19: The Path of a Spirit Tamer

The morning sun hung low in the sky, casting golden hues over the training field. A light mist still lingered from the night before, curling around my feet as I stood before Elowen.

Today's lesson felt different.

She had been more serious than usual, her piercing blue eyes watching me with quiet scrutiny.

"You've made progress, but you're still relying too much on raw synchronization," she finally said. "If you truly want to master spirit combat, you must learn Spirit Flow."

"Spirit Flow…?" I echoed, tilting my head.

Elowen's lips curled into the faintest smile. "Instead of trying to hold all your spirits' powers at once, you must shift between them fluidly. Adapting in real-time rather than forcing synchronization."

That sounded… difficult.

"How do I do that?"

"You will learn through experience," she said, stepping back.

Then, with a snap of her fingers—wooden dummies shot up from the ground.

At first, they were still. Then, without warning, they lunged toward me.

『 Combat Training Initiated: Dodge the Attacks! 』

The first dummy swung a wooden club straight at my ribs.

I barely dodged, stumbling to the side—

SMACK!

Pain exploded in my arm as another dummy struck. I gritted my teeth, rolling backward.

"Too slow," Elowen remarked. "Don't think—feel. Flow."

I forced myself to focus.

Instead of trying to summon all four spirits at once, I shifted my attention to Sylphiel.

Wind surged around me.

『 Spirit Flow Activated: Sylphiel's Wind Step 』

I moved faster—dodging the next swing by a hair's breadth.

Another dummy lunged—this time, I called upon Teraval.

『 Spirit Flow Activated: Teraval's Earth Guard 』

My body hardened, absorbing the impact of the wooden strike.

Faster. Adapt.

Sylphiel—Teraval—Sylphiel—Ignis—Sylphiel—

My body danced between them, shifting with each movement.

By the time the dummies finally slowed, I was panting, my forehead damp with sweat—

But I had done it.

『 New Technique Acquired: Spirit Flow (Basic) 』

『 Spirit Synchronization Efficiency +5% 』

I exhaled, a slow grin forming.

This… this was what I needed.

---

Spirit Armament – A Tamer's Weapon

After a short break, Elowen placed a small wooden dagger in my hands.

"Spirit Tamers don't rely only on their bodies," she said. "True masters channel their spirits into weapons."

I studied the dagger. It was plain, barely larger than my palm.

"And how do I do that?"

Elowen gestured toward the training dummy. "Figure it out."

…Of course.

I sighed, gripping the weapon tightly and stretching my senses.

The spirits responded instantly.

First—Ignis.

A surge of warmth.

『 Spirit Armament Attempt: Infusing Ignis… 』

The dagger glowed faintly, embers flickering along its surface.

I slashed forward—the wood sizzled on impact.

Elowen nodded approvingly. "Not bad. But what about frost?"

I turned my focus to the Frost Raven—

A wave of cold rushed through me.

『 Spirit Armament Attempt: Infusing Frost Raven… 』

The embers vanished, replaced by a thin layer of ice.

I swung again—a crackling sound echoed as frost spread along the dummy's frame.

But—

『 Warning: Mana Drain Increased! 』

The frost shattered. A sharp headache followed.

"Tch…" I stumbled back.

Elowen crossed her arms. "It takes time to master. Spirit Armament is not just about summoning power—you must control how much you infuse."

I took a deep breath.

I had made progress… but I wasn't there yet.

『 New Technique Acquired: Spirit Armament (Basic) 』

『 Spirit Infusion Efficiency: 10% 』

---

Dual Spirit Strike – A New Challenge

"Now for the final test," Elowen said.

Before me stood a massive boulder, reinforced with mana.

"Break it," she ordered.

I frowned. "…With what?"

"By combining two spirits into one attack."

My brows furrowed. "I've never done that before."

"Then you will learn."

I swallowed hard, focusing on my spirits.

Two at once…

I reached out—

First, Ignis. Fire flared in my chest, its heat eager to be unleashed.

Then, Sylphiel. A gust of wind coiled around me, playful and sharp.

If I combined them—

『 Dual Spirit Strike Attempted… 』

I kicked off the ground—

『 Wind Step Activated! 』

Wind propelled me forward—

I swung my fist—flames trailing behind me.

『 Ember Claw Activated! 』

BOOM!

A fiery impact scorched the rock—but it didn't shatter.

I gritted my teeth, landing in a crouch.

Elowen watched me carefully. "Your control is still weak. Try again."

Again. And again.

The first few tries failed—the elements either canceled each other out or clashed violently.

But I kept going.

And then—

『 Dual Spirit Strike (Basic) Acquired! 』

『 Spirit Energy Synchronization: 30% → 35% 』

I launched forward one last time—

This time, fire and wind moved in harmony.

Flames surged as wind fueled them, turning them into a spiraling blaze.

My strike landed.

The boulder cracked.

I staggered, exhausted but triumphant.

Elowen smiled faintly. "You're learning."

---

A Whisper in the Wind

As I caught my breath, a cold whisper brushed against my mind.

The Frost Raven.

"You are improving, little one," it murmured. "But true power is not in techniques alone."

I frowned. "Then what is it?"

The Frost Raven chuckled.

"There is a deeper bond yet to be unlocked."

A chill ran down my spine.

Even after two years, I still didn't know what the Frost Raven truly was.

But I was starting to realize—

It was far more than just a spirit.

And it was waiting for something.

『 System Update: New Abilities Unlocked 』

Spirit Flow (Basic)

Spirit Armament (Basic)

Dual Spirit Strike (Basic)

---

End of Chapter 19.