The next morning, fine snow began drifting down from the sky.
Old butler Aelif looked up at the falling flakes with concern."The temperature's dropping even further!" he muttered anxiously.
Raven glanced at the snow, then said, "We'll need to move faster."
It wasn't just him—everyone in the territory felt the same looming sense of crisis.
A light snowfall today could mean a full blizzard tomorrow.
After hastily filling their stomachs, people immediately set out for the forest to chop wood for building houses.
The temperature plunged as snow covered the land.
Several children sat in a row under the tents, staring out at the snowfall, worry written across their little faces.
Three Snover sat with them, lifting their heads to watch the drifting snow as well.
Snover.
As Ice-type Pokémon, Snover were born unafraid of the cold. Even in temperatures below thirty degrees, they could live freely and happily.
Seeing snow fall from the sky, the three Snover looked delighted.
They tugged on their young friends' hands, inviting them to come out and play.
Snover.
But the children weren't in the mood.
Even though they were small, they already understood how grim things were.
They were lost, food and wood were scarce, and their parents' faces were weighed down by worry every day.
The children frowned as they watched the snow, thinking about their parents, fearing the homes wouldn't be finished before the blizzard arrived.
The Snover, sensing their gloomy mood, tilted their heads in confusion.
"We can't play with you today," one boy said softly.
Snover? The Snover scratched their heads, disappointment on their faces. Snover…
"The blizzard is almost here. Our parents are in the forest chopping trees for the houses. If they're not done in time, everyone will freeze to death," a girl of about five or six said, her eyes full of worry.
"No—we can't just sit here!" an older boy clenched his fists, determination flashing in his eyes. "We should help too!"
"But… what can we even do?" another girl asked, bewildered.
"We can gather berries, pick up fallen branches, carry things—anything at all!" the boy insisted, standing up.
He turned to the Snover. "You guys go play on your own today. We have to help!"
The Snover blinked. Snover…
Everyone was in trouble…
The Snover looked at the children, then suddenly brightened. Snover! They would help too!
The children fetched baskets and cloth bags for berries.
They didn't dare go too far—just near where the adults were chopping trees.
The Snover followed them with little pattering steps.
Soon they spotted the villagers swinging their axes against massive trunks.
Snover.
The three Snover glanced at the children, then at the adults chopping wood.
They didn't understand everything, but they did know one thing—
—if everyone finished sooner, they could all play together again!
Snover.
In that case, they would help too!
The villagers noticed the three beasts moving about, but with survival on the line, no one paid much attention at first.
Until a few men spotted the Snover gathering around a tall tree.
In the next instant, a brilliant white light surged from their bodies as they charged up mysterious energy.
What were those beasts doing…?
Before the men could react, a powerful blast erupted from the Snover, striking the tree.
BOOM!
The huge trunk toppled with a thunderous crash.
"!!!"
Everyone turned at the sound, their jaws dropping.
"What was that…?"
"Those beasts—what are they doing?"
The trees they had labored over for hours with axes had been felled in an instant.
The children also saw.
"Snover?" they cried in surprise.
The Snover only chirped happily in response.
Snover!
The adults froze, baffled by what they were seeing.
But the children quickly understood.
"The Snover are helping us cut wood!" a girl shouted excitedly.
"What?!"
The adults stared in disbelief.
Beasts… taking the initiative to help humans work?
Impossible!
And yet, it had just happened before their eyes.
They stood dumbfounded, unable to process it.
Then Ryan was the first to snap out of it.
Prince Raven was right all along!
These three weren't like the vicious beasts they feared.
Raven had said it—treat beasts sincerely, and they will answer you!
With their help, they might really survive this winter!
Ryan's spirit blazed. He turned to the villagers and shouted:
"Everyone, stop standing there! Work with the Snover!"
"Teacher, we're ready!"
By the river, Anna and Zorua looked eagerly at Raven.
Human and beast, Beast Master and Trainer…
The thought of becoming like the great Sir Aaron filled Anna with so much excitement that she hadn't slept a wink.
She'd spent the whole night whispering with Zorua.
They would become powerful Beast Masters, strong enough to protect her mother and everyone else!
"Good," Raven said. He had no time to waste with so many matters in the territory, so he got straight to the point. "The things I wrote on that parchment—have you memorized them?"
"Yes!" Anna answered firmly. She hesitated, then added, "But… there's still a lot I don't understand."
Like types, abilities, evolution…
Raven smiled. "Those are exactly what I'll teach you today."
(End of Chapter)