As the seconds ticked by, the stalemate between the determined Scorchwyrm and the Battle Ant Warrior grew more intense. The Scorchwyrm lunged forward, aiming to bite off one of the Battle Ant Warrior's legs.
The room fell into silence as predator and prey fought fiercely—a fight that any onlooker, including the weak Logan, could end with a quick stomp. Yet, this did not make the battle any less dangerous for both contestants. One fought to survive and protect its colony, while the other fought to strengthen and feed itself.
The Battle Ant Warrior, twice the size of its predecessors, moved with battle-ready instincts. It was honed and shaped by thousands of years of evolution, preparing it for the role of its colony's protector. Using its thin legs, it sprang back to avoid the salamander's bite once again and prepared to use its small frontal scythes like daggers to injure the creature before it.
One of its scythes was shot forth with great speed, yet it was countered with a whip of the newt's small tail. This caused the ant to tumble to the side, a mistake that caused its life to end with a burst of flames.
The crowd cheered as the Scorchwyrm defeated its opponent with ease, but the earl was not pleased. With a small gesture, the battlefield was reshaped with the power of earth magic, and two new challengers were brought forth.
"It seems the little one is not yet tired. It's a good sign, as we can keep introducing opponents. I want to continue studying its growth rate; it might even level up soon."
The small creature, overjoyed with more food coming, continued to fight. Its battle style was being refined with each new opponent; some it ate, while others it found too burnt to care for.
Logan stood on the sidelines, cheering along with Rubina, who had grown somewhat accustomed to seeing the large ants. Each time the small creature killed an opponent, Logan noticed his mark connecting him to his tame flared up, as if a lighter were lit next to his neck.
It was after seven of the Battle Ant Warriors were defeated that something strange happened with the small newt. The small fifteen or so centimeter Scorchwyrm began to tremble as an intense light radiated from where its small heart was. Logan, like the others, could see energy surge around the small creature, fire particles filling the area around him, searing any carcasses and debris nearby.
The salamander's scales began to shimmer with an iridescent glow that flashed red as it absorbed the red particles. As each part of its body began to shine, it began to grow. Beginning with its extremities, each area became longer, larger, sharper. Its muscles bulged, its limbs elongated, its once small body expanded into something formidable.
"Its… evolving!" Logan said in a barely audible but excited voice, competing with the crackling energy that filled the air.
With a final burst of light, the small creature's transformation was complete. The Scorchwyrm stretched its neck upward, making a low growl to announce its presence. It was then that Logan felt the searing pain around his neck. It was not damaging him but signaling a change with his tamed beast.
But it was not only the beast that leveled up. After the pain cleared around his collarbone, Logan felt a bit stronger. He didn't think it was enough to make him break a rock with his bare hands, but maybe something had changed.
"Looks like something happened, huh?" the earl observed, his eyes narrowing with curiosity. "I think you should use the Chronical Sigil I gave you to check your status again. Maybe something has changed with your skills.
[Name: Logan Class: Soul Bound Tamer]
Level: 2
Health: 14 Mana: 11
Attributes:
Strength: 4 Agility: 3 Dexterity: 3 Constitution: 6 Intelligence: 4 Charisma: 2
[Skills:]
Taming (Rank: Beginner): Forms a permanent bond with a marked beast or being using the masters blood; the being must be willing to form a pact and cannot be of higher rank or level than the master. (Max Beings: 3/4)Empathic Link (Rank: Beginner): Establishes a mental connection with tamed creatures, allowing for silent communication and understanding of their emotions and thoughts within a certain distance. (Max distance: 6 meters)
[Abilities:]
Tamer's Bond: Allows the hero to form a soul bond with creatures, making them permanent allies.
[Tamed Beings:]
Crimson Majesty (Level 1 - Blood Mark – Right Ankle) Skills: Scent of Serenity: Emits a calming fragrance that soothes those nearby, reducing stress and attracting prey. Hyper sense: Detects nearby presences through vibrations and movements around the plant. Thorny Defense: Protect itself using thorns found in its vines if attacked. Error: Unable to display further information. (Level 1 – Blood Mark – Ring Finger) Scorchwyrm (Level 5 (Adult) - Blood Mark – Neck) Loyalty: 2/100 Skills: Flame Breath: Unleashes a powerful stream of fire capable of incinerating foes. Molten Scales: Scales radiate intense heat, burning anything that comes into contact with them. Searing Whip: Whips its tail releasing a blazing slash on its path.
[Experience Points (XP): 63/75]
Logan noticed that he had gotten a level along with an increase in his stats with the addition of the Scorchwyrm being added to the list. His agility felt slightly sharper, his senses a bit keener, and his overall constitution had increased marginally.
Now that he concentrated, he could feel his bond with his tamed beast had gotten stronger, something he could probably attribute to the Loyalty stat that now displayed.
"Looks like we're both growing stronger," Logan said, recounting the changes he noticed to the earl and Rubina, who could help him assess how he was doing.
Rubina, noticing Logan's confused expression, nudged him gently. "Sounds like everything is going well. This all shows the power that heroes will have in our world."
The earl, who had been observing from a distance, stepped forward with a satisfied nod. "This is all fascinating, Logan. Let me tell you, there is no one who could make an infant into an adult with just a few kills. Your power seems to be the peak of your class tamer."
The middle-aged man then walked towards the creature, which had grown to four meters in length in a matter of seconds, with flames enveloping every part of its body. "Also, I don't think ants will help it any further, whether for food or to gain mana."
The creature seemed to have understood somehow, as it turned its face to the entrance of the Battle Ants' nest and huffed. Logan sensed from the creature the words, "Weak, not enough food, hungry."
"I think it's still hungry…" Logan told the group, explaining that he could hear the creature's thoughts in strange, familiar words.
The earl nodded. "Well, that may be the case as it needs to refuel the energy it used to evolve, but that will have to wait as we settle the Scorchwyrm to a temporary home. It will need to stay here while you get settled in the castle. Also, unlike the Battle Ants, I can't have this kid killing off my reared animals. These insect monsters quickly recover any of their lost members, but now that it's grown to this size, you will have to go out and fight some creatures to feed it."
The earl, who had finished inspecting the salamander, began to guide the group back up. Now that the creature was an adult, it was Logan's turn to hold it, sensing that it would not hurt him through their connection.
"You see, Logan," the earl continued, "monsters have more mana when they are part of an ecosystem. It seems the Spirits' energy is stronger when it's not around humans for some reason. So the best choice would be for you to go out to hunt with your creatures when you come back next time."
As the group approached the mansion, Logan, who had grown tired, placed the Scorchwyrm down. Though it was in its adult form, the young creature was still clumsy, having not had the time to grow normally. It cried out at times, hoping for its foster parent to give it food. The problem was quickly solved as the earl's workers brought the flaming beast fresh meat, which it eagerly enjoyed.
Everyone was surprised that the young Scorchwyrm was able to eat more than half its size in a matter of seconds and still ask for more.
With the young salamander fed the group was guided to a small metal barn, the earl turned to Logan and said, "Now then, I think this will be a good place for this young one. It will be well taken care of while it stays here, so you should try to have it stay here, Logan. Maybe it will settle down if you talk to it."
Logan gazed at the Scorchwyrm and concentrated on various words, such as home, metal house, and stay. The young beast didn't seem to understand as it stared at Logan with confusion.
Logan gently reached out, placing a hand on the Scorchwyrm's warm scales, trying to convey reassurance through their bond and adding emotions to his words. "This place is safe," Logan murmured, hoping the creature could sense his intent. "You'll be well taken care of here."
The Scorchwyrm tilted its head, still unsure, but Logan could feel a slight shift in its emotions. With a bit more encouragement, Logan felt confident the young beast would settle down. "Trust me, you'll be fine here."
The earl nodded in approval. "It may take some time, but it will understand eventually. You've done well, Logan."
Rubina added, "You are slowly building a new bond, it will take time but you will get there."
Logan sighed in relief. "Let's give it some time then." He watched as the Scorchwyrm began to explore its new surroundings, curiosity gradually replacing its initial confusion.