The jungle around them seemed to pulse with life as they followed their furry guide. Leaves rustled with unseen creatures, and the air hummed with the constant activity of the ecosystem. Perched comfortably on Dexter’s shoulder, the Kinkajou chewed thoughtfully on a banana Sim had conjured for him. Despite its childlike demeanor, the creature exuded a strange wisdom, its eyes reflecting a depth that went beyond its size.

  “Your name Dexter?” the Kinkajou asked, its voice echoing in their minds with that familiar caveman-like tone, though the words were somewhat clearer now, tinged with an earnest curiosity.

  “Sure is,” Dexter replied, chuckling at the oddity of the situation. "Wait... are you reading my mind?"

  The Kinkajou nodded, its golden fur shimmering slightly in the dappled sunlight. “Not mean to. Me no pry. You think loud.”

  Dexter laughed, reaching up to affectionately scratch behind the creature’s ears. “That’s fair, little buddy. Just keep my secrets safe, and we’re good.”

  The Kinkajou let out a hum of agreement, its tiny claws digging into Dexter’s shoulder for balance. “Um, Me want name. No silly name like you say. Me find name from your brain. Yes?”

  Dexter’s grin widened, clearly entertained by the creature’s determination. “Knock yourself out, champ.”

  The Kinkajou furrowed its small brows in deep thought, filtering through the mental jumble of names Dexter had considered earlier, picking through his memories with methodical precision. “You think many funny name,” it mused aloud, pausing. “Too many! But… what think of Charlie?”

  Dexter tilted his head, considering the suggestion. “Charlie’s cool. But let’s be real, we’d probably end up calling you Chuck.”

  The Kinkajou wrinkled its nose in disapproval, its expression as serious as a small creature’s could be. “No like Chuck,” it said firmly, its tiny voice filled with conviction.

  "Okay, let’s keep brainstorming," Dexter said, holding back a laugh as the Kinkajou continued to sift through his thoughts, tossing out random names in its search for the perfect one.

  They continued their back-and-forth, the Kinkajou suggesting names and Dexter suggesting others like “Bobo,” “Zippy,” and even “Pancake” as they moved deeper into the jungle. Dexter's amusement was barely contained, the creature's quirky suggestions adding a sense of levity to their otherwise intense mission.

  But as they reached their destination, their playful banter fell away, replaced by the serious weight of their task. In a small clearing ahead, another mana pool lay before them—smaller than the one they had encountered before, but just as mesmerizing. Its surface shimmered with the luster of liquid starlight, casting an ethereal glow across the surrounding jungle. The air felt thick with energy, vibrating softly with power.

  The Kinkajou leaped from Dexter’s shoulder, scampering toward the pool with unrestrained eagerness. Its tiny paws skidded to a halt just before the edge, and it turned back to face them, its toothy grin wide. “See? Mana pool. Told you!”

  The trio moved closer, their eyes sweeping over the scene. Unlike the first pool, this one was surrounded by an otherworldly garden. Towering mushrooms with luminous caps dotted the landscape, their soft glow mingling with vines that pulsed faintly with light. Leaves so dark they were nearly black, tinged with deep purple hues, swayed gently in the still air. Insects, their translucent bodies glowing softly, flitted near the pool’s edge, their movements ethereal as though they had absorbed the mana’s essence.

  Emily knelt beside the pool, her eyes wide with scientific curiosity. "Look at this... The flora, the fauna—it's all been transformed, just like the jaguars."

  Dexter crouched beside her, his excitement bubbling over. “Okay, what’s the play here? Do we touch it again? Or does Sim just do her science magic?”

  The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  As if on cue, Sim’s voice rang out, smooth and purposeful. "Already on it, Dexter. I’m collecting specimens of the mushrooms, vines, insects, and soil for analysis. This mana pool is a remarkable opportunity to study localized effects on the ecosystem."

  Glowing orbs of light materialized around the pool, gently lifting samples of the transformed plants and creatures into the air. The samples shimmered briefly, their luminescence casting soft reflections on the surrounding foliage before disappearing into the ether, undoubtedly whisked away to Sim’s interdimensional laboratory for further study.

  Dexter watched the process unfold, eyes wide with awe. He whispered under his breath, “Sim’s got to have the coolest lab in existence.”

  The Kinkajou shuffled closer to the pool, its wide eyes reflecting the shimmering glow of the mana, captivated by the spectacle. It licked its lips nervously before glancing back at Dexter, its small claws twitching with impatience. “Me want drink mana,” it said, the words tinged with longing.

  Quinn raised an eyebrow, his gaze flicking between the creature and the mana pool.

  “Me drink before, make smarter,” the Kinkajou explained, puffing out its tiny chest with pride. “Want drink again, talk better. Talk like new friends.”

  Emily crossed her arms, skepticism clouding her expression. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? We have no idea what repeated exposure to mana might do to you.”

  The Kinkajou’s hopeful gaze darted between them, its eyes pleading with unspoken need. “Me smart now. Talk more, help more. You let me drink?”

  Dexter shrugged, glancing between Quinn and Emily, his voice light but pragmatic. “Honestly, if the little guy wants to level up, why not let him? He’s not hurting anyone.”

  Quinn sighed deeply, rubbing his temples as he considered the situation. “Dexter, we’re dealing with something we don’t fully understand. What if it backfires? What if the mana overloads him?”

  The Kinkajou raised a tiny paw, its voice growing more insistent as it tried to convince them. "Me not overload. Only drink little. Just enough. Want help. Want be like you." It paused, tapping a claw thoughtfully to its chin. "Me have idea. You save mana for me. Me drink slow, little by little. Until me smart like you. No more. No less. You control how much."

  Emily knelt down, her skeptical expression softening as she looked at the creature. Its innocence and determination tugged at her heart, making it difficult to resist. “I just don’t want you to get hurt,” she said gently, her voice warm. “But if you’re sure…”

  The Kinkajou nodded vigorously, already inching toward the mana pool. “Sure, sure. Me know what doing. Me could’ve kept mana for me, but no. Me help new friends.”

  Quinn glanced between the shimmering pool and the little creature, weighing his options before turning to Sim. “Sim, what do you think? Will he be okay absorbing more mana?”

  Sim’s voice chimed in, calm and clinical as always. “The Kinkajou has developed micro mana channels, allowing it to process mana slowly and efficiently. It also possesses a small node in its brain that converts liquid mana, enabling telepathy and heightened intelligence. Based on my analysis, I detect no immediate risk. In fact, it may prove beneficial to its development and your mission.”

  Emily sighed and stepped back, giving the Kinkajou space to proceed. Quinn, though still hesitant, gave a reluctant nod, silently conveying the decision: Alright, we’ll see how this goes.

  The Kinkajou hesitated for only a moment before stepping into the pool, its small body trembling with anticipation. It leaned down, cautiously lapping the liquid mana. The effect was immediate. A faint glow enveloped its body, radiating outward in soft, rhythmic pulses. Its eyes shimmered, the bright emerald green of its irises glowing brighter with each sip, the mana coursing through it with palpable intensity.

  “Fascinating,” Dexter murmured, watching intently as the transformation took hold. The Kinkajou’s posture straightened, its movements growing more deliberate. The playful chaos that had once dominated its expression shifted, giving way to sharper, more focused features. The transformation was subtle but undeniable.

  As the glow slowly faded, the Kinkajou stepped back from the pool, breathing heavily but otherwise unharmed. Its telepathic voice echoed again, but this time it was clearer, more composed. “Better now,” it said, its tone steady. “May take time, but talk better... think better. Just need wait.” It looked up at Dexter, tilting its head curiously. “You store mana for later?”

  Dexter’s grin stretched across his face, his excitement bubbling over. He scooped up the little creature, holding it high like a prize. “You betcha, little buddy! Look at you, leveling up! Have you decided on a name yet?”

  The Kinkajou thought for a moment, its small face contorting in concentration as it tapped a claw to its chin. Then, a wide grin spread across its face. “Me like…” It paused, eyes narrowing slightly as it considered. “You had pet once when child?

  “Yes, I did,” Dexter replied.

  “Me like his name. Me like... Rosco. BUT NOT PET.”

  Dexter burst into laughter, the sound bright and infectious. “Rosco it is! Welcome to the team, Rosco Kinkajou.”

  Quinn gave a half-smile, shaking his head in disbelief. “This is either the best idea we’ve ever had or the worst.”

  Rosco leapt onto Dexter’s shoulder, his emerald eyes twinkling with mischief and confidence. “Best! Me best idea ever. You see.”