Wilson understood immediately.
He shook his head once—then nodded.
"You're half right again."
Kael didn't look surprised.
"Yes," Wilson continued, "some of the cubs here are descendants of contracted beasts. Others are brought to us by beast tamers who can no longer keep them—either because they can't afford the cost of raising a beast, or because they simply didn't like what they contracted."
His tone remained calm, but something heavy sat beneath the words.
"Raising a beast isn't cheap," he added. "Food alone can bankrupt a family. Add medicine, specialized training resources, compatibility treatments…" He trailed off. "It adds up faster than most people expect."
He paused before continuing.
"There are also cubs whose contracted parents have died." Wilson exhaled slowly. "When that happens, some tamers sell the offspring here. Others abandon them entirely—out of grief, fear… or convenience."
His gaze drifted toward the enclosures.
"Regardless of the reason," he said quietly, "they all end up in places like this."
He gestured down a branching corridor.
"But those cases are handled in another facility—the Beast Nursery. Not here."
Wilson stopped in front of a massive glass aquarium.
Inside, aquatic beasts drifted through softly lit water. Carp-like creatures with thick jaws and rows of jagged teeth circled lazily. Nearby, massive turtles glided past, their shells etched with glowing patterns that looked more like ancient runes than anything natural.
"The orphans in this dome," Wilson said softly, "are different."
He rested a hand against the glass.
"They're the offspring of wild beasts. No contracts. No owners. No protection."
The air seemed heavier all at once.
"Their parents were killed during monster suppression operations or expeditions," Wilson continued. "When beast tamers encounter cubs afterward, they sell them to the Agency. By law, only we're permitted to handle wild-origin beasts."
"I see," Kael said quietly. "That… makes sense."
Mara's face had gone pale.
"That's horrible," she said. "How can they kill someone's parents and then sell their children like commodities?"
Fatty nodded hard."Yeah. That's just messed up."
Even Sarah frowned, the earlier excitement completely gone.
The thin boy, however, adjusted his glasses. His expression wasn't cold—just serious.
"It sounds cruel," he said, "but you have to look at the bigger picture."
Everyone turned toward him.
"Wild monsters are humanity's natural enemies," Jack continued. "If they aren't suppressed or tamed, they don't coexist. Cities fall. Villages disappear. Tens of thousands die every day."
He paused, then added quietly,"And once we graduate… monster culling will be part of our job too."
Silence followed.
Kael studied him.
A practical thinker, he thought. Cold—but not heartless.
Only then did Kael realize something else.
"…By the way," he said, breaking the tension, "what are your names?"
Fatty blinked, then laughed awkwardly."Oh. Right. Guess we skipped that."
He thumped his chest."I'm Bram. And this guy's Jack."
Kael nodded."I'm Kael."
Bram grinned."We know."
Kael chuckled softly."Figures."
Then he turned back to Wilson, expression serious again.
"So, Sir Wilson," Kael asked, "do you think what Jack said is true?"
Wilson didn't answer immediately.
When he did, his voice was steady—but tired.
"Yes," he said. "It's tragic to kill someone's parents, even if they're monsters." His eyes flicked briefly toward the enclosures. "But we also have families. Loved ones. Lives we're trying to protect."
He let out a slow breath.
"The world of beast tamers," Wilson continued, "is nothing more than a glorified army. We're soldiers fighting on the front lines—just dressed up with contracts and titles."
His gaze hardened slightly.
"It's better you understand that now."
Mara's shoulders trembled.
"I—I don't want to be a soldier," she whispered. "I just wanted a normal life…"
Kael turned toward her.
She looked small—hands clenched, eyes lowered, fighting tears.
Guilt pricked at him.
He noticed Sarah beside her, whispering reassurance, though fear lingered in her own eyes.
Kael spoke gently.
"Not everyone in an army fights on the front lines," he said. "There are logistics teams. Support divisions. Coordinators."
He met Mara's eyes.
"From what I've seen of your talent, it doesn't look combat-oriented. You won't be thrown into the worst of it."
"That's not how this works."
Mara nodded slowly."O-Okay…"
She looked steadier—but only a little.
Kael sighed inwardly.
Then he felt something tug at his hand.
He looked down.
Sarah had quietly hooked her pinky around his.
She wasn't looking at him—pretending nothing was happening—but her grip was tight. Trembling.
Kael leaned closer and whispered,"Hey… it'll be alright."
She didn't answer.
She only held tighter.
Kael winced slightly—but didn't pull away.
Nearby, Wilson watched with a faint, knowing smile.
Ah… youth.
Turning away, Wilson clapped his hands lightly.
"Alright," he said. "Come along. There's more to see."
He led them through incubation chambers, medical bays, and monitoring halls—quiet, controlled spaces humming softly with life.
At last, they arrived at the Main Egg and Infant House.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Quieter. Softer.
Rows of glowing eggs rested in carefully maintained cradles. Infant beasts slept in temperature-controlled enclosures, their breathing slow and gentle.
Wilson stopped and turned to them.
"This," he said, "is where contracts begin."
Sarah and Mara exchanged a nervous look.
It was finally time.
To choose their beasts.
And take their first irreversible step into a world they could no longer avoid.
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