Searching for the entrance of the underground shelter, Jason could already see a small number of humans with a higher mana core rank leaving it, as he activated his mana eyes to search for the Fler's mana fluctuations.

Jason spent months with them and he was clearly aware how their mana fluctuations looked like.

His two soulbonds were already back inside his soul world in order to prevent anyone from misunderstanding the beast's appearance, which might create a sudden attack that would kill them.

Time passed slowly and he was still unable to find the four Fler's, which increased his anxiety further as he already was extremely nervous thanks to Shane's injury.

Jason was still unsure what he should think about the appearance of the three foreign race convoys, but it definitely changed his whole life due to multiple reasons.

Not only did he found out that he might be a halfling from another race, but Shane was also forced to reveal himself, which would force his masters to flee once again.

This was what he couldn't really comprehend because, except for him and Dalia, only four others saw him, which was not a large number.

'Do they really have to flee, only because of that?' He wondered, but thinking that the Drake family patriarch would most likely demand a report about what happened, Jason began to slowly comprehend how significant it was for Shane and Dalia to leave Astrix.

'In the end, Old Drake and Till can't possibly disguise everything...This means that the chance of Shane and Dalia being discovered on Astrix is exponentially rising...They really have to go soon, huh?' 

However, right now, Jason couldn't complain about this in his mind, when he perceived multiple familiar mana fluctuations, as he exerted his weightless step technique to charge towards the Fler's who emerged out of the underground shelter entrance.

Malia's appearance was still haggard, but she gained some weight and looked much better than before and Jason smiled brightly when he appeared in front of the family of four.

Gabriella and Mark noticed someone charging at them at first and seeing familiar golden eyes with pitch-black hair, their sour mood immediately brightened up.

Being underground for multiple days was extremely exhausting and taxing to their mentally, even more so when the underground shelter shook violently with dozens of highly compressed shadow needles piercing through it.

This caused a mass-panic and it was still unknown how many humans had been overrun, which increased the panic further.

It was as if everyone went insane, with everyone at a higher mana core rank, trying to calm down the whole situation, which was partially successful.

With holes piercing the underground shelter walls and runes, the mana isolation runes were damaged, which caused the eerie and perilous mana of multiple sources intertwined with killing intent to infiltrate the shelter.

This was definitely not something good and several thousand weak-willed citizens with a low mana core rank collapsed on the ground.

In the end, it was unknown how many humans died, but a few facts were sure.

Each and every human within the underground shelter began to understand what exactly desperation was and the sensation of being pitifully weak.

They relied on being protected, but now, even the most powerful defenses, the capital of Astrix possessed were completely useless against the beings that attacked them.

The Fler's were extremely worried about their own life, but also about Jason, who was on the surface, facing the erupting mana and killing intent head-on and not like them, only passively.

Finally, when they were allowed to leave the underground shelter, they noticed how wrecked the City looked, which caused them to wonder if it was even secure to remain here.

Jason himself was also extremely confused that Cyro-City looked like someone played with the whole city because there were only a bunch of large buildings left standing firmly on the ground, while smaller building complexes had it slightly better.

'The envoys didn't even focus on attacking the city and it already looks like this…'  Seeing this, Jason could only sigh deeply, but instead of being dissatisfied, he was happy that the Fler's were fine, as everyone rushed towards him, giving him a firm hug.

Even Mark, who looked emotionless to Jason, hugged him, while Gabriella began to sob lightly, mumbling "I'm glad that you're fine!!"

Jason smiled brightly, even if it was uncomfortable to be firmly hugged by two magus ranks who didn't reduce their strength by much, almost breaking his bones, as he groaned in pain.

Noticing the situation, Mark and Gabriella let go, while Greg and Malia didn't distance themselves from him, which looked weird from the other citizens' perspectives.

Jason was already 1.75 meter tall, which was above average, but Greg was still taller and much bulkier than him, while Malia's haggard and small physique seemed to squeeze Jason completely out.

'Can't they be more gentle?!' Jason lamented, as he barely voiced out an "I need some space please", which caused Greg to let go of him, while Malia only reluctantly loosened her grip around Jason.

Taking a deep breath, the five of them noticed that they barely left the entrance of the underground shelter, disrupting a smooth flow of humans.

As such, they began to walk through the demolished city, with slow steps as everyone explained what exactly happened over the last few weeks because Jason was curious about that and it would distract him from other thoughts.

Malia already explained her side of the story, shocking the other three Fler's, and they also felt angry, and anxious about Jason.

But in the end, he was fine, which was everything that counted. 

Two hours passed and it was almost lunchtime when he finished explaining what exactly happened within the four-star rift.

After that, he was questioning why he didn't enter the underground shelter, which Jason answered mostly honestly.

"I was with my homeroom teacher and the mysterious beast-creator I already told you about. It was relative secure there and as everyone can see, I'm healthy and energetic..haha" 

In the end, he didn't lie, even if he had to leave out a few things. 

Suddenly, he remembered that he had to leave the Fler's soon, even if he wasn't sure when exactly it would be.

Pondering if he should tell them now or not, Jason figured out that if he wouldn't tell them now, that he would most likely drag it on, until the day of his departure.

"I don't know how I should put this now….but the mysterious beast creator wants to be my master. However, he won't remain on Astrix...I--" 

"NOO!" Malia suddenly shouted almost immediately after she heard the first words, cludging on his clothes, forcing him to halt his steps, which caused Gabriella and Mark to look at her weirdly

'Has he already seduced my princess?' Mark asked himself, glaring at Jason, who looked even more confused than the other.

"You can't go!!!" She firmly said, when Greg loosened her grip gently, as he looked at Jason seriously.

"Are you sure, about following this Beast-Creator? Can you trust him? If not, just stay here or search for other opportunities...It shouldn't be that hard with your talent, even if I don't like telling you this….You are a prodigy! If you're not sure that you can fully trust this mysterious beast creator, don't be fooled!" 

Looking into Greg's eyes, Jason was shocked...Behind the seriousness, he perceived that his friend was fighting with himself.

Jason himself felt as if someone tightened his throat because he couldn't say anything at all, with Greg and Malia looking at him like this, because they were his first true friends…

'I really have to leave them, huh?' He wondered as a single tear poured down his cheeks.

Suddenly Mark interrupted them, as he said

"Hey, you three!! Don't be so melancholic, Jason is still here, or am I wrong?!" 

Turning to Jason, he continued

"You can still decide later, just know, that all of us will always be a part of your life! Gabriella and I met many wonderful people and in the end, we also had to part ways because everyone's path is different.

It might be painful, but leaving Astrix for some time doesn't mean the contact between the three of you is severed….You can always call or message each other in your free time! 

Just weigh the advantages and disadvantages you'll have to face if you leave with this mysterious Beast-Creator and then decide! Don't let others manipulate your own decision!"

Jason felt sudden warmth around his heart, because everyone was worried about him, like a real family, as Gabriella said

"We will always be there for you, but I hope you can at least stay with us a little bit longer...It would become extremely quiet without you there.."