After finishing the Alchemy and Elemental Magic trials, I felt a mixture of excitement and exhaustion. My mind was still buzzing from the unexpected revelation of my Space Magic, even if it was faint. But now, I had decided to check out another station: the Beast Taming Hall.
It was something I had always been curious about but had no natural talent for. I loved animals in my previous life, but I never had any animals of my own.
I didn't even know if I could sense a creature, much less form a contract. But it would be so nice to have a cute spirit animal by my side. I hope that one day my wish will come true.
The hall was alive with energy. Magical creatures of all shapes and sizes wandered, floated, or slithered under the watchful eyes of their tamers. Several tables were scattered across the wide room, each set up for students to attempt short-term contracts with a creature. A few older students or teachers moved between the tables, offering guidance and judging the attempts.
I hesitated at the entrance, taking a deep breath. "Okay… I can at least observe first," I murmured to myself.
My gaze followed the small group at the center, where a tiny fox-like creature with glowing fur darted across the table, effortlessly dodging the frustrated hands of the students who were meant to tame it.
A tall young man noticed me lingering near the edge of the hall and approached with a friendly smile. "Hey, don't worry," he said, his voice calm but encouraging. "Not everyone can do this without help. Why don't you give it a try with this one?"
He pointed to a small, crystal-winged creature sitting on a table nearby. Its translucent wings shimmered faintly, and its curious eyes blinked at me expectantly. I swallowed and stepped closer. "Uh… okay. I'll try," I said, still unsure what exactly I was supposed to do.
"Just focus," he instructed gently. "Imagine connecting with its essence. Think of trust, mutual respect, and understanding. It's not just about commanding, its about forming a bond. See what you feel, and let that guide you."
I nodded, closing my eyes for a moment. I reached out a hand, trying to sense something, anything…, but the creature barely flickered, remaining still and calm. I tried again, summoning my concentration, willing it to move, but nothing happened. My cheeks warmed as I opened my eyes. "I… I can't," I admitted.
He smiled apologetically. "That's fine. Really. Some people just don't have the innate affinity for this.
Sometimes you just need guidance from a skilled beast tamer. And in rarer cases… a pre-forged contract can make the process far easier. Well… provided the gap in power between beast and tamer is not too great."
I let out a small sigh, half-relieved, half-disappointed.
"I guess… it's just not for me," I said softly. My shoulders slumped a little, but he waved it off. "Don't worry too much. There's more than one way to do anything here. Magic has countless forms."
Just then, the hall erupted in a ripple of awe. A voice called out, drawing everyone's attention. "Woaah, watch this. Liang Yue is performing!"
I turned to see a young man standing near the far end of the hall. He raised a glowing glyph in the air, murmured an incantation, and before my eyes, a luminous Pegasus, a magnificent, ethereal horse with radiant wings, materialized. Its hooves barely touched the ground, yet it exuded power and elegance. The Summoner traced a series of glowing symbols in the air, and the creature's eyes met his, calm and obedient. Within moments, the glyph shimmered and faded, leaving the Pegasus perfectly bonded with him. The young man bowed slightly, satisfied, and the crowd erupted in applause.
I couldn't help but gasp. "Wow… that's incredible."
The instructor at my table leaned closer and whispered, "That's Liang Yue, the top Summoner and Beast Tamer. Watch carefully, he's one of the rare students who can handle both Summoning and Beast Taming. That's why people are always talking about him. And see those three over there?" She nodded subtly toward a group in the corner. "They're his best friends. Everyone knows they're elite, older than you, and already established here. Together, they're practically untouchable in skill and reputation."
I tilted my head, curiosity bubbling. "And… what exactly are they? What's their magic?"
She chuckled softly. "Alright, I'll tell you briefly. That one with the dark aura? That's Yung Yu, a Shadow Mage, one of the rarest types here. The one with the brighter, sunny presence, in the center, that is Sheng Rui. He is a light mage and very skilled in healing, though more quiet than he seems at first. The last one, standing so poised, is Dawei Chen, the Sword Master. He has blood magic, which he channels through his swordsmanship and which is a very deadly combi.
And of course, you already know Liang Yue, the Summoner and Beast Tamer, you just saw him at work."
I let out a small breath, trying to absorb it all. Shadow, Light, Sword, and Beast Taming… each so unique, yet somehow forming an unshakable group.
I glanced at the trio. They stood casually, chatting quietly, but there was a natural air of confidence about them, the kind that made you notice them even when they did nothing. They weren't performing magic, but somehow, their mere presence demanded respect.
I followed behind, heart still racing, and a thought drifted through my mind: "Even if I can't tame beasts, I shouldnt give up.
Maybe… maybe sometimes in the future, i can achieve my wish."
For now, the trial had ended, and I had learned something important: not every magic suits every person, and that was okay. What mattered was finding where I fit. And as I glanced at the four older students once more, quietly observing from the corner, I knew one thing for certain: these were the people I wanted to understand, maybe even befriend, and possibly… challenge myself to grow alongside.
The hall settled into a quiet buzz as students began leaving their trial tables. I walked back to the edge, thinking about what I had seen, who I had met, and what this school had in store. Somewhere in the back of my mind, the faint glow of Space Magic pulsed softly, a reminder that while I struggled here, my own rare path was just beginning.