MY F-GRADE BEAST IS THE STRONGEST

A Temporary Alliance

The moment Airis muttered those words, Mira was taken aback. She looked at him before turning her attention back to his Spirit Beast, which was still staring at the beast core.

Curious, she tried to examine the little creature more closely. However, the moment her eyes met its violet eyes, her body shivered.

For a brief moment, she felt an inexplicable sense of danger, as though she had just come face-to-face with something she shouldn't provoke.

Mira immediately put the beast core back into her pouch and stood up.

Airis noticed her reaction and glanced at his Spirit Beast.

"Sorry about that," he said awkwardly. "I don't know what's gotten into him."

His Spirit Beast moved closer to him and settled down beside the tree. Its violet eyes became dull again, and it returned to its usual lazy appearance.

However, Airis noticed that it occasionally glanced at Mira, especially at the pouch attached to her waist.

‘You weren't that interested in anything else. Why are you so interested in that beast core?’

Unfortunately, the little creature gave him no answer.

Airis turned his attention back to Mira. He still couldn't explain what had happened, but he suspected that the beast core had some connection to him and his Spirit Beast.

For now, he could only keep the matter in mind.

"Anyway, what do you intend to do now?" Mira suddenly asked.

Airis looked at her,"What do you mean?"

"I'm asking about your plans. You said you came to Gloamwood for training, but you barely know how to survive out here."

Airis scratched his head awkwardly.

"Well, you're not entirely wrong."

Mira shook her head.

"At least you know that much."

Airis glanced towards the cavern entrance.

"I want to get stronger and understand this place. I can't keep hiding in this cavern forever, and I can't depend on luck every time I encounter a dangerous beast."

He paused before continuing, "I've also discovered that I can control shadows, but I'm still trying to understand how my ability works. Every time I use it, I end up exhausting myself."

Mira studied him for a moment.

"Then you need to learn how to survive before you start taking unnecessary risks. Knowing how to fight won't help you much if you walk straight into a dangerous beast's territory without realizing it."

Airis nodded. His encounter with the Shadowfang Leopard had already taught him how easily things could go wrong.

Mira continued, "You need to learn how to recognize beast tracks, find safe sources of food and water, and identify areas where dangerous creatures are likely to appear. Sometimes, knowing when to avoid a fight is more important than knowing how to win one."

Airis listened carefully. He had read about the wilderness in his family's library, but surviving in Gloamwood was very different from reading about it.

"Can you teach me?" he asked.

Mira looked at him in surprise.

"You want me to teach you?"

"Why not? You seem to know what you're doing."

She stared at him for a moment before sighing.

"You're quite straightforward, aren't you?"

Airis smiled.

"Would you prefer that I pretend I already know everything?"

"Definitely not. That would be even more annoying."

Airis chuckled, but the movement caused a faint ache in his chest. His smile faded as he adjusted his position against the tree.

Mira noticed immediately.

"Your injury hasn't healed completely. Don't push yourself too hard."

"I know."

"Do you? Because you don't look like someone who listens to advice."

Airis glanced at her.

"We've only known each other for a short time. How did you come to that conclusion?"

"Because you were injured, yet you still decided to interfere when three men were attacking me."

Airis fell silent for a moment.

He had considered walking away when he first saw those men surrounding her. With his injuries and limited abilities, getting involved had been dangerous. However, he hadn't been able to ignore what was happening.

"I couldn't just leave you there," he said.

Mira looked at him briefly before turning away.

"Well, whatever your reason was, you helped me. I won't forget that."

Airis gave a small smile but said nothing more.

After a moment, Mira adjusted the pouch at her waist.

"I can't promise to protect you from every danger in Gloamwood," she said. "But I can show you how to survive here. In return, you can help me when necessary."

Airis looked at her.

"You mean we should work together?"

"For now," Mira replied. "It's a temporary arrangement. Don't misunderstand."

Airis smiled faintly.

"Of course. I wouldn't dare assume we're suddenly best friends."

"Good. Because we're not."

He laughed, only to wince when his chest began to hurt again.

Mira shook her head.

"You're really something else."

Airis ignored her remark, "Then when do we start?"

Mira glanced at his injured chest.

"Not today. You need to recover first. Once you can move properly, we'll begin."

Airis wanted to argue, but the lingering pain reminded him that she was right.

"Fine. I'll rest for now."

"Good. And don't try anything foolish while I'm away."

Airis raised an eyebrow.

"Where are you going?"

"To check the area around the cavern and gather more herbs. We can't stay here forever, and I need to make sure there aren't any dangerous beasts nearby."

She picked up her pouch along with her sword and headed towards the entrance, but stopped briefly before leaving.

"One more thing. If you notice fresh tracks or hear something moving nearby, don't rush towards it just because you're curious. Make sure you know what you're dealing with first."

Airis nodded.

"I'll keep that in mind."

Mira gave him one last look before leaving the cavern.

Airis watched her disappear into the distance before turning towards his Spirit Beast.

The little creature was already lying beside the tree, its eyes half-closed as though nothing unusual had happened.

Airis stared at it for a moment.

"You're not planning to explain anything to me, are you, buddy?"

The Spirit Beast opened one violet eye, looked at him, and closed it again.

Airis sighed, "Yeah, I thought so."

He leaned back against the tree and glanced towards the entrance.

He still didn't understand his Spirit Beast's reaction to the beast core, and his own ability remained difficult to control. However, he now had someone who could teach him how to survive in Gloamwood.

Once his injuries improved, he would begin learning from Mira and continue practising his Shadow Manipulation.

He couldn't afford to remain weak forever.

For now, he would recover and prepare himself for what lay ahead. The next time he ventured into Gloamwood, he intended to be better prepared than he had been before.