Chapter 64: Ceremony

In the waiting section of the Cosmos Portals, Aurora redirected her gaze to the students.

“Have you read the mission report?” she calmly asked the students.

“We need to protect the students of the Beast Tamer Academy, Cernunnos. Getting them safely to the place where they perform their magical beast contracts, guarding their safety at all times,” Clémentine replied and, without changing her expression, continued. “As for us, we must pay attention to the magical forest and prepare for the ‘Ark’ mission.”

Aurora nodded with a smile.

The mission to escort the students from the academy was not as dangerous as it sounded even though she had to head to the magic forest.

“Thanks for coming, Oscar and Shao. We can use your help,” Aurora commented to the two companions who joined their group.

“No, thanks to you for letting me come. I like the inside of the magic forest,” Oscar replied calmly.

“And it’s always nice to help,” Shao Ya added with a soft smile.

With her students, not too much help was needed, so Akira’s group was under no obligation to come.

However, it was nice to have two extra professionals besides her gluttonous friend.

Aurora checked the message on her watch and then looked at the portals.

The Cosmos Portals of Zerzura City, like the Portals of Switzerland, had a peculiarity.

Large creatures were allowed to move, and that was happening right now.

The portals themselves were huge, but for magical beasts to use, it was a problem and some preparations were needed.

Freeing up the section so that the beast could pass through was delaying travel... Of course, the ‘delay’ was only a few minutes.

At the arrival part of the portal, a warning was given, and a place was vacated, allowing a large creature to pass through.

A huge three-meter gorilla appeared through the portal, guided by an elder and followed by young students, who together approached Aurora’s group.

“Elder Kernen, you and your companion are still as striking as ever,” Aurora greeted with a smile.

The elder with a long white beard only gave a smile and tapped his companion’s leg.

His black-haired gorilla companion gave something like a rather contented chuckle, perhaps from the impressed looks they were giving him.

“Thank you for accepting the mission. When I called Liam earlier, he informed me that you were on vacation at the hero academy,” Said the elder Kernen with a strange expression.

It was hard to understand how one could ‘vacation’ at an academy and such an expression let it be seen that he was still not able to comprehend it.

“I was just trying out new things and looking for talents,” Aurora replied, waving her hand as if it wasn’t too much and looking at the students behind Clementine, she introduced. “They are the talents I found. They are now helping me in different missions.”

“They are small, but they look fierce,” said the big gorilla suddenly in a hoarse, deep voice.

Clémentine and the others were not surprised.

They had already done ‘subjugation’ missions and had met some magical talking beasts, only this time, the big gorilla didn’t have any magical items.

“Not as much as mine, though,” Added the gorilla with a chuckle, looking at the youngsters on the professor’s back.

They were literally young.

Their ages hovered between fourteen or fifteen, and they had curious expressions as they looked at their surroundings.

They were only five students, which was good enough for Aurora.

“That young?” muttered Nicole with a strange expression.

“Of course, although they call us ‘Beast Tamers’ we actually create bonds with magical beasts. And there’s nothing better than developing that bond of friendship from a young age,” Elder Kernen explained.

“In my case, I ran into my friend when I was already too old,” growled the gorilla with a rather loud laugh.

Elder Kernen gave a soft smile and Aurora let out a casual chuckle, realizing he wasn’t in denial.

Coughing, she turned to the students and put on a solemn expression.

“Present here is Elder Kernen, renowned Professor of Cernunnos Academy. The big guy next to him is Rupert an S-Rank Thundering Gorilla. His size is the same as his A-Rank relatives, but his fists are truly thunderous,” introduced Aurora calmly.

Rupert tapped his chest gently as he maintained a proud posture, making it clear that he was quite satisfied with Aurora’s presentation.

“Let’s do the other introductions on the way and get moving,” Aurora ordered, and Elder Kernen nodded.

******

A numerous group walked approaching the magical forest in the distance.

“It’s rude to eat chips when I’m talking,” Rupert said as he stretched his body, walking like a human.

Clementine watched as the woman eating at her feet stopped and looked at the giant gorilla, who was literally much bigger than her.

“We’re not talking, only you are flaunting your title,” Alice replied with an indifferent expression and continued eating.

Clémentine could notice how the three-meter tall gorilla’s expression became distorted, and...

“Lightning Fists. That’s my title, a good title, isn’t it, little ones?” Rupert asked the students of his academy standing at his feet.

Unlike how he treated them, they were not child, but teenagers and when they received the question from him, they looked at each other before smiling.

“Sure! You’re the one with the strongest fists in the whole academy!” one of the students replied, and all the others praised him as well.

Clementine realized that they were not joking but were praising the gorilla sincerely and such a fact, made it clear that, as students of the Beast Tamers Academy, they were quite proud of the gorilla.

She had subdued some creatures and had heard how they talked when they were delivered to the safe zone, but... She had a hard time coming to terms with reality when she saw this gorilla.

While she had known other magical beasts from afar, as a psionic, she focused on another area and lacked experience.

Even at the academy, she had attended in high school before entering the hero academy, there were no beast tamers.

“What do you guys think?” Rupert asked, giving Clémentine and her group a look.

A three-meter tall gorilla with a hulking physique and a frightening appearance watched them... Clémentine doubted if she could move it using all her mental strength.

She felt small... In very different ways.

“You have a splendid physique and your fists are big. Although I haven’t seen you, I think your punches will no doubt be strong,” Nicole replied, nodding softly.

Catching their eyes on them, both Érica, Leslie, and Andrés nodded... Clémentine was the same as them.

Rupert gave a low proud grunt and resumed walking, normally resting his arms on the ground like a normal gorilla.

“Come on Rupert, we’re almost there. Stop bothering the new students!” Elder Kernen shouted, and the gorilla let out a grunt, moving ahead of Aurora and the elder’s group.

They were reaching the edge of the magical forest, in the section where Clémentine and Érica left the thundering little gorilla.

“I never thought a contracted magical beast would be this way,” Érica muttered under her breath.

“How?” Alice asked, munching on her chips and with a smiling expression, asked. “So human?”

The group was silent at that question, but Érica didn’t hesitate to nod.

“When one thinks of a magical beast, the first thing that comes to mind is that they are just that, beasts. Like the creatures in the dungeons, or those magical beasts we subjugated,” Érica replied with a serious expression.

Her words touched on the preconceived ideas of most of those present.

“It’s normal to think that way. And at a certain point, it makes sense. There are magical beasts that, despite being intelligent, are aggressive and savage in keeping with their nature,” Alice commented and in a nonchalant manner, she questioned. “But isn’t it the same with humans? There are good and bad humans, being in many cases considered ‘monsters’ or ‘demons’.”

There were some magical beasts that only by growing did they gain strength and acquire intelligence.

Those species were rare in number, but that didn’t mean they were all good creatures that got along with humans.

Some species saw humans as garbage, other times as mere food, and sometimes as a savage and aggressive species because of the actions of a few.

Even in the same species, there were some individuals who thought differently and acted aggressively following their instincts... Just like humans.

“Intelligence gives the ability to think and reason. It allows them to follow their instincts or simply act differently. Many of the species in the magical forest act differently. They have their own society, with their Queen and their ‘tribes’. That culture, that society they are creating, has strong influences from humans,” Explained Alice calmly and looking at the giant gorilla that was carrying some students on its back she stated. “Those species are our allies and those we can interact with in peace. Humans push away their innate superiority and they repress their instincts.”

With those words, Alice stepped forward, munching on chips.

“Superiority, huh,” Nicole muttered in a strange tone.

They were all eighteen years old and had been born after the Great Cataclysm.

They were considered the new generation.

Unlike their parents, they didn’t use that virtual reality machine and traveled to another world observing new places and having new perspectives.

While they grew up knowing news about magic, creatures, and monsters when talking about intelligent magical beasts capable of creating a society, it was quite different.

It wasn’t as if they had a hard time changing their ideas, really...

“It’s true about superiority,” Andrés commented, shaking his head.

Superiority to magical beasts was quite normal for them and much of humanity.

For someone like Andrés, the technology, science, and research of mankind was something to be proud of.

While not as extreme as those who believed that using modern weapons, they could conquer a magical world like Terra nova, it was natural to be proud of humanity’s development.

“Also, it’s a matter of where we grew up. If it was Switzerland, India, or China that have Holy Beasts, maybe we would think differently,” Leslie interjected calmly.

It certainly surprised them that a gorilla would interact in the same way humans did, however, that was it.

Her lack of experience not personally knowing intelligent magical beasts made her surprised.

If they had lived in or visited the countries that had Holy Beasts respected and worshipped by a large portion of the population, their thinking would have been different.

“Come on,” Clémentine urged , pushing her thoughts away and approaching the main group.

They were already reaching the edge of the magical forest, and she could see large shadows emerging from the boundary.

From the magic forest, a few thundering gorillas of varying sizes began to emerge.

Two of Rank A and three of Rank B... Clémentine looked at the size of the gorillas and quickly identified them.

The A-Rank was three meters tall and the B-Rank was two meters tall, it was knowledge she had learned and memorized for her missions.

The humans, led by Aurora and the gorillas, greeted each other in a basic greeting, and then Rupert let out a grunt of happiness as he patted the backs of the young gorillas.

“We’re going into the magical forest. We’ll use a magical flying contraption, just let yourselves go,” Aurora commanded and Alice pulled out a small staff.

A soft cloak surrounded the group, and then they soared as they organized themselves into formation.

“The meeting place is always quite far away and flying is necessary to reduce time and our fatigue, but as always, we will travel slowly enough to observe and learn,” Said the elder Kernen to his students and with a smile, he added. “Don’t worry about your protection. Aurora and Alice’s mercenary group are quite capable. And Rupert, along with his companions, will also be present.”

Rupert beat his chest proudly, getting the other thundering gorillas to copy him.

Aurora, for her part, just gave a soft smile and when they were ready, Alice moved.

First, they levitated, and then they started to fly.

As there was a cloak around them, the students could not feel the wind hitting them and in case of branches or leaves, they did not touch it because of the same barrier.

The magical forest, even at its edge, was too dense.

The trees, while not so tall, were dense and very green at the top covering part of the sun, but leaving room to fly or for creatures to move on the ground.

The gorillas ran alongside them, quite familiarly.

“The Magic Forest is huge and because of the high density of magical energy, dozens of different areas can be found. We can find different types of forests and jungles with variety of climates or trees in them,” explained Elder Kernen not only to his students but to Clémentine’s group, who was listening.

Flying around while Elder Kernen explained some tree species or stopped Aurora to pick some medicinal or edible plants, the group moved at their own pace.

The gorillas at their side always accompanied them from a safe distance and Rupert was at their side from time to time, jumping through the trees to fetch some fruits.

After a long journey, the atmosphere began to change.

The trees appeared with a greater distance between them and became thicker, at the same time, the leaves in the canopy began to become denser until they covered much of the sunlight.

Still, it let in a faint glow that, combined with the green trees and the ground full of weeds or flowers of all kinds, turned the group’s vision into a magnificent scene.

Both the students who came with Elder Kernen took pictures, as did Clémentine and her group.

“This is a peaceful place because it is the territory of the Thundering Gorillas,” Elder Kernen reported and with a serious tone, he warned. “Entering the magical forest is already dangerous in itself, and that danger increases if you don’t have a guide. You may encounter monsters, aggressive magical beasts, or wild creatures.”

They always said that the magic forest was dangerous, and it was not a lie.

That was why Elder Kernen gave his warning, not wanting the students to get carried away by the scene and the lack of danger, fearing that if they ever returned, they might be in danger by underestimating the forest.

“But don’t worry. No beast with the slightest bit of intelligence will come near our group,” Rupert commented in a lofty and proud tone.

The gorillas in their vicinity beat their chests and grunted loudly, giving confidence.

Continuing their journey and they encountered some free monsters who attacked irrationally despite the group and it was Rupert with his big fists who defeated them with ease.

Alice, who was leading the group to fly, did not follow Rupert or the other gorillas and moved as if she knew the forest.

Occasionally, they noticed other magical beasts or wild animals in their surroundings, but most obvious were the trees.

Growing thicker and taller.

Tens of meters high, they had large and thick branches where the gorillas swung from time to time by pulling on some vines that were around.

After a long journey of a few hours, the group noticed other gorillas and different primates.

As they had been flying at high speed and were listening to Professor Kernen’s explanation of the magical forest, time passed quickly for everyone.

As they flew further inland, the gorillas began to become more evident and at the same time, other primates revealed themselves.

Chimpanzees, large orangutans and other kinds of primates.

There were normal animals, like some magical beasts, around living with nature.

“The peaceful environment that we can see today was created by their parents’ experience of traveling to ‘Terra nova’. While it was long believed to be a game, we explored areas where humans interacted with magical beasts. Or where magical beasts ruled,” detailed Elder Kernen in a deep voice and looking at his surroundings, he mentioned. “Perhaps if we had not had that experience, we might have started a war with the magical beasts over the dominance of one species.”

It was impossible to know what would happen, and the reality was that part of this world there were places where nature had spread out covering hundreds of miles.

Places like this where the magical energy was denser than anywhere else in the world.

The Amazon, the Andes Mountains, the Swiss Alps, the surrounding Himalayas, the Australian desert.

So many places where nature conquered humanity and in those places species that were once normal animals began their evolution in the same way as humans.

They acquired strength and intelligence and had the ability to manipulate magical energy in the same way as humans... Sometimes better because of the natural instincts of beasts.

If humans did not know magical energy and if they did not have the knowledge they gained on Terra nova when they thought it was a game, it was very possible that an all-out war would start instead of starting dialogues.

Elder Kernen was a rather old man who was like most, a former player who explored Terra nova.

His way of thinking came from that place, and he was not the only one.

After a long journey, they came to a free area, which left all the students amazed.

High up in the trees on their branches were places like houses or other areas like leaf nests, where gorillas slept.

“This is the land of the thundering gorillas,” Elder Kernen announced and pointing to the places where gorillas slept, he noted. “Some build ‘houses’ like humans and others like to sleep in elevated areas with a bed of leaves as nests.”

Mimicking humans was common among some magical beasts that had that ability, but they did it in their own way.

The tree houses were not actually designed like those of humans, but were huge roots and branches with the similar design of a house, in which the walls were part of the tree.

“Some magical beasts are quite excellent at using nature magic and since some of them traveled to the human world, it is normal for them to learn some tricks,” Oscar added, looking at the trees.

“You’re someone pretty smart,” Rupert said with an amused grunt, looking at the students who had descended into the empty area he stated. “I hope you’re ready for the ceremony.”

“Yes, we’re ready!” replied the five students in a row with a serious look on their faces.

Hearing those words, Rupert roared in fury, causing the birds to flee and the quiet forest to become agitated.

Elder Kernen stroked his beard and, looking at Clémentine’s group, explained. “We call ourselves ‘beast tamers,’ but we don’t actually ‘tame’ but rather create a bond with them.”

Knowing that the students were paying attention to him, thirsty for knowledge, he continued.

“We made a contract of friendship. We create a bond of life between us and we support each other. We don’t force our future partners to be under us. That’s what we teach at the Cernunnos Beast Tamers Academy. Those are our principles and we share them with our peers,” explained the elder Kernen with a big smile.

“We fight alongside our partners and go out into the world to learn, but we are not slaves. We are equals. We fight and die together, that is our relationship.” Rupert added in a deep voice.

Magical beasts were intelligent beings just like humans, they sought their own happiness and had their own desires or goals.

No one liked being in a bondage relationship or being forced to serve under someone they disliked.

To be sent to their death as if they were trash... That was something that neither humans or magical beasts desired.

Cernunnos Academy taught beast tamers, but with a mindset of coexistence, a mutual relationship of friendship between beast and human.

They were companions, friends, and allies who often shared life.

“This ceremony is proof of the relationship that both species have.” Elder Kernen declared with a smile.

It was undeniable that there were beast tamers who forced magical beasts to be under their command, or who cruelly treated their magical beasts as if they were pets or simply disposable individuals.

They existed, and no one denied that reality, neither the magical beasts nor the humans, however, countries like Switzerland sought to change that.

Magical beasts in Switzerland were entitled to and both legally and socially treated as equals.

That relationship that applied to the reality of ordinary people was the reason this kind of ceremony existed.

“Bring on the young ones,” Rupert growled to his colleagues, who looked on.

Clémentine noticed how Leslie shivered for a moment as she looked in one direction and when she followed the same direction, she couldn’t hide her surprise.

The gorillas in the vicinity were approaching and beginning to surround them, looking down from the trees or sitting at the foot of the trees.

Most strikingly.

“Oh, the human youngsters at this year’s ceremony are few.”

“Rupert is too strict.”

“Kahaha... Look at them. They have character. None of them are trembling with fear.”

“I think they must be used to giants like you guys.”

The first three individuals who spoke were gorillas over three meters tall who were sitting lazily with large platters of bananas and all kinds of fruits at their sides.

What made Leslie and Clémentine shudder was that Alice was already with them eating next to them and it was she who gave the last comment.

“She’s as bold as ever,” Shao Ya muttered, who had been silent, but...

“May I?” asked Oscar to the gorillas pointing at the wooden platters filled with fruits.

“Sure, bear,” replied one of the gorillas with a grumpy tone.

Clémentine, Leslie, Andrés, Érica and Nicole looked at each other.

They would like to say that some of the gorillas were friendly, but in reality, some of them had serious looks that were scary.

Their heightened auras and sheer numbers, it was shocking.

There were more than six S-ranks in plain sight and dozens of A-ranks, and it was likely that those were only a portion of those who came to watch the ceremony.

“We are in the Thundering Gorilla tribe. It is normal to see powerful magical beasts,” Aurora informed the group and looking at Elder Kernen, she muttered. “This is one of the reasons why humans don’t dare to go against magical beasts.”

The magical beasts physically were the same as the creatures found in the dungeons, that meant they could get the remains of their bodies as materials... But those individuals who entered the magical forest for those reasons did not come back out.

Thunderous gorillas of different sizes began bringing in young gorillas that were difficult to identify their age or strength.

“In human terms, they would be teenagers,” explained Aurora to the group as she saw that the gorillas were between one and two meters.

They were Rank C and while it was complicated to define talent, like any gorilla, they were likely to end up advancing to Rank B in short order.

The beast academy students looked at their counterparts and gave the best appearance they could to these gorillas who, in some cases, were the same height as them.

Of course, it was only height, as the thundering gorillas had a strong body as a child.

From the biggest tree down a gorilla, five meters tall and Clémentine could feel the S-Rank strength of that gorilla with the naked eye.

“We have more youngsters on our side today than theirs.” Muttered the old gorilla.

That was the truth.

There were five human students, but about ten gorillas of different ages.

“Elder, I only gave permission for the young ones I considered the best to come,” Rupert replied, raising his posture.

“Actually, there are other students looking for magical beasts of other species. You know how it is...” added Elder Kernen, pointing to his companion Rupert and the gorillas that were eating with Alice and Oscar.

“Hmm... Our kids are trouble.” Replied the gorilla elder calmly.

The Thundering Gorillas were not the only ones who were in a good relationship with the beast tamer academy, in other areas of the magical forest or around the world they also had a good relationship with different tribes, who sent their people with trusted humans.

Rupert was not only the intermediary between the beast academy and the thundering gorilla tribe, but he was a decisive influence on those humans who could make this journey to carry out a contract with his tribe.

The young tamers would go through Elder Kernen’s test and then Rupert’s, just so that they would be newly selected and could come to this place.

“Let the ceremony begin.” Ordered the gorilla elder and stood watching as the young men of both races looked at each other.

“Follow the ceremony. You know how it is. They approach you and you give an appearance that will get you noticed. If you are interested, then you can begin the first stage of the ritual.” Elder Kernen reminded his students.

Clémentine, who was watching near where the humans and gorillas were eating fruit, listened attentively.

“They have to put on a tough appearance. We don’t look for wimps.” Said one gorilla as he ate several fruits with his big hand.

“See how they look at the Protector of Zerzura. They have to have a posture like her. Serious and professional, with a powerful aura.” said another gorilla looking at Aurora, nodding again and again.

“‘Protector of Zerzura’ eats more,” commented another gorilla passing a bowl of fruit to Alice.

Those three gorillas seemed to be having fun with each other as they watched the youngsters of both races watch each other.

Both sisters were called by the same title, making it obvious that they did not know their real names, which was surprising when they showed such closeness.

“Those three seem to have been influenced by humanity. Just don’t pay attention to them,” Aurora commented without hiding her trembling lips.

The group obeyed and looked at the young tamers and gorillas.

Both stopped watching each other, and the gorillas were the first to approach looking at the humans who, in some cases, were stiffened by the crowd.

Not only being watched by the young gorillas, but being watched by dozens of other gorillas standing around them... It was something to be nervous about.

Clémentine herself felt nervous to see large gorillas paying attention to her group.

The young gorillas were growling at each other and eyeing or checking out the students... Precisely their fists and stature.

“In this kind of situation, the gorillas have the ability to pick their partners and since there are five humans, they fight among themselves,” Aurora explained quietly to her group, and with a smile, she muttered. “But that’s the reason why the students have the advantage.”

Normally the one who had the advantage in choosing their partners were the gorillas, as usually humans, and those who wished to be tamers were more numerous than the beasts themselves.

However, this time it was different.

“Not all beast tamers seek a partner of high intelligence, as they are troublesome. Some only make contracts with other types of magical beasts that are not as intelligent and are more easy to deal with,” Elder Kernen added quietly.

The ideal of the beast academy was to treat your contracted beast as your companion and strengthen the bond of friendship, but those companions could not only be magical beasts that could talk.

Other students contracted with magical beasts that, even if they rose in rank, did not obtain high intelligence or simply could not speak like humans.

Seeking to contract with this type of high intelligence magical beast was too troublesome because of the trials of individuals like Rupert and then this ceremony, let alone continuing the relationship afterwards.

After five minutes of checking each other out, the gorillas gently tapped the shoulder of the people he liked and surrounded him.

Some had three or two gorillas, and there was one student who had one.

The gorillas had different features some were, taller some were more muscular, however; the students were the same.

The student who ended up alone was shorter than his classmates and the gorilla who chose him was also shorter among the gorillas.

The first stage of the ceremony was to choose by appearance, it was a basic and primitive way, however, most relationships began with the first introduction.

“You know what to do,” said Elder Kernen and while the elderly gorilla also gave signals to his youngsters.

The short student was the first to start.

He took out a scroll and put it in his hand and then looked at the gorilla in front of him.

Everyone could tell that both the gorilla and the young human were nervous.

The gorilla put his hand on top of the scroll and then they both closed their eyes as the scroll glowed and vanished, as if it had been burned completely.

“Right now, they are in a mental connection to see if they are both compatible with each other. In that place, they can interact with each other by discovering each other’s personalities, tastes and attitudes. This is the way to get to know each other in-depth,” Elder Kernen explained.

This was the stage where they both got to know each other in the deepest way.

Choosing by appearance was a basic way and in a way, it could be considered as the first stage and at this moment that both sides were connected getting to know each other, it was the second stage of major importance.

This was one of the reasons why contracting with this type of highly intelligent magical beast was problematic.

While thundering gorillas let their children become independent at an early age and did not mind them going with humans, these humans had to have a good relationship with their child... It was a basic concern that extended across species or races.

Getting to know each other deeply so as not to later regret risking his life for his companions was important and vital.

The spell on the scroll simply created the connection between the two and they related.

“Yes... We both do,” reported the male student with a big smile as he looked at his gorilla companion, who was nodding.

“Then go for it,” ordered the elderly gorilla, who was watching intently.

The young student nodded and pulled out a small spherical crystal and then, using a small needle, he dropped blood into the crystal, which fused inside.

“Some have abilities to tame creatures and create bonds with their hired beasts, but highly intelligent magical beasts naturally can resist like any human. In this case, there are some like me or that young man, who simply want to have a partner and use other methods. This crystal is the contract and the one that will allow one to create a mental bond with their contracted beast by mimicking the skill of the tamers,” Elder Kernen informed the students.

It was a basic contract that forbade either of them from harming each other, seeking to have a relationship of friendship and companionship, healthy.

At the same time, it generated a unique connection between the two that symbolized that bond of friendship between them, allowing them to convey their thoughts or understand the emotions on both sides.

The gorilla dropped a drop of blood that merged into the crystal, then they both closed their eyes as the crystal turned into magical energy, joining both bodies without any resistance.

“Congratulations, young ones. You are now partners. I hope you take care of each other and protect each other,” declared the elder gorilla in a high and loud voice.

The gorillas around him beat their chests and others grunted with joy while the three gorillas, who were still eating, praised with human words.

“Thank you, elder,” replied the student.

The ceremony continued.

The other four students tested the gorillas next to them using the scrolls, and only one young human remained no match for any around him.

Even one young girl took courage and made a contract with two female gorillas with whom she was compatible.

Five young gorillas were left free and one human.

“They can try. Maybe the appearance fooled you,” the old gorilla pointed out in a human voice, but the young gorillas could understand and nodded.

Appearance wasn’t everything, and the image at first glance might not match.

The young gorillas approached the student, and the elder Kernen gave five scrolls.

“The young gorillas are present here because they wish to go out into the human world and get to know new places. So it is normal for them to try again,” Aurora explained to her group and in a low voice, she detailed. “For them, this is an adventure next to a new companion.”

The magical forest was dangerous and from a young age, she was taught to fight monsters or creatures.

And even some magical beasts would clean out the dungeons that appeared around the magical forest.

So as far as danger was concerned, it was the same as staying here or going outside... Maybe it was easier outside because of the more structured human society.

The young lone student nervously used the scrolls on the gorillas and when he got to one gorilla, his expression changed for the better, it was the same with the gorilla, who seemed more animated.

Unfortunately, the others did not match when they employed the scrolls.

“It’s a pity. A magical beast contract is important, but if they aren’t compatible with each other, it wouldn’t be a nice thing to force it,” Elder Kernen commented, shaking his head.

Relationships were developing slowly and even now after being ‘compatible’ they might have difficulties coming their way, but if neither gorillas or humans had an interest in creating such a bond, it was not a good thing to push it.

“Young humans, do any of you wish to try them with our remaining youngsters?” The elder gorilla asked.

The students looked at each other and their new companions.

For the students, it represented great responsibilities to own and maintain a magical beast.

Just as for the gorillas, traveling and adapting to human society would prove challenging, for the students caring for and teaching a new companion was also a challenge.

Financially, mentally and physically, it presented problems and heavy responsibilities.

At the beast tamer academy, these ideas and responsibilities were instilled in the students so that they would not decide blindly.

Only one youngster raised his hand and tested all the gorillas by hiring another with a serious expression.

When the thundering young gorillas walked away, rather disappointed, the elderly gorilla approached and spoke.

“Remember, this is a buddy relationship. You must respect and care for each other, develop your friendship closely,” said the gorilla, and seeing the group of youngsters nodding, he looked at the young gorillas and added. “Also remember you can always go back to your home. We will be waiting for you.”

Grunts from the crowd and roars cheered in response.

People changed over time and it was hard to be sure they could maintain the relationship forever and if someday that relationship ended, the gorillas could always return home.

As the young of both species were left to interact with each other, the elder gorilla approached Aurora’s group.

He had a large size and an imposing aura.

“I heard you saved one of our tribe, Protector of Zerzura. You have our thanks,” commented the gorilla in a serious tone.

“Actually, it was Alice and these young students,” Aurora replied, letting Érica and Clémentine see.

“Thank you,” said the gorilla, softening his tone.

Clémentine and Érica could only nod as they looked at the large gorilla, who looked like he could crush them with a punch, thanking her.

The gorilla left the place with slow steps after that, allowing Aurora to give a smile as she watched the group.

“Let’s go back. We all have to get ready for the ‘Ark’ mission,” Aurora ordered without hiding her smile.

The students nodded in seriousness.

This mission let them see a bit of the magical forest and the magical beasts that inhabited them while serving as a time to understand more of the world.

But there was a more important mission that required their attention.

The ark mission.