Chapter fifteen
Chapter 15: The End of the Copy – A New Skill and Secrets Unveiled
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The middle school copy had come to an end, and the once chaotic arena was now quiet. The beasts that had fought alongside Crow, and those that had fallen in battle, were now safely stored within his Taming Space—hidden away from prying eyes. His Divine beasts, the Hell Hound, the White Tiger, and the newly awakened Vermilion Bird, were now resting, their auras locked away within the confines of their spiritual realms.
Crow took a deep breath, feeling the familiar hum of power around him. The end of this trial had given him invaluable experience, as well as an array of new beasts to add to his growing army. But it wasn't over—there were always new challenges ahead. He couldn't let his guard down, not even for a second.
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Crow's best friend, Zane, walked over to him, his brow furrowed in concern. Zane had always been a supportive friend, even though Crow kept most of his abilities a secret. No one, not even Zane, knew the full extent of Crow's taming abilities or the creatures he had captured.
Zane placed a hand on Crow's shoulder, offering a friendly squeeze. "Hey, man... I know things might've been tough, but you made it through." His tone was soft, almost like he was trying to reassure Crow, even though he wasn't entirely sure what was going on. "I saw you looking pretty worn out back there. I was worried, y'know?"
Crow didn't respond immediately, his eyes focused ahead, though the slightest hint of a smile tugged at his lips. Zane had always been there, even when Crow felt like the world was against him. The others might think he was weak, but Zane always saw something more in him.
"I'm fine, Zane," Crow replied, his voice steady, though the weight of his secret lingered in the air. "It was just... a bit much. But I pulled through."
Zane nodded, still unconvinced. There was something about the way Crow was acting—he seemed a little too calm, almost like he was hiding something. But Zane didn't press it. He trusted his friend.
Then, Zane reached into his bag and pulled out a skill book. The cover was made of dark leather, and the title, "Soul Chains", was embossed in gold. "I thought this might help you," Zane said, handing it to Crow. "I know you're a Beast Tamer, and you're doing fine, but I figured... you could use a little something extra."
Crow took the book, his fingers brushing over the embossed text. He could sense the energy radiating from the book, and without hesitation, he opened it. A wave of knowledge rushed into his mind, and he felt his spiritual connection to the beasts deepen.
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[SYSTEM ALERT!]
Soul Chains Skill Book Acquired!
Skill: Soul Chains (Control / Stun)
Description: The user can bind a beast or enemy's soul using chains made of pure spiritual energy. The target will be restricted, unable to move, and will experience mental disruption. This skill is useful for both control and stunning opponents in battle.
Level 1: Duration of stun: 10 seconds
Level 1: Can bind up to 1 creature
Level 1: Range: 30 meters
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Crow's eyes flickered with interest as he read through the description of the skill. Soul Chains. It was a powerful control ability—one that could turn the tide of a battle by preventing an enemy or beast from moving, effectively stunning them. The mental disruption aspect was also intriguing; it could potentially weaken an opponent's defenses, leaving them vulnerable to attacks.
"Thanks, Zane," Crow said, his voice filled with sincerity. "This could come in handy."
Zane smiled, relieved. "Glad you like it. I figured you might need something like that to, you know, level the playing field."
Crow nodded, pocketing the Soul Chains book. There was still so much about this world that Zane didn't know—so much about Crow's true abilities that he kept hidden. But for now, it felt good to know that his friend cared. Even if Zane had no idea what had really happened in the middle school copy, or what Crow had been taming in secret.
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As the students began to leave the arena, the atmosphere was thick with mystery. The teachers spoke quietly among themselves, discussing the results of the trials, but no one paid much attention to Crow. He was just another Beast Tamer, one who was still considered weak by most of his peers.
But as Crow watched his classmates disperse, he couldn't help but feel a strange sense of anticipation building within him. He had hidden his true power, kept his beasts locked away in his taming space—but the time was coming when he would have to reveal what he had truly gained.
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"Let's see what happens next," Crow whispered to himself, his eyes glinting with determination.
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[TO BE CONTINUED...]