Age of Beast Tamers and Exorcists
Chapter 67: A Chaotic Energy!

Chapter 67: A Chaotic Energy!

Minutes passed as Zmey only sat there, not even thinking or doing anything. The silent whispers in the dungeon environment acted as though it were his companion.

But one moment, just that moment, Zmey recalled he had to do something. Something he had always wanted to do.

To re-enter his Soul Land.

And now could have been the best time to do so. If only he had had the materials required beforehand.

He leaned back against the wall, his legs stretched straight on the bed.

He mumbled in a weak tone, "Damn. Why did I even remember it?"

The more Zmey looked at where Luca had seated earlier, the more he contemplated what would soon become of himself.

Zmey recalled Luca saying he had come back to the capital to take him, an amateur, into training. This would release him Zmey being from the cell. But, unfortunately, not from being a prisoner.

The Sanctuary won’t be his prisoner anymore. But Luca.

"He’s a beast in human form, no doubt. He could have killed me back then when I was in dragon form... with those... tremendous, jaw-breaking amounts of power," Zmey mumbled. His voice rose and fell, revealing his overwhelm with thoughts. "Training under him would be far worse than remaining inside this place.

He would show me greater wrath, having a very strict and uncaring nature. But the only difference between here and his side is that I would get more experience there.

He is capable of making me stronger, without any doubt. And that’s what I want. Leaving the capital means getting stronger and fighting in the real game."

"To find my enemy should be my greatest priority here. Pain is what I have left behind a long time ago; not that I won’t revisit it ever again, but that I don’t mind it coming anymore..."

At that moment, he heard a wooden creak from the same direction Luca had taken earlier.

"Uh?"

He recoiled his back from the wall. And without leaving the bed, he leaned forward. His eyes waited for the newcomer to arrive.

A shadow loomed on the ground as the figure approached towards his view. They appeared to be Nero Norman.

Nero grinned, holding a wooden tray of watery black noodles and a cup of liquid. "Hey, Zmey. Thought you could use these boys pretty well down there..." he lifted the tray a little.

Zmey held his throat, not knowing what to say. He mumbled, "Uh..."

He looked here and there, as though he were in an awkward situation.

He asked Nero straight away even without thinking, "How did you get in here, though? Don’t tell me you sneaked in."

Nero laughed. He crouched, placing the tray on the chair Luca had left behind.

"Well, not really. Lady Skyler Kingsley helped me get passage in here, so..."

Zmey creased his brows. "Skyler? Isn’t she that lady who topped the rank in the assessment...?"

"Exactly," Nero replied.

Zmey glanced away from Nero, looking at the floor of the cell. He didn’t want to think about it because he felt like he was being over-assumptive. But no, he seemed to have been right all along.

Two of their roommates accompanied Nero to the clinic when Zmey was hospitalised some days ago. And now, another person was assisting him again. Why?

It must be obvious to everyone how pathetic and non-deserving of such favours he was. Then, why were they acting all nice to him?

Zmey sighed.

Or maybe he was truly wrong. Perhaps they were all doing so because Nero wanted to. The roommates must have been out with Nero before, and when he decided to visit, they had no choice but to follow him to the clinic. And... about the Kingsley princess.

She must have pitied Nero for he was the opponent of the creepy Zmey Ashbane that everyone knew. So, that must have made them close, leading to her offering help today to favour Nero’s wish.

Looking at things now, Nero was the only one who might truly desire to be his friend in this world. Aura was off the list too. She was always on Zmey’s throat, pretending to care. But it was always because his breakdown would affect the realm. She didn’t care about him either.

Zmey leaned back against the wall.

He sighed, staring at Nero, who smiled non-stop.

’What’s the point? I can do fine on my own. Self-sufficient I am. And I don’t want anybody in my life, not even this quack that’s forcing a friendship on me...’

He sighed again. But, deep down, something told him. If his words were true, why would he be feeling like some things were missing by his side right now? Didn’t he say he was self-sufficient?

Nero crouched, sliding the tray of food through the open mean space beneath the cell’s metallic gate. The wood scratched against the concrete floor.

Nero rose to his feet. His expression turned serious, so Zmey had to at least focus on him with one eye closed.

He heard him say,

"You’re no criminal, Zmey. Don’t think about this too much. It’s nothing but a necessary way to do things. And I even heard that they will soon assign you to Captain Xero’s team!"

Zmey didn’t want to smirk or look away. Because he had known whatever Nero was going to say would be those motivational kind, to begin with. But, to Zmey, this would only make people believe in something that may not exist.

A strength that doesn’t exist in them. Hope that wasn’t fated with them at all. He had heard this thousands of times now. Yet, his own notion was to wait for time to unfold things, then dance to its tune.

He pulled a long glance at Nero. Maybe for the honesty or consideration in his eyes, Zmey forced a smile.

Nero clenched his fist. "Joining the team will change your life. You will be stronger than most of us soon. With your smarts, you will achieve great things. Get medals of bravery and skills! I have my hope high in you.

I know everything has been hard for you since you came into the Sanctuary - everyone sees you as a different person. But the elite team will welcome you with open hands. I’m sure!

They will be open to assist you and give advice. Because... it takes more than luck for an amateur to join the elite team that soon."

At that moment, Zmey opened his other eye. He looked at Nero. Right now, Nero sounded wiser than who he had always seen him as. He was right. Outside the borders lay a game changer for Zmey.

The sanctuary was likely a crèche in comparison with the chaos outside. And that chaos... The chaotic energy in the air was what he needed to find Asmodeus. It could also help him regain his draconic energy after he reaches a stage that favours a shift in magic tone.

Nero was right. He was too honest! A wise man, indeed!

Zmey, with a genuine smile, said, "Thank you, Nero."

Nero grinned back. "Ah, man... what are friends for? You’re welcome!"

Zmey said in his mind, ’Friends?’

...

And in an interval of six seconds, Zmey asked,

"Could you help me with something? I have to re-enter my Soul Land."

"Soul Land?"

Zmey nodded, "Yes."