Raine woke to the faint scent of morning dew and the hum of magical energy in the air. The Solvine had spent the night in a secluded courtyard just outside the Beast Taming Tower, its crystalline flowers gently glowing in the dark. Despite the quiet serenity, Raine had barely slept, his mind racing with thoughts of his new challenge. He had to understand the creature, form a bond, and prove to himself—and to the academy—that he could succeed where others might fail.
Today would be the beginning of his trials.
He dressed quickly, his thoughts still lingering on the events from yesterday. As a child, he'd never imagined himself at a place like the Royal Academy, let alone facing a creature like the Solvine. Yet, here he was, and the reality of it all felt heavier than he had expected. The creature was beautiful, powerful, and temperamental, and it demanded respect—something Raine understood well, given his background in taming beasts.
After a quick breakfast, Raine made his way to the courtyard where the Solvine awaited. The creature was already standing, its tendrils swaying lazily in the morning breeze. As Raine approached, it glanced up at him with its intelligent, glowing eyes. He could feel the Solvine's pride, its aloofness, and the subtle resistance it held toward him. But it hadn't rejected him outright. That was something to build on.
Instructor Lysandra appeared beside him, her sharp gaze surveying the scene. "You'll need to do more than just approach the creature, Raine," she said in her usual no-nonsense tone. "You must prove your worthiness in the eyes of the Solvine. Your bond with it must be earned."
Raine nodded, steeling himself. He knew what she meant. The Solvine was not an ordinary beast. It was known for its grace and beauty, but also for its disdain for weak tamers. This would not be a simple matter of calling it and expecting obedience. He would have to connect with it on a deeper level than he ever had before.
The first trial was simple—communication. Raine had to prove that he could understand the Solvine's language of energy, the subtle signals that no other tamer could perceive. It was something that all Beast Tamers were expected to learn, but few ever mastered it. The most successful tamers could connect with their creatures using only their emotions, reading the slightest fluctuations in magical auras and reacting accordingly.
Raine crouched down, careful not to make any sudden moves. He closed his eyes, focusing on the energy around him. The Solvine's presence pulsed softly through the air, its magic interwoven with the natural surroundings. He could sense its emotions: curiosity, hesitation, and a deep-rooted pride.
Slowly, he extended his hand, just as he had the day before. But this time, he did not try to touch it. Instead, he reached out with his senses, feeling the gentle current of magic flowing through his hand, attempting to tap into the Solvine's energy.
The creature watched him warily, its glowing petals flickering in time with the pulse of its aura. It wasn't ready to submit, but it wasn't rejecting him, either. Raine maintained his calm focus, remembering the lessons from his past life as a veterinarian—how animals communicated in subtle ways, through body language, breathing patterns, and energy. He applied those lessons now, using his empathy and understanding to bridge the gap between them.
A soft, golden glow began to radiate from the Solvine. Raine's hand trembled slightly as he felt a shift in its energy—a tentative acceptance. The Solvine was opening up to him, just a little.
Instructor Lysandra, who had been watching intently, gave a slight nod. "You're making progress, Raine. But remember—this is only the beginning. You must be prepared for more difficult trials ahead."
The Trials Intensify
In the days that followed, Raine's connection with the Solvine deepened. Each day brought new challenges, pushing him to grow as both a tamer and a student. The trials were rigorous, and the stakes were high. The academy wasn't interested in simply training Beast Tamers—it sought to cultivate true masters, individuals who could tame the wildest creatures and forge unbreakable bonds.
On the third day, Raine was assigned his first real trial—a test of control. The Solvine, while still somewhat distant, had begun to respond to his presence. It would follow his commands, but only when it deemed them worthy. Raine had learned that while the Solvine valued respect, it also valued strength. It wanted to see that he could match its power with his own.
The trial began in an open arena, surrounded by thick trees and glowing stones. The Solvine stood at the center, its body coiled like a spring, ready to react. Raine stood at a distance, focusing on the creature. Instructor Lysandra's voice echoed from the sidelines.
"Your goal is simple, Raine," she called. "Command the Solvine to form a barrier of light. Show it that you can command it, not just request it."
Raine took a deep breath, reaching out with his senses to feel the flow of energy within the Solvine. He could sense the raw power, the latent potential that the creature held within its glowing tendrils. It was magnificent—but it wasn't enough. Raine needed to match that energy, to take hold of it without overwhelming the creature.
Closing his eyes, Raine extended his magic outward, reaching toward the Solvine's light. He focused on the flow of energy, imagining a barrier forming around them both—one that would protect them and prove his control.
The Solvine flickered with light, its body shifting and twisting as if testing his resolve. Raine pressed forward, channeling his magic with steady precision, allowing the connection they had forged to guide him. Slowly, the Solvine's energy responded, and golden light began to wrap around them, forming a shimmering barrier.
Instructor Lysandra's voice rang out, "Enough."
Raine exhaled, his breath ragged but controlled. The barrier held, glowing with the combined magic of both him and the Solvine. It wasn't perfect, but it was an undeniable sign of progress. The creature's aura softened, its energy no longer pulsing with resistance.
"You have done well, Raine," Lysandra said. "You have proven that you are capable of earning the trust of the Solvine. But there are many more trials to come. The path to mastering Beast Taming is long, and this is only the beginning."
Raine's Status:
Name: Raine Evernight ValthornAge: 14Affiliation: Valthorn HouseholdLevel: 4Skills:Beast Taming (Advanced)Eye of Insight (Intermediate)Veterinary Medicine (Expert, Legacy)Attributes:Strength: 9/10 (High)Agility: 8/10 (High)Intelligence: 10/10 (Exceptional)Charisma: 8/10 (Moderate)Perception: 9/10 (High)Focus: 9/10 (High)Luck: 6/10 (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: 75Experience Points: 200/300 (Next Level: 4-Star Beast Tamer)
Raine's journey was just beginning. With each trial, his bond with the Solvine strengthened, but the challenges ahead would test him in ways he couldn't yet predict. As the days passed, he could feel the weight of his responsibilities—both to himself and to the creatures he would tame. He had come to the academy to restore the honor of Beast Taming, and he would stop at nothing to achieve that goal.