I Built a Divine Zoo in Another World

Magic did not exist on Earth. Not as an innate ability, pulsing within the body, waiting to be used.

Here, it seemed essential.

He wanted to learn it, not to fight, not to become a great warrior or a powerful mage. He wanted to learn in order to understand. To protect. To create better habitats for his future animals.

’One day.’ He promised himself.

’One day, I need to learn.’

Then came the gifts.

Clavor was the first.

He stood up, walked over to the large basket, and pulled out an object wrapped in leather cloth. The package was long, about the size of Lukas’s arm.

He knelt in front of his son and untied the knot.

Inside was a small but well-crafted dagger.

The blade was made of dark steel, polished until it shone. Its edge was sharp, and Lukas could see the sunlight reflected along it in one continuous line. The handle was wrapped in dark braided leather, with a small red gem embedded at the base, a ruby, or perhaps just an ordinary stone, Lukas could not tell.

It was not a toy.

It was a real weapon. Proportioned to Lukas’s size, but functional. Dangerous in the right hands.

”You’re old enough to hold it now.” Clavor said, serious, though there was pride in his eyes.

”When you grow older, we’ll train with real swords. For now, learn how to take care of it.”

Lukas held the dagger carefully.

The weight felt good in his hand. The handle fit perfectly within his small fingers. The blade was cold beneath his gaze.

’It’s not a sword.’ He thought.

’But it’s a start.’

He had no plans to become a swordsman. His heart still belonged to animals, to the zoo of his dreams.

But he understood the value of the gift.

’Protection.’

’Clavor isn’t giving me a weapon to attack.’

’He’s giving me a weapon to defend myself.’

”Thank you, Father. I’ll take good care of it.”

Clavor placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently.

”I know you will.”

Aurora handed him a small package wrapped in light blue cloth, tied with a silver satin ribbon. The wrapping felt soft beneath his fingers.

Inside was a silver necklace bearing the Dmond crest, the three-tailed wolf hanging from a delicate chain that looked fragile but was actually sturdy.

”So you’ll never forget where you came from.” She said softly, her eyes glistening.

”And to protect you wherever you go.”

She placed the necklace around his neck.

The metal felt cold against his skin but quickly warmed from his body heat.

Lukas touched the crest with his fingers.

The three-tailed wolf. The symbol of the Dmond family. The mark of his new family.

”It’s beautiful, Mom. Thank you.”

”You’re beautiful.” She replied, kissing his forehead.

”My baby.”

Finally, Judite handed him a small jar tied with a colorful ribbon. The ribbon was pink and slightly frayed at the end, as though she had cut it herself.

”I made them with Helga!” Judite announced proudly.

”Honey and walnut cookies! I ate one to test them... they’re good!”

Lukas opened the jar.

The scent of honey and cinnamon filled his nostrils. The cookies were small, round, and coated with a thin layer of crystallized sugar. He picked one up and took a bite.

The flavor was sweet, crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside. The honey was strong and slightly floral. The crushed walnuts added texture. The cinnamon brought warmth.

He ate it with obvious enjoyment.

”They’re delicious, Judite. Thank you.”

Judite grinned from ear to ear.

”I told you! I’m the best sister!”

”The only sister.” Lukas corrected.

”The best only sister!”

The day continued with lighthearted conversations.

Clavor told old family stories, how Lukas’s great-grandfather had defeated an invading knight in a duel that lasted three days. How Aurora’s grandmother tamed wild horses with nothing but a glance. How the Dmond crest had been forged by a dwarven blacksmith in exchange for a favor that was never collected.

Aurora softly sang a lullaby about the moon and the stars, the same one she had sung to Lukas when he was a newborn. Her voice was gentle and melancholic, and Lukas found himself closing his eyes for a few moments, simply listening.

Judite chased butterflies, small blue butterflies with shimmering wings that reflected the sunlight. She never caught them, but she did not seem to mind. The joy was in the chase itself.

Lukas watched everything.

His family. The clearing. The sun is moving across the sky. The lengthening shadows.

’I’m memorizing every moment.’ He thought.

’Every laugh. Every word. Every glance.’

’When I’m older, I want to remember this day.’

By late afternoon, the sun began to set, painting the sky orange and pink.

They packed their things, the blankets, the empty basket, and the leftovers that would be taken home for the animals. Judite carried the cookie jar. A few remained, and she swore she ”wasn’t going to eat them all on the way back, just a few.”

Clavor checked the woodland one final time, looking at the trees, the stream, and the paths leading back.

”No danger.” He declared.

”We can go.”

They returned to the mansion along the same path, but the woodland seemed different at dusk. The shadows were longer. The colors are warmer. The birds sang different songs, slower and softer.

Lukas carried his gifts carefully.

The dagger was wrapped in leather, tucked beneath his arm.

The silver necklace around his neck.

The cookie jar was nearly empty. Judite had eaten a few more along the way despite her promises.

’One year.’

He looked at the orange sky, the trees swaying in the wind, his family walking ahead of him.

’One year in this world.’

’And there’s still so much ahead.’

He smiled.

Tilbo, on his left shoulder, moved her antennae gently.

Prata, on his right shoulder, raised one leg toward the setting sun.

And the Dmond family returned home.

The first birthday had been simple, just family, a picnic in the forest, and a few gifts.

But for Lukas, that day marked the true beginning of his journey.