Sylvaine let out a long breath, then reached into her spatial ring.
She pulled out a chunk of glowing green ore.
It was dense, veined with light and pulsed with a steady rhythm like a heartbeat.
Elaris leaned forward slightly. "Is that—?"
"This is Verdanite," Sylvaine said.
"Our best nature-elent ore. Grown in the deep core of the Myralis Grove."
Elaris blinked. "You're actually giving that?"
Sylvaine didn't look amused.
"I don't know what to do with you anymore. But because you sound too damn confident… I'll let you try it. Once."
Elaris smirked. "Yes, Mother."
Sylvaine stepped forward and handed her the ore.
It was heavy—much larger than expected.
The mont it touched Elaris's hands, a subtle energy ripple moved through her fingers.
"I didn't think you'd let touch sothing this valuable."
Elaris tilted the ore slightly, inspecting the intricate natural veins within it.
"You said the beast evolves based on the steel it eats," Sylvaine replied.
"So if you're going to try this… it needs the best. Otherwise the result will be flawed. Or worse—dishonorable."
Elaris nodded slowly.
"Right. Can't have a half-ford forest-war beast running around embarrassing the family."
Sylvaine stared at her. "One test. That's all."
Elaris grinned. "One's all I need."
She turned toward one of the three Vornis, going toward it.
Elaris raised the Verdanite chunk and placed it carefully in front of it.
"Activate evolution mode," she said.
Vornis nodded, then stepped forward.
Sylvaine crossed her arms but leaned in slightly, watching every movent.
Elaris soon explained the mode.
"It lets the Vornis modify its core plating based on the elental signature of the steel it consus."
The Vornis lowered its head.
Its tallic jaw unlocked with a faint click, and it opened its mouth.
With a single motion, it devoured the Verdanite.
For a mont, nothing happened.
Then a low hum echoed from within its core.
Green light seeped from the seams in its armor—first faint, then pulsing, then spreading.
The steel along its body darkened, losing its pure tallic sheen.
Vibrant green veins began to crawl across its surface like living roots taking hold.
Its mane shifted—no longer tallic strands, but twisted vines layered over armor, alive and constantly shifting.
Plates along its limbs reshaped and thickened, rging with hardened bark textures.
Curved claws sharpened and turned deep green, as if ford from compressed wood and crystal.
The once-pure steel tail split into twisting tendrils and coiled vines ready to snap forward or lash outward.
Its eyes glowed bright.
They were no longer cold, chanical green, but sothing wilder.
A fusion of war and nature stood before them.
Elaris stared at the transford Vornis, eyes wide with satisfaction.
She let out a low whistle and smirked.
"Wow… it really evolved. This is the nature version. Perfect."
Sylvaine took a step forward, eyes fixed on the beast.
"What you said was true… but still."
She glanced back at her daughter.
"This beast has changed. It's not the original Vornis anymore. Your data sheet is probably worthless now."
Elaris's grin faltered. Her brow creased.
"Damn it, Mother. You're right."
Sylvaine nodded.
"Structurally, it's a new beast. Different temperant. Different growth behavior. You'll need to start from scratch."
Elaris groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I spent hours learning its old abilities…"
Sylvaine crossed her arms, watching her daughter's frustration build.
"And the Beast King Cultivation Art?"
Elaris froze. "...That too?"
Sylvaine gave a slow, deliberate nod.
"If the core has changed this drastically, the manual tied to its steel form won't work."
Sylvaine rolled her shoulders.
"The beast's new pathways won't respond the sa way."
Elaris stared at the Vornis again. "Damn it. Damn it twice."
Sylvaine raised an eyebrow. "Still think it was worth 70 SS-rank beast cores?"
Elaris didn't answer right away. She looked back at the transford Vornis.
She watched the green-lined armor shift slightly with each breath the beast took.
"Yeah," she said finally.
"It's still strong. Stronger, actually. But now I've got to go back to Luxoria Castle."
Sylvaine narrowed her eyes. "Why?"
Elaris folded her arms.
"The cultivation manual I got is basically junk now. It won't sync with this new form. I need to get a fresh one—custom again."
"And the data?"
Elaris sighed.
"Sa problem. Everything I had was for the steel version."
"I'll have to ask them to re-scan it and generate a new sheet. Hopefully they won't charge again."
Sylvaine gave a small nod, thoughtful. "I see."
She looked again at the beast, now perfectly still but radiating quiet dominance.
"Then next ti… I'll join you."
Elaris blinked. "What?"
"I'm curious," Sylvaine said.
"This Luxoria Castle of yours—it's made quite a bit of noise lately."
"I want to see what kind of place can create monsters like this… and sell them casually."
Elaris smirked. "You might like it."
Sylvaine gave her a sideways look.
"That depends on what they show . And how many rules they break doing it."
Elaris shrugged.
"Well, you won't have to wait too long. Luxoria Castle's making a move soon."
"I heard they're going head-to-head with Beast Castle."
Sylvaine turned fully at that. "So it's official?"
"Yeah," Elaris said.
"A public battle. Their best against each other. War through beasts."
Sylvaine raised an eyebrow, then let out a short breath through her nose.
"A new viral pet shop challenging the old established giant."
She smirked. "That'll be a war worth watching."
"Of course it will be," Elaris replied.
"Lord L doesn't play small. And Beast Castle's too proud to back down."
Sylvaine gave a slow nod.
"Let's just hope the fallout doesn't kill half the trade routes."
Elaris chuckled. "Wouldn't be the worst thing."
Sylvaine turned toward the exit.
"Enough about that for now. Let's take a look at your sister first."
Elaris blinked. "Oh right—she's still out there with Zephyron."
Sylvaine didn't stop walking.
"If she's alive, she'll be proud. If she's unconscious, she'll be embarrassed."
Elaris followed behind, grinning. "Either way, I'm teasing her."
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