Morning light seeped through the window, casting faint golden streaks across the room. Aston stirred awake, blinking the sleep from his eyes as Gray curled up beside him, letting out a tiny yawn. The furball stretched lazily before padding over his chest, nudging at him with his small head.

  “Good morning, Gray,” Aston muttered, rubbing his face before scooping Gray up. His stomach grumbled, reminding him that it was time for breakfast.

  He got dressed quickly and sloppily as he headed out. Gray hopped towards his shoulders and laid there lazily as Aston ran outside the house.

  He followed a similar route yesterday to a restaurant. Outside, near the entrance, a lion-like spirit beast that wasn’t there yesterday stood behind a charcoal grill. Thick, golden fur shimmered faintly with embers of heat as it expertly turned skewers of sizzling meat with its clawed paws. Wisps of flame flickered along its mane each time it exhaled, adding an extra crispiness to the meat as it cooked.

  Aston slowed his steps and silently sent an analysis request to Nova.

  [Spirit Beast: Flame-maned Lion]

  [Type: Bestial]

  [Attribute: Fire]

  [Genus: Panthera]

  [Rank: 6-star]

  [Potential: 9-star]

  [Description: A lion beast with flames as its mane. Its golden fur is reminiscent of the noonday sun, reaching temperatures that can melt steel.]

  [Skills:]

  [Flashy Fire: Emits blinding flames from its mane, which blinds and sears opponents.]

  [Roar of Flames: Flames are breathed out as it roars, setting everything in its wake ablaze.]

  [Next skill will be unlocked at 7-star]

  [Passive Skills:]

  [Flames of Pride: As a flame lion, it commands flames lower than its level.]

  [Innate Skills:]

  [Brightburn: The temperature of the flames being emitted by the beast is directly proportional to its brightness. The brighter the flames, the hotter it is.]

  [Hairfire: Hair that falls from its mane can be detonated at will.]

  [Next skill will be unlocked at 9-star]

  Aston was amazed by what he read. It was a lion in flames! While he was admiring the lion, the spirit beast gave a satisfied huff before flipping another skewer. Its handler, the server which entertained Aston yesterday, stood beside it, hands on her hips.

  “Good timing, kid,” she called over. “Fresh batch of grilled meat today. Firefang here’s been working since sunrise.”

  Firefang let out a low rumble, with heat around it pulsing faintly. Gray twitched his nose, letting out a lazy meow.

  Aston smirked. ”I’ll take two plates of whatever’s fresh.”

  The server nodded. “Stew, roasted bread, and Firefang’s skewers.”

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  Inside, he found a seat near the window. Gray leaped out from his shoulder and hopped onto the table. A few moments later, the food arrived.

  The first bite of Firefang’s meat was rich and smoky. The faint essence of spirit fire adds an extra depth of flavor.

  In the middle of their meal, Aston's phone rang. He picked it up and a friendly, male voice sounded from the speakers.

  “Hello, Mr. Aston. Good morning. This is Cedric from Ironwood Home Services. I’m calling to tell you that our estimator had already gone to the specified address in your request. He is already at the place and is now waiting for you.”

  Aston was reminded by the call that there will be an inspection for his house’s repairs today.

  “Alright, Mr. Cedric. We will be right over.”

  Aston ended the call and quickened his eating pace. Gray released a disgruntled meow when it saw its owner potentially choking on his skewer.

  After paying for the meal, he rushed back home with Gray in tow. Upon reaching the house, a man with a burly build is seen waiting on Aston's doorstep. On his shoulders, an insect with a woody carapace was perched with its antennae folding sideways.

  Aston instinctively sent a request for analysis to Nova.

  [Spirit Beast: Wooden King Termite]

  [Type: Insectoid]

  [Attribute: Wood]

  [Genus: Termes]

  [Rank: 5-star]

  [Potential: 6-star]

  [Description: A wood eating bug that infests trees. As a king of its species, it can command termites and lower insect species. Its carapace looks like an outer bark of a tree its eating, camouflaging it from predators.]

  [Skills:]

  [Wood Spear: Spits out a small, sharp projectile made of the wood it has eaten.]

  [Sonar Detection: Use its wings to beat at supersonic speeds to emit an inaudible sound. The spirit beast can detect anything within a 50 meter radius.]

  [Passive Skills:]

  [Woody Camouflage: It can change its outer shell similar to that of the wood it has already eaten.]

  [Innate Skills:]

  [Kingly Pheromones: The spirit beast can command uncontracted insects lower than its level. The smell of the pheromones can also weaken contracted insect-type beasts lower than its level.]

  While reading the floating text in front, the burly man talked. “Are you Aston?”

  Aston was awoken from his stupor by the gruff voice. He then nodded to the man.

  “The name’s Grant and I will be assessing the extent of the repairs. Nice meeting you,” said the man as he extended his hand towards Aston.

  Aston responded with a firm handshake.

  “I would like to go in and out of the residence if that is okay with you. I have already examined the outer front of the house.”

  After receiving Aston’s affirmation, they went inside the house. After reaching the living room, Grant commanded his spirit beast.

  “Woody, use Sonar Detection.”

  Woody, the Wooden King Termite, flapped its wings rapidly. At first, Aston could hear the high frequency buzzing sounds emitted by the termite, but as the frequency increases, the sound fades away.

  Aston was amazed on how Grant has used his spirit beast to assist him on his job.

  Grant closed his eyes, seemingly linking his senses with his spirit beast. A while later, he opened them. He put his hand in his pocket and picked up his cellphone. He expanded it to a hologram keyboard and typed some notes. He said in his gruff voice the contents of what he was typing.

  “Minor structural repairs, wall reinforcement, replacing broken support beams, leaking roof…”

  This continued on for a few minutes. He then said to Aston, “Including my assessment of the outside part of the house, the electrical and the plumbing, the total estimate for the refurbishment is around 25 dragon golds. For the furnishing, including all rooms and the outside yard, total estimate is around 18 dragon gold. Labor and logistics cost around 7 gold. Total will be 50 dragon gold.”

  Aston replied, “That is fine. When can you start working on the house, and how long will it take to repair?”

  “The day after the initial down payment. It will then take two weeks to repair and supply all refurbishment and furnitures. Here’s the invoice. You can pay this amount at any branch of Ironwood Home Services.”

  Grant extended his hand and a slim device ejected a translucent strip of synthetic paper. Within it printed details of the renovations and the total amount to be paid. He gave the invoice to Aston. After receiving the invoice, they exited the house and Grant bid farewell.

  Seeing the midday sun, Aston decided to pay the bill so that they could start the renovations tomorrow.