{Ha, I like it, and Schatten does sound a lot better than Licht. I hope you don't feel too bad, little kitty.}
{Licht is the most superior name ever to be given to any being in this world. How could you even claim Schatten to be better? You brumawolves really do have a mental deficit.}
Before this could go on, Sturm stopped them. He still did not understand what exactly happened. He just hoped it would help him destroy that mage on this island. The beasts were insanely powerful. If he could command them, then even killing every single noble on the island would not be impossible.
{My name is Sturm. Where are you two? You said something about my lightning source. What is it?} Sturm asked.
{Servant Sturm, the lightning source is what is keeping your newly produced mana cells lightning-attributed. Thus, as you should know, it is located inside your heart. Every mana source with an attribute is capable of creating an internal space upon establishing a contract. If I had been in full power and contracted you instead of the other way around, then the internal space would be inside the lightning source in my heart.}
<
This was incredible, and Sturm smiled, momentarily forgetting about the pain in his heart. If someone had asked him what item he would have looked forward to most in a fantasy world, then he would have probably chosen a spatial tool. Never having to carry cumbersome things around and having tons of supplies while on an adventure would make it much easier to travel and fight.
As Sturm was indulging in his fantasies, Licht, the white tiger, quickly dampened his excitement. There were several limitations to the lightning source; most important of all, only immaterial things could be stored inside, with the exception of lightning-attributed living beings. That meant Licht and Schatten could stay as long as they wanted inside it, but if Sturm moved an ordinary rabbit inside, then it would be fried alive.
Additionally, if the living being was sentient, then it could refuse transportation. The lightning source automatically rejected non-lightning attributed cells. While Sturm could overpower that with mindless beasts, as soon as they were aware enough to feel the rejection, their own cells would fight against the pull as well. Only them similarly suppressing their cells would allow them to enter.
Another limitation was the space, and that did not only mean the size of the platform on top of the mountain but the living area of the two beasts had also be taken into account. The space's size was not fixed, though.
As long as the lightning cells inside the source increased in either quantity or quality, the internal space would expand. For this reason, as long as Sturm, Schatten or Licht increased their strength, the more power they would be able to provide. It was going to be slow but constant progress.
If they wanted to increase the speed, they had to either throw themselves madly into training or look for exterior items to provide a boost. Lightning materials, items, and living things like beasts or plants would strengthen the lightning source.
The lighting source strengthening had additional effects, as it would also improve Sturm's body. Every day, he would get stronger without doing anything.
{Wait, does that mean I will become invincible just by doing nothing? How long do I have to wait to reach the power of a silver tier magic beast?} Sturm asked excitedly. If he could train a little less and fight a lot more, then he was all for it.
{Let us assume you mean a tier 1 silver beast, then you would simply have to wait a few million years, and then you can defeat it with your bare hands. The enhancement never stops, but it gets weaker and weaker until you would not notice a change even in millennia. Many beings that first develop an element source discover that the element source enhances your physique, and your body strengthens the source in return. What they do not understand is that your lifespan is not infinite, and you would have to survive thousands upon thousands of years for that effect to have a significant impact on your strength. This is also why the older a magic beast, the more powerful it usually is.}
That was kind of disappointing, but at the same time, it meant he would be similar to magic beasts with elemental sources. Age would not mean getting weak and slow anymore, but strong and fast instead. If progress was truly unnoticeable short term, and he felt it was too slow, that just meant harder training and collecting resources. Bothersome, but acceptable.
{What happens to lightning beasts we bring into my internal space? Assuming I do not contract them.}
Schatten, the wolf, had been quiet during Licht's explanations, but that question seemed to startle him.
{Do not carelessly contract other beasts. There is a limit your body can take, so when we encounter lightning beasts in the future, do not act without our input. Regarding the strengthening of the lightning source, we will share it with you, but uncontracted beasts will not.}
There was something Schatten had only implied, but Sturm understood. It was not like he would enjoy being dragged down either. If he should ever contract a beast again, then potential was the top priority.
<
{So, if I can find a lightning dragon or phoenix, then I suppose you will not oppose my decision to contract them, right?}
Sturm had not yet learned how to look inside his lightning space, but at this moment, a rare event took place. Schatten and Licht looked at each other with disbelief on their face before bursting out laughing.
[A dragon or a phoenix he said! Hahaha!] Schatten's thundering laugh echoed directly in Sturm's head this time, and while it was less loud than in the cavern, it still made him flinch in pain.
{Hahaha, silly Sturm. These two races frequently appear in your legends, don't they? I even heard you have stories about so-called dragonslayers. If your human race ever actually met one, then soon after, there would be no humans to tell stories anymore. Just to put it in perspective, adolescents in my clan reach what you call the gold tier, and that should be about the strength of the strongest humans.}
Licht's tone turned serious.
{Our adults reach the platinum tier; that was where both Schatten and I stood when you came. On the other hand, dragons and phoenixes naturally get to platinum upon adolescence and diamond as an adult. They tend to be absolute hegemons of territories many times larger than the human continent. Pray, we never meet one of them, and if the day should arrive, don't even consider contracting them. They will be able to read your thoughts like an open book, and just your thoughts would spell our doom.}
What? Had he heard correctly? At first, Sturm had been excited by the news those two mythological creatures existed and even wondered if that meant most of the others, like hydras or unicorns, were real as well, but one piece of information just too shocking.
{Alright, dragons and phoenixes bad, I understand. But what did you say about you two being platinum magic beasts? That white gorilla I fought was a tier 10 bronze beast, and he was already incredibly powerful, so I assumed you two were silver or gold at most. And what do you mean you were, as in past tense?}
Instead of answering, Licht taught him how to summon them. It was similar to the process of casting magic, but instead of isolating mana cells, he had to wrap his will around the beasts in his lightning core. With a pull, the beasts would be dragged out of the internal space, and by then, could easily make their way out on their own.
Only now did Sturm notice two new tattoos on each of his forearms, depicting a roaring white tiger and a howling black wolf accordingly. Around his left arm, a dim-black lightning orb started manifesting, while around his right arm, a bright-white lightning sphere materialized.
Out of them stepped two beasts, but their appearance was somewhat different from the last time Sturm had seen them. There were supposed to be two giant, royal beasts radiating auras of invincibility, shaking the raw souls of whoever gazed upon them.
What he did not expect was a cute wolf pup with big white eyes, looking ridiculously cute as it tried to stand majestically with its head held high, or an adorable tiger cub still looking down on him full of arrogance. Licht did not even reach his knees, but you could feel the arrogance and superiority blazing in its eyes. Just like one of the two favorite pets of humans on Earth often did. Their loveable appearances melted Sturm's heart just the tiniest bit, which conflicted with the disappointment he was feeling.
"I was promised two fearsome, domineering beasts that would increase my strength. So how come I ended up with a dog and a cat?" As they were physically next to him, Sturm did not have to communicate through his mind anymore.
{I am not a dog!} Schatten disputed.
{How dare you, a servant call me a cat?} Licht complained.
The beasts were not strong enough to project their voices through lightning like they had done before and instead kept directly talking in his mind. They glared at Sturm, visibly upset, but in their minds, they somewhat agreed, at least regarding his comment about their counterpart.
{This is the price we had to pay. We were near death, and your weak human body could only take in a tiny fraction of our cells. Our strength has regressed to a tier 1 bronze beast, but that is only temporary. In a few centuries, that dog will once again become a bigger, dumber dog, and I will once again be an exalted platinum beast of awe-inspiring proportions and tremendously good looks.} The white tiger cub explained.
"A few centuries?! Do you think I have time to wait for so long? You said if you get stronger, then the lightning source will increase in strength as well. I have no lightning attributed material, items, or plants, so you will train with me. We will train until we can at least beat that oversized gorilla, and then it will be time for revenge. A mage needs to be slain."
Schatten started laughing at Licht's punishment. This was precisely what he had been hoping for; maybe this new life would be enjoyable after all.
The little wolf pup cheered. {Ha! Serves you right. Finally, you get what you deserve for your arrogance. Well done, Sturm!}
Sturm turned around and looked locked eyes with Schatten. "I think you misunderstood something. You two even dared to suppress me when I got here, and I still saved your lives. It is time to repay me. I imagine I do not feel any stronger simply because the two of you are far too weak, am I right?"
{You are right. Do not worry; I am from a proud warrior tribe, and while magic beasts do not train their bodies, we constantly improve ourselves in combat. Unlike that kitten, I am not afraid of hardship and will repay you soon.} Schatten responded.
While the tiger had been a lot more helpful and informative, the wolf's attitude was far more to Sturm's liking. There were still unprocessed emotions deep in Sturm's heart; maybe throwing himself into training with these two would help heal the scars. The teenager appreciated the opportunity, but if that was so... why, did an evil, sadistic smile slowly creep up his face?
"Good, very good. Then I have one last question before we begin. As contracted beasts, do you still need sleep?"
Thus began hell for two once godly beasts. The question arose if the tiger's pride or the wolf's confidence would be able to stand up to what Sturm had in store for them. More likely than not, they would regret their decision to cling to life.