Tamer's Path

Returning to my room after a long day, I let out a sigh of relief. The team had arrived safely, and even though they had invited me for dinner, I needed some time alone. It wasn't that I didn't like them—they were fine people—but we weren't close yet. Besides, the solitude gave me a chance to think, to let the echoes of the day settle in my mind. Moments like these, I missed my family more than ever.

After a shower to wash away the grime and tension, I ordered some food for delivery and collapsed onto the bed. My body was exhausted, but my mind was far from quiet. I closed my eyes and reached inward, my spirit drifting into the taming space.

---

In the taming space, my partners were as lively—or, in some cases, as volatile—as ever. The first one to greet me was Voltis, experimenting with some energy patterns in the corner of the space. His draconic aura radiated dominance, keeping even the most aggressive of the newcomers in check.

The wasp, however, was different. Her demeanor was calm and composed, almost regal. She hovered gracefully, her metallic wings emitting a low, harmonious hum. Her soft-spoken nature was evident even in our mental communication.

"I hope you don't expect me to deal with crowds of humans," she said with a slight, refined edge to her tone.

I chuckled. "Not unless absolutely necessary."

She explained that she had been part of the Insect Empire but had returned to her birthplace to grow stronger. Life there had been stifling for someone like her, with too much attention from other insects vying for her notice. She hoped to evolve and gain independence without unnecessary social obligations. I admired her individuality. Her name was Elythia, a name that matched her noble yet solitary nature.

---

Next, I turned to the vampire bat, who perched on an outcropping of shadow-like energy within the space. His crimson eyes burned with ambition, and his emotions were palpable—intense, almost suffocating.

"I hope you don't plan to waste me like some human's pet," he hissed, baring his fangs. "I will not be used as fodder. If I can't evolve into something worthy, I'd rather die."

His thoughts revealed an obsession with the Dark Empire—a place I had only heard of in fragments. It was a realm of eternal night, filled with creatures of unparalleled power and terror. He idolized it and dreamed of one day being recruited, perhaps even ascending to the ranks of a vampire lord.

"You're not fodder," I assured him, meeting his burning gaze. "If you're with me, you'll reach your full potential. But you'll need patience."

Reluctantly, he accepted my words, though I could tell this would require constant communication. Any lapse, and he might spiral into despair or worse. I decided to name him Sangrelis, a title that carried the weight of his bloodline aspirations.

---

The shadow creature was another story altogether. Its very presence was oppressive, a swirling mass of black mist that occasionally solidified into jagged, humanoid shapes. Its voice was a nightmare—a guttural rasp that clawed at the edges of sanity. Communicating with it felt like standing on the brink of an abyss.

"Devour. Torture. Break them all," it growled, the words laced with malicious glee.

I had to establish boundaries immediately. "No unnecessary torture," I said firmly. "We fight to survive and grow stronger, not to satisfy your sadism."

It leaned closer, a mass of shifting darkness with glowing white eyes that drilled into my soul. Its hostility was palpable, but Asura stepped forward, his presence alone forcing the shadow to back off. This creature was dangerous, barely held in check by the bond. It had no fixed gender but usually manifested as male, and it spoke with veiled threats about the Dark Empire.

"My people would love to meet you," it said, its tone both mocking and ominous.

I named it Nyxarath, a fitting title for such a malevolent and chaotic entity. It was a gamble to have Nyxarath in my team, but its potential was undeniable.

---

Back on the surface of the taming space, I began strategizing. Elythia, with her speed and venomous stingers, could act as a spearhead in battle, a devastatingly precise striker alongside Asura. Her natural grace and agility made her a perfect hit-and-run fighter.

Sangrelis and Nyxarath, on the other hand, were masters of terrain manipulation. Combined with Voltis' electric field control, they could create environments that no enemy could escape. Sangrelis' sonic attacks and blood-draining abilities would sow chaos, while Nyxarath's mastery of darkness and fear could break the will of even the strongest opponents.

With these partners, I felt almost complete. Almost. A light-aligned creature would round out the team, bringing balance to the chaotic energy of the group. For now, though, I was satisfied.

---

I returned to the waking world as my food arrived. Sitting by the window, I ate in silence, staring out into the dark cityscape. The quiet was welcome after the day's trials, but my mind was already planning for the battles to come.

The next day, I decided to visit the training area. My curiosity was piqued—I wanted to see how humanity trained their partners to grow stronger. Given how well the team had performed yesterday, I had high expectations. If there was one thing humanity should have mastered, it was the art of preparation and efficiency in training.

Arriving early proved a wise decision; the facility wasn't crowded yet, and I avoided waiting in line. The first section I explored was the speed training area. It was well-designed, organized into levels with increasingly difficult challenges. As I studied the details, it became clear this wasn't just about speed—it was also about endurance and adaptability.

---

As we stepped into the speed training room, the sleek metallic walls hummed faintly, signaling the activation of the gravity field. The air felt denser here, charged with unseen energy. A monitor near the entrance displayed instructions and data, offering a choice of settings for each partner. I decided to keep it simple—each of them would run the marathon with weights appropriate for their rank.

The staff here seemed impressed by the variety of my partners, though their eyes lingered on Nyxarath, who radiated an unsettling aura even while standing still. He paid them no mind, his hollow white eyes fixed on me.

---

Lilia's Trial

Lilia went first.

The gravity field activated, and I saw her body tense slightly as the weight settled on her. Ten tonnes wasn't a small amount, but she bore it with poise.

The course began, and she moved with her characteristic grace, her glowing petals swirling around her. When the first obstacle appeared—a row of fire jets shooting up from the ground—she leapt lightly over them, her vines anchoring her mid-air before she landed gracefully on the other side.

"She makes it look easy," I murmured, more to myself than anyone else.

But as the course progressed, the traps became more intense. A lightning net crackled to life ahead of her, sparking dangerously.

"Stay calm, Lilia. Time your movement," I advised.

Her petals formed a protective barrier, allowing her to sidestep the trap. But the added weight was beginning to take its toll—her speed dropped slightly, and she stumbled over a set of swinging spikes near the end of the course.

When she finally crossed the finish line, her petals dimmed slightly, a clear sign she was tired. Still, she offered me a proud look as she retracted her vines.

"Well done," I said, patting her lightly. "You're improving your endurance."

She nodded, resting as the room reset for the next trial.

---

Elythia's Trial

Elythia stepped forward next, her stinger gleaming under the artificial light. The weight of five tonnes pressed down on her, and she buzzed irritably.

"This gravity is ridiculous," she muttered, her tone regal and slightly annoyed.

"You've handled worse," I reminded her, earning a sharp glance from her compound eyes.

When the course began, she shot forward like a dart, her wings producing a low hum. She zipped through the first set of hurdles with ease, her agility unmatched. Even when acid pits began opening beneath her, she dodged them with minimal effort, her speed compensating for the additional weight.

However, the final stretch was a gauntlet of sharp, spinning blades. She paused mid-air, analyzing the pattern.

"Elythia, don't overthink it," I called out.

She clicked her mandibles in irritation but took my advice, weaving through the blades with precision. One nicked her wing, and she let out an annoyed hiss but kept moving.

When she finished, she landed near me, flexing her wings to check for damage.

"Annoying," she declared, though there was a hint of satisfaction in her voice.

"You did great. Better than I expected, honestly."

"Hmph. Of course I did," she replied, lifting her head slightly before retreating to the side.

---

Sangrelis's Trial

Sangrelis was next. The vampire bat seemed oddly quiet as the gravity field activated around him, pressing down five tonnes of weight. His broad wings flared as he adjusted, his crimson eyes glowing faintly.

"This is nothing," he said, his tone dismissive but lacking the energy of conviction.

As the marathon began, his approach was noticeably different. While the others avoided obstacles, Sangrelis bulldozed through them. A swinging log slammed into his side, but he barely flinched, continuing forward with slow but steady progress.

"Are you seriously just taking the hits?" I called out, watching as he trampled through a patch of spikes, his tough hide absorbing the damage.

"It's efficient," he replied, though his labored breathing betrayed the effort it took to sustain such a strategy.

By the time he reached the finish line, his wings were dragging slightly, and he looked exhausted. Still, he flashed me a sharp-toothed grin.

"See? I finished."

"You're stubborn, I'll give you that," I said, shaking my head. "But you need to focus on precision. Endurance alone won't always save you."

"Maybe," he said, flopping onto the ground to rest.

---

Nyxarath's Trial

Finally, it was Nyxarath's turn.

The moment the gravity field activated, his shadowy form seemed to ripple, his sharp teeth glinting as he adjusted to the weight.

"Your human contraptions are amusing," he said, his voice a guttural growl that sent a chill through the room.

"Focus on the course," I said flatly, knowing better than to engage with his provocations.

When the trial began, Nyxarath moved like liquid shadow, slipping past the first set of obstacles with eerie ease. Fire jets flared, lightning nets crackled, and acid pits yawned open, but he flowed through them effortlessly, his semi-corporeal form making it nearly impossible for physical traps to harm him.

However, when the elemental traps intensified, he faltered slightly. A burst of holy light from a hidden rune seared his form, eliciting a guttural snarl.

"That was… unexpected," he admitted grudgingly, reforming himself.

"Keep going," I urged, watching closely.

He finished the course with only minor injuries, his body pulsing with shadow energy. When he rejoined me, he loomed close, his teeth bared in what might have been a smile.

"Is this what you humans call a challenge?"

"For now. You'll face worse soon enough," I replied evenly, meeting his gaze without flinching.

---

As the gravity field deactivated, I gathered my partners around me. As I was leaving the training area, I came across another tamer, clearly Bronze-ranked. He looked to be in his thirties, with blond hair and sharp blue eyes, a confident stride marking him as experienced. Following him were two impressive creatures.

Boulderback, a Rock Armadillo: A large, tank-like creature with a tough, jagged shell of granite. Its tail ended in a spiked club, and its small, glowing yellow eyes peeked out from beneath heavy brows. It moved with a slow but steady gait, exuding the quiet power of a mountain.

Luminara, a Moth of Dusk: This elegant moth-like creature had shimmering black wings edged with glowing blue patterns resembling constellations. Its antennae sparkled faintly, and its large, compound eyes radiated intelligence. It hovered silently, its movements as graceful as a dance.

Both were clearly Bronze-ranked, their auras humming with latent energy.

The tamer introduced himself as Chris, his smile friendly but his tone curious.

"So, you're the talk of the town. Everyone's interested in you," he said.

It wasn't a surprise. A newcomer always attracted attention, especially one like me. The barriers that separated dimensions had grown unstable during the apocalypse, and many people had found themselves lost in unfamiliar worlds. Chris made it clear that I wasn't the first to join humanity after such an event.

Still, his interest wasn't just idle curiosity. "Would you mind if I observed you?" he asked.

I understood his meaning. Every guild was on the hunt for talent, and I was being scouted. While I had nothing to hide, I wasn't ready to put on a full display.

"Focus on your training," I told him evenly. "You can watch when I head to the arena."

Chris chuckled, seemingly satisfied with the answer. "Fair enough. We'll be watching."

---

I left the facility, aware that eyes would be on me for the foreseeable future. It was unavoidable. For now, though, I focused on refining my team.