it is a female name." explain Timothy.

"hmm sure. call me Asteria then.

Let go now, Timothy." said Asteria as she began to run.

Right before Asteria charged at dizzying speed, Timothy asked his Soul Weapon for update status and saw a change in it.

Name Timothy Brightblade Age 19 Years Old Contracted Beast Asteria the Darkness Komodo Dragon (F) Human Mastery Level Weapon User 15% Human Mastery Skill - Body and Mind Coordination+(Passive)

- Flash Charge (active) Soul Weapon Evolution Magic Weapon 2% Soul Weapon Skill - Brightblade Calculated Slash+ (active)

- Mirror Slash (active)Name : Timothy Brightblade