Raine leaned back in his chair, staring at the system interface that had become an integral part of his life. The Skill Shop and task system were revolutionary, but something about the recent upgrades hinted at further hidden depths. His musings were interrupted by another soft chime.
System notification: New skill unlocked.
Curiosity piqued, Raine opened the interface and navigated to his skill list. A new addition gleamed at the top:
Basic Eye of Insight
Description: Grants the ability to view basic information about creatures, including humans. Displays species, elemental affinity, and a brief temperament analysis. Can be upgraded through leveling. Experience points and coins are required for upgrades.
Raine's eyebrows shot up. This skill had the potential to change everything. Understanding a creature's nature without guesswork would give him an edge in taming, training, and even forming alliances. He immediately activated the skill, feeling a slight warmth in his eyes as the upgrade took effect.
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Testing the Eye
Raine stood and glanced at the Flame Sprout, which was curled up on the study floor. The moment he focused on the creature, translucent text appeared in his vision:
Species: Flame Sprout
Element: Fire
Temperament: Curious, loyal, slightly mischievous.
Raine smirked. "Mischievous, huh? That explains a lot."
He turned to the Soul Weaver, which was perched in the shadows near the window. The text that appeared was more cryptic:
Species: Soul Weaver
Element: Shadow
Temperament: Observant, protective, enigmatic.
The skill wasn't perfect—its descriptions were brief, and some nuances were clearly missing—but it was more than enough for a starting point.
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A New Task
Before Raine could test the skill further, a new system notification appeared:
New Quest Available: Utilize the Eye of Insight to identify the hidden elemental affinity of an unknown creature.
The task promised a substantial reward, including experience points for leveling the Eye of Insight. Raine accepted the quest and quickly began planning. He needed a creature he hadn't encountered before—one that would test the limits of his new ability.
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The Search Begins
Raine set out with the Flame Sprout and Soul Weaver in tow. The manor grounds were rich with wildlife, but most of the creatures were familiar to him. He needed something different, something rare. His thoughts drifted to the northern grove, a dense forest that bordered the estate. It was said to be home to elusive creatures that avoided human contact.
As they entered the grove, the atmosphere shifted. The air was cooler, and the trees seemed to hum with a faint, magical energy. Raine activated the Eye of Insight, scanning the area for any signs of life.
After an hour of searching, a flicker of movement caught his attention. A small, shimmering creature darted between the trees, its body glowing faintly in the dim light. Raine focused his gaze, and the Eye of Insight activated:
Species: Lumineth Wisp
Element: Light
Temperament: Skittish, inquisitive, wary of strangers.
Raine grinned. The Lumineth Wisp was exactly the type of creature he needed for the task. Its light element was rare in the region, and taming it would be a challenge. He carefully approached, signaling the Flame Sprout to stay back and allowing the Soul Weaver to remain hidden in the shadows.
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A Delicate Approach
The Lumineth Wisp hovered nervously, its glow flickering as Raine inched closer. He crouched low, speaking softly. "Easy now. I'm not here to hurt you."
The Wisp's flickering slowed, its inquisitive nature beginning to override its fear. Raine extended a hand, allowing the creature to sense his intentions. The Eye of Insight provided real-time updates:
Temperament shift detected: Wary → Neutral curiosity.
Raine reached into his satchel and retrieved a small crystal infused with light magic. It was a trinket he had purchased during his last visit to the capital, and it seemed to catch the Wisp's attention. The creature drifted closer, its glow steadying as it inspected the crystal.
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Completing the Task
When the Wisp finally settled in Raine's palm, the system chimed:
Quest Complete: Utilize the Eye of Insight to identify the hidden elemental affinity of an unknown creature.
Reward: 200 points, 50 experience points, and 10 coins.
Raine felt a rush of satisfaction as the rewards were added to his inventory. He opened the system interface and checked the Eye of Insight's progress. It was still at its base level, but the experience points brought it closer to an upgrade.
He also noticed a new option in the Skill Shop:
Upgrade Eye of Insight to Intermediate Level: Cost – 100 experience points and 50 coins.
Raine mentally calculated his current resources. He had enough points to cover the upgrade, but spending them all at once felt risky. After some deliberation, he decided to wait. The basic Eye of Insight was sufficient for now, and there might be more urgent needs in the future.
---
Reflection
As Raine made his way back to the manor, the Lumineth Wisp perched on his shoulder, its glow illuminating the darkening path. The day had been a success, but it was only the beginning. The Eye of Insight was a powerful tool, and with careful use, it could unlock secrets that others couldn't even begin to fathom.
Raine glanced at the Flame Sprout and Soul Weaver, who were trailing behind him. Together, they formed an unlikely team, bound by shared goals and an unspoken trust. The path to reviving Beast Taming was long and fraught with challenges, but Raine felt more prepared than ever to face them.
The system had given him tools, but it was his ingenuity and determination that would ultimately make the difference. With each new skill, each new discovery, he was one step closer to reclaiming the lost glory of his craft—and perhaps even surpassing it.