By the time Jack reached Dinha Town, the sun had begun its slow descent toward the horizon.
The shift was immediate.
After two days of moving through the Dino Forest—listening for sounds that didn't belong, measuring every step—the town felt almost overwhelming. Voices overlapped in the streets. Footsteps echoed against stone paths. The smell of cooked food drifted freely through the air.
Jack paused for a moment just inside the town's boundary.
He adjusted the strap of his bag and released a quiet breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
This was different.
This was safe.
Sera's directions returned to him without effort.
Go straight. Second right. First left.
He followed them through the evening crowd. Merchants were closing stalls. Travelers moved with purpose. Everything felt lived-in, ordinary—and strangely comforting.
The travelers' facility came into view exactly where she had described it. Large, clearly marked, and busy with arrivals and departures.
Inside, warmth greeted him.
Jack completed the formalities at the counter and received a room key without delay. No questions. No attention. Exactly what he needed.
The room itself was simple—a bed, a small table, a wash area—but after the forest, it felt like more than enough.
Jack closed the door behind him and stood still for a moment.
"…It's been a while since I last bathed," he muttered.
He set his bag down, released Turt, and moved straight to the wash area.
Water ran over his hands, then his face, then his shoulders. Dust, sweat, and the lingering tension of the forest washed away piece by piece. By the time he finished and changed into clean clothes, his body felt lighter.
Later, he went downstairs and ate properly for the first time since leaving home. Warm food. Clean water. No urgency. No need to stay alert.
That alone was enough to drain what little energy he had left.
When Jack returned to his room, exhaustion caught up to him all at once. He sat on the edge of the bed for a moment, then lay back with the intention of resting briefly.
His eyes closed.
Almost immediately, sleep took him.
Jack woke to dim light.
For a moment, he didn't move. The room was quiet, the kind of stillness that only came after a long day. He turned his head slightly and checked the clock near the bed.
A little past eight.
Night had settled over Dinha Town.
He sat up slowly, running a hand through his hair. Turt stirred nearby, lifting its head briefly before settling again.
I didn't plan to sleep this long.
Jack exhaled quietly. Waiting until morning didn't sit right with him. He was already here, and the questions in his mind weren't the kind that faded with rest.
"I'm going to visit Prof. Moth," he said softly.
Turt shifted, alert now.
"You're coming too," Jack added.
Turt responded with a small sound and moved closer as Jack gathered his things.
The streets were calmer at night.
Lantern light reflected off stone paths, and most stalls had already closed. Jack walked steadily, Turt keeping pace beside him.
The route to the research district came back in fragments. Turns he half-remembered. Streets that felt familiar without being clear. His memory wasn't perfect, but it was enough.
He didn't get lost.
The laboratory stood quietly under the night sky, lights still glowing inside.
When Jack entered, a female assistant at the front desk looked up.
"Yes?" she asked.
"My name is Jack," he said. "I'd like to meet Prof. Moth."
Her gaze shifted briefly—to Turt, then back to Jack. She paused when he gave his surname, something flickering across her expression.
"…Please wait a moment."
She disappeared into the inner halls.
A short while later,
Footsteps approached from deeper inside the lab.
Jack recognized the pace before he saw her.
Prof. Moth stepped into view, lab coat neatly worn, hair tied back, expression attentive rather than surprised. Her eyes moved first to Jack, then to Turt.
"…So you finally made it," she said.
"Yes, Professor," Jack replied.
She looked him over, not critically, but carefully—like someone confirming a long-held assumption.
"You've grown."
Jack nodded. "It's been a while."
"It has," she agreed. "Last time I saw you, you could barely carry that pack."
Her gaze settled briefly on Turt.
"And you're still together," she added.
Turt made a quiet sound and settled closer to Jack.
Prof. Moth's expression softened, just slightly.
"You took the road through Dino Forest."
"Yes."
She didn't ask why. There was no other way.
"That forest doesn't change," she said. "People do."
Jack gave a small nod. "I noticed."
She turned and motioned toward the inner hall. "Standing here isn't comfortable for anyone."
Jack followed, Turt moving alongside him.
They moved deeper into the lab, the quiet hum of equipment surrounding them. Prof. Moth slowed near a small seating area and stopped.
"You look tired," she said.
"I am."
"That's expected," she replied. "Dino Forest leaves its mark, even on those who make it through."
Jack sat when she indicated. Prof. Moth took the seat opposite him.
"For what it's worth," she said, "your father would've been relieved to know you arrived safely."
Jack looked at her. "He trusted the forest."
She allowed a faint smile. "He trusted you."
A brief silence followed—not awkward, just measured.
"So," Prof. Moth continued, her tone shifting slightly. "You didn't come here just to visit."
"No," Jack said. "I didn't."
She nodded once. "Then let's talk about why you're here."
"I'm planning to participate in the Battle Stages."
She didn't interrupt as Jack spoke. He explained calmly—his lack of interest in fame, his detachment from routine life, and his need to move forward and experience something real.
When he finished, Prof. Moth remained silent for a moment.
"…The Battle Stages," she said slowly. "I wouldn't have expected that from you."
"I didn't expect it either," Jack replied.
"You've never liked crowds. Or attention."
"This isn't about either," Jack said. "It's the system that exists."
That answer seemed to settle something.
"Officially," Prof. Moth began, "The Battle Stages are publicly framed as competitive events. Public events. Something battlers want to take part in."
"So it doesn't feel like testing," Jack said.
"Exactly," she replied. "If they were framed as evaluations or experiments, most battlers would never step forward."
She folded her hands.
"At their core, the Battle Stages exist to test compatibility," she continued. "Between battler and monster. Under pressure."
Jack listened closely.
"The stages unfold along a journey," Prof. Moth said. "Each stage presents different conditions, environments, and expectations. Clear one, and you're allowed to continue forward. Fail, and your journey ends there."
"So progress isn't centralized," Jack said.
"No," she replied. "It's meant to reflect real growth. Adaptation. Travel. The further you go, the more you're expected to handle unfamiliar situations."
She paused.
"There are ten stages in total," she continued. "Each tied to a medal. Collect all ten, and you earn the right to enter the Monster League."
Jack absorbed that quietly.
"And monsters?" he asked. "How does their growth work?"
"Monsters grow through levels," Prof. Moth said. "But evolution happens through stages."
She raised three fingers.
"Stage One. Stage Two. Stage Three."
"A monster's level reflects its strength within a stage," she explained. "Evolution happens only when specific conditions align—bonding, experience, and stability. Rushing it causes damage."
Her gaze settled briefly on Turt.
"Each Battle Stage has minimum requirements," she added. "Not just in level, but in control. Enter too early, and you risk harming your monster."
Jack's expression remained steady, but his focus sharpened.
"I won't explain how battles themselves work," Prof. Moth said.
Jack looked up. "Why not?"
"Because reading about them won't help you," she replied calmly. "Your first stage is meant to be understood by experiencing it. Everyone approaches it differently."
She leaned forward slightly.
"The stages don't test raw power," she said. "They test judgment."
Silence settled between them.
"You'll understand once you step into the arena," she added. "Until then, theory will only mislead you."
Jack nodded slowly. "That makes sense."
Prof. Moth studied him for a moment, then straightened.
"You registered online," she said.
"Yes. Three days ago."
Her eyebrow lifted slightly. "That was close. Registration stays open for only seven days."
"I didn't want to rush," Jack replied.
"That caution helped you," she said. "Tomorrow morning, we'll begin synchronization."
Jack paused.
"…Synchronization?" he asked.
Prof. Moth looked at him, unsurprised. "You haven't encountered it yet."
She folded her hands. "Synchronization is the formal process that establishes and measures the bond between a battler and their monster. It confirms intent, trust, and responsiveness."
"So it's verification," Jack said.
"Yes," she replied. "Before every stage, synchronization is checked. It ensures that the battler and monster are acting together—not forcing, not hesitating."
Her gaze shifted briefly to Turt.
"That bond will be tested repeatedly," she continued. "Not by strength, but by consistency."
Jack nodded slowly. "I understand."
"We'll go through the process in detail tomorrow," Prof. Moth said. "Tonight, rest."
Jack stood. "I'll be here."
"I expect you to be," she replied.
She paused, then added quietly, "This path isn't forgiving."
"I know."
Prof. Moth allowed herself a faint smile.
"Good," she said. "Then you're ready to move forward."
Jack turned and left the lab, the quiet of the night settling around him as the weight of what lay ahead became clear.
Tomorrow would come soon enough.
Jack slept deeply that night.
When he woke, morning light filled the room of the travelers' facility. The sounds outside were muted—early footsteps, distant voices, the quiet beginning of another day.
His body felt steadier. His thoughts were clearer.
He sat up slowly and took a moment to orient himself. The conversation from the night before surfaced immediately, sharp and unclouded.
Synchronization.
After brushing, bathing, and taking care of the basics, Jack returned to the room and began packing his belongings.
He packed everything.
There was no reason to leave anything behind. Once he left this room, he knew he wouldn't be coming back.
Turt watched from nearby, alert and calm.
"We move forward today," Jack said.
Turt gave a small sound in response and moved closer as Jack slung the bag over his shoulder.
Jack checked the room one last time. Then he turned, locked the door, and left.
The streets of Dinha Town were already waking up.
Shops opened their shutters. Travelers passed in small groups. The city felt different in the morning—less crowded, more deliberate.
Jack followed the familiar route toward the research district, Turt walking beside him. His memory of the path was clearer now. Not perfect, but enough.
They didn't slow down.
By the time the laboratory came into view, Jack's resolve felt set.
He adjusted the strap of his bag and stepped inside.
The assistant greeted Jack with a brief nod and led him deeper into the laboratory.
The space was quieter than the outer halls. Soft light reflected off clean surfaces, and faint hums from equipment filled the air without becoming distracting. Prof. Moth was already waiting near the center of the room.
"Let's begin your synchronization," she said.
Jack nodded.
She guided Jack and Turt to stand opposite each other, leaving a clear space between them. Turt shifted slightly, watching Jack with quiet attention.
Prof. Moth reached into a drawer and retrieved a bracelet—simple in design, smooth and dark, with no visible buttons at first glance.
"Put it on," she instructed.
Jack turned it over once, then slid it onto his wrist.
The bracelet responded immediately.
A soft glow ran along its surface, and a holographic display rose above it, lines of light assembling into a structured interface. A brief loading sequence passed before stabilizing.
Jack's profile appeared first—basic physical data, status indicators—clean and precise.
Below it, a single line stood out.
Contracted Monsters: 0
"This bracelet records and verifies monster contracts," Prof. Moth said. "Until now, you and Turt have been bonded informally. What we're doing here makes it official."
She gestured toward Turt.
"Point the bracelet at him," she continued. "Select the contract function."
Jack raised his arm, aligning the display toward Turt. With a brief pause, he activated the command.
A narrow beam of light extended from the bracelet, connecting with Turt. The light held steady, neither harsh nor bright, as if measuring rather than forcing.
Turt remained still.
After several seconds, the beam faded.
A marking appeared on Turt's shell.
A single symbol.
C
"That's the contract mark," Prof. Moth said. "C indicates a successful bond."
The display updated instantly.
Monster Name: Turt
Monster Level: 14
Bonding Percentage: 78%
Trust Factor: High
Health: 100 / 100
Jack studied the information carefully.
"These metrics will always be visible to you," Prof. Moth explained. "Any monster you contract will appear in this list."
She pointed to the bonding percentage.
"This reflects responsiveness and trust. A low bonding percentage means hesitation, resistance, or misalignment."
"And the trust factor?" Jack asked.
"An evaluation of consistency," she replied. "Trust rises when decisions align over time. It drops when commands conflict with instinct."
Her gaze moved to the health indicator.
"Turt is currently in a stable state," she said. "During battles, health values will fluctuate. Recovery depends on rest, treatment, and how you manage risk."
She paused briefly.
"Turt's level is appropriate for a beginner battler," she continued. "And it's approaching its second-stage evolution."
Jack looked up. "When?"
"Level eighteen," Prof. Moth said. "Be prepared. Evolution isn't just physical—it affects behavior and control."
She tapped the bracelet lightly.
"You'll wear this at all times," she said. "Before every stage, synchronization is verified through it. It also contains stage requirements, minimum monster levels, and a mapped route system for safe travel across Zalendia."
Jack nodded. "Understood."
He glanced at Turt and allowed himself a faint smile.
"We're officially contracted now," he said.
Turt responded immediately, climbing up and settling against him, clearly pleased.
Prof. Moth observed them for a moment, then said.
"Synchronization confirmed," she said.
Prof. Moth straightened slightly, her expression returning to its usual calm focus.
"There's one more thing you should understand," she said.
Jack looked up.
"A battler can contract a maximum of four monsters," she continued. "No more than that."
Jack processed the number quietly.
"However," Prof. Moth added, "battles during the Battle Stages are conducted one on one."
Jack frowned slightly. "Then what's the purpose of contracting more?"
"Because which monster you use depends on the stage," she replied. "Each stage has its own rules. Some favor endurance. Some control. Some adaptability."
She met his gaze.
"You won't be allowed to switch mid-battle," she said. "Your choice is made before the stage begins."
Jack nodded slowly. That made sense.
"The system isn't designed for brute force," Prof. Moth continued. "It's designed to test preparation and judgment. Contracting multiple monsters gives you options—but only if you understand them."
She paused briefly.
"And by the time you qualify for the Monster League," she added, "having four contracted monsters isn't optional. It's a requirement."
Jack glanced down at Turt.
"So I have room to grow," he said.
"Yes," Prof. Moth replied. "But don't rush it. A contract isn't a tool. It's a responsibility."
"I understand," Jack said.
Prof. Moth studied him for a moment, then nodded, satisfied.
...…...
Prof. Moth let the moment settle.
Then she spoke again, her tone calm but deliberate.
"There's an additional requirement," she said. "Battlers don't travel alone."
Jack looked up.
"The Battle Stages aren't just about command," Prof. Moth continued. "They're about understanding monsters in real conditions. For that reason, every registered battler is required to travel with a professor trainee."
Jack absorbed that. "I didn't know."
"Most don't," she replied. "Trainees observe, document, and gain practical experience alongside battlers. It's mandatory."
Jack nodded once. "Then where do I find one?"
"As it happens," Prof. Moth said,"my daughter received her professor trainee certification earlier this year."
Jack hesitated. "Is that… alright?"
"I wouldn't suggest it otherwise," she said. "You're Rowan's son. And I trust how you move."
Jack considered it for a moment, then asked, "Where is your daughter now?"
Prof. Moth glanced toward the inner corridor.
"She was getting ready," she said. "She should be here by now."
Almost on cue, footsteps echoed from behind them.
The door to the room opened.
Jack turned.
And froze.
Standing there was a familiar figure—one he hadn't expected to see again so soon.
"Sera?"