Mikhail let out a sigh of relief.
Because of how close in proximity the explanation of Paired Evolution and Beast Taming was, he had feared that there would be an overlap in the Bonding Ceremony.
However, his fear was very quickly laid to rest.
Grand Elder Maya had explained that the Bonding Ceremony was the act of a Beast Tamer creating a tether to their Beast's soul.
This was done by creating two inscriptions, one representing the Beast Tamer, and the other the Beast.
The inscription representing the Beast Tamer would be placed within the Beast's Spiritual Realm, while the inscription representing the Beast would remain in the Beast Tamer's Spiritual Realm.
And then, the two inscriptions would be linked by a thread of Spiritual Aether.
And thus, their souls would be tied to one another.
However, the Bonding Ceremony differed depending on which taming method a Beast Tamer chose to enact on up to that point. Usually, anyway.
The grooming method made for a parent and child dynamic, so oftentimes, the inscriptions used during the Bonding Ceremony would reinforce that notion, giving the Beast Tamer a parental authority over the Beast.
An authority that the Beast would be compelled to follow, but not forced.
The subduing method, however, made for a master and servant dynamic. Thus, the inscriptions used were made with gaining complete control in mind. And this would turn the beast into a slave.
And finally, the obliging method made for a friendship dynamic. Because of that, the inscriptions used during the Bonding Ceremony gave both individuals an equal amount of authority. Which is to say, either party would be able to cut the connection if they so chose.
But what did a Beast Bond offer, in that case?
Well, it offered the ability to share their senses, thoughts, and feelings with one another whenever they wanted to, and wherever they were.
The same went for the other two, of course.
However, Mikhail, being the curious man that he is, had some more questions in mind.
"So, how many beasts can a Beast Tamer be tied to at a time?"
"That depends on the resilience of their Cerebral Core. Which varies from person to person. Most commoners can only handle a single connection due to the pressure the connection generates."
Mikhail was about to speak, but Grand Elder Maya quickly intercepted his question.
"Yes, the pressure does help expand the Cerebral Core."
"Neat… So, what's the limit?"
Maya looked at him evenly before saying, "About six. Assuming the Beast is at your same level, anyway. Otherwise, the number can grow quite high. But having a beast companion that's weaker than you serves little to no purpose."
Mikhail nodded.
"Speaking of, there is a very important caveat you need to consider if you ever want to tie your soul to a beast. If the beast dies, your soul will be severely damaged through the destruction of the tether."
Mikhail nodded again.
"Anyway, that just about wraps up that discussion. Do you have any more questions before I send you off?"
"Yes… Two actually. First on my mind is… If one can connect their soul to a beast, what about Elementals? Or other Pneuma?"
"Both are possible. Oftentimes, a Pneuma might form a connection to an Elemental in order to deepen their understanding of the Elemental's corresponding element. Though it is a transaction, as the Elemental usually asks for things in return for the look into their nature."
"As for when two Pneuma connect their souls together… That is what we call marriage. Needless to say, the inscriptions in that process are vastly different from Beast Taming."
"Marriage, huh?"
Mikhail's face grew solemn for a moment before he brushed the memories of his last life aside to ask his next question.
"Anyway… If the Pneuma start with the body and the soul; and the Beasts start with the body and the elements… Do Elementals start with the elements and the soul?"
Maya gave a thumbs up, confirming that his assumption was correct without bothering to speak.
"Is that all, young Mikhail?"
He thought for a short while, but in the end, he said, "Yes, that's all."
"Wonderful. Do take care now, and enjoy the weekly gathering tonight!"
"Oh yeah… I forgot that it was today. Thank you, I will."
Mikhail got up and left at that point, and after a very slow and agonizing trip down the stairwell to the ground floor, he left Maya's house again.
In the clearing below, Mikhail could see the tribesfolk preparing for the gathering, setting up the large bonfire where the Hunting Hall's game would be processed into deliciously good food by Roscoe and a plethora of other cooks like him.
'If I go home now to rest… I'm not waking up until tomorrow.'
He resolutely decided to stick around in the clearing to pass the time then and there. But first, he had a long and arduous climb down the plateau's staircase to get through first.
Each and every step sent jolts of pain through his body, coursing like a wave of daggers and knives tearing through his body.
It took an agonizingly long hour to go down the steps, but that was not nearly as bad as the hour and a half it had taken him to go up.
And when he did arrive, a familiar face greeted him.
"Mikhail!"
"Hm? Oh… Hey there. What's up, Amir?"
"I was actually just about to ask you the same question. You usually do not grace the clearing with your presence until the sun is already set!"
Mikhail let out an empty chuckle.
"I was learning about Beast Taming from Grand Elder Maya… One hell of a trip back and forth, I tell ya'... Oh, since I'm here earlier than usual, that means I'll get to see the Chief for the first time, huh?"
"Ah, the Great Chief! Yes, she typically arrives from the hunting grounds with the Hunting Hall in about an hour or so from now."
Amir fished out a hardened clay square from the left pocket of his shorts. Mikhail saw how there were a few brightly lit indicators on the side Amir was staring at. It seemed to tell the time, the date, the day, the month, and even the year!
'A clay clock, huh? I've seen a few people using them, but I never saw one up close like this until now. It's amazing that these primitive people can create something like a digital clock using Aether.'
Amir nodded to himself before putting the clay clock away.
"Yes, another hour or so, just like I thought. What will you do in the meantime?"
"No idea… What is there to do, anyways?"