Thalia looked at Nelson's departing back and a curious expression appeared on her face. She then looked at Ambrose.

"Did he not like my Rabbit Stew? Why didn't he say anything?" She asked.

She can tell that something was wrong with Nelson by the way he ran back without saying anything.

Ambrose looked at her mom and let out a sigh. "He did like it. It's just he was in a hurry as his father has told him to come early for the test." Ambrose said and then moved in the house.

Thalia looked at him and a suspicious expression appeared on her face. However, she dismissed it as her overthinking because she hasn't slept for last night.

Ambrose knew what was going on in her mind. Because Nelson has never done something like this before. He was a good guy and whenever he ate at his house in past he always complimented all the dishes Thalia make.

........

Nelson went a few meters away from Ambrose's house and suddenly he felt a burst of coolness in his whole body. It was like he was freezing from inside. His heart slowed down and even his breathing cooled down.

"What is happening to me? Are those Water Berries really this strong?" He thought and suddenly a smile formed on his face. "If that is the case then I may even catch a good quality beast in today's test."

In a few seconds, his body normalised and he could feel this subtle coolness circulating in his whole body. "This feels really good." He said and then moved ahead towards his house.

.......

"Test will be an hour from now. You should move towards the village ground. The people from the Golden Falcon Kingdom could be here at any moment." Thalia said as she looked at Ambrose who has just finished his own Rabbit Stew.

Ambrose stood up and nodded at his mom. "Ok, then I will be off. Take care. And don't worry about me. I will make sure to get a good beast as a gift for you." He said and then moved outside.

Thalia had a worried expression on her face as she looked at him going out of the wooden door. "Don't worry about bringing anything. Just make sure you are safe. And don't take any unnecessary risk." She said.

Although getting a Mana Beast is important it is still not as important as staying alive. For her, Ambrose's safety was the most important thing.

Both of them moved out of the wooden door and then Ambrose looked at Thalia. He wanted to take out his Fire mushroom, however, she was standing right there in front of him.

"Mom what about the fifteen silver coins?" Ambrose said. Trying to find a way to sneak out his Fire Mushroom.

"Oh... Hang on a second. I forgot it in the kitchen. Let me bring that pouch." She suddenly jolted awake and moved towards the kitchen hastily to fetch the silver coins.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Ambrose saw her entering the kitchen and just as she did so. He quickly ran towards his secret location and took out his Fire Mushrook from the white cloth bag.

Placing it in his pocket he quickly stood up and returned to his place.

After some time Thalia handed him a small red pouch in which there were fifteen silver coins that she has saved throughout her lifetime.

"Ok then. I will be going." Ambrose said and then departed from his house and only after fifteen minutes of the walk he reached the village ground.

The Village Ground was just a wide and open area filled with soil. It's just adjacent to the border of the jungle. Every year the Beast taming event happens here and this time too it will happen in this ground.

When Ambrose reached the ground Nelson and his father was already present there. There were also many youths of his age present there. All of them were here in the hope of taming a beast.

Most of these guys were with their parents however some of them came alone too. As the village was small it doesn't matter much. And if something goes wrong with Ambrose then Nelson's father is still present there.

Ambrose looked at everyone and a thrilling sensation ran through his body. He felt very excited at the thought of taming a magical beast.

For him who came from the earth, these Mana beasts were nothing less than magical beasts that he has seen in mythological Anime and games.

Nelson looked at Ambrose and a smile formed on his face. He waved his hand towards Ambrose to call him.

Ambrose looked at him and then moved towards him.

"You came on time. The Village Chief has just reached here and the people from Golden Falcon Academy will be here in just a few minutes." Nelson said with a smile on his face.

"And yes, did you feel that those berries were strong? Or am I the only one?" He continued.

Ambrose listened to him and smiled. "No, I didn't feel much. Did you feel that they were strong?" He said.

"I think he ate a mutant one." From the side, Nelson's dad said with a smile on his face. He was very happy for his son. That he got a good berry that provides him with enough protection against the fiery aura of Mana beasts.

Ambrose looked at Nelson's father with a questioning look. "Mutant one?" He asked.

"Yes, some times a Mana Beast or Herb can mutate and changes its properties. It could be either physical or its properties could be changed. And sometime it could be both."

"These mutations could be both good or bad. However, fortunately, Nelson has got a good one or it would have been a big problem."

His father said with a relieved expression.

Ambrose listened to him and smiled. "Congratulations, now you could get a higher tier beast." He was happy with how things resolved themselves. He didn't even need to do anything both Nelson and his father speculated.

"Oh, it's nothing. Even with the help of this aura, I can't get any higher tire beast or I would be in big trouble. Normal beasts are good enough for me." He said while ruffling his hairs.

"Yes, Nelson is correct. Even if you find some higher tire beast don't go for it. It's better to stick with an average beast." Nelson's father said to Ambrose.

"Why is that Uncle Geis?" Nelson said. Although he had some Idea he still wanted to listen to it.

"It's because you don't wanna offend the big shots of the village. If you get a normal beast they will not care much. However, if you caught a high tire beast everybody will make you their enemies."

"You know we can't afford to stand at the same height as they are. Or they will group up and kick us down." Geis explained to Ambrose.

Nelson looked at Ambrose and smiled. "That's how fate works. It's already set in stone."

Ambrose listened to them and nodded. He understood what they wanna say. The rich guys of this village like Village Chief and the Party that he went on a hunt with will never bear to see their kids at the same place as poor people like them.

It would be a great humiliation to them.

"It's ok Uncle Geis. It's not like I would be able to tame high tire beasts." Ambrose said with a smile.

"Don't lose hope. Even a low tire beast is good enough for us after all. We only need basic things in our life." Nelson said.

"Yes, brother Nelson. We only need basic things." Ambrose said. However, inside he was disappointed at how this system works. It was same on earth. Although not so blatant it was still a huge problem.

"Both of you guys are too mature for your age." Nelson's father said with a proud expression on his face. He was very proud of Nelson.

Ambrose then cast his gaze Village Chief and others and seeing their condition a smile formed on his face.

All of them were completely haggard. They had dark circles under their eyes and by the looks on their faces, it was clear that they were unable to find any herbs.

Especially the Village Chief and Celia. Both of them looked like someone close to them died. Ambrose has stolen all their money and herbs. Even the money that Village Chief stored in the house.

"What happened to them? They look so exhausted and sad. Don't tell me they failed to get any herbs." One of the guys near Ambrose said to Nelson.

Nelson looked at him and raised his shoulders. "I don't know man." Nelson really didn't wanna talk about Village Chief and offend him.

Geis nodded at Nelson's reply. It was for the best to not say anything about Village chief.

Just as the guy was about to say something else the village chief moved in front of everyone.

"Listen, fellow Villagers. Now is the time to collect money. I hope everyone has brought fifteen silver coins with them."