Chapter 16 Magical Pet Sanctuary

My excitement matched Lumi's as we both eagerly anticipated our visit to the magical zoo. However, I couldn't help but think about Alitia and whether she would be joining us. I voiced my concern, "But what about Alitia? Are the three of us going together?"

Lumi froze in place, her face betraying the fact that she had completely forgotten about Alitia. Slowly turning her head towards me, she mustered a sheepish smile.

"Um... ehem, I completely forgot about big sis. But don't worry, Kazuki, we can sneak out and leave her behind. I'm sure Helen can inform her that we left early. Alitia is probably busy with Olivia, you know how they are... always playfully fighting and getting touchy-feely, play-fighting and touching each other while pretending not to." Lumi giggled comically, even mimicking the face of a perverted old man.

Helen chimed in, her voice tinged with amusement.

 "Lumi, spreading rumors like that isn't nice. People might take it seriously. Alitia and Olivia are simply... friends."

I couldn't help but wonder about the long pause.

 "Hmm, what's really going on between them?" I pondered silently.

Lumi continued, "Ahh! Helen, please let Alitia know that I left early with Kazuki. I don't want to meet her after she loses to Olivia. She'll be clingy and act all sad about her loss, hugging and touching me like I'm a little kid. Yuck!" Lumi exclaimed, expressing her distaste for Alitia's affectionate behavior.

"Fine, fine. I'll let her know. Just be careful, okay? Remember, someone recently tried to harm you. Stay vigilant," Helen cautioned, concern etched on her face.

"I will, and Kazuki is with me. He'll protect me, right?" Lumi turned to me, her eyes shining with trust and innocence.

"That goes without saying. I won't allow anything to happen to such a lovely girl while I'm around!" I replied, my voice filled with pride and unwavering confidence.

"Well then, I'll go and deliver the news to Alitia. You two better get going. I have a feeling she'll come after you the moment she finds out you've left," Helen said as she exited the room.

Lumi grabbed my hand, brimming with energy and excitement. 

"Kazuki, Kazuki! We can leave through these doors. I know all the secret passages in this mansion," she yelled, her expression shifting from excitement to horror as she continued, "I used to come here with my parents. Olivia and Alitia were always around. I still remember the days when I would hide from them, trying to escape their playful attempts to coax me out of my hiding spots with tasty treats. They would chase me through these corridors, trying to cuddle and cradle me. Running after me with cute and frilly dresses in their hands with the intent to dress me in them. It was horrible!"

I let out a nervous laugh, trying to ease the tension. "Hehehe, that must have been quite an adventure. But don't worry, Lumi, I'll be right here with you."

After a few minutes of navigating through the intricately designed corridors of Helen's mansion, we emerged into the radiant sunlight outside. Lumi, with her familiar confidence, took the lead as we walked toward the zoo. Fortunately, it was located within a short distance from Helen's majestic abode.

  As we made our way through the enchanting streets of Luminecia, the bustling sounds of the city gradually faded, replaced by the soothing rustle of leaves and the distant calls of exotic creatures. Lumi's excitement was high, her steps light and eager as she guided us through the winding paths. With Lumi leading the way, we reached the sanctuary's gates, we were greeted by a chorus of melodious bird songs and other animals' voices.

The Magic Zoo gates stood tall, their sheer size captivating. Crafted with beautiful detail by skilled artisans who had poured their talents into their creations. The gates gleamed in a lustrous gold hue, their majestic presence drawing the eyes.

Intricate carvings decorated the surface of the gates, depicting enchanting scenes of mystical creatures, swirling spells, and fantastical landscapes. Each intricate detail was etched into the metal. The golden color reflected the wonder and enchantment that awaited within. 

The zoo, a vibrant sanctuary of nature's wonders, greeted us with open arms. Lush foliage intertwined with colorful blooms, creating a scenic setting that breathed life into the surroundings. The air was filled with a harmonious blend of scents, from the earthy fragrance of the forest to the sweet aroma of tropical flowers.

As we stood by the gates of the magic zoo, Lumi's eyes sparkled with excitement.

 "Kazuki, Kazuki! I would love to show you the baby griffins first. They are simply adorable and irresistibly cute. Follow me, and I'll lead you to all the best parts of the zoo!"

Unable to resist her infectious enthusiasm, I surrendered myself to Lumi's guidance as she eagerly tugged me along.

 "Lead the way, Lumi. I am genuinely excited to witness creatures that do not exist in my world," I replied with a smile, eager to explore the magical wonders that awaited us.

Lumi's vibrant energy guided us through the zoo, and soon we arrived at a massive cage that resembled a spacious room adorned with jungle-themed decor. With a sense of wonder, I gazed inside the enclosure as Lumi pointed her finger, revealing a delightful sight: baby griffins. These magnificent creatures bore a resemblance to a fusion of a large dog and an eagle, with their majestic wings and four powerful legs.

To my surprise, the cage was left open, allowing the griffins the freedom to come and go as they pleased. Concern filled my mind as I voiced my apprehension, "Lumi, is it safe to leave the cage open like this? What if they run away or pose a threat to the visitors?"

Lumi responded swiftly, her voice filled with reassurance, "There's no need to worry, Kazuki. These griffins are not aggressive by nature, and they won't run away. This zoo provides a safe haven for them, with ample food and water. They have no reason to venture into the dangerous forest when they have everything they need here. The same applies to all the creatures in this zoo. They choose to stay because they feel secure and protected. That is why this place is called the sanctuary."

As we conversed, a few playful baby griffins stumbled towards us, their innocent curiosity evident in their eyes. Laughter bubbled from our lips as the adorable creatures playfully nuzzled our hands, their soft feathers tickling our skin. Lumi's eyes lit up with delight as she lavished them with gentle strokes and affection.

After satisfying her desire to pet the baby griffins, Lumi led me further into the magical zoo, eager to showcase more extraordinary creatures that would enchant our senses. With each step, I couldn't help but marvel at the beautiful environment.

Next, we entered a spacious, open room adorned with a massive cocoon that stretched from the ceiling to the ground. The cocoon was riddled with holes, emitting a faint buzzing sound. It bore a resemblance to a gargantuan wasp hive, which triggered a sense of unease within me. My expression contorted into a worried frown, but Lumi couldn't help but chuckle at my distress. She looked at me with amusement twinkling in her eyes and said, "Don't worry, Kazuki. This isn't a bee hive. It's actually the dwelling place of pixies, they do not sting. We call it a pixie hive."

As I observed more closely, I noticed insect-like creatures fluttering about in the vicinity. Some of them ventured closer to us, allowing me to examine their features in detail. These pixies resembled tiny humanoid dolls with dragonfly-like wings, their bodies no larger than a soda can. Delicate antennas adorned their heads, and their compound eyes exuded a peculiar insectoid charm.

While the pixies did not appear grotesque, my dislike of insects left me with mixed feelings about their presence. However, their graceful flight and intriguing humanoid characteristics offered a sense of wonder that mitigated my initial discomfort.

Lumi, noticing my hesitance, reassured me with a gentle smile. 

"They may look unusual, but pixies are harmless and quite fascinating. They possess innate magical abilities and are known for their mischievous nature. Don't worry, they won't cause any harm. In fact, they can be quite delightful company once you get to know them."

"What? They can talk?" I asked in surprise.

Lumi laughed, "No, they can't talk but they are great listeners."

After pixies, Lumi gently tugged at my arm, guiding me toward the next room. As we approached, she whispered a warning, "Kazuki, the next creature we'll encounter can be quite dangerous if you don't follow my instructions."

An uneasy feeling settled in my stomach upon hearing that a potentially dangerous magical creature awaited us.

 "What should I do, and what should I avoid?" I asked, eager to understand the nature of the impending threat.

Lumi's voice lowered to a hushed tone as we neared the entrance of the next room. 

"This is the habitat of a fearsome creature known as the Wrestling Raccoon. Despite its cute and fluffy appearance, don't be deceived. It possesses exceptional fighting skills."

The mention of a raccoon made me smile, as I recalled encounters with these mischievous creatures in my world. I couldn't comprehend why Lumi appeared concerned about a raccoon.

 "Does this raccoon possess any extraordinary abilities like spitting fire or using magic?" I asked, curious about the potential dangers it posed.

Lumi looked at me with a touch of pity, shaking her head.

 "No, it's just a raccoon, not a magician. However, the Wrestling Raccoon is known for its unique behavior. If it approaches you and locks its eyes on yours, you must avert your gaze within five seconds. Failure to do so will be interpreted as accepting its challenge."

Suppressing a laugh at the absurdity of the situation, I responded, "So, if I understand correctly if I maintain eye contact for more than five seconds, it considers it a challenge?"

Lumi nodded earnestly. "That's right. It's their way of challenging potential opponents. So, it's important to divert your gaze within that timeframe, or it may interpret it as acceptance and engage in combat."

Chuckling at the quirkiness of the Wrestling Raccoon's behavior, I assured Lumi, "Alright, I'll keep that in mind. I'll be sure to avoid any unnecessary challenges from our fluffy friend."