Would you like to come with me? (Part 1)

A minute passed.

Riley's mother's voice was slightly louder than usual, but her facial expression remained calm. "I'm going to the restroom."

The staff member said, "Turn left up ahead, and then take a right."

Riley's mother nodded and headed to the right.

"Ma'am, it's to the left," the staff member reminded.

Riley's mother stiffened for a moment, then turned to the left as if nothing had happened.

This made Riley chuckle inwardly: Mom, your strong and independent woman persona just took a hit.

He turned his attention back to the Fire Dogs, his though return to them once more.

Riley noticed that they were so lively and full of energy, not a single one sitting still.

It's not unreasonable for people to say choosing Dovely and its evolutions line as their initial Spirit Beasts for a Novice Beast Tamer is a good choice...

Riley couldn't help but ask, "Are there any Fire Dogs with quieter personalities?"

The staff member tactfully replied, "Actually, we have many other types of Spirit Beasts in our facility."

Riley understood instantly.

After all, he had the soul of an adult, and even without Beast Tamer experience, he didn't think he'd be as helpless as a 15 year old when dealing with spirited and lively Spirit Beasts.

In that case, he decided to focus on the Fire Dogs he found visually appealing, regardless of their personalities.

"Can I take a closer look at that one?"

Riley noticed a Fire Dog that was purposefully but methodically ramming into a tree, not in a reckless manner but with determined focus.

Riley felt like its target wasn't the tree but to train itself. After all, who would mindlessly ram into a tree without purpose?

"Of course," the staff member replied.

"Tweet!" She picked up the metallic whistle hanging from her chest and produced a sharp sound.

All the Fire Dogs stopped in their tracks, their attention fully on her, no longer causing any chaos.

A few Fire Dogs tilted their heads.

"Yah?"

Was it mealtime?

With no flames obstructing them, the staff member walked into the Fire Dog enclosure and picked up the chosen Fire Dog.

"Yah?"

The Fire Dog blinked its bewildered eyes, and its flame-like ears twitched.

The Fire Dog was placed in front of Riley.

Fire Dogs were small canine like Spirit Beasts, with fiery red fur adorned with a few black stripes, and a tuft of orange fur on their foreheads.

The one before Riley stood at about 60 centimeters tall, noticeably smaller than the others, and had a fresh injury on its forehead from the recent collision. Its black, watery eyes looked at him, almost inviting to put a gentle touch on it's head.

It seemed less fiery and more pitiable compared to the others.

In his mind, Riley automatically imagined the bittersweet story of a weak Fire Dog being bullied, losing its food, and ultimately striving to become stronger.

The recent tree collision was probably an attempt to practice some special move, like Flame Charge and the like.

The staff member explained, "This Fire Dog is the youngest in our facility, less than a month old."

So, it wasn't weak but just very young.