18: Growth of a Spirit Tamer
A soft breeze brushed against my cheek as I stood in the open training field, the crisp northern air carrying the scent of fresh earth. I slowly exhaled, my breath turning faintly visible in the cold.
It had been two years since I first started training under Elowen Verdantia, the elf spirit tamer assigned by my father.
Two years of learning.
Two years of struggling to control the overwhelming mana within me.
Two years of bonding with spirits.
I was still young—only five years old—but I was no longer the fragile child who could barely move without exhausting himself.
I could walk, run (though still slow), and speak clearly without any childish slurring. My body had grown stronger, and my mana core had stabilized under the careful guidance of my spirits.
Most importantly, I had two new spirits by my side.
『 Averis Ravenshade – Age: 5 』
[ Stats ]
Strength: 5
Agility: 5
Stamina: 5
Intelligence: 5
Perception: 5
Mana: Unmeasurable
Spirit Energy: ???
[ Spirits Contracted: ]
Unnamed Frost Raven (Rank: High)
Teraval, the Earthen Guardian (Rank: Mid-Low)
Sylphiel, the Wind Dancer (Rank: Mid-Low)
Ignis, the Ember Wolf (Rank: Mid-Low)
---
The Training Field
"Good. Your stance is improving," Elowen's calm yet firm voice reached me as she stood a short distance away. "Now, let's see how well you can channel all four spirits together."
Her long golden-blonde hair shimmered under the sun, her sharp blue eyes observing my every move. Even though she was over fifty years old, as an elf, she looked barely twenty.
"…All four at once?" I repeated, hesitant.
So far, I had only ever synchronized two spirits at a time—balancing all four was a different challenge altogether.
"Do not hesitate," she said softly, yet there was unwavering authority in her voice. "Feel their presence. Call upon them."
I took a deep breath, stretching out my senses.
Immediately, I felt them.
A chilling presence—the Frost Raven, watching from the shadows.
A steady, unshakable force—Teraval, the earth spirit.
A playful whisper—Sylphiel, the wind spirit, fluttering around me.
And a warm, protective ember—Ignis, the fire wolf cub.
『 Spirit Synchronization Attempted… 』
『 Warning: Energy Drain Increased! 』
My body tensed. The moment I tried synchronizing all four spirits, a massive surge of spirit energy ran through my veins, as if my body was being stretched in multiple directions at once.
"Urgh…!"
My legs wobbled. It was like trying to balance on a tightrope in the middle of a raging storm.
But I refused to fall.
The Frost Raven's calm presence stabilized my mind.
Teraval's sturdy essence grounded my footing.
Sylphiel's wind lightened my steps.
Ignis's warmth filled my core with steady heat.
Slowly… I adjusted.
---
A New Step Forward
"Good," Elowen nodded approvingly. "Now, attack the target dummy."
I shifted my stance, feeling the spirits' energy flowing through me. The training dummy stood several meters ahead, its wooden frame unmoving.
I took a step forward—
『 Wind Step (Basic Spirit Technique) Activated! 』
My body moved faster than before, propelled by Sylphiel's wind, closing the distance in an instant.
With a firm stomp, I let Teraval's strength reinforce my strike—
『 Ember Claw (Basic Spirit Technique) Activated! 』
A faint trail of fire-coated energy flickered around my small hand as I struck the dummy, leaving a scorch mark on impact.
I exhaled, feeling the synchronization starting to unravel, but I had done it.
Even though it was far from perfect, even though my body still couldn't handle prolonged spirit synchronization, it was progress.
And progress was all that mattered.
---
"You're Improving, Little One."
A cold whisper brushed against my mind.
The Frost Raven.
I turned slightly, and there it was—watching me with its glowing crystalline eyes, its deep-blue feathers glistening like frost under the sun.
"You're improving, little one," it murmured, its voice filled with an eerie yet familiar warmth. "But… your journey has only begun."
A chill ran down my spine.
Even after two years, I still didn't know what the Frost Raven truly was.
It wasn't just a simple spirit.
It was something more.
And yet, it refused to tell me.
"You're hiding something from me, aren't you?" I asked in my mind.
The Frost Raven merely chuckled.
『 System Notification! 』
[ Spirit Synchronization Increased – Proficiency 20% → 25% ]
[ Mana Control Stabilization Increased – Efficiency 40% → 45% ]
---
Elowen's Evaluation
"You lasted ten seconds in full synchronization," Elowen said as I caught my breath. "That's better than last time."
She walked toward me, kneeling slightly to meet my gaze.
"But you still lack endurance. Your mana control has improved, but your spirit energy flow is still unstable."
I clenched my fists, frustrated.
Two years of training, and I still couldn't last more than ten seconds in full synchronization?
I wasn't expecting instant results, but…
I wanted to be stronger.
Stronger than the expectations placed upon me.
Stronger than this fragile body that had once been on the verge of collapse.
Elowen must have sensed my frustration because she placed a gentle hand on my shoulder.
"Do not rush," she said. "You are already far ahead for your age. The path of a spirit tamer is not one of speed, but balance."
I exhaled.
Balance.
Yes. That was the key.
I wasn't aiming to become the strongest in an instant—I was aiming to walk my own path, step by step.
I lifted my head and nodded.
"I understand, Teacher."
Elowen smiled.
"Good. Then let's continue."
---
End of Chapter 18