I Built a Divine Zoo in Another World

Chapter 145: A Few Months (2)

Above him... Astra followed his every movement.

The little eagle was no longer so little. Over the past few months, she had grown considerably, her body developing rapidly under proper care and nutrition.

Her wings were broader, with a wingspan that now exceeded Lukas’s height. Every beat created a strong gust that shook the surrounding leaves.

Her talons were sturdier, capable of gripping prey much larger than before. And her feathers had acquired a subtle golden sheen whenever they reflected the sunlight, as if a thin layer of gold had been brushed over every single one of them.

Her flight had become much faster. Where she once needed time to gain altitude, she now shot toward the sky like an arrow, disappearing into the clouds within seconds.

Sometimes, she would vanish into the clouds for several minutes before returning with a rabbit, a pheasant, or some other small animal to eat. Her precision as a hunter had become legendary among the manor’s servants, who often watched her return carrying prey that seemed far too large for a bird of her size.

Prata had changed as well. The not-so-little spider no longer needed to follow Lukas everywhere as she once had when his constant presence had been necessary for her survival.

She spent much of the day exploring the forest on her own, hunting insects and small magical beasts before naturally returning to his side.

Her survival instincts had developed to the point where she could take care of herself entirely, no longer needing the boy’s constant protection.

Tilbo, on the other hand... remained inseparable.

The enormous ant walked behind Lukas almost every day, her constant presence like a silent shadow accompanying him on all his explorations. Her loyalty was absolute, her devotion unquestionable.

She had grown a little larger, her carapace now even more imposing than before. Its black surface had taken on a metallic sheen, as if a thin layer of steel had been forged over its natural shell.

Her mandibles looked even more powerful than before, capable of snapping thick branches as easily as they once broke twigs. Every movement of her head was a reminder of the brute strength that creature possessed.

Lukas gently stroked her head, feeling the smooth, cool texture of her carapace beneath his fingers.

"Let’s head back."

Tilbo responded by rubbing one of her antennae against his arm, a gesture of affection she had developed over time. It was her way of saying she understood, that she was ready, that she would follow him wherever he went.

...

The only one who remained exactly the same... was the little gray rat.

Since the day Astra had brought him from the ashes of the Rat King, Lukas had never set him free. Not out of cruelty, nor out of a desire to keep him imprisoned, but out of caution, out of uncertainty.

The little animal now lived in a much larger box than the first one, a true palace for a rodent of his size. Lukas had carefully modified the interior, turning the box into a comfortable home.

He had spread clean sawdust across the bottom, soft and absorbent, keeping the environment dry and pleasant. Small wooden hideouts gave the rat places to retreat, imitating the burrows he would have found in the wild.

Fresh water was provided every day in a small ceramic bowl that Lukas always kept full. Seeds, dried fruits, and pieces of vegetables made up his diet, carefully selected to ensure balanced nutrition.

Lukas had even added a few improvised toys, small objects the rat could gnaw on or push around to keep himself entertained during the time he spent alone.

It was practically a little house, a comfortable and safe home where the animal could live without worries.

Even so... the rat remained wary.

Always watching. Always alert. His red eyes followed Lukas’s every movement with an intensity that almost seemed human. He never fully relaxed, never let his guard down.

He never attacked Lukas anymore. The days when he tried to bite his fingers were long gone. But he never fully accepted his presence either.

Whenever Lukas reached out his hand, the little animal simply watched him with his red eyes, evaluating, calculating. Sometimes he allowed a brief pat whenever he was particularly calm or curious. Other times, he simply took a few steps back, keeping his distance.

"You still don’t trust me..."

Lukas sighed. The realization was nothing new, but it still stung a little. He had done everything he could to earn the animal’s trust, but some wounds ran too deep to be healed by kindness alone.

He didn’t blame him. After all, the little rat had probably lost his entire family during the battle, his species nearly wiped out, his home destroyed. Distrust was only natural, a survival instinct.

His gaze then fell once more upon the small golden crack on the rat’s forehead. The mark was still there, unchanged, glowing ever so faintly with a light that seemed to come from within the animal itself.

During those months, Lukas had searched through practically every book in the Dmond Manor library. He had spent hours with his nose buried in yellowed pages, reading about magical creatures, mutated animals, and unusual natural phenomena.

None of them mentioned a similar species. None described a mark like that. The golden crack on the rat’s forehead was unique; there wasn’t a single record of anything like it in any of the books he had consulted.

In the end, he reached the most likely conclusion.

"Maybe it’s a magical mutation."

Mutated animals existed. They were extremely rare, but they occasionally appeared, usually in places with a high concentration of mana. Some developed unusual strength, others superhuman endurance. Some awakened minor magical abilities.

Perhaps that rat was simply one of those cases. Perhaps the golden mark was merely a side effect of exposure to the Rat King’s corrupted mana, a scar left behind by contact with that energy.

Perhaps, once he grew up, his true ability would reveal itself. Perhaps time would show what he truly was.

Until then, Lukas would continue taking care of him. Offering him shelter, food, and safety. Hoping that, eventually, distrust would be replaced by trust.

...

The months had changed Lukas as well.

His body had grown noticeably, as was common for children in the middle of their development. He was now taller than nearly every child his age in the neighboring villages, his imposing stature drawing attention wherever he went.

His constant training, proper diet, and active life in the forest had strengthened his muscles. His arms and legs were more defined, and his physical endurance was far greater than before.

He could run long distances without tiring, climb trees with ease, and carry even heavier loads.

His face was still youthful, with soft features that resembled his mother’s. But his eyes... seemed more mature.

The battle against the Rat King had left invisible scars upon his soul. He had seen death up close, felt fear in its purest form, and witnessed the destructive power corrupted mana could unleash.

Those experiences had changed something inside him. He was no longer the same boy who had entered the forest on that fateful morning. He was someone who understood the fragility of life, the weight of decisions, and the price of victory.