"Boss, Boss!" Bebe's voice exploded in Linley's mind. "I think I couldn't move just now! Loa is so strong!"
Before Linley even entered the dorm, Bebe had sensed the aura Loa hadn't deliberately concealed.
Bebe had told him, then rushed in ahead to launch a sneak attack, only to run into a brick wall.
"That's what you get for acting up. Got caught, didn't you?" Linley replied mentally, quickening his steps.
Entering the dorm, he saw Loa sitting there. After a year apart, Loa had grown taller again, his shoulders broader and his bearing steadier. Linley smiled. "Another year for you, huh? I wonder when I'll get to train in the Magical Beast Mountain Range too."
He really wanted to go. Hogg was supporting the clan alone, and his younger brother's expenses in the O'Brien Empire were considerable. As the older brother, the sooner he grew stronger, the sooner he could share the burden.
"Once you break through to become a fifth-rank mage," Loa said with a smile.
Linley was about to reply when he caught sight of the purple shape lying at Loa's feet-what a huge dog.
"What's this?" Linley froze. "Your contracted magical beast?"
"Yep. Called Wangcai." Loa patted the dog's head. "Pretty good, right?"
Linley's expression instantly became identical to Yale's and the others' earlier.
Loa laughed inwardly. Stunned, huh? What's wrong with Wangcai? It's a great name.
Meanwhile, Wangcai and Bebe had locked eyes.
Bebe jumped down from Linley's shoulder, approached Wangcai, and tilted his head, squeaking a few times. Wangcai looked down at him, making low whimpering sounds.
The two stared at each other, big eyes meeting little ones.
Bebe squeaked.
Wangcai whimpered.
Neither understood what the other was saying.
But that didn't matter. It didn't stop them from communicating. Bold as ever, Bebe sprang