Varn clapped Aidan on the shoulder. "Good. Tomorrow, we'll visit the egg repository on this planet. If we don't find anything worthwhile, we'll head to the Velcro branch family's planet. Either way, you'll find the right beast to tame. No pressure."
---
Early the next morning, after a quick breakfast, Varn and Aidan set out to find the perfect egg for Aidan's first beast. Aidan couldn't contain his excitement, his face lit with a grin. This was it the first step toward his dream of becoming a beast tamer.
As they stepped out of the hotel and moved toward the central part of the outpost, the bustling marketplace of Planet Verifian greeted them. The air buzzed with life: vendors shouted their prices, drones zipped by delivering goods, and the occasional growl of a tamed beast echoed through the crowd. Aidan trailed behind Varn, his eyes darting between the vibrant stalls and the towering portal gate in the distance.
Varn walked with purpose, his gaze fixed ahead. "We're wasting time here, kid," he said, glancing back at Aidan. "The real treasures are on the Velcro branch family's planet. This place is just an outpost good for supplies, but not much else."
They have been trying to find a good beast egg for some time now but there has been no results.
Aidan though disappointed but nodded because he understands that finding a right egg for taming is essential for future growth, while thinking about becoming stronger he couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement again. Even if this was just an outpost, it was unlike anything he'd ever seen. Beast eggs of various colors and sizes were displayed prominently in glass cases, some glowing faintly, others pulsing with an almost lifelike rhythm.
---
As they approached the portal gate, Aidan's attention was drawn to a modest stall tucked away in a quieter corner of the market. The vendor, a burly man with a weathered face, leaned lazily against his counter, his display of eggs lacking the grandeur of the other stalls.
Aidan stopped abruptly, his system flaring to life.
[Warning: High-potential beast egg detected.
Analysis suggests compatibility with host.
Classification: Ascended Stage potential.]
He blinked, his gaze locking onto a small, unassuming egg nestled among the others. Its surface was a dull gray with faint, almost imperceptible cracks that shimmered faintly in the light.
"Varn," Aidan called, urgency in his voice. "Wait."
"Hm?" Varn turned back, frowning. "What is it?"
Aidan approached the stall, Varn following reluctantly.
"How much for this egg?" Aidan asked, pointing to the gray egg.
The vendor chuckled, his tone casual. "Good eye, kid. That's a wolf egg. It's not cheap, though—been in my family for generations. I'm only selling it to buy medicine for my wife."
Varn glanced at the egg and shook his head. "Kid, that's just an ordinary egg. Potential cap at Feral Stage. You'll want something better for your first taming."
"No, please I want this egg only"
Aidan sighed, knowing he couldn't explain the system to Varn. He searched for an excuse. "No, I want this egg. I don't know why, but it feels… special."
Varn raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "Special?" He almost scoffed but stopped himself.
Something about Aidan made him pause. The kid had a knack for surprising him.
Varn continues to argue, but his words lack their usual bite. He observes Aidan carefully, watching for any signs of wavering. When Aidan remains steadfast, a grudging respect begins to form. He relents, thinking, Alright, kid. You want to learn the hard way, that's your business. But don't say I didn't warn you.
"Alright," Varn said with a resigned sigh. "It's your choice, your path." He turned to the vendor. "What's the final price, old man?"
The vendor's expression turned somber. "Like I said, this is my family heirloom. I'm only selling it because I need the money. But it has the potential to reach Awakened Stage."
Varn folded his arms, giving the vendor a skeptical look. "Save the sob story. That's a regular wolf egg, Feral Stage at best."
The vendor bristled but held his ground. "Fifty credits, no less."
Aidan's heart sank. He had no money left after paying for the hotel and meals. He turned to Varn, hesitant. "I… I don't have the credits."
Varn sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Of course you don't." He turned back to the vendor, his tone sharp. "Fifty credits? You're joking. I could buy two decent Feral Stage eggs for that price."
The vendor flinched. "It's not just about the stage! This egg has sentimental value. I'm not budging."
Varn leaned closer, his voice low. "Sentimental value doesn't mean squat in a marketplace. You're lucky I'm even considering it."
The vendor hesitated. "Fine. Forty-five credits. But that's my final offer."
"Twenty," Varn countered. "Take it or leave it."
The vendor's face reddened. "Twenty? Are you trying to rob me?"
Varn smirked. "No, I'm trying to save you the trouble of holding onto an egg no one else will buy. Look around—your stall's practically deserted."
A tense silence hung between them. Finally, the vendor sighed, throwing up his hands. "Thirty-five credits. That's as low as I'll go."
Varn glanced at Aidan, who stared at the egg with unwavering determination. He sighed again, pulling out his credit chip. "Fine. Thirty-five."
The vendor quickly wrapped the egg in protective material and handed it to Aidan, who cradled it carefully.
He couldn't wait to form his first bond, seeing his enthusiasm Varn couldn't help but chuckle a little remembering about his own first bond and how happy he was.
So he didn't delay and took Aidan straight to the hotel room where he can safely bond with this egg.
---
Back at the hotel, Varn handed Aidan a vial of beast bonding serum. "This will help you connect with the beast inside the egg. It makes the process easier but doesn't guarantee success."
Aidan nodded, taking the vial. Varn instructed him to sit cross-legged and place the egg in his hands.
"Close your eyes and focus," Varn said. "Feel for the soul inside the egg. The serum will help you reach it, but it's up to you to form the bond."
Aidan closed his eyes, his breathing steady. The world around him faded as he focused on the egg. Slowly, he felt a faint light in the darkness, pulsing in rhythm with his heartbeat. He reached for it, the connection growing stronger.
The system's voice echoed in his mind.
[Bonding successful.
Congratulations, host, on taming your first beast and officially becoming a beast tamer.]
Aidan opened his eyes, overwhelmed with emotion. The egg in his hands shimmered faintly, its cracks glowing with life.
"Congratulations, kid," Varn said, a rare smile crossing his face.