As the seconds ticked by, the stalemate between the determined Scorchwyrm and the fierce Battle Ant Warrior grew more intense.
The young creature lunged, aiming to bite off one of the ant's thin legs.
The room fell silent as predator and prey clashed in earnest—a battle that, ironically, could have been ended with a single stomp from any observer, even the relatively weak Logan.
Yet that fact did little to lessen the danger for either combatant.
One fought to survive and protect its colony. The other fought to feed, to grow stronger.
The Battle Ant Warrior, twice the size of its worker brethren, moved with practiced instinct. It had been shaped by generations of evolution—refined for the sole purpose of defense.
It sprang back with agile precision, narrowly avoiding the salamander's bite, then raised its scythe-like forelimbs, ready to counter.
One scythe lashed forward, aimed with deadly speed.
But the strike was met mid-air—deflected by a whip of the Scorchwyrm's small tail.
The sudden counter sent the ant tumbling off-balance. It hit the stone hard, exposed.
The Scorchwyrm didn't hesitate.
Flames burst from its jaws, engulfing the warrior insect in a flash of searing light.
Smoke curled upward as the ant's movements ceased.
The crowd cheered, voices rising in praise of the young creature's growing strength.
But the earl remained still, arms folded. He wasn't satisfied.
With a small gesture, he reshaped the battlefield. Stones shifted under the force of earth magic, clearing away ash and reconfiguring the training ring.
Two new challengers were brought forward.
"It seems the little one still isn't tired. That's a good sign," the earl said with analytical interest. "We'll keep introducing opponents. I want to continue studying its growth rate… it might even level up soon."
The Scorchwyrm, overjoyed by the promise of more food, didn't wait.
It dove into the next fight without hesitation. With each battle, its tactics improved. It adjusted its approach, choosing when to burn, when to bite, and when to hold back.
Some enemies were devoured on the spot. Others, charred beyond appeal, were simply ignored.
Logan stood at the edge of the ring, his excitement building. He found himself cheering—louder than he expected joined by Rubina, who, despite her earlier disgust, had grown oddly accustomed to the sight of giant ants being roasted alive.
Each time the small creature struck down an opponent, Logan felt the tattoo-like mark connecting him to his tame flare up—like a lighter flickering against the side of his neck.
It was after the seventh Battle Ant Warrior fell that something changed.
The fifteen-centimeter Scorchwyrm began to tremble, its small frame radiating a sudden pulse of intense light, originating from where its tiny heart beat beneath its chest.
Logan, along with the others, stared as fire energy surged around the creature. Glowing red particles filled the air, scorching nearby carcasses and burning away lingering debris.
Its scales glowed like an intense fire, catching the light in shifting hues, flashing a vivid red as it absorbed the fire essence floating around it.
Then the change began.
Starting from the extremities, each limb elongated, each claw sharpened. Its muscles swelled with new strength, the body stretching, expanding, becoming something far more dangerous than before.
Logan's breath caught in his throat.
"Its… evolving!" he whispered in joy, the words barely audible beneath the crackling energy and swirling heat.
With a final burst of light, the transformation completed.
The newly grown Scorchwyrm raised its head and stretched its neck, releasing a low, rumbling growl that echoed through the chamber.
And then Logan felt it.
A searing sensation tore across the mark on his neck—not painful enough to injure, but hot, intense, alive. It was reacting to the shift in his bonded creature.
The change wasn't one-sided.
As the heat faded, Logan realized something inside him had shifted too. A strange lightness, a faint pressure in his limbs and sense of some growth.
He didn't feel like he could lift a boulder or punch through stone, but something was definitely different.
He was stronger now, it was not only the Scorchwyrm who had changed, he could feel it within himself as well.
"Looks like something happened, huh?" the earl observed, his eyes narrowing with curiosity.
"I think you should use the Chronical Sigil I gave you to check your status again. Maybe something has changed with your skills." The earl added.
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Name: Logan Aiden
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Class: Soul Bound Tamer / Blessing: Darkness and Light Spirit
Level: 2 / Health: 14 (+4) / Mana: 11 (+3)
Attributes:
Strength: 4 (+1) / Agility: 3 (+1) / Dexterity: 3 (+1) / Constitution: 6 (+1) / Intelligence: 4 (+2) / Charisma: 2/+1
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Skills:
Taming (Rank: Beginner):
Forms a permanent bond with a marked beast or being using the master's blood. The creature must be willing to form the pact and cannot be of a higher rank or level than the master.
(Max Beings: — / 3 [+1 per level])
Empathic Link (Rank: Beginner):
Establishes a mental connection with tamed creatures, enabling silent communication and emotional understanding within a limited range.
(Max Distance: - meters [+2 meters per level])
Abilities:
Tamer's Bond: Allows the hero to form a soul bond with creatures, making them permanent allies.
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Tamed Beings:
Crimson Majesty [Level 1 / Blood Mark – Right Index] / Loyalty: 2/100
Error [Level 1 / Blood Mark – Ring Finger] / Loyalty: ?/100
Scorchwyrm [Level 5 / Blood Mark – Neck] / Loyalty 3/100
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Experience Points (XP): 63/75
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Logan noticed a small notification appear in his vision—he had gained a level.
Along with it came a noticeable rise in his stats, and the Scorchwyrm was now officially added to his list of bonded creatures.
His agility felt just a bit sharper, his senses more alert, and his constitution had risen slightly. When he focused, he could feel a subtle shift in his connection with the beast—deeper, stronger. A new Loyalty stat now displayed, and he could tell it played a role in that bond.
"Looks like we're both growing stronger," Logan said, recounting the changes he noticed to Earl Victor and Rubina, hoping they could help him make sense of it all.
Rubina, spotting his slightly confused expression, nudged him lightly. "Sounds like everything's going just fine. This shows what kind of power heroes can develop in our world."
The earl, who had been silently observing from a distance, finally stepped forward with a pleased nod.
"This is fascinating, Logan. No one—not even top-ranked breeders—can evolve a young beast into its next form with just a few kills. Your ability might just be the peak of what your class, Tamer, is capable of."
He turned toward the creature, now easily four meters long and still radiating heat. Flames danced across its body in rhythmic bursts, wrapping around its scales like breathing living armor.
"But I doubt ants will be useful from this point on," the earl added, voice thoughtful. "Not as food, and not for growth."
As if understanding the sentiment, the Scorchwyrm turned its head toward the ant nest's entrance and let out a heated huff.
Logan flinched slightly, but the meaning was clear. Through the Empathic Link, he could feel the creature's frustration.
[Weak. Not enough food. Hungry.]
"I think it's still hungry…" Logan said aloud, eyes narrowing. "I can hear its thoughts now. Not words exactly, but something close. It's strange… but familiar."
The earl gave a firm nod. "Well, that may be the case. It likely burned through most of its energy evolving, so it'll need to refuel soon. But that will have to wait until we get it settled into a temporary home."
He looked at Logan. "It'll need to stay here while you get adjusted at the castle. And unlike the Battle Ants, I can't have this kid going around killing off my reared animals. These insect monsters recover their numbers fast, but now that your Scorchwyrm's grown to this size, you'll have to hunt real creatures to feed it."
After finishing his inspection of the fire-laced salamander, the earl began guiding the group back up the stairs.
Now that the creature was fully evolved, it was Logan's turn to carry it. He sensed through the Empathic Link that it would never harm him, not while their bond remained strong.
"You see, Logan," the earl continued, "monsters out in the wild contain more mana, especially when they're part of a full ecosystem. For some reason, the Spirits' energy flows stronger in areas untouched by humans. So, when you return next time, it would be best to go out hunting with your creatures."
As the group approached the mansion, Logan—exhausted from the long day—set the Scorchwyrm down beside him.
Despite its newly matured body, the creature still moved with awkward steps, not yet used to its increased size. It cried out a few times, its instincts telling it that its foster parent should be feeding it.
Fortunately, the problem was solved quickly.
The earl's workers soon arrived, bringing slabs of fresh meat. The flaming beast eagerly devoured the food, satisfied for now.
Everyone was surprised that the young Scorchwyrm was able to eat more than half its size in a matter of seconds and still ask for more.
With the young salamander fed the group was guided to a small metal barn, the earl turned to Logan and said, "Now then, I think this will be a good place for this young one. It will be well taken care of while it stays here, so you should try to have it stay here, Logan. Maybe it will settle down if you talk to it."
Logan gazed at the Scorchwyrm and concentrated on various words, such as home, metal house, and stay.
The young beast didn't seem to understand as it stared at Logan with confusion.
Logan gently reached out, placing a hand on the Scorchwyrm's warm scales, trying to convey reassurance through their bond and adding emotions to his words.
"This place is safe," Logan murmured, hoping the creature could sense his intent. "You'll be well taken care of here."
The Scorchwyrm tilted its head, still unsure, but Logan could feel a slight shift in its emotions.
With a bit more encouragement, Logan felt confident the young beast would settle down.
"Trust me, you'll be fine here, Scorch." The boy reassured the beast while patting his head.
The earl nodded in approval. "It may take some time, but it will understand eventually. You've done well, Logan."
Rubina added, "You are slowly building a new bond, it will take time but you will get there."
Logan sighed in relief. "Let's give it some time then." He watched as the Scorchwyrm began to explore its new surroundings, curiosity gradually replacing its initial confusion.