Humans and magical creatures lived together in harmony.
Even Ian, a legendary wizard, couldn't help but sigh. This was downright unscientific.
"Un-scien… what? And… what is science?" Bud didn't understand Ian's comment at all. Although Ian was speaking their language, some of his word combinations were completely foreign to her.
So she asked curiously.
"Uh...it's nothing." Ian waved his hand. He didn't have the ambition to introduce modern scientific knowledge to an ancient era. But the more he observed his surroundings, the more confused he became.
The more he thought about it, the less sense it made.
What kind of mental state was the exiled Titan in when he created such a small world?
Looking at the bustling crowd and colorful buildings before him, Ian could clearly feel this tribe's prosperity and joy.
Though they possessed no real magical power, their standard of living and spirit were far better than those of the Zeus tribe outside the island.
"This way! Come see our pretty clothes!" Bud was practically the perfect tour guide, showing overwhelming enthusiasm toward Ian, the mysterious outsider.
There was no trace of suspicion in her.
The two of them entered an inn named "Tide House," with an owl and feathered tail carved into the sign... a depiction of the island's most common creature, the "Nightfeather."
The interior was warm and cozy. Handwoven tapestries decorated the walls, and a long wooden table stood in the corner, where several travelers sat enjoying steaming hot meals.
"Welcome to Tide House!"
The shopkeeper, an elderly man with a flower growing from the top of his head, greeted them. He wore robes patterned with wave motifs, and the moment Bud and Ian entered, his gaze shifted to them.
His eyes curved into crescents as he smiled.
"Why, if it isn't Bud! Are you out looking for your partner again today?" Bud's new friend seemed to know everyone in town, including Bud's daily routine.
"Yes, yes! I still haven't found my partner, but I made a new friend today." Bud introduced Ian excitedly. "He's a super strong trainer who can fuse together with his partner!"
'Good grief!'
They had even copied the titles directly. Ian once again found himself marveling at the mysterious Titan.
"A trainer capable of One-Heart Fusion? That's quite an incredible achievement!" The shopkeeper looked at Ian with clear surprise and scrutinized him carefully.
"Are you an adventurer from another island?" The shopkeeper's guess revealed something important: this storm's core might contain more than one island.
"Yes." Ian admitted without hesitation.
Explaining his true identity would be too complicated. The best way to survive in a new place is to blend in, not challenge the local culture and customs.
"Young man, you're here for that, aren't you?" The shopkeeper suddenly lowered his voice and looked around suspiciously. Several people inside the inn also seemed to be travelers.
Ian had been examining a wooden puppet on the counter that could dance on its own. There were no magical runes carved into it; it was powered by natural magic. Hearing the shopkeeper's words, Ian looked up curiously.
"Which one?"
The old shopkeeper's flower-topped head trembled mysteriously, and several vines budded from his body. The vines reached under the counter and pulled out a yellowed, leather-bound ledger.
The shopkeeper flipped open a page where a rough sketch of a rune depicted a creature resembling a phoenix surrounded by patterns of lightning and flame.
"A herb gatherer spotted it in the Storm Mountains last month."
The old, Bulbasaur-like shopkeeper tapped the sketch with a vine tip.
"Its feathers flow like molten gold. Wherever it flies, crystal blossoms bloom. The legendary magical creature that protects this island has begun to stir again."
He gave Ian a meaningful glance. "Lately, many outsiders have come asking about the Legendary Spirit. They all think that bathing in its radiance can prolong their lives."
'A magical creature that actually influences people's lifespans?'
Even Ian was startled.
"Can it really extend life?"
He had seen magical creatures before, phoenix tears could heal wounds, and unicorn dung and other secretions had miraculous properties.
But… could the phoenix here be related to the phoenix species of the future?
Ian had no idea.
Still, his curiosity only grew.
"Extend life? That's nothing!" The shopkeeper suddenly became excited and sprayed a puff of pollen from the flower onto his head.
"My grandfather's grandfather encountered it when he was young. He lived over two hundred years! His hair even turned black again before he died. He was perfectly healthy and died of old age." He lowered his voice mysteriously. "The blacksmith at the east end of town, his ancestor once drank from the spring where the Legendary Spirit rested.
Now, their whole family can move objects with their minds."
The shopkeeper gestured wildly as he spoke. Ian stared, dumbfounded.
Could their bloodline have awakened magic because of this?
Before he could figure it out...
"Young man who can achieve One-Heart Fusion, may your journey be blessed! If you truly meet that being, it will be the greatest fortune of your life! Your future will surely be extraordinary."
The shopkeeper offered Ian a heartfelt blessing.
Ian was speechless.
'Did I just become Ash Ketchum from Pokémon?' He clicked his tongue internally.
Just then...
"Since you came seeking the Legendary Spirit, I can't let you start your journey on an empty stomach. I'll treat you to a meal." The shopkeeper showed the warm, simple hospitality typical of the island's people.
It seemed everyone here was like this. Perhaps when the Titan created them, he purposely removed the negative traits he had implanted into wizards.
"What about me? What about me?" Bud pouted, clearly tempted by the idea of food.
"You too," The shopkeeper said with a smiling squint.
He turned and walked into the kitchen and soon returned with a large, steaming platter of crispy, golden Thunderfish served with fragrant Star-Fern Cakes.
He also brought a bowl of soup that glowed faintly blue.
Ian recognized the cakes from the shopkeeper's enthusiastic explanations.
"This is made from our local thunderfish. They contain a trace amount of electrical energy, and when stewed with star-ferns, they not only taste wonderful, but also strengthen the body."
The shopkeeper spoke with great pride in his cooking.
"And this is star-fern cake. It's a recipe that has been passed down in my family. Eating it boosts stamina. For someone about to embark on an unknown journey, it's the best blessing we can offer."
His words made Bud nod so hard that her whole body wiggled.
"Yes! Star-Fern Cakes symbolize a smooth journey."
Ian had to admit that this island really had a culture of its own, complete with customs that seemed to have developed over many years.
"It smells really good." Ian scooped a spoonful into his mouth. A warm current of energy spread through his body immediately, making him feel revitalized.
He understood.
The shopkeeper had added potion ingredients to the stew. The ingredients had fully released their medicinal essence, a primitive form of potion refining.
This wasn't ordinary food. It was magic-infused cuisine.
"Thank you for the meal."
Ian looked at the dishes on the table and felt a wave of gratitude. Since setting foot on the island, nearly everyone had greeted him warmly, sharing their knowledge and resources without reservation.
It was as if the island's residents were born with pure kindness in their hearts.
"No need to thank me! Seeing you enjoy it is the best reward!"
The shopkeeper beamed, smiling like a crescent moon. Watching Ian eat and Bud devour her food silently seemed to make him genuinely happy.
It was a truly satisfying meal.
After leaving the inn, they reached the square. Perhaps islanders really did eat a lot because, despite having just eaten, Bud immediately dragged Ian toward another stall that looked like a barbecue stand. Except the owner was a massive crocodile!
It held a charcoal fork in its jaws and expertly flipped chunks of meat skewered on tree branches.
"This is Uncle Thunderjaw Croc! His Lightning-Dragon Skewers are the best on the whole island!" Bud announced, practically drooling.
"Two skewers!" She yelled to the crocodile.
"Alrighty!"
The reply came from an elderly woman beside the crocodile.
The crocodile couldn't speak, so the elderly woman, who co-owned the stall with the crocodile, handled the talking, money, and supplies.
Soon enough, two skewers were done.
Ian looked at the meat in front of him. The chunks were deep red, releasing thin wisps of blue smoke and a charred aroma as if they were still burning on the inside.
"This… what kind of meat is this?" Cautiously, Ian asked, afraid of eating something horrifying.
"Dragon meat, of course!" Bud replied matter-of-factly. "You've never had it?"
"Aren't magical creatures supposed to be partners?" Ian paused for a few seconds, then finally accepted the skewer and took a bite. The meat was tender and juicy with a hint of spiciness and the aroma of an open flame.
He nodded again.
"Not bad at all."
This was pure craftsmanship and high-quality ingredients.
No artificial magic added.
"Evil dragons aren't partners, and they're not magical creatures either! They're just evil dragons, that's all!" Bud corrected him firmly, continuing her enthusiastic meat-devouring frenzy.
The two continued eating as they walked.
Soon, they arrived at a circular plaza.
A stage had been set up in the middle of it, and a large crowd had already gathered around it. Bud dragged him into the crowd, where several youths stood onstage with their magical creatures.
"Look!" Bud tugged on Ian's sleeve. "They've started sparring again!"
Following her gaze, Ian once again felt a powerful sense of Pokémon déjà vu.
Onstage, the battle was between a red fox-like creature called the Flame-Tail Vixen and a massive blue-white bird known as the Frost-Feather Eagle. Their movements were swift and precise; each attack shook the air.
"Use Flame Dance Step!" A girl in a crimson cloak shouted.
The Flame-Tail Vixen leapt up and spun in the air. Flames trailed from its tail, wrapping it in a blazing ring. The Frost-Feather Eagle flapped its wings and released a breath of chilling frost in an attempt to freeze its opponent.
The collision created a huge burst of steam, which was spectacular to watch.
"Boom!"
With a muffled thud, the Flame-Tail Vixen was struck and fell to the ground. A small scrape appeared on its right leg.
"It's injured!"
The referee immediately called off the match.
The red-cloaked girl quickly unclipped a small vial from her belt, opened it, and applied the pale yellow liquid to the vixen's wound.
Within mere seconds, the wound visibly healed.
"What a waste!"
As a potions expert, Ian winced. The remedy worked well, but it wasn't a potion. Just a mixture of herbal extracts.
Effects like that, came entirely from the amazing raw ingredients.
"You really have insanely rich natural resources here," Ian muttered. He had truly witnessed a small land overflowing with magical abundance.
"Of course!" Bud almost preened with pride.
By dusk, she led Ian to a treehouse on the outskirts of town.
The moment the girl opened the door, she saw her five-year-old brother, Little Bean, lifting weights with a muscular Iron-Palm Gorilla using granite dumbbells.
Ian was dumbfounded.
"Big Sister! You're back!"
The little boy effortlessly lifted a stone that had to weigh over two hundred kilos.
"Kongo taught me a new move today!"
He spun in circles proudly.
Ian felt like his worldview was collapsing. Kongo scratched his head shyly. He wanted to show off, but when he spotted Ian, he struck a defensive pose.
"He's a guest!" Bud quickly introduced Kongo to Ian. "Kongo's a little timid. Last time the mayor's thunder dragon visited, Kongo got shocked so badly that it didn't dare climb a tree for three days."
This explanation left Ian completely speechless.
"Big Sister, I'm hungry." The little boy tugged on Bud's sleeve.
"All right, I'll cook right now!" Bud rushed into the kitchen.
Soon, the house was filled with the mouthwatering aroma of saber-tooth tyrannosaur ribs crushed into patties with raw strength, coconut juice simmered with blazing mushrooms, and roasted hind-leg meat from some gigantic insect.
It looked like an oversized Pinsir.
Ian wasn't even sure if it had the same name in this world.
"Are we eating again?" Ian loved food.
But a third full meal in a row? He was reaching his limit.
Bud, on the other hand, still looked excited.
"We normally eat ten meals a day. But Mom and Dad are off exploring Storm Canyon, and my cooking isn't very good, so we only eat eight."
"..."
Ian fell silent again.
No wonder kids as young as five or six had superhuman strength.
At least it followed the law of energy conservation.
At the dinner table, Ian struggled to eat another bite.
Bud devoured a dragon rib larger than Ian's face without batting an eye, then chugged a whole cup of bubbling purple juice. The little boy gnawed on a hind leg bigger than himself.
"Odin, eat slower, or you'll choke again," Bud warned her younger brother.
"?!?!?!?"
Ian, in the middle of drinking juice, nearly sprayed it everywhere when he heard the boy's name.
Odin?!
(End of Chapter)
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