I Built a Divine Zoo in Another World

Lukas remained seated on the grass for approximately fifteen minutes, his body still vibrating with the intensity of the battle he had just fought.

During the first few minutes, he did not even try to speak, the only thing he could do was breathe, letting the air slowly enter his lungs and leave through his mouth in long, controlled breaths.

His chest was still rising and falling heavily after the sword fight, while drops of sweat trickled down his temples and disappeared into the collar of his tunic, leaving damp trails on his skin.

The gentle morning breeze helped ease the heat accumulated in his body, a cool caress that contrasted with the fire of exhaustion. The clearing, which only a few minutes earlier had been filled with the dry sound of wooden swords, had become silent again, as if the forest itself were catching its breath.

Only the distant singing of birds and the movement of the leaves accompanied his recovery, a soft melody that filled the emptiness.

Lukas closed his eyes, sinking into his own consciousness. Inside his body, he could feel the Lunar Source. It still contained a considerable amount of mana; it was not full, but it was not empty either.

The silver energy remained concentrated within it, slowly rotating like a small stream of light, a vortex of power pulsing in rhythm with his heart.

During the past week, Lukas had learned to recognize that sensation, to interpret the subtle signs of his Source. At first, his perception of mana had been rudimentary, like someone learning to see in a dark room.

He only knew that it was there, a vague presence within his consciousness. Now, he could sense its approximate amount, its density, and even the speed at which it was consumed when used for reinforcement.

It was a small but important evolution, a fundamental step in his journey.

Lukas opened his eyes, his vision adjusting to the morning light. Clavor was standing a few meters ahead, waiting patiently, his posture relaxed and confident.

The warrior appeared completely recovered from the previous fight; there was not even a drop of sweat on his forehead, his breathing calm and steady, as if he had just woken up.

Lukas could not help but smile bitterly, recognizing the enormous difference between them.

"That’s unfair..."

Clavor raised an eyebrow, a subtle movement that Lukas had already learned to recognize.

"What?"

"You don’t even look tired." Lukas’s observation was filled with admiration and frustration.

"Because I’m not." Clavor’s answer was simple, direct, and without any trace of arrogance.

Lukas let out a small laugh, the sound echoing through the clearing.

"I figured."

He placed his hands on the ground and stood up, his movements still slightly unsteady.

His legs were still heavy, but the sensation was not unpleasant. It was the kind of fatigue that reminded him that he had done something important, that he had pushed himself beyond his limits.

Clavor watched his son approach, his analytical eyes scanning his posture.

"Are you ready?"

Lukas nodded, renewed determination shining in his eyes.

"Are we going to fight again?"

"Yes." Clavor paused briefly, his eyes fixed on his son.

"But this time, without swords."

Lukas frowned, confused.

"Without swords?"

Clavor walked to where he had left his wooden weapon, his steps firm and steady. He picked up the sword by the hilt and, instead of handing it to his son, simply drove it into the ground, the blade penetrating the soft earth.

"You still don’t know how to reinforce a weapon with mana." Clavor’s voice was calm and factual.

"It’s an advanced technique that requires much finer control than you currently possess."

Lukas looked at the sword, his eyes traveling along the wooden blade.

"I could try."

"You could." Clavor calmly agreed, but his tone carried a warning.

"And you would probably waste an enormous amount of mana, lose control with the first strike, and perhaps destroy the weapon itself."

Lukas fell silent, acknowledging the truth in his father’s words.

Clavor continued, his voice taking on a didactic tone.

"Reinforcing an external object is different from reinforcing your own body. You need to make the mana leave your system and remain stable within something that has no channels to conduct it. It’s like trying to make water flow through a path that doesn’t exist."

"So it’s harder?" Lukas’s question was sincere, seeking understanding.

"Much harder." Clavor’s answer was firm.

"You will learn it in the future, when your control is more refined. For now, I want you to focus all your attention on your body."

Lukas nodded, accepting the guidance. The sword could wait. He had already spent a week learning to strengthen his own muscles, bones, and tendons, and now he would finally have the opportunity to discover how it worked in a real battle. The thought made his blood boil.

Lukas walked to the center of the clearing, his feet finding the soft grass. Clavor did the same, positioning himself approximately five meters away.

Lukas flexed his fingers, feeling the tension in his muscles. Then he opened and closed his hands, testing the response of his limbs. No sword, no weapon other than his own body.

Clavor assumed a relaxed stance, his arms slightly away from his body. Lukas tried to imitate him but failed, his body remaining tense, his shoulders raised, his fists clenched.

Clavor noticed immediately, his eyes catching the rigidity in his son’s posture.

"Relax."

"I’m relaxed." Lukas’s response came automatically, defensively.

"You’re not." Clavor’s observation was calm, without judgment.

Lukas took a deep breath, feeling the air fill his lungs. He slowly exhaled, relaxing his shoulders, slightly lowering his center of gravity, allowing his arms to hang more naturally.

Clavor nodded, a small gesture of approval.

"Better."

For a few seconds, neither of them moved. The silence stretched between them, filled with anticipation. The forest seemed to hold its breath.

Then they advanced at the same time.

Lukas took three quick steps, his body moving with an explosion of energy. Clavor closed the distance even faster with his superior speed.