Chapter 23: A Deal in the Shadows
The Hidden Library had awakened something within Raine, but as the days passed, he found himself mired in the everyday grind of academy life. His lessons were becoming more challenging, and despite his talents, he couldn't shake the constant sense of financial pressure. The academy, despite its prestige, came at a cost—a cost Raine couldn't afford. The tuition fees, the equipment, the magic supplies—it all added up. And as his Beast Taming studies became more intricate, his resources were stretched thin.
Raine had always been resourceful, but the disparity between his ambitions and his current financial situation was beginning to wear on him. It was time to put his mind to work, not just his magic.
A Deal with the Devil
One evening, as Raine sat in his room reviewing his Beast Taming notes, his stomach growled. He hadn't had a proper meal in days. There was little left in his account, and the thought of borrowing more from his family didn't sit well with him. As much as he respected his lineage, he refused to depend on anyone—not even his prestigious family name.
That's when it hit him: he needed to find a way to turn his current skills into profit. But how? His Beast Taming knowledge could be worth something—if only he could find the right buyer.
Suddenly, the door creaked open, and a figure stepped inside—Lena, a classmate from the academy who had always been more interested in business than magic. She was a sharp-eyed, shrewd negotiator, and her family had connections throughout the kingdom. Raine had only ever spoken with her in passing, but tonight, her timing seemed perfect.
"Lena," Raine greeted, raising an eyebrow. "What brings you here?"
Lena smiled, her lips curling into a knowing grin. "I think we can help each other out, Raine. Word is that you've been getting pretty good at taming creatures."
Raine's gaze sharpened, his mind instantly working through the possibilities. He had never spoken openly about his Beast Taming work, but it seemed that rumors had spread faster than he anticipated. It didn't matter—he was getting used to the fact that his talents were becoming known. The question now was whether Lena had the right connections to make this useful.
"What do you want from me?" Raine asked, trying to keep his tone neutral.
Lena leaned against the doorframe, crossing her arms. "I have access to buyers, collectors, and even a few powerful families who are always looking for rare, tamed creatures or beast-related artifacts. You and I both know how valuable that is. I can make sure you get top coin for your work, but in exchange, I take a cut."
Raine frowned. "How much of a cut?"
"Forty percent," she replied smoothly, not even flinching. "It's a fair deal, considering the connections I have. You get the clients, I get the sales. Win-win."
Raine's mind spun. Forty percent was a steep price to pay, but it was better than going broke. He knew how to work his way around deals, and though the cut was high, it was the opportunity that mattered. He'd never had access to these kinds of people—Lena's contacts were the kind of clients he'd never dreamed of reaching on his own.
"Fine," he said after a moment of thought. "But I'll want to personally vet every deal. If I'm handing over my work, I want to make sure it's worth it."
Lena's grin widened. "Agreed. You get to keep control over the quality, and I'll handle the business side. You keep taming those creatures, and I'll make sure the right people know about them."
Raine hesitated for a moment, then gave a nod. He wasn't thrilled about the deal, but at least it was a start. He needed money—desperately—and Lena was the bridge to that.
Building His Empire
Over the following weeks, Raine threw himself into both his studies and his new venture. While Lena handled the logistics, Raine focused on what he knew best—beast taming. He started by capturing and taming lower-tier mystical creatures, creatures that were easy to handle but still held market value. He used his advanced knowledge of beast psychology and care to strengthen their bonds with him, ensuring that each creature was not only tame but also well-suited for a potential buyer.
The coins he earned from Lena's connections didn't come in large amounts at first, but they were enough to ease some of his financial burdens. Slowly, his business began to grow, and with it, his reputation among the academy's upper echelons. Word spread of Raine Evernight Valthorn, the Beast Tamer who could handle even the most elusive creatures.
Despite the steady income, Raine couldn't shake the feeling that his skills and knowledge were worth more than just petty transactions. He had a bigger vision—a vision that didn't just rely on taming creatures for profit, but one that involved changing the entire kingdom's perception of Beast Taming. The academy, with all its resources, could be the stepping stone he needed to make that vision a reality.
Upgrading the Effort
As his business grew, Raine began to notice that his personal progress in Beast Taming was stagnating. The work required to maintain his business, while necessary, was draining his energy. He had to focus more on the creatures than on his own development. It wasn't enough just to have the right skills—he needed more than that. He needed to upgraded skills, abilities, and even his physical and mental attributes.
But upgrading his abilities wasn't as simple as earning coins. It was slow, painstaking work. He needed to hone his connection with each creature, to build rapport and understanding. Each bond took effort, time, and energy—things Raine had in short supply.
It wasn't just about Beast Taming anymore. His Focus stat had to increase to help him manage multiple creatures at once, his Agility needed to be refined to handle larger, more powerful beasts, and his Luck—well, luck was never something he could count on, but it would certainly help in the higher-stakes taming jobs.
"Focus... Agility... Luck," he muttered to himself as he sat in the quiet of his dorm, reviewing his stats. "This will take time."
Status Update:
Agility: 11/10 -> 11.5/10 (Training progress: 85%)Focus: 12/10 -> 12.5/10 (Focus improvement: 45%)Luck: 7.8/10 -> 8/10 (Luck improvement: 10%)Beast Taming: Expert -> High Expert (Training progress: 40%)Mystical Creature Bonding: 25/100 -> 30/100 (Unlocking deeper connections)
Raine knew that in order to truly succeed, he would have to balance his academic pursuits with his entrepreneurial endeavors. His mind was always calculating, always searching for the next opportunity. But deep down, he knew that his journey was only beginning. The road ahead was long and uncertain, but with his sharpened instincts and a growing capital, Raine was determined to change the world one beast at a time.
Yet, there was something in the back of his mind—the whisper of something larger than just his personal ambition. The Hidden Library. The secrets it held. And the knowledge that the balance of power in the academy—and the kingdom—was shifting.