The streets of Thesa bustled with life, vibrant energy cascading through the air as Swain made his way home. This was no ordinary trading town; it was a town of tamers, where humans and beasts danced a delicate waltz of harmony to the rhythm of daily life. Everywhere he turned, he saw the unique bonds between tamers and their fantastical companions.
A wiry hound, its eyes glowing like embers, trotted dutifully alongside its owner, a messenger briskly delivering letters, a smile plastered on his face. A fluffy, winged rodent, a creature of whimsical charm, perched comfortably on a baker's shoulder, nibbling on the breadcrumbs falling from his hands like confetti—a playful spectacle for the curious townsfolk. Even the clanging of metal from the smith's forge resonated with companionship, where a bull-sized reptile, its skin thick and scaled, rested by the roaring flames, exuding an aura of quiet strength amidst the chaos of the market.
Swain navigated through the bustling square, consciously keeping his head down, trying to blend into the tapestry of life swirling around him. The sounds of lively chatter enveloped him—the laughter of students celebrating the bonds formed through the ceremony, the prideful exclamations of parents, and merchants boasting about their extravagant wares. Each corner of Thesa was saturated with the presence of cherished beasts, aiding, protecting, and maturing alongside their human counterparts. Everyone in Thesa possessed a beast, a cherished friend in their lives. Swain felt the sharp edge of that reality as he realized that he was the lone exception.
With each step, the weight of his satchel seemed to grow heavier, a physical manifestation of his spiraling thoughts and self-doubt. Memories of the earlier ceremony loomed large, and he forced his gaze downward, avoiding eye contact with the jubilant faces around him. At last, he reached the quieter streets leading home, a sanctuary from the vibrant town square.
As he slipped inside the door, a warm wave of the comforting aroma of baking bread enveloped him, stirring something gentle within. There stood his mother at the counter, her hands deftly slicing fresh vegetables, the rhythmic sound blending with the soft hum of a mana lamp lighting up the cozy kitchen.
"Swain?" she called, her voice warm yet layered with concern—she didn't need to look up to sense his presence. "How did it go?"
Swain paused, his hand brushing against the strange mark on his palm, a curious artifact of the day's events. "It was… different," he said finally, the weight of his disappointment hanging in the air like a heavy fog. "I didn't bond with a beast."
His mother's hands froze mid-motion as she turned towards him, concern etched across her features. "Oh, honey. That happens sometimes. It simply means the right one wasn't there for you today."
Swain nodded, though deep inside, her words offered little solace. "Yeah, maybe," he muttered, a distant heaviness in his chest. "I think I'll head up to my room."
"Dinner will be ready soon," she reminded him gently, her eyes following him as he climbed the stairs, anxious energy bottled up within.
Shutting the door to his bedroom, Swain leaned against it, exhaling slowly as if to release the burdens of the world. The strange mark on his palm tingled faintly, an enigmatic reminder of the ceremony's doubtful outcome weighing on his mind. Crossing the room, he plopped down on his bed, turning his hand over to inspect the shimmering lines.
The mark pulsed softly under his gaze as if acknowledging his focus. Just as he contemplated its significance, a translucent screen materialized before him, an unexpected interface that seemed to connect him to something far beyond his understanding.
[System Status]
[Name]: Swain Hector
[Class]: Beast Crafter
[Features]: Beast Editor
"Beast Crafter," he murmured in awe, his voice barely rising above a whisper. "What on earth does that mean?"
The screen shifted, morphing to reveal two enticing options:
[Trait Library]
[Beast Designer]
A bolt of excitement surged through him, and, hesitantly, he selected Trait Library. The new screen materialized, almost barren, with just a single entry displayed:
[Strength (Copper I)]
"One trait?" he murmured, baffled. "That's it?"
The interface pulsed again, urging him to select Beast Designer. A blank silhouette appeared on the screen, labeled Template. The command in bold letters beckoned him.
[Add Traits to Begin Creation.]
Swain hesitated, a mixture of excitement and trepidation swirling in his gut before finally selecting the lone trait in his library. The blank silhouette quivered, its outline beginning to take shape—a small, muscular figure emerged, boasting compact limbs and a sturdily built frame. Instinctively, he could feel the potential radiating from it. Another notification blinked into view:
[Base Template Created. Insufficient Mana for Completion.]
Frowning deeply, he muttered, "Mana? Where am I supposed to get mana?"
The screen flickered, an answer providing clarity: [Absorb Ambient Mana or Trade Resources to Recharge.]
Curiosity sparked in Swain's chest. He closed his eyes, tuning into the faint hum of energy that subtly permeated the air around him. It felt delicate, almost like the soothing warmth of sunlight after a cold, biting breeze sweeping past. Slowly, he extended his mind, reaching for the ambient mana wafting within his surroundings.
A gentle warmth radiated through his chest, and the mark on his palm blazed brighter, the connection forming stronger. When he opened his eyes, the system flashed anew:
[+5 Mana Absorbed. Total: 5.]
Swain slumped back against the bed, the sudden light-headedness catching him off guard. It wasn't much, but even that small amount left him feeling strangely weighty. "So that's how it works," he murmured with a mix of astonishment and understanding. "But it's not enough."
The incomplete template hovered before him tantalizingly, its form just waiting for completion. Swain focused on it, envisioning what could be, then closed his eyes once more. If I can get just a little more…
With determination burning in his chest, he concentrated harder, feeling the threads of mana until a dull ache settled within his chest. Another notification flickered back into existence:
[+5 Mana Absorbed. Total: 10.]
[Template Completion Initiated.]
The glowing outline before him started to solidify, his heart racing as the creature materialized at the foot of his bed—a small, muscular boar-like creature. Its powerful limbs and short tusks gleamed faintly in the room's dim light, a presence both ominous and captivating. It lacked the earthy texture of the Cragboar he had glimpsed earlier that day, yet there was no denying the aura of life it possessed.
The creature huffed softly, pawing at the floor as it surveyed its surroundings with sharp, curious eyes, meeting Swain's gaze. Time seemed to freeze in that moment; they shared a silent acknowledgment that held the promise of companionship. Then, with a gentle grunt, the boar settled down, its solid frame sinking into the floorboards with a reassuring thud.
Swain stared in awe, his voice barely a whisper. "You're… real." He reached out his hand slowly, mesmerized by the creature's vivid presence. The boar tilted its head, regarding him with a curious glint in its eyes as if contemplating Swain's purpose.
The system pulsed for the final time, the message confirming the pivotal moment: [Creation Complete. Beast Registered: Boarling (Copper I). Name Pending.]
Swain's chest heaved with exhaustion; the exhilaration of creation clashed with the fatigue settling over him. His vision blurred as reality began to waver. "Beelze," he murmured, the name slipping past his lips as if it had always belonged to this creature. "Your name… is Beelze."
The boar grunted in quiet approval, yet Swain barely registered it as the toll of the creation process overwhelmed him, dragging him into a deep, dreamless sleep.