A New Family

Light flashed as the roulette wheel came to a stop. Psi held her breath, staring at the result. And then the rewards appeared one by one.

I slowly scanned the list.

"Hmm..."

More variety than I'd expected. Rubber ball, frisbee, tactile play mat. They looked like toys, similar to the insect fishing rod from last time. Probably tools to help with Psi's growth and affection level.

I glanced at Psi. She was already wagging her tail slightly, as if imagining the rubber ball.

"...You like it?"

A soft chuckle escaped me. But the real prizes were elsewhere.

"Three of them..."

I stared at it in momentary surprise. If I got a new egg, this would drastically cut down the growth time.

And next.

I was at a loss for words.

"Psi's abilities... for me?"

This wasn't just any weapon. It grew stronger the deeper the bond with Psi. Unconsciously, I reached out and stroked Psi's head. Her small body shifted softly under my touch.

And one more.

Team combat gear. Hard to picture now, but... once more dinosaurs joined the family, it'd be a huge asset.

And finally, what caught my eye.

I swallowed unconsciously. This one felt important.

And the very last one that caught my eye.

Psi wagged her tail quietly beside me. As if saying,

'Dad... there's one more.'

I smiled faintly. "Yeah."

I took a deep breath and closed the window. Ten gacha tickets. Their results weren't mere items. They were possibilities. The future. And family.

"Psi."

Her small eyes looked up at me.

"Now for the real next step..." I said slowly. "Let's welcome a new family member."

This time, there was no hesitation. I stood with Psi in front of the nest, holding the Dinosaur Egg Gacha Ticket in my hand.

Suddenly, I recalled the day I first met Psi. Back then, I had no preparations. Just excitement and fear. But now was different. I had an incubator, growth tools. And most importantly, experience.

I met Psi's eyes. "Let's do it together."

Carefully, I used the gacha ticket. Light gathered, and an egg appeared atop the nest. A softly glowing egg. Just like before, I slowly tapped the egg on the screen.

Flash.

As the light faded, a real egg materialized on the bed. I held my breath and lifted it with both hands. It was warm.

And in that moment, the status window appeared.

"A pterosaur..."

I gazed at the egg. A flying species. Completely different from Psi.

"Gonna be awesome..."

I immediately pulled out the incubator and gently placed the egg inside. Temperature and humidity adjusted automatically, a soft light spreading. The egg inside glowed as if breathing quietly.

"Welcome to the family."

I said slowly, looking at the egg in the incubator. Then I turned to Psi.

"Psi, you have a little sibling now."

Psi approached the incubator, stared for a long time, then wagged her tail slightly. Her eyes held more curiosity than jealousy.

I smiled. "Let's get along."

"We're a family of three now."

Welcome to the family.

At that moment, the egg in the incubator trembled ever so faintly.

Tap.

As if in reply. I watched for a moment, then smiled.

"Yeah... that was a hello, right?"

The air in the room filled with quiet excitement.

Break time ended, and afternoon class approached. I headed to the training ground, carefully cradling Psi and the incubator.

The wide field was already packed with students warming up or checking gear.

"Your injuries... okay?"

Her usual curt tone carried clear concern. I smiled lightly and nodded.

"Yeah. I'm good. Got treated."

Lee Sea glanced at my back, then let out a small sigh. "Good."

Then the Instructor approached slowly. His footsteps alone straightened the field's atmosphere.

"I can guide the others' abilities directly," he said, arms crossed. "But yours is beyond my reach."

He paused, thinking, then added while looking at me, "Still, I can teach basic physical training and self-defense. What weapons do you prefer?"

I opened my mouth, then hesitated. Truth was, I hadn't properly handled any.

The Instructor spoke first. "No, asking that was odd."

His eyes sharpened. "You need to master all weapons."

I bowed. "Please take care of me."

Class began. I carefully set Psi and the incubator in a visible spot off to the side. Psi sat in front, tail curled protectively around it. She occasionally looked up at me.

I waved lightly. "Take care of it, Psi."

A small chirp came back.

Training started immediately—no ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠rest for the body. Run, roll, get up. I lost count of the laps on the sand.

"Maintain speed!"

The Instructor's voice boomed. I gritted my teeth and kept running. Breath ragged, legs heavy. My body felt like it was sinking into the ground.

Glancing up briefly, I saw Psi. By the incubator, raising a front paw as if mimicking me. Soon she was circling it, imitating a run.

I couldn't help but laugh. "Cheering me on from there, huh...?"

Psi wagged her tail proudly. That tiny encouragement somehow lightened my weary body.

Training continued until sunset. By evening's end, I was on the verge of collapse.

"Hah... hah... gonna die..."

I gasped, hands on knees. The Instructor approached slowly.

"Still a long way to go."

Firm words. But he added, "That said... you're showing progress."

Those words fueled me strangely. I bowed my head. "Thank you."

After class, I carried Psi and the incubator back to the dormitory. Opening the door, the room was quiet. The training ground noise and student voices felt distant now.

I carefully placed the incubator on the desk by the bed. Psi sat beside it, staring at the egg intently.

I opened the status window.

"Fast..."

Definitely the incubator's effect. Progressing much quicker than with Psi.

I sat by the incubator, chin in hand. The egg inside emitted a soft glow.

"You need a name now, huh."

I pondered. "Dimorphodon..." Too long.

"Dimo... or Dmol?"

At that moment, the egg in the incubator tilted slightly.

Tap.

As if answering. I laughed.

"Yeah. Dmol it is?"

"From now on, your name's Dmol. Nice to meet you."

Then the status window flashed.

"Names really matter, huh."

Not just a label. The start of a bond.

I hugged Psi tightly. "We'll see your sibling's face soon, Psi."

Psi chirped softly, rubbing against me. Then the egg in the incubator shook faintly again.

Tap.

I smiled, murmuring, "Grow fast so we can meet, Dmol."

Quiet ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠anticipation filled the room.

Night deepened. I lay on the bed. Psi curled tight against my side, and Dmol in the incubator glowed softly, as if breathing.

Now we were three. Small breaths overlapped in the space.

I closed my eyes slowly. "See you tomorrow."

My soft murmur made Psi's tail twitch. And the room held only warm, quiet peace.