Chapter 144

Chapter 144

However, life at the Animal Pet Shop must go on.

When Gabriel and the others stepped into the backyard of the Animal Pet Shop again, everyone was stunned by the unfamiliar pets inside.

The number of these new pets was quite astonishing, scattered all over the backyard. They had even invaded the territories of the Crystal Ice Flame Dogs and the Windbreaker Horses.

However, it seemed that these different types of pets were getting along quite harmoniously.

This wasn't because the Candy Rabbits were particularly gentle pets; on the contrary, they were the most temperamental pets Lorant had bred so far.

These soft and adorable creatures, which looked like giant toys, had rather aggressive temperaments and would start fighting at the slightest provocation.

Lorant had seen too many scenes of two Candy Rabbits jumping up to give each other flying kicks...

The main reason for this harmony was that after some initial testing, the Candy Rabbits smartly realized that whether it was the young Crystal Ice Flame Dogs or the Windbreaker Horses, they couldn't win against them...

The Candy Rabbits were just temperamental, not stupid. If they couldn't win, they wouldn't provoke them unnecessarily.

Fortunately, these little guys were quite well-behaved in front of Lorant. Whether it was having their ears stroked or being cooled down with water, they would obediently comply.

As for how Mike and Mo'er suffered when Lorant wasn't around, that wasn't something Lorant needed to worry about.

After all, although these Candy Rabbits were temperamental, they didn't actively harm people. As long as one didn't provoke them, they wouldn't bother with these two-legged creatures.

Why would they waste time on others when they couldn't even win against their own kind?

The students from the Knights Academy looked curiously at these colorful giant rabbits but were wise enough not to approach them without permission.

Firstly, these were brand new pets that the Animal Pet Shop hadn't officially announced. It would be impolite to touch them without an invitation from a teacher.

Secondly, the students were well aware that pets weren't harmless and could be dangerous if provoked.

Of course, they might be docile in front of the shop owner, but facing them, a kick from a Windbreaker Horse or a flame ball from an angry Crystal Ice Flame Dog burning their pants would be a terrifying experience.

Even if these pets didn't intend to attack them, it was enough to teach the students a lesson.

Today was the fourth class for the third-year students at the Knights Academy. After being collectively overwhelmed by the task of taking care of the young Crystal Ice Flame Dogs during the second class, they had another riding class focused on the Windbreaker Horses.

That class was mainly taught by Earl Cavendish, who detailed how sword warriors should coordinate with their pets while riding Windbreaker Horses to achieve a synergy greater than the sum of their parts.

It was a very practical and combat-oriented class, which the students found highly beneficial.

Today, according to the tradition of the pet classes, they still didn't know what the content of the next class would be, nor did they know who their teacher would be.

During the waiting period, the students were no longer as nervous as they were on their first visit.

They had become quite familiar with the Animal Pet Shop, especially since nearly a third of them had been punished to do voluntary labor here due to low scores in class.

For them, this place was more than just a classroom.

The students sat in small groups on the grass, waiting for the class to start.

The first batch of Crystal Ice Flame Dogs had grown to be about seventy to eighty centimeters tall and had matured in temperament.

After such extensive training, these little guys had become quite adept at understanding simple commands given by Lorant and his team.

They were gradually shedding their devilish exteriors and evolving into little angels.

While they still occasionally caused mischief, they were now much more manageable, allowing Lorant to let them roam freely within the Animal Pet Shop.

Their activity range was no longer confined to the small area initially designated for them.

They could now move throughout the entire Animal Pet Shop, just like the herd of Windbreaker Horses.

However, even with this freedom, the Crystal Ice Flame Dogs rarely wandered off. They were quite sensible and stayed within the areas designated by Lorant for their activities.

Most social pets have a strong sense of territory, like the Windbreaker Horses, which, though not restricted, mostly grazed near the stables and the artificial lake.

The students were arranged by Mike to wait in a resting area adjacent to the Crystal Ice Flame Dogs' activity zone. Several lively and curious little ones immediately came over to circle around them.

The older Crystal Ice Flame Dogs looked increasingly majestic, and a few girls couldn't resist reaching out to pet a playful one that had come to nuzzle them. The Crystal Ice Flame Dog, with a small ghost floating above its head, curled up beside them, clearly enjoying the attention.

Its closed eyes and relaxed posture betrayed its frequent indulgence in such pampering.

Gabriel watched enviously, unsure if he envied the students interacting with the Crystal Ice Flame Dogs or the dog itself surrounded by beautiful girls.

After waiting a bit longer and not seeing Lorant or Lancelot arrive, the knights noticed a group of thin, small children cautiously approaching.

Students familiar with the Animal Pet Shop knew these were children recently taken in from the Blue Star Orphanage.

The Blue Star Orphanage was located at the other end of the town where the Animal Pet Shop was situated. Some unfortunate students who needed to work off their class points were assigned to help in the orphanage's kitchen, working under a hideous floating octopus.

Although there were many speculations about these "defective pets" mentioned by Lorant, none of them could be verified.

However, these octopuses were undeniably intelligent, causing many students to feel inferior, as if their brains couldn't match those of the pets.

The knights paid little attention to the children.

The clothes of the Blue Star Orphanage children, though not new, were clean, and their hair and faces were well-groomed, ensuring they didn't emit any unpleasant odors.

Though orphans, they were at least not like the dirty, snot-nosed children hiding in the streets, who often evoked disgust.

After waiting a bit longer, Gabriel was surprised to see Mo'er join them.

He beckoned to the young man.

"Mo'er, come here!" Gabriel said to Mo'er, who looked somewhat bewildered.

He was one of the earliest students to start working part-time at the Animal pet shop and had developed good relationships with several people there.

Whether it was with Silem or Mike, he could chat for a while, and they were quite familiar with each other.

Moreover, he was very enthusiastic about working part-time at the Animal pet shop.

Every time the Animal pet shop held short-term recruitment on campus, as long as he didn't have his own business to attend to, he would always try hard to secure this part-time job.

Recently, he had been interning at the Animal pet shop, helping Mike manage the increasing number of Windbreak Horses and organizing them into groups, preparing to send a hundred of them to the Saint Shield Knight Regiment.

So he knew Mo'er.

This young man, who had only recently joined the Animal pet shop, was the shop owner's cousin. His family had apparently been living in the Lopulo Mountains until recently when they moved to Mauplan.

However, judging from Lorant's attitude towards him, it seemed they were quite close.

In addition, Mo'er's personality was also good, and he quickly became acquainted with these professionals whom he used to have to avoid when he saw them.

When Mo'er saw Gabriel, he was delighted and ran happily to Gabriel's side.

"Gab!" Mo'er visibly relaxed upon seeing a familiar face: "It's you teaching this class! Great!"

Gabriel looked at him in confusion: "What's wrong, Mo'er? Do you know what we're doing in this class?"

Mo'er nodded without hesitation: "Yes! Brother Lorant said this class is going to be a joint session with you guys."

"It seems we'll be doing a simple pet battle training."

Upon hearing this, more than just Gabriel became interested.

Several of his classmates subtly gathered around.

Being able to know in advance what they would be doing in the pet class was quite helpful for them.

Without mentioning anything else, at least now that they were prepared, they might be able to earn some basic points during the first round of questions, right?

The points from the pet class were extremely important.

They determined whether they would end up as free labor or win the coveted prizes.

Seeing so many 'lords' surrounding him with eager looks, Mo'er felt a bit uncomfortable. Whether in the Lopulo Mountains or in the former Holland, knights were figures that ordinary people like Mo'er had to look up to.

Even first-level knights could order ordinary people around at will.

Laws were never meant to bind the true ruling class.

In any world, the dark side wouldn't disappear just because it wasn't mentioned.

Although after coming to the Animal pet shop, Mo'er gradually discovered that professionals could also be kind to ordinary people and smile at someone like him, it would still take some time for him to get used to this and overcome his fear of professionals.

Looking at the expectant faces around him, Mo'er swallowed nervously and began to share everything he knew without reservation.

"Brother Lorant... the shop owner said." He promptly swallowed the word 'brother,' feeling it might not be appropriate in such a setting.

"He said today he wants me to bring the children from the orphanage here to teach us how to command the Crystal Flame Dogs in battle," Mo'er said honestly.

The knights exchanged glances.

To be honest, if Lorant was merely planning to teach them how to command Crystal Flame Dogs in battle, they wouldn't be surprised at all.

Or rather, this was the course they had been looking forward to since the first class.

How to coordinate with pets in battle was something every professional wanted to know.

But learning alongside the children from the orphanage? Having these children learn with them?

This left the knights puzzled.

These children were just ordinary people, not even professionals. Why should they learn such things?

A few quick-witted individuals soon figured out the implications.

Their expressions changed involuntarily.

Gabriel was one of them; he quickly understood Lorant's intentions.

Pets, as a combat force, weren't limited to use by professionals!

The strength of pets was inherent to them and wouldn't increase because their owner was a legendary mage, nor would it decrease because their owner was a weak, ordinary orphan.

In other words, as long as ordinary people could coordinate well with Crystal Flame Dogs, they could possess the power to kill a level-six monster.

So, when ordinary people had such power, did it really matter whether they were professionals or not?

At least from the current situation.

If an ordinary person had a Crystal Flame Dog by their side, then other professionals without a Crystal Flame Dog would be inferior to him!

Just like when a low-level professional wielded a terrifying rune with the power of a legendary mage, you had to treat him as a legendary mage temporarily.

Professionals had never shied away from using external means to enhance their strength.

And pets were clearly a very special, very powerful, and universally usable 'external means.'

This was simply too terrifying.

For millennia, professionals have grown accustomed to the fact that they are the true rulers of this world.

This is a world belonging to professionals.

Whether nobles or wealthy merchants, they are mere titles in the presence of professionals.

Even a first-tier professional can completely transcend the set of rules established by the nobility.

Theoretically, even a first-tier knight does not need to bow when meeting a duke or the royal family, whose power has long been hollowed out.

This advantage has been earned by professionals over thousands of years through their own strength.

But!

What if that non-professional duke could possess the strength of a seventh-tier professional?

When these people can exchange money for power, such terrifying potential would drive anyone to madness.

Perhaps those people have yet to realize what it means to be able to purchase powerful animal pets with money, as the Lustrous Ice Flame Hounds have not yet been officially put on sale. The Windbreaker Horses sold to the public are more often seen as excellent companions for knights.

Dream Weavers, in particular, are auxiliary function animal pets that only magic users can own.

But once the Lustrous Ice Flame Hounds flood the market, someone will understand that they represent a safe, reliable, and stable high-level combat force.

At that time, how many professionals would dare to challenge the rich merchants and nobles who keep a dozen or twenty Lustrous Ice Flame Hounds around them?

Gold used to be unable to buy great strength, but now something seems to have changed.

Would professionals still be able to maintain their current status when that day comes?

No one dares to be certain about this.

Gabriel's face changed repeatedly, and at that moment, the alarm bells in his heart rang wildly.

No matter how good his relationship with the Animal Pet Shop was, he was fundamentally a knight, and as a member of the privileged class, protecting his group was almost instinctive.

But then he thought it through.

The course and development of this matter would not stop just because of opposition from one or two professionals.

Unless all professionals united to resist the animal pets, as long as there was one person who wanted to enhance their strength through an animal pet, the trend of animal pet development would be unstoppable.

Reflecting on himself, Gabriel could not accept losing his beloved Windbreaker Horse now.

After this period of bonding, it had become an indispensable part of Gabriel's life.

Humans are emotional beings, and after living closely with their animal pets, they naturally develop an unbreakable bond.

After thinking it through, Gabriel suppressed his deep surprise.

How the world would change was beyond the control of an ordinary knight like him.

All he could do was strive to strengthen his own power.

Only strength was the foundation of his survival in this world.

It was the capital that allowed him to secure a place in the ever-changing world.

To put it simply, if everyone had Lustrous Ice Flame Hounds, then he must also possess this power and use it better.

When the tide of the times inevitably rises, what you should do is not try to resist the overwhelming wave, but think about how to stand at the crest of the wave.