After Mira left, I leaned back against the rock and took a moment to catch my breath. The session with the kids had been more draining than I expected, but it was worth it. They were eager, quick to learn, and the system had rewarded their efforts with new skills.

  It was a good start.

  Then, as I let my mind wander, a soft chime echoed in my thoughts, a familiar sound that indicated a system prompt.

  The prompt got me thinking. I had spent so much time focusing on direct combat skills and healing, but my control over living things was much broader than that.

  I recalled how I had crafted Fernando, using a combination of plant mastery and healing magic. If I could do that, why not expand into something more specialized?

  What if I could create or tame creatures for others? Animals that could assist in combat, scout for resources, or even just provide companionship. If Fairhope had companions of their own—similar to Thor and Loki—they would be much more resilient.

  A pet shop, perhaps. A place where I could train animals, grow magical creatures, and bond them to people in the village. It wouldn’t just be about strength; it would be about connection, about building something deeper.

  But who could I trust with this power?

  I retreated into my house, focusing on the dimensional shard’s connection. The warmth of the tattoo on my chest enveloped me as reality shifted, pulling me into the safety of my interdimensional haven.

  Kim Lee was in her Arcane Café, the scent of spices and herbs blending into a comforting aroma. She was kneading dough with a rhythmic precision, her focus unbroken even as I entered.

  “Hey, Kim,” I greeted, pulling out a chair at the counter.

  She glanced up, a smile breaking through her concentration. “Gavrin. You’re looking thoughtful. What’s on your mind?”

  I explained my idea about creating a pet shop, using my Beastmaster skills to bond creatures with people. I even mentioned the possibility of experimenting with new forms of bonding, much like the one I had with Thor and Loki.

  Kim paused in her work, wiping her hands on her apron. “That’s a big undertaking,” she admitted. “But it could be incredible if done right. I’d be happy to help you experiment. We could even test it here in the café—see if any of the regulars are interested.”

  Her eyes narrowed slightly, a mix of curiosity and something else—concern, perhaps. “But why not start this in Schoolville? Isn’t that where you came from?”

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  I hesitated, the memories of Schoolville coming back with a dull ache. “They voted me out. Didn’t see any point in staying.”

  Kim’s expression softened, but there was a steely resolve in her voice. “Not everyone there voted you out, Gav. If you don’t want to be their leader, that’s fine. But teaching people skills shouldn’t be off the table because of a few narrow-minded folks.”

  She was right. I had been so focused on moving forward that I’d left behind the possibility of repairing old connections.

  Maybe not everyone in Schoolville had turned their back on me.

  If I wanted to build something lasting, something that could spread beyond Fairhope, I had to reconsider who I was willing to teach.

  I leaned back, the wheels turning in my mind. There were still people in Schoolville who deserved better—people who could benefit from what I had to offer.

  “I’ll think about it,” I admitted, meeting Kim’s eyes.

  She nodded approvingly. “Good. You’re stronger than you know, Gavrin. Don’t let a few bad memories decide your future.”

  Her words settled deep within me. It wasn’t just about power or survival—it was about giving people the tools to change their lives.

  And if that meant reaching back to the people I’d left behind, then maybe it was time I considered it.

  I had a lot to consider—between training others, establishing a pet bonding system, and re-evaluating Schoolville, my path was becoming more complex than I had anticipated.

  I leaned back against a sturdy wooden chair, letting my thoughts settle. Was it time to reach out to Schoolville again?

  I had left for a reason. They had voted me out, chosen to move on without me. But Kim was right—not everyone had turned their back on me. If there were people worth training, I needed to find them.

  But where would I even start?

  The Arcane Café in Schoolville was one of the few places that still had an air of warmth and familiarity. Even when everything else had changed, it had remained a constant—a place for survivors to gather, trade, and share information.

  Liam Harmon pushed open the door, the familiar scent of brewed tea and warm bread washing over him as he stepped inside. His guitar strap rested comfortably over his shoulder, and he adjusted it slightly as he looked around.

  He hadn’t been sure what he was expecting when he walked in, but he definitely wasn’t expecting to see Gavrin sitting at a corner table, deep in thought.

  Liam blinked. Then, a wide grin spread across his face.

  “Holy shit, Gavrin?!”

  I looked up from my musings, caught off guard by the familiar voice. My eyes met Liam’s, and for a second, I wasn’t sure how to react.

  Of all the people I might have run into in Schoolville, Liam was not one I had anticipated.

  But his surprised but genuinely happy expression broke through my hesitation.

  “Liam,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

  Liam strode over, setting his guitar case down beside the table before pulling out a chair. “I didn’t expect to see you here either. Last I heard, you were off playing druid somewhere in the wilds.”

  I smirked. “Something like that.”

  Liam gave me a once-over, as if assessing me. “You look… different. More focused.”

  “Life out there does that to you,” I admitted. “And you? You actually went through with it? You’re a bard now?”

  Liam grinned, tapping the enchanted acoustic guitar strapped across his back. “Hell yeah. Turns out, music and magic mix pretty well. I can heal, boost morale, even throw out some nasty sound waves if I need to.”

  I nodded, considering that. A bard. A support fighter who used music as magic. That was rare, and useful.

  He glanced at me, curiosity flashing in his eyes. “So what are you doing here, Gavrin? Thought you were done with Schoolville.”

  I let out a slow breath. “I was. But… I might have left too soon.” I met his gaze. “I’ve been training people. Teaching them skills, helping them grow stronger. Kim reminded me that not everyone here turned their back on me. Some people might still be worth training.”

  Liam studied me for a moment, then leaned back with a smirk. “Damn. You really are a teacher now.”

  I shook my head, though I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Still getting used to it.”

  “Well, if you’re looking for people worth training,” Liam said, tapping a finger against the table, “I might have some ideas.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

  He nodded. “There are a few people here who’ve been trying to level up, but they don’t have the right guidance. Some of them got stuck at low levels, not sure how to progress. They could use someone who actually knows what they’re doing.”

  That caught my interest.

  I leaned forward slightly. “I’m listening.”

  Liam grinned. “Good. Because if you’re serious about this, I think we can find some damn good students.”

  I hadn’t planned on starting here.

  But maybe… this was the right place to begin after all.