Decision

Chapter 3: Decision

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Kai awoke early the next morning, the sunlight streaming through the small windows of the shop, casting a warm glow across the room. His first thoughts were of Selene, still sleeping quietly in the corner, her humanoid form resting peacefully as her purple hair fanned out around her.

Despite the surreal nature of her existence—an ancient beast turned human—Kai had grown accustomed to her presence in the short time since she'd appeared. The oddity of the situation didn't escape him, but the more time he spent with her, the more natural it all felt.

He stretched, his muscles aching slightly from the previous day's work. Running the clinic had always been a task, but now it was different. There were more responsibilities, more challenges, and even more opportunities for growth. With Selene by his side, there was a potential he hadn't even begun to tap into yet.

After a moment of quiet contemplation, Kai stood up and walked over to Selene, kneeling beside her.

"Selene, wake up," he said softly.

Her eyes fluttered open almost immediately, her gaze locking onto his with a serene intensity.

"Good morning, Master," she replied, her voice soft and melodic. "What is your command today?"

Kai hesitated for a moment, still unsure of how to treat her. She wasn't just any beast—she was his companion, a powerful being with an ancient bloodline. She had chosen to serve him, but he couldn't shake the feeling that there was so much more to learn about her.

"I think we need to make a plan for the shop," Kai said. "We can't just keep waiting for customers to come to us. We need to expand, find more clients, and build a reputation."

Selene nodded, rising to her feet gracefully. Her human form didn't hinder her movements in the slightest—if anything, she moved with a fluidity and elegance that seemed almost unnatural.

"Leave it to me, Master," she said confidently. "I can assist in expanding the clinic's reach. My bloodline allows me to connect with the beasts on a deeper level, and I have the ability to attract more clients. I will use my powers to help with that."

Kai nodded, feeling reassured. As much as he wanted to handle everything on his own, he had to admit that Selene was far more capable than he could have imagined. She wasn't just a healer—she was an asset, someone who could elevate the clinic in ways he never thought possible.

They spent the next few hours preparing for the day. Kai worked on gathering herbs, mixing potions, and getting everything ready for whatever customers might come in. Selene, on the other hand, stepped outside, drawing on the magic of her bloodline.

Kai watched her from the window as she stood in the courtyard, her eyes glowing softly as she chanted something under her breath. The air around her seemed to hum with energy, as if the world itself was responding to her call.

"She's truly something else," Kai muttered to himself, amazed by her power.

Not long after, Selene returned to the shop, a satisfied smile on her face.

"I have spoken with a few nearby beast tamers," she said. "They have agreed to bring their injured beasts to us for healing. Word of our abilities will spread quickly. We should see an increase in business soon."

Kai's eyes widened in surprise. "That was fast. You're incredible."

Selene gave him a small, humble smile. "It is nothing, Master. I am here to help you."

As the day passed, several clients arrived, each bringing their own injured beasts for treatment. The first was a griffon, its wings battered and torn from a recent battle. The second was a fierce lion-like creature with burns across its body. The third was a small fox-like beast, its tail broken in multiple places. Kai worked tirelessly alongside Selene to treat each beast, using his knowledge of healing herbs and potions while Selene used her bloodline abilities to speed up the process.

Kai was impressed by how easily Selene worked. Her healing abilities were nothing short of extraordinary, and it didn't take long for the beasts to recover under her care.

By the time the sun began to set, Kai was exhausted but content. The shop had been busier than it had in weeks, and Selene's efforts had proven invaluable. The reputation of the clinic was growing, and more people would surely come in the following days.

Kai sat down behind the counter, wiping the sweat from his brow. "You've done great today, Selene. I couldn't have done it without you."

"Thank you, Master," she replied, her eyes glowing with warmth. "I am happy to serve you."

As the last of the customers left, Kai stood up and stretched, feeling the weight of the day's work in his muscles. It had been a good day, but he knew that things wouldn't always be this easy. There were bigger challenges ahead, and he would need to stay sharp if he was going to face them.

"We'll need to prepare for the next stage of our journey," Kai said, his voice filled with determination. "We can't stay in this small town forever. I need to follow my sister's path, and to do that, we need to grow stronger."

Selene nodded, her eyes serious. "I will support you, Master. Wherever you go, I will be by your side."

Kai smiled, feeling a sense of pride welling up inside him. Selene had already proven herself to be an invaluable companion, and together, they would face whatever came their way.

But as he looked out the window at the setting sun, a strange sense of unease crept over him. Something was coming—something bigger than he could imagine. And he had a feeling that it wasn't just his shop that would be tested, but his very future as a Beast Tamer.

The path ahead was uncertain, but Kai knew one thing for sure—he wouldn't face it alone.

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End of Chapter 3

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