With the wolf’s pup meals figured out, there was nothing left on Rowan’s to do list.

  That meant he could do something for his own body that his body desperately wanted.

  Rest.

  While he did not partake too much in the battle with the centipede, he was pushing it when he suddenly shot off a powerful mana infused arrow. While his arms could take the strain, the rest of his body couldn't.

  Rowan decided to grant his body’s request and take it easy in the camp for the next few days.

  Resting his body did not mean resting his mind. Thoughts concerning the future constantly whirled around in his brain.

  Thoughts especially on the wolf pup.

  If the pack leader was an indication of the potential that the pup had, then it would be a great asset in the future. That was if it could reach that level of strength. Rowan had no formal training himself and did not know what was the best way to raise the pup. There was no proven method on how to improve a monster’s strength, at least none that Rowan could recall. After all, his mind was more focused on how to kill a monster instead of raising one.

  What a strange turn of fate the gods had bestowed upon him.

  Now the question remains. How should he train the wolf pup? Let’s not forget, under that innocent appearance, it was a wild monster deep down. Would it listen to him in the future when it grew stronger?

  Rowan’s family did not own any pets, so he did not know the best way to raise the pup. Grandpa Rodan came to mind as he remembered all the strange and powerful farm animals on the farm. If only he asked how the elderly farmer had raised his animals back then. The very very thought of Grandpa Rodan sent a slight pain in his chest, which swiftly disappeared. There was no point in thinking about his grandpa. He had to think of how to live in the present.

  In the end, Rowan decided to just figure it out as he goes. Future him will worry about future problems.

  ***

  Over the next few days, Rowan came to a few new realization.

  First of all, the wolf pup was a boy.

  Second, the wolf pup needed a name.

  Third, Life mana was more effective than Rowan realized.

  On the second day of arrival, the wolf pup had opened up its eyes.

  On the third day, the little monster was already crawling everywhere.

  On the fourth day, the little wolf was running around everywhere.

  While Rowan had no idea how fast monsters grew, he didn't think the speed of growth for the wolf pup was normal. The only possible reason for such fast growth was due to the Life mana that the Mother tree had fed it.

  The good thing about fast growth was that Rowan didn't have to wait too long for a new partner.

  Now the pup was running everywhere. Thankfully the camp was in a wide enclosed space, protected by the barrier of thorns. The pup would run from one spot, sniff, and then run to a new spot and sniff again. While the camp did not have a lot of features, it had plenty of space for the pup to run free.

  Figuring out a name was …difficult. Rowan wasn’t the smartest person around and that even before he was stranded in the Forest of Death. Now being stuck inside the forest did his brain no favors. While his strength may have improved, his intelligence most certainly did not.

  As Rowan watched the pup, he thought over a few names. He couldn’t keep calling the pup ‘it’ if he planned to keep it around. A few possible names popped up in his head.

  Wolfe?

  Wolfie?

  White?

  Whitie?

  Snow?

  The names were definitely not the most original. Not that Rowan card since he didn't think he would be able to get another monster to raise.

  In the end, Rowan decided to just go with Wolfie. Simple and plain. The pup didn't need an extraordinary name and he wasn't going to spend all day thinking of one.

  The few days of observing the Wolfie was enough for Rowan to fully heal himself. The Life Mana not only nurtured the little monster, it also quickened his healing process. Rowan would focus everyday on mana exchange with the Mother Tree since he couldn't carry out any physical activities in fear of worsening his internal injuries. That quickened the healing process so much that he could not believe it. He wondered if there was a way he could make the healing process portable. Rowan didn't have any access to potions in the forest and he did not know which plants were good for healing. If he could figure out a way to heal himself during battle, that would increase his chance of survival. He still recalled how the battle with the red dragon went. If he had figured out a way to heal himself, then he could have lasted longer. The last part of the battle had been through a hazy vision because of blood loss from the accumulated cuts and slashes. Healing those would have made a world of difference.

  “ Hey, stop that! Don't bite the tree!” Rowan shouted as he suddenly noticed Wolfie’s new favorite activity.

  Gnawing on the Mother Tree.

  If Almar was here, Rowan imagined the Elf would be beyond angry. He might have just taken the pup and roasted it over a fire.

  Fortunately the Mother Tree didn't seem to mind the pup’s playful actions. It made no attempt to dislodge the baby wolf and allowed it to keep biting its trunk.

  Rowan sighed as the pup ignored his words. He really needed to figure out a way to discipline this little monster. Rowan walked over to the Mother Tree and realized something was different.

  The Mother Tree was shining.