I Built a Divine Zoo in Another World

Lukas immediately raised his head, his eyes widening.

”You too, Father?”

Clavor smiled, a smile that carried decades of memories.

”Yes.” His gaze became distant for a brief moment, as if he were seeing something only he could see.

”It was with this very manual that I formed my Mana Source... decades ago.”

Lukas looked back at the book, his fingers tracing the cover with newfound reverence. Suddenly, the object seemed to hold an even greater meaning. It was not just a manual. It was part of his father’s history. It was the same knowledge that had allowed Clavor to become the strong man he had admired since childhood.

He slowly ran his fingers across one of the pages, feeling the texture of the aged paper.

”Can I read it now?”

”Of course.” Clavor nodded, crossing his arms over his chest.

”In fact, I want you to read it all very carefully.”

He pointed toward the sky, where the sun still hung above the horizon, painting the clouds in shades of orange and pink.

”We won’t begin immediately.”

Lukas blinked in confusion.

”We won’t?”

”We’ll wait until night falls.”

The boy tilted his head slightly, a wrinkle of confusion appearing on his forehead.

”Why?”

Clavor sat down on a nearby rock, his posture relaxed yet attentive. He gestured for Lukas to sit as well, indicating the ground in front of him.

”Because this method depends on the moon.”

Lukas settled onto the grass, naturally crossing his legs. The manual remained open on his lap, his hands carefully holding its edges.

Clavor began explaining patiently, his voice calm and instructive.

”During the day, the ambient mana is extremely active.”

He picked up a small dried leaf from the ground, its brown surface brittle and fragile. The leaf slowly spun between his fingers as though dancing.

”The sun warms the entire world. The currents of mana become more agitated, faster, and more unstable.”

He released the leaf. The wind immediately carried it away, making it dance across the clearing.

”It’s like trying to see the moon’s reflection on a lake during a storm.”

Lukas listened attentively, absorbing every word.

”At night, the opposite happens.” Clavor pointed toward the sky, where the first stars were beginning to appear.

”The moon’s influence makes mana calmer. It flows more slowly, becomes quieter, and is much easier to gather.”

He smiled faintly, his eyes shining with ancient knowledge.

”It is precisely that tranquility that the Lunar Source Manual uses to form the core.”

Lukas immediately returned to reading, his eyes scanning the pages with a hunger that surprised even himself. Every line was absorbed, every diagram studied, and every handwritten note in the margins carefully examined.

A few moments later, another question arose.

”It says here...” His eyes quickly moved across the lines, his finger following the text.

”’Visualize a crescent moon rising in the center of your chest.’” He looked at Clavor with a curious expression.

”Does that literally mean imagining a moon?”

”Exactly.” Clavor answered without hesitation.

”Every technique requires a mental image. In this method, the moon represents stability, constancy, and the gentle yet relentless force that shapes the tides.”

He paused briefly, meeting his son’s eyes.

”As you inhale, you absorb mana. As you exhale, you slowly guide that mana toward your heart.”

He drew a small circle over his own chest, his fingers tracing an invisible arc.

”At the same time, visualize a small moon growing inside it.”

Lukas remained completely focused, his mind forming vivid images from his father’s words.

”Each breath adds another layer of mana. Layer upon layer. Like a blacksmith forging a sword, one strike after another.”

The boy smiled, understanding lighting up his face. The comparison made perfect sense to him after so many weeks of practicing with the sword.

He turned a few more pages, his eyes capturing every detail. There were drawings showing tiny streams of energy converging toward the heart, arrows indicating the path of mana. Other illustrations showed common mistakes, such as mana dispersing or gathering in the wrong places. In one of them, the mana seemed to escape entirely from the chest, dissipating like smoke.

”What if I make a mistake?” he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.

Clavor answered immediately, his voice calm and reassuring.

”Nothing serious. Your body is now strong enough to endure it. The mana will simply disperse. You’ll feel a slight pain in your chest and have to start over.”

His tone became more serious, his eyes locking onto his son’s.

”But there is one condition. Never try to speed up the process.”

His voice became firm, almost solemn.

”Impatience is the Lunar Source’s greatest enemy. If you try to force it, if you try to rush the process, the mana may become unstable. It can cause damage that will take weeks to heal.”

Lukas nodded, engraving every word into his memory.

He continued reading, each page bringing new explanations. The proper posture is a straight back and relaxed shoulders. Hands resting on the knees with palms open. Slow, deep breathing, each cycle lasting several seconds. The importance of eliminating unnecessary thoughts and emptying the mind.

After a few minutes, another question came to him.

”Father...” He raised his head again, meeting his father’s eyes.

”How long does it take to form a Mana Source?”

Clavor crossed his arms, his expression becoming thoughtful.

”It depends on the individual. Some manage it in a single night. Others take several days. There are even those who need weeks.”

He smiled, a nostalgic expression appearing on his face.

”It took me three full nights.”

Lukas’ eyes widened slightly in surprise.

”Three?”

”Yes.” Clavor nodded, his voice carrying the weight of memory.

”And there was nothing wrong with that. Everyone has their own pace.”

He looked toward the sky, where the orange was slowly giving way to crimson, the colors of the sunset spreading like paint through water.

”Remember...” His voice softened, almost like gentle advice.

”Forming the Source is only the first step. It is born extremely small, fragile, incapable of holding large amounts of mana.”

Lukas listened to every word, his eyes fixed on his father.

”Afterward, you’ll learn how to strengthen it, nourish it, and expand its capacity. Only then will you truly begin strengthening your body.”

He paused briefly, allowing the words to sink in.

”Most beginners take weeks before they can use mana to strengthen a single arm. Months before they can strengthen their entire body.”

Lukas took a deep breath, feeling the cool air fill his lungs. It was a long road, one that would require patience and perseverance. But now he could finally walk it.

He continued reading the rest of the manual, carefully turning each page. Time passed quietly, each minute bringing him closer to the moment he had been waiting for.

The sky grew darker and darker, the vibrant colors of sunset giving way to the deep blue of night. The first stars appeared above the treetops, tiny points of light shining like diamonds upon the dark velvet of the sky.

Before long, an almost full moon slowly rose above the horizon, its silver form emerging from behind the distant trees. Its light bathed the entire forest in a soft silvery glow, completely transforming the landscape.

The clearing changed completely. The warmth of the day vanished, replaced by a pleasant coolness. The breeze turned crisp, carrying the scent of earth and leaves. The sounds of the night began replacing the songs of the birds, crickets chirping, owls calling, and insects humming.

The entire forest seemed to breathe with a different rhythm, slower, deeper, as though it were preparing for something important.

Lukas carefully closed the manual, his fingers brushing across the cover one last time. He took a deep breath, feeling anxiety and excitement mingle within his chest. Then he looked up at his father.

”I’m finished.”

Clavor approached, his footsteps silent upon the grass.

”Do you understand the method?”

Lukas nodded firmly, his voice filled with conviction.

”Lunar Breathing. Inhale slowly. Guide the mana to the heart. Visualize the crescent moon. Don’t rush. Don’t force it. Remain calm.”

Clavor smiled with satisfaction, pride shining in his eyes.

”Very good.”

He extended his hand, a simple yet meaningful gesture. Lukas grasped it and stood up, his movements steady and confident.

The man quickly observed the moon’s position, his eyes scanning the sky with the precision born of years of experience. It was still slowly climbing, its light spreading across the clearing.

”We’ll wait a little longer. I want it to rise higher.” He looked at his son once again, his expression serious.

”In the meantime, completely empty your mind. Let all your anxiety disappear.”

His voice became firm, carrying unquestionable authority.

”From this point onward, every breath will matter.”

Lukas pressed the manual against his chest, feeling the aged leather against his skin. His heart pounded rapidly, but there was no longer any fear or frustration. Only anticipation, a pure and vibrant excitement that filled his entire being.

Above them, the moon continued its slow ascent across the heavens, its silver light bathing the forest in an ethereal glow.

And on that night, for the first time in his life, Lukas would begin forging his own Mana Source.