The skillbook had a great deal of information in it, so Michael had no choice but to stay up late finishing it. According to the book, there were two common methods for taming a familiar. First, you could lure them with bait. If you had good enough bait and the cage was well disguised, the creature might simply walk in to it. The cage was critical, as it was enchanted to make any creature inside far more susceptible to impression. With this method, however, there was a risk that you might capture something weak instead of your intended familiar.
The other common method was earning a creature's trust in combat. The mage could thus pick what creature they wanted to tame, but they had to be able to best it. Once bested, the mage could place the creature in the cage for taming. It was simpler and more likely to succeed, but one had to put their life on the line.
Given what his master had said, it was likely he expected Michael to choose the later method. Next, the book detailed the different rankings of creatures. There were non-magical beasts, which were considered Rank 0. Rank 1 beasts were usually younger or recently evolved beasts that had a single elemental affinity. Rank 2 beasts were stronger, usually beasts that had evolved from rank 1 or that were born with two affinities. The red flaming owl and falcon were both considered rank 2 beasts, which was common for new students. Rank 3 beasts were stronger still, roughly the equivalent of am Apprentice-level mage. Adam's wyvern was most likely a Rank 3 beast and would be one of the strongest creatures in their class-year. Higher rank beasts usually did not have more than 3 elements, but their strength and intelligence increased with each rank. Rank 8 and 9 beasts could have more affinities, but such a thing was very rare and usually only occurred in beasts born at that level, rather than those that had evolved.
With his current strength, Michael could definitely beat a Rank 2 beast on his own. He may have been lacking in real combat experience, but he knew his swordsmanship was above average, and his magic would level any difference in physical strength. With some luck, he might even be able to take down a Rank 3 beast. If he was right, this was his master's intention.
If he could find a born Rank 3 beast, it could even have 3 affinities. A familiar like that was sure to make him powerful. Still, he was exhausted from his busy day, so he fell asleep with the book by his pillow.
...
The next day
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Let's go, my student! We're wasting valuable time! If you've got time to sleep, you've got time to hunt. I can't have you go embarrassing me at the headmaster's speech! I don't hear you moving? Do I need to come in there myself?"
That last threat was all Michael needed to get moving. "I'm coming, Master! Just one moment!" He threw on a uniform, buckled his sword to his waist, and grabbed his supplies for the day. Stepping out of his room, he was surprised to see Master Robin awake and full of energy. He was like a whole new person!
"Come on, boy. We must get moving, especially if you want a chance at a good beast. Everyone else that needs one will be going either today or tomorrow. And you will NOT get shown up by a regular student."
All the taming supplies from the previous day were loaded up on a cart. Instead of making Michael pull it, his master merely pulled him up and sent them on their way. Within minutes, they had left the academy behind. A wild forest quickly engulfed them, though there didn't seem to be any significant danger yet.
"This hunting grounds is unique in that it contains all of the standard environments suitable for familars. Volcanoes, A vast lake, caves and more dot these lands. In your case, we'll need to go a bit deeper. The further in we go, the stronger the beasts will be. I expect nothing less than a young Rank 3 beast from you."
It was true that Michael didn't know his own limits, but that sounded like his master expected him to get a Rank 4 or 5 familiar! Master Robin had never failed him though, and he was sure to protect Michael if there was any real danger. If his master thought he could do it, then he was sure he could. After all, such a creature couldn't possibly compare to the dragon he'd have to slay.
Reinvigorated, Michael followed after his master. They moved quietly despite the cart and soon the forest parted to reveal three paths. One led to a massive expanse of water. The next led forward towards a volcano. The last path went straight into a cave system. Which way you went was important, since you were unlikely to find a water beast near the volcanoes or a fire beast in the caverns.
Master Robin turned to him. "From here on out, it's your show. Have a goal in mind and don't disappoint me." With that, he stepped back and gestured for Michael to lead. Michael thought about it for a moment, then had a great idea.
"Al, can the system tell me the best way to go if someone has all affinities?"
Sure thing, kid. It's gonna cost you the rest of your IP, though. Are you alright with that?
Michael gave his approval, and soon got the answer he wanted.
[System scan indicates the best route for multi-talented mages is to go...1000 meters above you.]
What? Above him? Looking up, Michael could just make out what looked like the start of a see-through staircase. He likely wouldn't have even noticed it if not for the system. Though there was quite a lot of organized air magic there, it would be hard to notice if one wasn't already aware of the path's existence.
"Master, we should go up this staircase. Would you please bring up the cart? I must conserve my mana for the fight." With that, Michael flew into the air. It wasn't exactly flying, but the levitate spell was still quite interesting to experience. It was like the floor had risen beneath his feet, but the ground was still visible below him.
He stepped on to the path he had seen and cancelled his levitate spell. As he began to climb, his master followed him, an uncharacteristic smile on his face. They encountered no beasts on their climb, save for the occasional low-rank flying beast. These were easily dispatched, even without resorting to the special sword skills his master had taught him. In most cases, they were cleanly decapitated with a single swing of his previously untested blade.
After an hour of climbing, a floating landmass became visible high above them. The Rank 0 and 1 beasts did not fly this high, and it seemed Rank 2 and 3 beasts were far less common. As a result, Michael climbed the rest of the stairs with ease.
They led through the center of the landmass, and Michael came to a stop at the top. He seemed to be at the center of a basin decorated with massive trees. The smallest of those dwarfed the one that he had once tried to cut down day after day. More importantly, each tree was home to a different beast.
And all the ones he could see were looking at him...