The early morning sun broke over Skyreach Spire, its golden light casting long shadows across the courtyard. The floating platforms high above the main structure shimmered faintly, their edges glowing with the ever-present hum of magical energy. Tamers and their beasts were already active, their silhouettes visible against the brightening sky as they moved between training arenas and observation decks.
Azhaan stood at the entrance to the workshop wing, the stone archway towering above him. The runes carved into the stone glowed faintly, a soft, welcoming pulse of energy that contrasted with the sense of tension knotting in his chest.
Shade walked beside him, its red eyes scanning the students passing by. The bond between them pulsed faintly, a quiet reminder of Shade's presence and support.
Azhaan adjusted his pack, where the Lunar Bloom and Starfire Shard rested securely. Today, he was determined to find answers—and if anyone could provide them, it was Instructor Miren.
The workshop wing of the Spire was one of its most functional and active areas, a place where magic and craft intertwined seamlessly. The wide, open chamber buzzed with quiet energy, the air filled with the faint hum of enchantments and the clinking of tools against stone and metal.
The walls of the workshop were lined with shelves that stretched to the ceiling, filled with glowing crystals, shimmering vials, and carefully labeled bundles of rare herbs. Long tables ran down the center of the room, each one occupied by students and tamers hunched over their projects. Beasts of varying shapes and sizes lounged beside their tamers, their gazes sharp and alert as they watched the activity around them.
At the far end of the chamber, near a large window that overlooked the forest below, Instructor Miren stood over a table cluttered with tools and materials. Her crystalline serpent was coiled loosely around her shoulders, its glittering scales catching the sunlight streaming through the window.
Azhaan hesitated at the entrance, but Shade nudged his leg, urging him forward.
"Alright, alright," Azhaan muttered, his voice low. "Let's do this."
He made his way through the workshop, his presence drawing a few curious glances from the other students. He wasn't exactly unknown anymore—his bond with Shade and his growing reputation as an unconventional tamer had ensured that.
When he reached Miren's table, the instructor glanced up from her work, her sharp eyes narrowing as they fixed on him.
"Rookie," she said, her tone clipped but not unkind. "What brings you here so early?"
Azhaan hesitated, then carefully set his pack on the table, pulling out the Lunar Bloom and Starfire Shard. The items glowed softly in the morning light, their energy mingling faintly.
"I found these," Azhaan said, his voice steady despite the tension in his chest. "I want to evolve Shade, but I don't know how to use them."
Miren's gaze shifted to the items, her expression unreadable. She reached out, her fingers brushing lightly against the Lunar Bloom before moving to the Starfire Shard.
"These are impressive finds," she said, her tone thoughtful. "The Lunar Bloom is rare, even in the Verdantwilds. And the Starfire Shard—did you travel to the Ashen Crags to get this?"
Azhaan shook his head. "No. A… fox-like creature led me to it in the Verdantwilds."
Miren raised an eyebrow, her gaze sharpening. "A guide beast? That's unusual. They're not known for helping tamers. Most would lead you into a trap."
Azhaan shrugged. "I thought the same, but it's helped me twice now. I don't know why."
Miren studied him for a moment, then nodded. "There's something about you, rookie. Something the bond system hasn't revealed yet. Beasts like that don't act without reason."
Azhaan glanced at Shade, who was sitting quietly beside him, its red eyes fixed on the glowing items. "So, what do I do with these?"
Miren straightened, her crystalline serpent shifting on her shoulders. "Evolution isn't just about gathering materials—it's about balance. The Lunar Bloom and Starfire Shard complement each other well, but they're not enough on their own. You'll need a stabilizing medium to bind their energies together."
Azhaan frowned. "What kind of medium?"
Miren gestured to the shelves lining the walls. "Something neutral but potent. Mana-infused water, refined ether crystal dust, or even an elemental core if you can find one. The medium will act as a bridge, allowing the materials to merge with your beast's essence."
Azhaan nodded slowly, absorbing her words. "And once I have the medium?"
Miren's gaze turned serious. "You'll need to conduct the evolution ritual in a controlled environment. The Spire has evolution chambers designed for this purpose—protected spaces where the energy release won't harm anyone or anything."
She stepped closer, her expression softening slightly. "The most important thing, rookie, is trust. Your bond with Shade will be tested during the evolution process. If either of you falter, the process could fail—or worse."
Azhaan swallowed hard, his grip tightening on the edge of the table. "I trust Shade," he said firmly. "And I'll do whatever it takes to make this work."
Miren nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Good. That's the attitude you'll need."
As Azhaan left the workshop, his mind buzzed with the information Miren had given him. The Spire was vast, and finding a suitable medium among its countless resources felt like an overwhelming task.
The corridors were alive with activity as students and tamers moved between their lessons and assignments. The walls glowed faintly with embedded runes, their light guiding the way through the labyrinthine structure.
Azhaan stopped at a small alcove near the staircase, where a notice board displayed quests, announcements, and trade offers. His eyes scanned the board, searching for anything that might lead him to a stabilizing medium.
A handwritten note caught his attention:
"Seeking help in the Alchemy Wing. Assistance required for refining mana-infused water. Compensation provided."
Azhaan tore the note from the board, tucking it into his pocket. "Looks like a good place to start," he muttered, glancing at Shade.
The Shadow Stalker growled softly, its red eyes glinting as it followed him up the staircase.
The Alchemy Wing was one of the more mysterious areas of the Spire, tucked away in its upper levels. The air here was thick with the scent of herbs and minerals, and faint plumes of colored smoke rose from the various workstations scattered throughout the chamber.
The room was circular, with shelves of ingredients lining the curved walls and cauldrons bubbling softly in the center. Tamers in alchemist robes moved between the stations, their beasts carrying supplies or assisting in the processes.
Azhaan approached one of the stations, where a young alchemist was carefully pouring a shimmering liquid into a small vial.
"Excuse me," Azhaan said, holding up the note. "I'm here about the mana-infused water."
The alchemist looked up, her eyes widening slightly. "Ah, yes. You're here to help refine it?"
Azhaan nodded. "If it's still available."
"It is," she said, gesturing to an empty workstation. "We'll need to extract the mana from raw crystals and bind it to the water. It's a delicate process, but with your help, it shouldn't take long."
Azhaan set his pack down and rolled up his sleeves, ready to begin. The path to Shade's evolution was becoming clearer, but he knew this was just the first step.