The morning sun painted the Valthorn estate in a warm, golden light. Today was special, not just for Raine's family but for the entire kingdom. In this world, when children turned twelve, they had the chance to undergo the Affinity Awakening ceremony. It was an exciting, life-changing event where they might discover their connection to one of the six core elements: fire, water, earth, air, light, or shadow. Not everyone would be lucky enough to gain an affinity, but for those who did, it opened the doors to endless possibilities.
Raine stood on his balcony, watching the servants below prepare for the ceremony. His younger sister, Elira, was the focus of today's event. At twelve years old, Elira was full of energy and determination, always eager to prove herself. As Raine looked at the ceremonial altar being set up in the courtyard, memories of his own awakening ceremony from years ago came flooding back. Though society looked down on Beast Taming now, there was no denying the excitement surrounding the elemental arts.
The altar was a magnificent piece of work. Carved from ancient stone and covered in glowing runes, it was said to connect directly to the elements. This would be the stage where Elira, and others her age, would take their first steps toward discovering their potential.
The Ceremony Begins
The courtyard buzzed with excitement. Nobles from all over the kingdom had gathered, dressed in their finest clothing. Servants rushed to set up refreshments, and families exchanged polite greetings, their words filled with hidden hopes and nervous energy. At the center of it all stood the altar, its glowing runes flickering like a heartbeat. A Mage of the Crown, dressed in robes that shimmered with light, presided over the ceremony, his calm presence adding to the solemn atmosphere.
Elira stepped forward, her bright red hair catching the sunlight. She was nervous, but her determined expression reminded Raine of their late mother. As the Mage began chanting in an ancient language, the runes on the altar started to glow more brightly. Everyone watched in silence as Elira placed her hands on the altar.
A ripple of magic spread through the air, making it hum with energy. Moments later, a warm orange glow surrounded Elira, and the Mage's voice rang out for all to hear:
"Affinity: Fire. Compatibility: Moderate."
The crowd erupted in applause. Raine smiled, feeling both relief and pride. Moderate compatibility wasn't the highest, but it was still a solid foundation for Elira to build upon. Her face lit up with a mix of pride and joy as she returned to the family's side.
Not Everyone is Fortunate
The ceremony continued as more children approached the altar. Some were lucky, discovering affinities with high compatibility, earning them cheers from their families. Others, however, weren't so fortunate. A few walked away with no affinity at all, their faces pale with disappointment. It was a harsh reminder that not everyone could achieve greatness through the elements.
Raine observed these moments with a thoughtful expression. His newly upgraded Eye of Insight skill activated, allowing him to see basic details about each participant. One boy caught his attention. He stood tall and confident, but when he placed his hands on the altar, nothing happened. The altar stayed dim, and the Mage announced quietly:
"Affinity: None."
The boy, Alric Denshaw, tried to mask his disappointment, but Raine's skill revealed his inner turmoil:
Name: Alric Denshaw Age: 12 Affiliation: Denshaw Household Affinity: None
Raine sighed. He understood what it felt like to face failure. In his past life, as a veterinarian burdened by debt and stress, he had experienced his fair share of setbacks. But he also knew that talent wasn't everything. Hard work, creativity, and determination could lead to success in unexpected ways. Perhaps Alric's path wasn't tied to the elements, but that didn't mean it was over for him.
A New Discovery
That evening, Raine sat in his study, reflecting on the day. The system chimed, breaking his thoughts:
System Notification: New Information Unlocked—Affinity Awakening.
Raine eagerly opened the interface to read:
Affinity Awakening: A ceremony performed at age 12 to determine elemental compatibility. Affinities are ranked from Low to Exceptional. Compatibility affects the individual's ability to wield their element.
Note: Mystical creatures are also ranked by their elemental affinities, which can influence the strength of their bond with tamers.
This intrigued Raine. If mystical creatures had affinities similar to humans, understanding them could be key to forming stronger bonds. The system added another note:
Additional Note: Upgrading Eye of Insight will reveal detailed affinity breakdowns for humans and creatures.
Raine's curiosity burned brighter. This knowledge could help him revolutionize Beast Taming. By combining his veterinary expertise with his growing magical skills, he could uncover new ways to strengthen the bond between tamers and creatures.
Leveling Up
Determined to make progress, Raine decided to upgrade his Eye of Insight. After spending the necessary experience points and coins, the system displayed:
Skill Upgraded: Intermediate Eye of Insight.
New Features Unlocked:
Detailed affinity analysis for humans and creatures. Insight into potential compatibility with mystical creatures.
Raine tested the upgraded skill by focusing on his own reflection in the mirror. The information appeared before him:
Name: Raine Evernight Valthorn Age: 18 Affiliation: Valthorn Household Affinity: None (Beast Tamer) Skill Levels: Intermediate Eye of Insight (Level 2) Coins: 15 Experience Points: 10/150
While he had no elemental affinity himself, Raine wasn't discouraged. His path lay in Beast Taming, and he was determined to elevate it to new heights. The potential applications of his upgraded skill filled him with excitement.
Reviewing His Progress
Before ending the day, Raine checked on the beasts he had tamed so far. Each one was unique, with its own strengths and challenges:
[Tamed Beasts] 1. Flame Sprout – Element: Fire – Temperament: Curious, loyal, mischievous. 2. Soul Weaver – Element: Shadow – Temperament: Observant, protective, enigmatic. 3. Azure Solfox – Elements: Water, Light – Temperament: Intelligent, wary, prideful.
He also reviewed the system's new revelation about mystical creatures:
Mystical creatures are ranked by stars, from 1 to 5. Higher-ranked creatures possess greater power but are harder to tame. Fully taming a creature might unlock their elemental talents, depending on the tamer's luck and effort.
This opened up even more possibilities. Raine resolved to study these rankings further and develop strategies for taming high-star creatures.
As he prepared to rest, Raine felt a renewed sense of purpose. The journey ahead was filled with challenges, but he welcomed them. He wasn't just chasing power or prestige—he was working to restore the honor of Beast Taming and create a legacy that would inspire generations to come.