"Renji, don't be disheartened. I just meant that subduing him forcefully isn't an option, but that doesn't mean taming him is out of the question," Kaiya Tanaka said with a chuckle. "If he were an adult Umbramouse, I might not be able to help, but since he's just a baby, there are methods I, as a Saint-level Grand Magus, can use. We won't need a soul-binding magical formation for this."
Renji's excitement reignited as he looked at Kaiya Tanaka with eager eyes. "Grandpa Kaiya, tell me your plan!" he urged mentally. Kaiya Tanaka grinned. "It's straightforward. The soul-binding technique forms a master-servant bond, but since we can't create such a bond right now, we'll have to settle for a 'bond of equals' with the Umbramouse."
"A bond of equals?" Renji asked, intrigued. "I've never heard of that."
Kaiya Tanaka's eyes crinkled as he smiled. "It's not surprising. Even five thousand years ago, few knew of the 'bond of equals'. This bond means you and the magical beast share an equal status, without a master-servant dynamic. It often leads to a more cooperative and intimate relationship, with the beast being more willing to assist you."
Renji nodded, starting to understand. "It sounds like this 'bond of equals' has its advantages. Why isn't it more commonly used?"
Kaiya Tanaka laughed. "Because it's not something people can initiate; it has to be initiated by the magical beast itself."
"Initiated by the beast?!" Renji was taken aback. It made sense why a soul-binding formation wasn't necessary. Kaiya Tanaka continued, "Every magical beast can initiate a 'bond of equals' once in its lifetime, unlike a soul-binding relationship that can be dissolved and reestablished by others."
Renji nodded, processing the information. "But convincing a magical beast to willingly form this bond is very difficult," Kaiya Tanaka added seriously. "You need to make the beast feel a familial connection, so it doesn't want to leave you. This is much harder with adults due to their high intelligence."
Kaiya Tanaka sighed. "However, juveniles are different. They're more like human babies, easily won over with food and affection. Their lower intelligence makes them simpler to influence. An infant Umbramouse, especially one separated from its group, is easier to tame."
Renji felt relieved. "So it's just a matter of winning over a young one," he said, smiling. He felt confident due to his experience caring for his younger brother, Kenji.
"Don't get too overconfident," Kaiya Tanaka warned. "Coaxing an infant magical beast requires attention to detail. Be careful or it might bite you."
Renji glanced at the distant Umbramouse, still crunching rocks effortlessly. He didn't doubt its sharp teeth. "So what should I do?"
"Just follow my plan," Kaiya Tanaka advised. "Umbramice are omnivores but prefer meat, especially roasted. You should hunt some beasts on Mt. Dragonspire, then place the cooked meat a distance away. Don't approach the Umbramouse; wait for it to come to you."
Kaiya Tanaka smiled. "This method is a bit clumsy, but very safe. If you approach it, it might attack out of fear."
Renji agreed. The method seemed simple, if not a bit awkward. "What if the Umbramouse runs off?"
"That depends on your luck, but I believe it will stay around for a while," Kaiya Tanaka said.
"Alright, I'll go hunt some beasts," Renji said, heading towards Mt. Dragonspire. His steps were soundless, a testament to his earth-style magic skills. After leaving the manor, he resumed a normal pace.
"Young Master Renji, going to the back mountain again?" Uncle Haruto called out, smiling as he swept the floor.
"Yes," Renji replied, picking up his pace. Over the past months, Renji had been going to Mt. Dragonspire daily for training. While others thought he was simply playing, he was honing his magecraft skills.
In autumn, most trees on Mt. Dragonspire had lost their leaves, but evergreens and red maples still adorned the landscape. Renji moved swiftly and silently through the mountain forests. His physical strength had improved significantly, comparable to a typical 15-16-year-old in Dragonspire Village, with the strength of a first-rank warrior.
He spotted a dull-yellow rabbit grazing and decided to use magic. As he chanted, he felt a small surge of earth-style magic force in his chest, where magi store their power. He completed the incantation, and with a focused gaze, he cast his spell.
"Earth-style, first-rank magic – Soil Thorn!"
A sharp earth spike erupted from beneath the rabbit, piercing its chest. The startled rabbit struggled but only bled faster.