"They become capable of complex thoughts," Krogan continued, his voice calm but heavy with meaning. "Thoughts that extend far beyond survival or instinct. They begin to understand what it means to be a leader. They gather their race beneath them, not merely as a pack, not merely as a herd, but as a people. They guide them, protect them, nurture their growth, hoping one day their kind might rise higher than themselves."

His golden eyes flicked toward the generals beside him, each one a living testament to that truth.

"Most importantly," he went on, "their very presence transforms those around them. The closer a beast is to a king, the more their own intelligence sharpens. They awaken not only themselves, but their kin."

He leaned forward, resting his chin against his knuckles, his gaze fixed on the godlings "You said something good earlier, that beast kings understand their limitations. This is true. But do you know what those limitations truly are?"

Silence hung in the hall, until Krogan answered his own question.

"They recognize the disparity. Not of individual strength, but of strength in number… and in civilization's growth. By the time they are capable of complex thought, they see it clearly: other intelligent beings have already multiplied, built cities, raised empires. By then, the gap is too vast. Even if a beast king wished to challenge them, the scales would never balance."

His tone dropped lower, the weight of his words pressing on every ear.

"In a way, this world is both a blessing and a curse to beast kings. A blessing, because the richness of its essence allows them to grow into what they are. A curse, because once they have become kings, they find themselves shackled, unable to showcase the fullness of that growth."

Krogan lifted one clawed hand, curling it into a fist before unclenching it again. "This is different in lower worlds. There, it is far harder for a beast to rise to kingship. But when they do… the world bends to them. Their strength is unmatched, their presence undisputed."

He let the contrast hang in the air, his gaze unblinking "And so their limitation matches well with my goal. They cannot grow further alone. And I… I am growth made flesh. That is why I need them." His voice rumbled, and the throne beneath him seemed to vibrate faintly. "And that is why they need me".

Krogan's way of speaking shifted again, his tone no longer aimed solely at the young envoys before him. It was broader, spoken to the unseen listeners whose presence pressed against the very fabric of the hall.

"This world is soon about to undergo a change," he said, every word drawn out like a tolling bell. "A change so profound that everything living within it will be forced to play a role. None shall stand outside it. Not gods. Not mortals. Not even the beasts that roam the wilds."

A ripple of unease passed through the godlings. Even without knowing the full weight of his meaning, they could sense the depth in his words.

"It so happens, "Krogan continued, his eyes narrowing, "that I know the role beast kings could play in this change. A role that will, in turn, elevate me, yes. But more than that, a role that will strengthen this world itself. Make it greater. Make it ready."

He paused, studying the gathered youths before him, and then leaned forward. "Tell me, have you ever thought of fighting alongside beast kings? Of wielding their strength, not as trophies or slaves, but as allies?"

The question landed like a stone dropped into still water. The godlings frowned almost in unison, their feathers ruffling, tails twitching, claws flexing. It was absurd on its face, why would they ever need the strength of beast kings, when their own divine blood, their own unity, had always been enough?

And yet… none of them hurried to answer.

The silence stretched, heavier than before, because the absurdity was not so easily brushed aside.

The godlings shook their heads in response to Krogan's question, a mixture of disbelief and uncertainty on their faces. Krogan did not seem offended. Instead, he leaned back slightly, a slow, deliberate smile forming.

"You haven't thought of it because you are strong," he said, his voice calm but edged with weight. "The humans, however… they are not as strong as you. They are eager, willing to expand their view of what strength truly is."

His eyes flicked across the hall, golden light catching off the obsidian and bone of the palace. "Their problem is that they go about it the wrong way. They see the beast kings as nothing more than clever beasts. They try to tame them as they do with their pets, but of course, it never works."

A quiet settled over the hall. Even the generals remained still, the snake-haired woman's serpents barely twitching as they listened. Krogan stayed silent for a moment, letting the weight of his words sink in.

Finally, he spoke again, his tone low and deliberate, carrying through the golden hall like distant thunder. "I plan to ascend to godhood soon. And the beast kings…" His gaze hardened. "…are my ticket. Through them, I will birth a system that spreads across this world, one that will be used by everyone and, I hope, by the godlings as well."

Shock rippled through the godlings. Their eyes widened, their previous confidence faltering. Ascension to godhood was a concept beyond even their understanding in this context. They felt suddenly small in comparison.

Yet, having come this far, they kept their seats, forcing calm over rising fear. One of them spoke, voice steady despite the shock.

"What system is this?"

Krogan's lips curved into a slow smile. His eyes gleamed with amusement and certainty "The Summoner System," he said simply, as though the name itself carried the weight of inevitability.

"It is a system of symbiosis, not servitude," Krogan explained, leaning forward on his throne, the golden light of the palace reflecting off his claws and shoulders. His voice carried with quiet authority, yet underneath it hummed a current of power that made even the generals stiffen.

"The humans in your world," he continued, eyes narrowing slightly, "are trying to enslave the beast kings. They aim to break their spirits, to force obedience. This… is a fool's errand. You cannot contain a force of nature. But you can learn to wield it."

He raised a massive hand, and in the space above the hall, a shimmering, ethereal sigil formed. It was intricate, a beast's silhouette intertwined with a humanoid figure, their forms merging in perfect symmetry. The air around it pulsed faintly, as if alive.

"The Summoner System," Krogan said, letting the words roll over the godlings, "is a magical contract, a pact of equals. A human, or any mortal, can form a profound bond with the beast or beast king in my realm. It is not ownership. It is unity. A fusion of will and spirit, creating a Summoner and a Summoned Monarch."

The hall remained silent, Krogan's gaze swept across the godlings, as if measuring their understanding.

"Through this bond," he continued, "the Summoner can access the immense power of the beast king. And in turn, the beast king gains a direct conduit to the outside world. Every battle fought, every challenge faced by the Summoner, contributes to the beast king's experience and strength, accelerating its journey toward the sixth stage. Their growth becomes exponential, fueled by the countless ambitions, victories, and failures of their mortal partners."

"My city, my kingdom, my Menagerie… it is a training ground," Krogan declared, his voice a low, triumphant roar that resonated through the palace like rolling thunder. "And I am the ultimate arbiter of every pact, the nexus through which this new power flows. It will elevate me. It will make me the creator and master of a new form of godhood."

The godlings remained silent, their feathers ruffling and tails twitching. They realized, as Krogan continued to speak, that his words were no longer directed at them. They were an exposition, a declaration meant for some far larger audience.

"The number of beast kings in this world," Krogan said, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees, "is minuscule compared to the number of races in this world. They number only in the hundreds, which honestly, is not surprising. Magical beast growth is slow, far slower than most other beings."

He paused, letting the silence emphasize the weight of the revelation. Then his eyes glinted with measured intensity. "The current beast kings in this world… they are as old as, or even older than, the first kingdoms that appeared in this world. They grow slowly, yes, but in turn, they are blessed with extraordinarily long lifespans."

Krogan's gaze shifted slightly, sweeping the hall as if counting the potential hidden within it. "My Summoner System is meant not only for the beast kings, but for all magical beasts. The purpose is simple: to shrink the time it takes for them to grow, through the bond with their partner, and to if even briefly glimpse the path to the sixth stage."

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