Tomlin had survived wars of words with Bessy, royal audiences, and a cult of cow-worshippers…
But nothing could prepare him for the true trial of his life—
Academy mornings.
The Spirit Tamers' Daily Grind
The day at the Spirit Tamers' Academy of Verdelune began with the toll of the Sun Bell.
It rang five times at dawn, echoing through the marble towers and making every spirit beast in the dorms groan—or moo, in Bessy's case.
"Moooo—five bells already?! Who schedules classes before breakfast?"
Tomlin dragged himself out of bed, half-asleep, his uniform wrinkled beyond repair.
He still wasn't sure how to wear the ceremonial belt correctly, and Bessy insisted the sash made him look like "a confused potato in silk."
The academy grounds buzzed with life. Spirit tamers and their companions filled the paths—wolves made of flame, birds of wind, even a talking stone with an attitude problem.
Tomlin and Bessy definitely stood out.
"Morning, Druid!" called a classmate.
"Hey, holy cow!" shouted another.
"Can you bless my goat?" asked a third.
Bessy waved her tail modestly. "Form a line, mortals."
Tomlin sighed. "This is my life now, isn't it?"
"You're welcome."
Spirit Power System: The Path of Resonance
In Spirit Taming, every student's power was measured not by muscle or magic—but by Resonance Rank, the harmony between tamer and spirit.
Rank 1 – Flicker:
Beginner tamers. Can sense and commune with minor spirits.
Rank 2 – Ember:
Can manifest elemental energy for brief moments.
Rank 3 – Bond:
True synchronization—spirit and tamer share strength and emotions.
Rank 4 – Merge:
Can temporarily fuse energies with their spirit. Physical and magical boosts.
Rank 5 – Ascendant:
Rare. Spirit manifests a true form—a divine or ancient aspect.
Rank 6 – Eternal:
Legendary. Spirit becomes immortal, bound to the tamer's soul forever.
Tomlin's problem? He didn't even know what rank he was.
According to the examiner, his Resonance was "off the charts."
According to Bessy, he was "still an unripe turnip spiritually."
"You might be Rank 3 on a good day," she said as they walked to class.
"Or Rank 0 when you forget breakfast."
Classroom of Controlled Chaos
Their homeroom teacher, Professor Rilwen, was a stern elf woman with glowing eyes and patience thinner than parchment.
"Today," she announced, "we will practice Spirit Synchronization. Those who fail may temporarily lose consciousness. Or hair."
Tomlin gulped. "Lose hair?"
"Don't worry," Bessy said. "You've got plenty. I'll catch it if it flies off."
The class formed circles. Tamers sat cross-legged, spirits hovering beside them.
Tomlin tried to focus, reaching for that golden link between his soul and Bessy's.
Warm light filled the air. A faint hum. His vision blurred—and suddenly he saw through Bessy's eyes.
He saw himself, sitting awkwardly on the floor, looking both amazed and terrified.
"Whoa," he said aloud. "This is… incredible!"
"And now you know how handsome I think you aren't," Bessy teased.
He broke the link instantly.
"Okay, that's enough bonding for today."
Lunchtime: The Great Canteen Catastrophe
The cafeteria was chaos incarnate.
Spirit beasts bickered over food. A fire hawk tried to roast a salad. Someone's water spirit flooded a table.
Tomlin just wanted soup.
But Bessy was having the time of her life.
"Free hay buffet! Divine dining!"
She trotted up to the counter and started giving "menu advice" to other students.
"Don't get the carrot stew—smells like regret."
"That pie's got emotional baggage."
Within minutes, a crowd had formed around her, treating her as a culinary oracle.
Tomlin sighed, sitting alone with his bowl.
A few other students approached—Lira with her fox spirit, and two others: Kane, a brooding swordsman with a wolf familiar, and Mira, a bubbly healer with a flower spirit.
"So," Lira said, smirking, "how does it feel being the first farmer to outshine nobles?"
Tomlin chuckled weakly. "Honestly? Terrifying."
Kane crossed his arms. "You've got potential. But the Academy's Spirit Duel Trials are next week. Let's see how you handle real combat."
"Combat?" Bessy perked up. "Does that include snacks?"
Mira giggled. "I like your cow."
"Everyone does," Bessy said. "I'm the mascot now."
🌙 Evening at the Dorm
The day ended with exhaustion. Tomlin collapsed into bed, half-asleep before his boots were off.
Bessy stood by the window, looking out at the moonlit towers.
"You did well today, Druid," she said softly.
Tomlin yawned. "You think so?"
"You didn't explode. That's a victory."
He smiled faintly. "Bessy… why do you stick with me? You could've chosen anyone."
"Because no one else would listen," she murmured. "And because… someone needs to make sure you eat breakfast."
He chuckled sleepily. "Fair enough."
"Rest, Farmer-Tamer. Tomorrow, we begin your Rank evaluation. And maybe—just maybe—you'll learn not to trip over your own destiny."
Bessy flicked her tail, her eyes gleaming faintly gold as a soft wind stirred through the dorm.
Somewhere in the academy's depths, the ancient Spirit Core pulsed once—
as if recognizing a new kind of bond.
The arena blazed with banners and excitement. Students filled the stands, cheering as elemental spirits roared into existence.
Tomlin stood on the arena sand, heart pounding. Across from him—Aero, lightning sparking in his hair, eyes sharp with confidence.
"You're the one they call the Cow Tamer?" Aero smirked. "Try to keep up."
Bessy snorted. "Oh please. I've eaten lightning that was spicier than you."
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
The duel began.
Aero's falcon dived, its wings releasing arcs of blue-white power.
Tomlin focused—channeling their Resonance link.
Golden light enveloped him, and behind him Bessy's spirit form materialized—majestic, shimmering like dawn itself.
"Ready?" she said.
"Let's make it quick before lunch," he replied.
They charged—
lightning and gold clashing, air crackling with spiritual energy.
Even the headmasters whispered. "That power… it's not mortal. It's something older."
And in the shadows, Inquisitor Varn watched, murmuring to his raven spirit:
"So the prophecy cow walks again. The church will not let this power go unchecked."
After the duel, Tomlin—victorious but exhausted—was summoned to the Adventurer's Hall.
Garric Thorn slammed a parchment in front of him.
"You've got potential, kid. And a cow that can outtalk nobles. You're joining an expedition tomorrow."
"Expedition?"
"Dungeon class. Lower Spirit Dungeon. Standard resource survey. Just don't die."
Bessy grinned. "Field trip!"
Tomlin groaned. "I have a bad feeling about this…"
That night, the moon shone over the academy, the halls buzzing with whispers of the farmer who bested a prodigy.
But deep underground, in the caves of Eldar Root, something ancient stirred—
a rumbling moo that echoed faintly through the earth.
The next morning, Verdelune's skies were painted gold, but Tomlin felt nothing but dread.
His hands trembled slightly as he adjusted his leather armor—stiff, new, and smelling faintly of cow feed.
Bessy, meanwhile, was radiant as ever, polished horns gleaming.
"Cheer up, Farmer-Tamer," she said. "First dungeon, new adventure, possible death—it's the full academic experience!"
Tomlin groaned. "You make everything sound like a picnic with monsters."
"Optimism is a survival skill."
THE GLIMMERING ROOTS DUNGEON
The Dungeon of Glimmering Roots lay beneath the forest valley east of the Academy—a vast network of tunnels lined with glowing blue vines and ancient spiritual veins.
Discovered centuries ago, it was classified as a Rank-1 Spirit Rift, ideal for beginner tamers… and the occasional overconfident noble.
But lately, its energy readings had spiked.
Rumors whispered of something awakening deep below.
EXPEDITION PARTY
The expedition consisted of five academy tamers and their spirits:
Tomlin Hayfield – Farmer-turned-tamer, awkward but adaptable. Spirit: Bessy the Radiant Cow, unknown divine-class.
Lira – Quick-witted fox tamer with Illusion affinity. Spirit: Kitsu, mischievous and agile.
Kane – Swordsman bonded with Fenra, a storm wolf. Hot-headed, but fiercely loyal.
Mira – Healer with Bloom, a flower nymph spirit that purifies Essence corruption.
Aero – Lightning prodigy from the Asterion Empire, reluctantly assigned after his duel loss to Tomlin. Spirit: Zel, chained falcon of thunder.
Leading them was Professor Hestrel Dune, the grizzled Dungeon Studies instructor.
One arm made of gleaming spiritsteel, the other holding a rune torch.
"Listen up," he said, his gravelly voice echoing off the cavern walls. "Rule one: no heroics. Rule two: no fighting over loot. Rule three: if it glows too bright, run."
"What about snacks?" Bessy asked.
"Rule four: the cow gets first pick."
RESOURCE COLLECTION SYSTEM
As they descended into the glowing tunnels, students took notes and gathered samples.
Essence Crystals formed naturally along the roots, each color denoting energy type:
Green Crystals → Nature essence
Blue Crystals → Spirit essence
Red Crystals → Fire resonance (volatile)
Hestrel explained:
"One pouch of blue essence sells for ten Silver Branches.
A pure crystal core can fetch a Gold Crown if intact.
But remember—resources attract beasts."
Bessy muttered, "So does lunch."
DUNGEON ENCOUNTER: SPIRIT MOLD BEASTS
Deeper in, faint shuffling echoed ahead.
Mira raised a lantern. "Movement!"
Shapes emerged—monstrous forms covered in glowing moss.
Their eyes pulsed with corrupted spirit energy.
"Mold Beasts," said Hestrel grimly. "Low-rank, but swarm fast."
"Oh, delightful," Bessy said. "Lunch with a side of spores."
Kane drew his sword, electricity crackling as Fenra howled beside him.
Aero leapt into action, lightning flaring as his falcon screeched overhead.
Lira cast an illusion—phantom flames that scattered half the swarm.
Tomlin took a deep breath and reached for Resonance.
Golden light rippled through the cavern as Bessy's aura ignited—her horns glowing with radiant warmth.
"Time to make some compost!" she bellowed.
With a single stomp, golden shockwaves pulsed outward, disintegrating the Mold Beasts in a wave of shimmering dust.
When the glow faded, the dungeon was silent.
Hestrel stared at Tomlin. "Son… that wasn't Rank 1 power."
Tomlin scratched his head. "Uh, sorry?"
"Never apologize for excellence," Bessy said smugly.
DISCOVERY: THE ROOT SHRINE
Deeper still, they reached a wide chamber—a natural cathedral where enormous luminous roots intertwined with ancient stone pillars.
In its center lay an altar of petrified wood, carved with symbols that pulsed faintly golden.
Lira gasped. "This looks… pre-Imperial. Maybe even divine era."
Tomlin stepped closer. "What is it?"
Hestrel knelt. "A Spirit Shrine. They were built to seal corrupted entities… or house sleeping ones."
Bessy sniffed the air. "Mmm. Smells like destiny. And trouble."
Before Tomlin could respond, the ground shuddered.
Cracks spread across the shrine.
Blue-green light burst out as vines whipped violently.
"Everyone, fall back!" shouted Hestrel.
From within the roots, something began to stir—
a colossal, antlered silhouette emerging, eyes glowing like twin stars.
"Great," muttered Tomlin. "We woke something ancient, didn't we?"
"Congratulations!" Bessy said cheerfully. "It's a boss fight."
BOSS FIGHT – "The Verdant Warden"
The creature roared—a towering guardian spirit made of bark, vines, and molten gold.
Its voice rumbled like thunder.
"Who… dares… disturb the Eternal Root?"
Students scattered.
Aero's lightning struck its arm—barely a scratch.
Lira's illusions fizzled.
Mira's Bloom tried to purify the corruption, but the energy was too strong.
Tomlin looked at Bessy. "Any ideas?"
"Yes. Hit harder."
He nodded. Their Resonance flared—bright enough to turn the cavern gold.
The spirit cow's horns expanded into radiant blades of energy, and with a single charge, she pierced through the Warden's chest.
A shockwave of light erupted. The Warden let out a low, peaceful groan before crumbling into luminous dust.
When the light faded, an Essence Core the size of Tomlin's fist lay glowing on the altar.
Hestrel approached slowly. "That core… it's a Divine-class Resource. Worth hundreds of Gold Crowns. But more importantly—"
He turned to Tomlin, awe-struck. "You just purified a god-tier guardian."
Tomlin blinked. "Is that good?"
"Good?" Bessy said proudly. "It's profitable."
AFTERMATH & RETURN
When the expedition returned to the surface, the entire Academy buzzed with news.
Tomlin Hayfield—farmer, druid, accidental hero—had defeated a dungeon guardian solo.
The Adventurer's Hall elevated his party rank from Copper to Silver.
The Merchant's Hall offered exclusive trade rights for Essence cores.
The Church, however, issued a summons.
"The Sacred Cow has defiled holy ground," read the decree.
"Her presence endangers divine balance."
Tomlin groaned. "Why can't we have one good day?"
"Because," Bessy said, smiling, "our story's just getting interesting."
WORLD DEVELOPMENT NOTES
Kingdom Standing Update:
The Royal Court supports Tomlin secretly (Queen Elara's order).
The Church grows hostile.
Merchant's Hall invests in new Essence trade routes.
Adventurer's Hall begins assigning "Root-level" missions to student tamers.
Next Arc Hints:
A mysterious emissary from the Frost Courts arrives.
A Tower manifests on the horizon—The Azure Spire, rumored to connect the mortal and spirit realms.
And deep below the Glimmering Roots, something ancient whispers… "The Cow of Dawn… has returned."