"Breakfast is ready, young masters," Russo announced, his expression unreadable as always. "The masters are expecting you."

  Arth perked up instantly. "Oh! Food first, then training!" He grabbed Zarn's wrist and dragged him along before he could protest.

  Mico followed at a leisurely pace, his blue-flamed mane flickering slightly with each step.

  Breakfast was a quiet affair—at least for Zarn.

  The five of them sat around a grand dining table, filled with an impressive assortment of dishes. Mia and John sat at one end, while Arth and Zarn took the other. The fifth seat, surprisingly, belonged to Mico, who had his own serving of food, much to the butler's dismay.

  Zarn ate in silence, uncertain of how to interact with his new "family." He was used to eating alone, with only Mico's presence beside him. Conversation during meals was an unfamiliar concept. Arth, however, had no such hesitation, filling the silence with excited chatter.

  He kept engaging Zarn in small talk, asking about his favorite food, if he liked the estate, if he wanted to see the family's personal beast stables. Zarn responded in short replies, not because he was unwilling, but because he wasn't accustomed to eating and talking at the same time.

  John and Mia mostly observed, their eyes lingering on Zarn as they watched the growing dynamic between the two boys. Their son had accepted Zarn without hesitation, and even Mico—who they had initially been wary of—seemed to tolerate Arth's endless enthusiasm.

  Halfway into the meal, Mia set her utensils down and looked at Zarn with a warm but firm expression.

  "The adoption papers are finalized," she said. "As of today, you are officially a Rudrug."

  Zarn paused, lowering his fork. He had expected this outcome, but hearing it stated so plainly still made something shift inside him.

  "…I see," he muttered.

  Mia smiled softly, but before she could say more, she leaned forward slightly, her gaze curious. "Zarn, there's something we've all been wondering."

  Zarn looked up.

  "Why is Mico never in your summon space?" she asked.

  John and Arth also turned their attention to him, clearly sharing the same question.

  Zarn didn't hesitate in his response. "I see Mico as my brother. I won't coop him up in a summon space."

  It was an answer that sounded reasonable enough, and his family accepted it without question.

  Mico, however, scoffed under his breath, flicking his tail. He knew Zarn was lying.

  But he wouldn't correct him.

  If Zarn didn't want to explain the truth, Mico wouldn't interfere.

  John nodded in approval. "That's a rare sentiment. Most summoners treat their beasts as tools or partners, but few see them as equals."

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  Mia smiled. "It's good to see such a bond between the two of you."

  Arth, on the other hand, had an entirely different reaction. He turned to Mico with an exaggerated expression of admiration. "That's so cool! You're like a free beast! Does that mean you can do whatever you want?"

  Mico gave him a deadpan look. "Within reason."

  "Aw, I was hoping you'd say you'd go on secret missions or something." Arth replied without much reasoning.

  Pause.

  Arth, Mia, John and even Russo all paused.

  For a moment, silence stretched across the dining table. Then—

  "WAIT, HE CAN TALK?!" Arth nearly knocked over his glass in excitement.

  Mia blinked in shock, while John's eyes sharpened with interest. Russo, ever the composed butler, simply sighed and took a step back, as if mentally preparing himself for whatever came next.

  Zarn, still eating, didn't even look up. "Yeah, he does that."

  "You say that like it's normal!" Arth gaped at him. "Summoned beasts don't just… talk! Right?" He turned to his parents for confirmation.

  John shook his head. "Not in human tongue, no. Most high-tier beasts develop telepathic communication with their summoners, while all beasts summoned by natural summoners develop it instantly. Speaking fluently like this, though… it's almost unheard of."

  Mico flicked his tail, clearly unimpressed. "I don't see what the fuss is about."

  "You don't—?" Arth pointed between him and Zarn. "Okay, no, seriously. How did you even summon this guy?"

  Zarn, unfazed, simply shrugged. "I just did."

  Mico resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Liar.

  John leaned forward, fingers steepled together. "A beast with intelligence this advanced… and natural speech ability… Zarn, do you know what this could mean?"

  Zarn gave him a dry look. "That Mico likes to hear himself talk?"

  Mico shot him a glare, but John ignored the exchange, his mind already working through possibilities. "This level of intelligence is usually seen in High-Class Elite-tier beasts. Which means…"

  Mia's eyes widened in realization. "Mico might be a legendary spawn?"

  Arth gasped dramatically, turning back to Mico with renewed excitement. "Wait, how does that work?"

  Mia turned to Arth. "Despite his strength, Mico is still a young beast—a kid, if you may."

  "He's still in his growing phase," John added.

  Arth's eyes snapped to Mico. "Woah!"

  "I don't get it," Zarn admitted, lost.

  John glanced at him. "It means that for him to have this level of intelligence and strength while still in his growing phase, his natural beast essence is extraordinarily strong."

  "So, you think he's a legendary spawn because of this?"

  "Not think—know." John corrected.

  "Hmm… that's dope, I guess." Zarn shrugged. You learn new things every day.

  Mico's ears twitched, and he gave Zarn a tired look. "I am definitely not a legendary spawn."

  Zarn smirked. I know.

  "If you say so." Mico muttered.

  John, meanwhile, looked at Mico with newfound understanding. "If you're truly the offspring of a legendary-tier beast, that means you have the potential to evolve into one yourself. That level of power is…" He trailed off, expression unreadable.

  "So basically, Mico's rare and has potential. Got it." Zarn sighed. "I don't see the point."

  John chuckled. "It's not something to take lightly, Zarn. This means you are essentially a future Legendary-tier summoner."

  "That is... awesome." Zarn said with forced enthusiasm, failing miserably at masking his indifference.

  "You don't actually know the significance of the Legendary-tier, do you?" Arth squinted at him, suspicion evident.

  "Of course I do." A lie so obvious even the butler raised an eyebrow.

  Even Mico had to face-palm at Zarn's ignorance.