Grakar grumbled as soon as he emerged from the Fusion Lab.
"My lord, you didn't summon me when you were out there fighting alone... and now you call me just to mine these shiny rocks?"
"Yes. Is there a problem?" Ryu asked casually, not even looking back.
Grakar scratched his head with a claw and let out a sigh. "No problem, my lord. I'll do the hard work."
He sounded a little sulky.
Ryu turned to him with a small sigh. "Grakar, don't take it the wrong way. I didn't summon you in battle because I didn't need to. I wanted to test my strength—to push myself to the limit. It's the only way I'll grow stronger."
He paused for a moment before adding, "But I might need your help in the next fight. So stay sharp."
Grakar's eyes lit up as he turned back. A wide smile stretched across his crocodilian face. Despite his fierce appearance, he was still just a twelve-year-old, a child who had once left his swamp village to survive in the wild.
