Elise sat down right beside him immediately.
Theo spread out the stack of papers containing well over a thousand resources across the table.
Rustle!
Elise had already picked up the first paper and quietly read through it.
Only a few seconds later, she tossed it over her shoulder.
’’Garbage,’’ she said, picking up the next one.
Theo’s mouth fell open slightly.
’It... doesn’t look like she’s fully composed yet,’ he thought, watching her snatch another paper.
It felt more like he was looking at a hyperactive Owen instead of the cold instructor he used to have.
Except, looking at her actions, Theo felt like something else was going on.
As her eyes raced across the papers, she repeatedly bit down on her bottom lip.
’Excitement?’ he thought, raising an eyebrow. ’No, it seems more like a hopeful expression.’
It was very subtle.
Had he not spent so much time training under her, he probably would’ve missed it entirely.
’If this is that important to her too...’
A small smile appeared on his face.
’Then all the more reason to get this done.’
His gaze drifted to the countless sheets covering the table.
’A-rank Dark Corsis bones, S-rank Black Widow venom, S-rank Fire Fang core...’
Rustle!
Another sheet flew over Elise’s shoulder.
Finally, after a few seconds, her gaze stopped.
’’Here,’’ she said, pointing at a name. ’’We’ll keep this one aside.’’
Theo glanced over, raising an eyebrow.
’’S-rank Wind Wolf bones?’’ he asked.
Elise nodded right away.
’’I was there when this beast was caught,’’ she said. ’’And its strength bordered that of a Disaster-class.’’
Without another word, she flicked the paper to the opposite side of the table.
’’Two more things about it,’’ she continued. ’’Its wind element is a perfect combination for you, and it’s capable of flight through it.’’
Theo’s eyes lit up slightly.
’Flight...’
That was the one requirement he’d already decided on before coming here.
His second requirement was good potential, and that was it for all the requirements he had.
As for elements?
Each had its own uses and counters.
But none of that mattered if it was a weak creature that couldn’t help him in future battles.
Therefore, he’d decided to look at that last.
Time slowly passed by as they scoured through the papers.
Eventually, Elise regained her usual composure, though Theo could still tell how much this had affected her.
Finally, Elise picked up the final piece of paper.
Her eyes skimmed over the list of resources before slowly nodding.
’’We’ll keep this one too,’’ she said.
Theo leaned over slightly.
’’S-rank Sky Sapphire core?’’
Elise nodded once.
’’It’s relatively good, and you can think of it as a large, blue eagle.’’
Without another word, she placed the paper on a tiny stack opposite them.
Theo let out a deep sigh and leaned back.
’’That’s finally done,’’ he muttered, letting out a yawn.
Only a moment later, Elise pushed back her chair, scraping it over countless sheets of paper.
She picked up the small stack of papers immediately and set it down in front of him.
’’We’re not done yet,’’ she said, sitting back down. ’’We’re getting to the fun part now.’’
Theo stared at the stack of papers for a moment.
Finally, he let out a defeated sigh.
’’You’re right,’’ he said, leaning forward. ’’Let’s start on the next part.’’
Out of 1,322 resources, only about 60 had been worth their attention according to Elise.
She quickly organized the papers into soul fragments, bones, and cores.
’’Alright,’’ she said, her gaze landing on the tiniest stack with only a few papers. ’’Look through the soul fragments first.’’
Theo nodded once and pulled four sheets of paper toward him.
’Only such a small percentage are soul fragments, huh,’ he thought.
But he knew that having this many by itself was already a huge accomplishment.
As he spread the pages out in front of him, his gaze swept across all of them.
’’S-rank Galehorn Unicorn, S-rank Earth Roc, S-rank Manticore, and finally, the S-rank Shadowstalker.’’
Each creature had its own strengths and weaknesses.
Though Theo passed on one option right away.
’The Shadowstalker can’t fly,’ he thought. ’Leaving just those three.’
The Manticore wasn’t something he was unfamiliar with.
It was quite the famous creature, known for its fire, poison, and earth elements.
’’I’d put away the Manticore too,’’ Elise suddenly said. ’’From what I’ve heard, it’s way too aggressive and often attacks its own summoner or bails on them.’’
Theo paused for a moment.
Without another thought, he pushed that paper away.
’’Thank you,’’ he said. ’’Really don’t want to bother with that.’’
Elise only smiled as she nodded once.
Theo’s gaze shifted to the next sheet.
The S-rank Earth Roc.
It was famous for its immense wingspan, stretching several dozen yards while rocky feathers covered its body completely.
’Exceptional endurance... can carry countless people... Earth, Wind, and Metal affinities upon maturity.’
He slowly nodded.
’A solid choice.’
Only as he reached the bottom of its section did his brows gradually furrow.
’Due to its immense size, the Earth Roc possesses relatively poor acceleration and maneuverability compared to other aerial S-rank creatures.’
Theo pressed his lips together.
That wasn’t ideal at all.
Even so, if it was combined with proper bones and a suitable core, it might be possible to enhance its speed by making it less large.
Theo’s gaze shifted to the final option.
The S-rank Galehorn Unicorn.
Unlike the other creatures, this one had an image attached to it.
And to say this creature didn’t look absolutely stunning would be a complete lie.
It had a long, snow-white coat while a pair of wings extended from its back, coupled with one massive golden horn on its forehead.
Theo quietly read through its description.
’Naturally intelligent... exceptional maneuverability... Wind, Light, and Space affinities upon maturity.’
His eyes widened slightly.
’’Space?’’ he muttered.
A small smile appeared on his face.
’’That’s incredible.’’
He continued reading to the bottom of its description.
’Due to its small frame, it can carry three to five people.’
’Being a descendant of the legendary Wind Kirin, it possesses immense pride and a reluctance to battle weaker opponents.’
Theo slowly lowered the page.
A smile appeared on his face.
’’I think I’ve made my decision.’’