Lukas took a deep breath, relieved to see the two of them. His clothes were dirty with soil, leaves, and dark splatters of rat blood. But he himself had no visible injuries, only the deep exhaustion of someone who had spent more energy than he should have.

"I’m fine. But please, sit down here. I’m tired."

They sat on the wide steps at the entrance of the mansion. The stone was cool beneath them, but the morning sun had already warmed the air, creating a strange contrast between the warmth of the light and the coolness of the shade.

Clavor frowned when he noticed the silver thread in Lukas’s hand and the enormous rat’s body being dragged several meters behind him.

Prata silently climbed the stairs and settled beside Lukas, her multiple eyes fixed on the boy’s father. Tilbo remained on guard, her metallic body still stained with blood.

"What happened in the forest?" Clavor asked directly, his voice deep as distant thunder.

Lukas told everything calmly, choosing his words carefully. He spoke about the traps he had set the day before, how none of them had worked properly, how the rats had bitten and chewed through the mana-reinforced threads, something that should have been impossible for ordinary rodents.

He told them about the cry for help, the giant rats chasing Harlan, and how Tilbo and Prata had protected the man. He described the fight, the screeches, the blood, the adrenaline.

He deliberately omitted entering the dark cave alone, the bones, and the feeling that something much larger was hidden there. His parents would worry too much. They might not let him go out anymore.

"I just stayed behind and watched. Tilbo and Prata did all the hard work."

Clavor remained silent for a moment, his eyes narrowing. He realized his son had skipped some details; it was obvious from the way Lukas avoided his gaze.

The boy had never been the type to call for help without reason. But Lukas was here, whole and unharmed. That was what mattered for now.

"You did a good job." Clavor finally said, placing his large hand on his son’s shoulder.

"You saved a villager’s life. But this is no longer a simple infestation. Rats that bite through mana... the size of dogs... Something bigger is happening. I’ll investigate the forest personally. Right now."

Lukas nodded tiredly.

"Alright."

Clavor stood up, looking at the dead rat with evident concern. His brow was furrowed, and his eyes traveled over the creature with an attention that only experience could bring.

"Stay home and rest, son."

Aurora accompanied Lukas inside while Clavor prepared himself. As soon as they entered, she wrinkled her nose.

"You need a bath urgently. You smell like forest and blood."

"Mom, I can bathe myself!" Lukas complained, blushing.

"Quiet."

She led him to the family bathroom, helping him remove his dirty clothes with maternal efficiency.

Lukas grumbled but obeyed. Aurora examined every inch of his body. Arms, legs, back, chest. Not a single scratch. Not a single bruise. The blood on his clothes belonged to the rats.

She sighed deeply in relief, her violet eyes shining with restrained emotion. Her fingers trembled slightly as they touched his face.

"My strong boy..." she murmured, ruffling his hair before letting him finish bathing alone.

After the bath, wearing clean clothes and with his body relaxed by the warm water, Lukas went to his room.

Tilbo and Prata were already there, resting. The giant ant occupied a spacious corner, her carapace marked by deep but not serious scratches.

The marks gleamed under the light like scars on polished metal. Prata curled up in her improvised web on the ceiling, visibly tired, her multiple eyes half-closed.

Astra slept peacefully in her cushioned box, her chest rising and falling in a calm rhythm.

Lukas approached Tilbo first. He knelt and ran a hand across her metallic carapace, feeling the silver veins pulse faintly beneath his fingers.

The metal was warm, as if it were still carrying the energy of the battle.

"Thank you, Tilbo. You protected us today. Without you, that man wouldn’t have survived. You’re the best friend anyone could have."

Tilbo emitted a deep, satisfied sound, her antennae moving slowly. Lukas smiled, feeling a genuine warmth in his chest. The ant’s loyalty was something he never questioned.

Then he turned to Prata.

"And you too, Prata. Even though you were far away, you came running when I called. Thank you for always protecting me, even as you become more independent."

The spider simply looked at him with her multiple eyes and gently touched his hand with one leg, as if accepting the gratitude.

Lukas sighed, exhausted. The battle had consumed more mana than he possessed. His muscles ached and his head throbbed faintly, a persistent reminder that he was still a child, no matter that his mind belonged to an adult.

He threw himself onto the bed, still during the day, and fell asleep almost immediately, his body surrendering to exhaustion.

Meanwhile, outside, Clavor examined the rat’s body with meticulous attention.

Kneeling beside the creature, he observed the sharp teeth, the dull red eyes, the muscles far too developed for an ordinary rodent.

The fur was thick, coarse, covered in old scars that told stories of past battles.

He ran his thick fingers through the dark fur, feeling its texture and density. He opened the rat’s mouth, examined the teeth and claws. He smelled the open wound, frowning.

"This isn’t natural..." he murmured.

After a few minutes, he stood and wiped his hands on a cloth he took from his pocket. Aurora waited at the entrance, her arms crossed, her expression worried.

He pulled her into a brief but affectionate kiss, a gesture that said more than words.

"I’m going to the forest. I won’t be long."

"Be careful, Clavor. Come back to us in one piece. And in time for dinner."

He nodded and set off with long strides toward the Forest Village, his expression determined. The afternoon wind swayed the trees in the distance.

Lukas slept deeply in his room, unaware of what was to come. But deep within his mind, even in his dreams, the image of the dark cave and the smell of decay persisted.