I stared at the Azure Core in my hand for a little longer, turning it slightly between my fingers as the faint blue light reflected across its smooth surface. The crystal looked simple and beautiful, yet knowing what it contained made it feel far more valuable than any ordinary jewel.
The more I looked at it, the more curious I became.
Then, all of a sudden, I realized something... I forgot to ask how to use this.
I let out a quiet sigh and rubbed my forehead lightly.
For something this valuable, I had walked out of the Leader's house without even asking the most important question. I had been too focused on the surprise of receiving it and the mention of the mission, and the thought had completely slipped my mind.
Now I was sitting here holding an Azure Core that supposedly contained the Leader's stored ability, and I had no idea how to actually use it.
Well… I can ask someone about it later.
For now, there was no point worrying about it. I carefully put the Azure Core away and decided to set the matter aside for the moment.
As the evening slowly deepened and night began to fall, the quiet inside the house became more noticeable. The warm light of the setting sun gradually faded, and the shadows beneath the great tree stretched longer, making the space feel calmer and heavier with silence.
Sitting there quietly, I suddenly noticed something else.
Camose was still sleeping.
Since morning, the little serpent had barely moved at all. It had slept through the entire day without its usual restless movements or curious wandering.
I looked down at it again. It remained curled up quietly beside me near the roots of the great tree, its small body resting peacefully as if the passing of time meant nothing to it. Even its breathing was slow and steady, completely calm.
I leaned down slightly, gently petted its head, and spoke softly.
"Camose, how long are you going to sleep today?"
The little serpent lazily opened its golden eyes for only a brief moment. It looked up at me with half-awake indifference, as if it had no intention of responding, then slowly closed its eyes again and curled itself a little tighter before returning to sleep.
I frowned slightly as I watched it settle back into sleep.
That was not normal.
Camose was usually restless, always moving around, exploring, or reacting to even the smallest movement around it. Even when it slept, it was never this quiet for this long. Seeing it remain like this the entire day felt strange.
A small sense of worry settled in my chest.
I kept looking at the little serpent for another moment before turning my head toward the house and calling out softly, "Charlie…"
A moment later, Charlie walked over from inside the house, his steps calm as always.
"Yes, young master?"
I looked down at Camose sleeping beside me near the roots of the tree and said, "There is something wrong with Camose."
Charlie stepped closer and crouched slightly near the great tree, carefully observing Camose for a moment. His expression remained calm as he watched the little serpent sleeping peacefully beside me, showing no signs of alarm.
I looked at him again, unable to hide the concern in my voice.
"Is it sick?"
Charlie shook his head lightly. "No, young master. I think it is hibernating."
I frowned slightly and looked back at Camose.
"Hibernating?"
Charlie nodded.
"Yes. Some beasts enter a deep sleep like this when they are evolving or going through an awakening. During that time, they sleep for long periods and barely move."
I listened quietly, my eyes still resting on the small serpent.
So it was not sickness.
I slowly nodded in understanding, feeling some of the worry ease from my chest.
Then another thought suddenly came to mind.
I looked down at Camose's small body curled beside me near the roots of the great tree, and the image of that enormous serpent we had seen before surfaced in my mind. Its massive body, its overwhelming presence, and those terrifying golden eyes were not something easy to forget.
I looked at the tiny serpent again and found it difficult to connect the two.
"Then…" I said slowly, "do you think Camose will become huge like its mother after awakening?"
Charlie followed my gaze and gave a small nod. "There is a chance of that, young master."
I stared at Camose again in silence.
It was hard to imagine this little creature, small enough to curl beside me without taking much space, becoming something as massive and frightening as that giant serpent.
The difference felt almost ridiculous.
I let out a soft sigh. "I really hope it does not become like that."
Charlie gave a faint smile at my reaction, but he said nothing, simply looking at the sleeping serpent quietly.
Three days passed like that, and nothing about Camose changed.
Every morning, I completed my usual cultivation routine beneath the great tree, sitting quietly as the early air moved gently through the branches above. And every single time I opened my eyes afterward, Camose was still there beside me, sleeping in the same peaceful way.
It barely moved.
There was no restless wandering, no curious slithering around the house, no usual habit of wrapping itself around my arm. It simply remained near the roots of the tree, sleeping as if the outside world no longer mattered.
That morning was no different.
I slowly opened my eyes after cultivation and looked down at the small serpent resting beside me. Its breathing remained calm and steady, and its body stayed curled in the same quiet position.
How much longer are you going to sleep?
The thought crossed my mind again as I gently watched it.
Before long, Charlie walked over carrying a wooden bowl and handed it to me.
I accepted the wooden bowl from Charlie and glanced down at Camose once more before speaking.
Even after hearing his explanation before, the worry had not completely left my mind.
"Are you sure it is not sick, but hibernating?" I asked again.
Charlie nodded without even a moment of hesitation, as if he had expected me to ask the same question again.
"You do not need to worry, young master. This is normal for beasts like it. Sometimes it lasts only a few days, and sometimes it can take a few weeks depending on the beast and the awakening."
I listened quietly and gave a small nod.
His confidence made it easier to believe, and the answer eased my mind a little. Still, I found myself looking at Camose more often than necessary, checking if it had moved even slightly. Even knowing it was likely normal, it was difficult not to worry.