I Built a Divine Zoo in Another World

When he wasn’t studying, he trained. He ran through the forest, his footsteps light and precise. He climbed trees with the agility granted by his web weaving. He hunted small animals, sharpening his precision and patience. He strengthened his body, building endurance and strength for the challenges that lay ahead.

He also continued producing silver threads to sell in the city, slowly accumulating money to achieve his future goals. Every thread sold meant a few more coins saved, another step closer to his dreams.

Meanwhile, his companions continued to grow. Tilbo had become enormous. The ant was now practically the size of a full-grown wolf, its imposing presence dominating any place it entered. Its black carapace gleamed like polished metal, and its mandibles could snap small tree trunks with ease.

At first, the villagers had panicked upon seeing the gigantic ant following the boy. Some had even grabbed their weapons, fearing an attack. Now... they were already used to it. It was simply Tilbo, the gigantic ant that followed Lukas everywhere.

Prata had also grown considerably. She was now over a meter long, her legs long and agile, her eyes shining with an intelligence that unsettled some observers. Even though she was completely docile toward Lukas, people still feared her. After all, she was still a gigantic spider.

Astra had matured as well. Her flight had become extraordinarily silent, almost ghostlike. She could approach prey without making the slightest sound, her wings slicing through the air with absolute precision. Faster than ever, she often disappeared into the forest for hours to hunt, returning only when she was satisfied. She almost always came back carrying animals far larger than before.

The only one who had hardly changed... was the little rat. It remained the same size, its body not growing in the slightest. However, the trust between it and Lukas had developed significantly.

Now it willingly stayed curled up in the boy’s lap, a small ball of gray fur. Sometimes it even slept in his hand, its eyes closed, its breathing calm and steady. Their trust grew slowly, day by day, gesture by gesture.

Lukas was certain that, sooner or later, they too would form a true bond.

...

After so many months, the Dmond family was peacefully gathered for lunch. The table was as abundant as ever, filled with dishes that gave off delicious aromas.

Aurora served the food while Judite enthusiastically recounted stories about her training, her animated gestures nearly knocking over her glass of water several times.

Lukas simply smiled, enjoying listening to his sister. Life was good. The world was vast and full of possibilities. He had time to learn, to grow, and to fulfill his dreams.

At that moment, a servant hurried into the dining room. His expression was serious, his movements quick. He respectfully bowed before Clavor.

”Sir... a letter has arrived from the capital.”

Clavor raised his eyebrows, surprise appearing on his face. The capital... For a few seconds, he remained thoughtful, trying to remember who might be writing from there. Then he remembered. The only person close to him who was there... was Asmon.

Aurora’s face lit up with a broad smile, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

”It must be a letter from Asmon!” She practically rose from her chair, her excitement overflowing.

”It’s been almost three years... maybe he’s finally coming home.”

Her voice was filled with hope and longing. Her eldest son had left for the capital so long ago, and she had missed him every single day.

Lukas smiled as well. He missed his older brother, the conversations they shared, and the lessons he taught him. Asmon was an important figure in his life.

Clavor broke the seal of the letter with a swift motion. His eyes moved across the carefully written lines.

His smile disappeared. His expression slowly hardened, the muscles in his face tightening into a mask of concern.

Aurora noticed immediately. Her own smile faltered.

”Clavor...?”

Judite also became worried, her voice higher than usual.

”Father... did something happen?”

Lukas frowned, a sense of unease growing in his chest.

”Is Asmon alright?”

Clavor finished reading, his eyes still fixed on the letter. He took a deep breath, as though gathering the strength to speak.

Then he slowly handed the letter to Aurora.

”Asmon... won’t be coming back anytime soon.”

”What?” Lukas immediately stood up, his chair scraping against the floor.

”Why?”

Clavor sighed, the air leaving his lungs as though it carried an enormous weight.

His gaze grew heavy, burdened with a concern he rarely revealed.

”A new war is about to begin between the Kingdom of Rhyne... and the Kingdom of Portkar.”

Silence filled the room. The words hung in the air, heavy as lead. No one spoke.

Then he added, his voice quieter.

”Asmon has been summoned. He ended up being recruited into the army of one of the dukes who will lead the military campaign.”

The lighthearted atmosphere of lunch vanished completely. War, something Lukas had only known through history books and the maps he had studied... had finally reached his own family.

Aurora raised a hand to her mouth, her fingers trembling slightly as her eyes scanned the lines of the letter.

The joy that had lit up her face only moments before disappeared entirely, replaced by a worry she could not hide.

”A war...”

Her voice came out softly, almost as a whisper. Clavor slowly nodded.

”According to Asmon, the clashes along the border have already begun. There hasn’t been an official declaration yet, but everyone knows it’s only a matter of time before the entire kingdom is mobilized.”

The hall fell into silence.

Lukas remained motionless, remembering the book he had read a few months earlier. Its pages had described the constant conflicts between Rhyne and Portkar as though they were distant, almost inevitable events. But now, those words were no longer just history.

They had become reality.

Judite lowered her head, quietly clasping her hands in her lap.

”He... he’ll be alright, won’t he?”

Aurora took a deep breath, forcing herself to regain her composure, though her eyes were already glistening with tears.

”He will.”

She answered more to convince herself than anyone else.

”Your brother is strong.”

Clavor carefully folded the letter once more.

”Asmon wrote that we shouldn’t worry. He said that, for now, he’ll continue serving far from the front lines, helping organize the troops while he finishes his training.”

Even so... no one seemed truly relieved.

Because they all knew how quickly wars could change.

Today, he might be safe. Tomorrow... no one could say.

Lukas lowered his eyes in silence.

For the first time since being reborn into this world, he understood that the conflicts described in the books did not belong only to the past.

They were still happening. And sooner or later... they would reach his life as well.