The morning air was crisp as Raine carried the Flame Sprout into the Sacred Grove. The tiny ember creature nestled in his palm, its flickering light reflecting its improved condition. Its once feeble sparks now crackled with an energy that spoke of potential—and Raine intended to see how far that potential could go.
By his side, the Soul Weaver glided silently, its shadowy form blending seamlessly with the grove's dim underbrush. Though it lacked physical features expressive enough to show emotions, Raine had started to recognize subtle cues in its behavior. The way it hovered closer when he seemed uncertain or the soothing hum it emitted during tense moments—these small gestures revealed a depth to the creature he hadn't initially noticed.
"We'll start here," Raine said, stopping at a clearing bathed in dappled sunlight. He set the Flame Sprout down on a patch of charred earth, a remnant of a long-forgotten fire. The creature's glow brightened as it touched the ground, its flames licking eagerly at the soot.
Raine knelt beside it, pulling a small journal from his satchel. Over the past few days, he'd filled its pages with observations and theories, drawing on both his veterinary knowledge and the fragmented lore from the manor's library. He'd learned that evolution wasn't just about feeding or nurturing; it required a deeper understanding of the creature's elemental affinity and emotional state.
"Fire thrives on fuel and oxygen," he murmured, jotting down notes as the Flame Sprout began to absorb the residual energy in the soil. "But what about its emotional core? What drives it to grow?"
The Soul Weaver let out a soft chime, as if in agreement. Raine glanced at it, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Don't worry; I haven't forgotten about you. Your secrets are next."
---
The Ember's Growth
Over the course of the day, Raine experimented with different stimuli to encourage the Flame Sprout's development. He fed it small, carefully measured portions of a mineral-rich concoction he'd devised and exposed it to controlled bursts of elemental energy using low-grade crystals from the manor's storeroom.
Each interaction yielded new insights. The Flame Sprout's glow intensified when exposed to warmth and light but dimmed in the presence of water or damp soil. It responded eagerly to praise, its flames flaring whenever Raine spoke to it in an encouraging tone.
"So you're not just a creature of fire," Raine observed. "You're driven by confidence and care."
The revelation felt significant. In his past life, he'd often encountered animals whose recovery depended as much on emotional support as on medical treatment. The Flame Sprout, it seemed, was no different. Its evolution wouldn't come from raw power alone; it required a bond of trust.
As the sun began to set, the Flame Sprout emitted a sudden burst of light, its flames swirling into a brief, radiant dance. Raine watched in awe as the creature's form shifted subtly, its edges growing sharper and its core burning brighter. Though it hadn't fully evolved, this small transformation was proof that his efforts were working.
The system chimed in his mind:
Progress noted: Flame Sprout has entered the Pre-Evolutionary Stage. Reward: Enhanced Knowledge of Elemental Affinities.
Raine felt a rush of satisfaction. He glanced at the Soul Weaver, who observed the scene with its ever-present, enigmatic calm. "One step closer," he said softly.
---
Unveiling Shadows
That night, Raine turned his attention to the Soul Weaver. While the Flame Sprout's growth had been encouraging, the shadowy fox-like creature posed a far more complex challenge. Its affinity for darkness and its ability to merge seamlessly with shadows hinted at immense untapped power, but Raine had yet to understand how to nurture it.
"You're not like the Flame Sprout," Raine mused aloud as he sat by the fire in his quarters. The Soul Weaver rested nearby, its form half-submerged in the room's darker corners. "Your growth isn't tied to light or warmth. You thrive in the unseen, the unnoticed."
He reached out to the creature, his hand hovering just above its head. The Soul Weaver's shadowy body shifted, solidifying briefly under his touch. A soft hum emanated from it, a sound that Raine had come to interpret as contentment.
The system's voice interrupted his thoughts:
New task: Uncover the secrets of the Soul Weaver's elemental talent. Reward: Shadow Manipulation Primer.
Raine's eyes narrowed. The system's cryptic guidance had been both a boon and a source of frustration. It often withheld crucial details, forcing him to piece together the puzzle through trial and error. Still, he welcomed the challenge.
---
A Fragile Bond
Over the next few days, Raine devoted himself to understanding the Soul Weaver. He observed how it interacted with its surroundings, noting how its form became more defined in dim light and almost ethereal in complete darkness. It seemed to draw strength from shadows, its movements becoming more fluid and precise in their presence.
But the breakthrough came unexpectedly.
One evening, as Raine sat in the library reviewing his notes, the Flame Sprout's flickering light suddenly dimmed. The room plunged into near-darkness, and Raine turned to see the Soul Weaver hovering protectively over the small creature. Its shadowy form expanded, enveloping the Flame Sprout in a cocoon of darkness.
For a moment, Raine panicked, fearing that the Soul Weaver might harm its smaller companion. But then he noticed the Flame Sprout's glow stabilizing, its flames burning brighter within the protective shadow.
"You're… shielding it?" Raine murmured, his voice filled with awe. The Soul Weaver turned its glowing eyes toward him, its hum deepening as if to confirm his observation.
Realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. The Soul Weaver's elemental talent wasn't just about manipulating shadows; it was about balance, providing protection and stability to those in its care. It was a guardian, a silent sentinel that thrived on the bonds it formed with others.
---
Secrets of the Elements
As the days turned into weeks, Raine continued his work with both creatures. The Flame Sprout showed steady progress, its flames growing stronger and more stable with each passing day. Meanwhile, the Soul Weaver's abilities became increasingly evident, its mastery over shadows proving invaluable in both defense and support.
Raine began experimenting with combining their elemental affinities, using the Soul Weaver's shadows to amplify the Flame Sprout's fire. The results were promising, hinting at the potential for even greater synergies between creatures of different elements.
The system offered occasional hints, rewarding his efforts with fragments of knowledge and small rewards. But Raine knew he was only scratching the surface. The secret art—the possibility of inheriting a creature's elemental talent—remained elusive, its requirements shrouded in mystery.
Still, he was undeterred. Each new discovery brought him closer to his goal, and Raine was nothing if not persistent.
"One day," he whispered to himself as he gazed at the Flame Sprout and the Soul Weaver, "we'll uncover all your secrets. And when we do, no one will dare call Beast Taming a trash magic again."
The creatures seemed to understand his resolve. The Flame Sprout's flames danced with renewed vigor, while the Soul Weaver emitted a soft, reassuring hum. Together, they were forging a path toward a future where the bond between tamer and beast would be recognized for the power it truly held.