Raine had barely stepped into the Beast Taming Tower when the overwhelming weight of the academy's atmosphere hit him. The air was thick with magic, the walls decorated with intricate carvings depicting legendary tamers of old, and the faint scent of herbs and enchanted stone filled the air. The tower was alive with energy—students whispering to each other, magical creatures being led through hallways by their tamers, and the sound of distant roars and growls that reminded Raine just how important and difficult the art of Beast Taming truly was.
As he walked deeper into the tower, he found himself in a large atrium, where a group of students had already gathered. The atmosphere was charged with nervous excitement. Some were eager to begin their training, while others wore expressions of doubt. Raine's sharp eyes caught sight of a few familiar faces from the entrance ceremony—Alric Denshaw, the boy who had failed to awaken an elemental affinity, was among them. He stood off to the side, his usual confidence replaced by a shadow of uncertainty.
The Instructor of the Beast Taming Tower, a tall woman with silver hair tied back into a tight braid, stepped forward and raised her hand, silencing the room. Her gaze swept over the students, her sharp eyes taking in every detail before she spoke.
"Welcome to the Beast Taming Tower, students. I am Instructor Lysandra, and I will guide you through the fundamentals of this ancient art. Beast Taming is not like elemental magic, where you simply learn to control the elements. It is about understanding creatures on a level deeper than anyone could imagine. Some of you will excel, while others may struggle, but all of you will face the challenge of building a bond with the creatures you encounter here."
She paused, letting her words sink in.
"Before we begin, let me explain how this tower works. Each student here will be assigned a magical creature to bond with. Your bond with that creature will be tested in various trials. Your success or failure will depend on your understanding of the creature's temperament, its elemental compatibility, and your ability to connect with it. Remember, not every creature is easily tamed, and not every bond is meant to last. Some of you may be paired with creatures that are more challenging than others, but that is the essence of Beast Taming. You will learn more about yourselves than you ever thought possible."
Raine nodded, the weight of her words settling in. He had already tamed several creatures back home, but here, the stakes would be much higher. This was the Royal Academy—the best of the best gathered in one place. He had to prove himself, not only to his peers but to the creatures he would tame.
"Each of you will be paired with a trial creature," Instructor Lysandra continued, "A creature that matches your current skill level. You will spend the next month forming a bond with it. After that, we will begin the first of many trials to test your abilities. Fail, and you may be reassigned to a different creature or sent for additional training. Succeed, and you will prove your worth to this academy."
The room fell into a heavy silence as the students awaited their assignments. Raine's pulse quickened. He had never had a teacher this serious before. The beasts here were no small matter, and Instructor Lysandra was not one to tolerate failure.
One by one, the students were called forward to receive their trial creature. Raine's name was called, and he stepped forward, standing tall with a quiet determination in his eyes. Instructor Lysandra handed him a small, smooth stone—a magical artifact used to call forth the creature assigned to him.
"Place the stone in front of you," she instructed. Raine did as told, kneeling to set the stone on the ground. It glowed faintly, and moments later, a large burst of magical energy erupted from it, swirling around the room like a storm. The energy slowly took form until, before Raine, stood a magnificent creature.
It was a Solvine, a rare creature that combined both plant and light elements. Its body was a blend of vine-like tendrils and glowing, crystalline flowers that emitted a soft golden light. Its eyes, however, were what struck Raine the most—bright, intelligent, and full of silent wisdom. The Solvine was known for its gentle nature, but it was also incredibly difficult to tame due to its prideful and independent temperament.
Raine stood still, eyeing the creature carefully. The Solvine's gaze was fixed on him, unblinking, almost as though it were judging him. He knew from his previous experience with taming that this moment would set the tone for their future relationship.
Instructor Lysandra watched them both, her arms crossed as she observed the interaction. "You have been assigned the Solvine, Raine Evernight Valthorn," she said. "This creature is known for its connection to the light element. It will not submit easily, but if you can earn its trust, you will find a powerful ally."
Raine nodded, kneeling in front of the creature. His voice was soft but steady as he spoke, addressing the Solvine as if it were an old acquaintance.
"Hello, Solvine. I know you are a creature of great beauty and power. I can tell you're not someone who trusts easily, but I ask for the chance to show you that I understand you. I won't force you, but I will work hard to earn your respect."
The Solvine tilted its head, as though considering his words. Then, with a soft rustling of its tendrils, it took a step closer. Raine remained still, his breathing steady as he slowly extended his hand toward the creature. The Solvine did not flinch. It sniffed the air around him, its glowing petals pulsing gently, before it reached out and brushed its tendril against Raine's outstretched hand.
A spark of magic flowed between them. Raine felt it—a deep, resonating connection. He understood the creature's emotions, its reluctance, its pride, and, most importantly, its loneliness. The Solvine, in return, felt Raine's sincerity, his deep desire to understand and connect. It was not a bond of immediate submission, but it was a beginning.
The room was silent as the connection deepened. Instructor Lysandra nodded in approval.
"Very well," she said. "You've taken the first step. Now, we begin the real work."
Raine's Status:
Name: Raine Evernight ValthornAge: 14Affiliation: Valthorn HouseholdLevel: 3Skills:Beast Taming (Intermediate)Eye of Insight (Intermediate)Veterinary Medicine (Expert, Legacy)Attributes:Strength: 8/10 (Moderate)Agility: 7/10 (Moderate)Intelligence: 9/10 (High)Charisma: 7/10 (Moderate)Perception: 8/10 (High)Focus: 8/10 (High)Luck: 5/10 (Average)Beast Taming Stats:Flame Sprout (Fire Element): Rank 1-StarSoul Weaver (Shadow Element): Rank 2-StarAzure Solfox (Water/Light Element): Rank 3-StarSolvine (Light/Plant Element): Rank 2-StarCoins: 50Experience Points: 150/300 (Next Level: 3-Star Beast Tamer)
Raine's first trial had begun, and the path before him was unclear. Would he succeed in forming a lasting bond with the Solvine, or would it prove to be more than he could handle? Only time would tell.