Transmigration Into The Beginning After The End

CHAPTER 20 - BEAST TAMER

LUKE HODGES

As I started to walk towards the elder and the two kids next to him, their discussion could be heard from meters away. 

"What? You can't be serious, right?" 

"Why not?"

"F-for one thing! I'm human! Is it even allowed to have humans in this Kingdom? Also, I need to make sure my family is okay and tell them I'm still alive."

I let out a deep breath. My meeting with those people was kinda frustrating but interesting, but it was more intriguing seeing that I could now see a future where I can use Elemental Affinities. 

Or at least I had hoped so. 

Not only that, but the old Elder had drawn some information from me before I got to meet those people. 

Within a few feet of the three grouped people, Virion spoke. "Living here isn't a problem as long as you're under my name. As for your parents… Brat, is it an absolute necessity to meet them in person?" 

Art pondered this time before giving a definitive answer. 

"I mean, I guess it isn't strictly a necessity for me to meet my parents in person. Although I miss them, the most important thing is finding out how they're doing and letting them know that I'm fine if they are as well, and let's not forget about Luke either, he too had a family he needed to find." He answered. 

Elder Virion turned when he sensed my mana signature, astonished by my sudden appearance but quickly spoke to both of us. 

"Then come with me tomorrow morning; be outside the manor by six in the morning sharp." 

Before the old elf turned to leave, Art stopped him. "Wait! I don't get why you want me as your disciple. Also, you sound awfully hurried. Isn't it possible for me to go home and spend a bit of time with my parents before coming back here to train under you?" 

"I want you to be my disciple because I see your potential. Kid. An uncountable number of people have asked me to take them in as their disciple, from rich to poor, from young to old. But do you know how many I've taken in so far? None! This new generation of brats bore me. Just because some of the wealthy noble brat's parents thought their kids were special, they thought they were qualified to ask me to be their mentor." 

Arthur's brows lowered. 

"...You're different. I know you have exceptional talent in mana manipulation and only God knows how but you possess better technique than even I, but that isn't the reason why I decided on teaching you. Brat…I need to ask you. How are you a beast tamer?" Any sort of amusement that had been on his face previously was all but gone as his sharp facial feature emitted a deathly gaze. 

I had to act stupid here. "Wait, Elder Virion, you mean that Art has a Beast Will?" 

Virion turned to meet my eyes, wondering how long I was standing there for. To answer him, I let out a wry smile before letting the conversation continue. 

"Back to the topic, Elder Virion, you said I was a beast tamer?" Arthur was more confused and this time it didn't seem like he was faking it. 

Without wasting any more time, Virion sent Tessia to her room to sleep since it had already been night time. As for us, we went into the living room with couches and a roaring fireplace. 

There, Elder Virion continued, "Let's start from the beginning. I assume you know what a beast tamer is, Luke?" 

I took a second to answer his question, whether or not I was right it would be suspicious of me to say that I knew what they were without any doubt on my knowledge. "I saw it in a book years ago before I got separated from my family." 

Having said that, I now had no reason to be suspected of my identity as Luke Hodges. For now at least. 

Without touching the topic again, he spoke again. "I assume you know that mana beasts possess mana cores just like humans, elves and dwarves right?" 

We nodded.

"Right. Just like mana beasts, humans, elves and dwarves possess qualities in their mana cores that are distincts to their own race."

Picking up a piece of paper and began drawing a chart. 

Water - Ice

Plant

Earth - Gravity

Magma - Metal

Fire - Lightning 

Wind - Sound

"These are the four basic elements and their higher forms. The higher forms–Ice, Metal, Lightning, Sound–can only be controlled by mages especially adept at a particular basic element, I.E. A deviant. This is where the distinct racial qualities lie…" He wrote a brief description of each race. 

Humans.

Human mages possess the ability to manipulate all four basic elements and are the only race capable of having deviants that can control the higher form of their adept element. They also have deviants that can even transcend the four basic elements, like healers (emitters), making their mana core the most diverse. 

Elves

Elven magic can only manipulate water, wind, and earth but with much higher affinity. We also have a special trait distinct to our race that allows very pure-blooded mages to control plants. However, elves don't have deviants that can manipulate water, wind, and earth into their higher forms. 

Dwarves

Dwarven mages can only manipulate earth and fire but, like elves, they possess a much higher affinity to those two elements. Their distinct trait lies in the fact that all dwarves are able to mold and bend metal, while some deviants possess the special ability to manipulate both earth and fire into magma, something even human deviants are not able to do, much less elves. However, they can only manipulate those two basic elements and, like elves, do not possess the ability to control the higher form of the basic elemental. 

Arthur spoke, "Wait I'm not getting all of this. Why can't humans manipulate plants and magma?" 

"Good question. Only elves can manipulate plants, which is the only form of nature that is alive, because of our lineage being highly affinitive to the nurturing elements. Only the Dwarfs race can manipulate magma and metal because, like us elves, their lineage makes them highly adept at constructing elements."

This was something I didn't understand either when I was reading the novel. If humans can't manipulate magma or plant magic, was there any possibility of them actually doing it? Was it possible for a human to actually manipulate both affinities without being from the Dwarf or elven race? 

Virion barked, closing his eyes while scratching his head. "I'm getting to that brat." 

"Mana beasts are different from the three humanoid races because each species has their own special characteristics. Listing all of them would be endless so I'll give you a simple example. Mages, adventurers or not, are classified: E, D, C, B, A, AA, S, SS class. This classification is the same for mana beast as well. Take the sonic hawk. They are B class beasts that possess incredible speed while in flight. They all have the affinity for wind and sound. These attributes are innate in their mana cores. Regardless of their affinity, if these mana cores are taken out and given to a human or elf mage that specializes in wind element, their training will go by much faster than just cultivating mana from their surroundings but that's it." 

The old Elf gulped down a glass of water, all while Art waiting impatiently for his next words. 

"...However! When a mana beast reaches A class or higher, they have the ability to pass on their 'will', or ability to be more precise, to one person. I called you a beast tamer earlier because you have a mana beast's will in your mana core and from my estimation, not just any will but an S class mana beast's will if not an SS class will. I'm only able to sense this because I'm a beast tamer as well, although the beast's will that I tamed was an AA class beast, the shadow panther."

I wonder if I will be able to see a shadow panther in the future. 

"Elder Virion, did you use your beast's will against Art earlier?" I asked curiously while still feeling the arguments of my body and mind. 

Just a little longer… please…

"Haha! Just call me Grandpa from now on. Though you are not my disciple, no offense, you too have some sort of latent ability that I have no knowledge or clue. Maybe my old friend might have an idea but I can't promise it." Virion said, later giving Art a wink while chuckling simultaneously. "Yes brat, I was able to bully you that badly by utilizing my Shadow Panther's will. But I only used around 50% of my speed. And how I told this brat, you too can call me Grandpa, as my first disciple, and who knows, maybe I'll become your grandpa-in-law."

Arthur's eyes welled up with tears as he lowered his head, trying to keep his tears from falling. 

"You must have been through a lot, child. I'm not going to push you for an answer, but the reason why it is urgent for me to guide you is because you don't have much time." He said in a warm but stern voice. 

The boy sniffed, looking up to him. "What do you mean?" 

"The power from your mana core is too strong for your immature body to handle. Let me ask you about this boy. Have you recently felt a burning pain coming from your mana core?" The look on Art's face confirmed Virion's suspicions because he nodded solemnly. "If you don't learn to control your new mana core, it'll destroy your body."

"..."

The main character finally answered after what felt like an eternity of sole silence. "I understand. It seems I have no choice but to be under your guidance. However, I don't think I would be able to focus on training without making sure that my family is all right and that they know I'm safe too. You mentioned something about that earlier?" 

He chuckled, "We'll go see an old friend of mine tomorrow that'll take care of your worries. What I need from you starting now is your utmost diligence. I'm not even sure how long it'll take for you to master the basics of your beast's will. In my two hundred years of living, I've never seen such a young mage, let alone a beast tamer at that. You're going to bring big changes into this world, brat. I just know it." 

The boy scratched his cheek, red from embarrassment. 

"Go to sleep, brat! Tomorrow is going to be a long day. You'll need to rest." 

Getting up from his chair, Arthur bowed before wishing him goodnight. "Goodnight…Grandpa."

Virion chuckled, waving the four-year-old off. 

I was about to do the same when he stopped me, unleashing his first beasts' will. Instinctively, I dodged but was a little late, ending up with a scratch on my right arm just below the shoulder. 

I backed off just far enough to buy me some time, while looking at him, I had no choice but to at least heal this scratch before my body gave up on me. Not only that, but my mana reserves were already on the brink of being depleted. Feeling the mana respond to my call, a soft dimmed light appeared and the molecules of my scratch could be felt as they regenerated my skin. 

Elder Virion looked at me with confirming eyes, whatever he had been thinking had just been resolved with just one move. 

"Boy, just how are you that high of a level for a mana core at such a young age?" His cold voice gave me chills down my spine. I hadn't seen him like this in the novel, never once has he acted coldly towards someone like he is to me right now.

I tried recalling the time where I had used my deviants but there was no response. Of course there would be no response, I am no main character to do such a thing. It was a fluke. 

Finally, after thinking about just the answer I was about to give him, something crossed my mind. If I were to just tell him the truth there would be a chance he'd think I would be lying, though I think just a word game wouldn't be bad either, unless…

"I was just separated from my family two years ago, getting to know them is my main priority right now." Igniting 5% of my mana to shield at least my body, I presented some mana into my legs. "However, in this world, being just strong isn't going to cut it out for me!" 

I dashed into him, throwing a punch in hope of landing it. But this was Virion in his first beasts' will, this will be slow for him. And it pained me but I was right. 

The old elf just didn't dodge my attack, but he tried to knock me unconscious as well. 

Using the unbalanced dash to my advantage, I quickly turned around and grabbed his wrist just for me to sprain my ankle upon landing. 

I let out a groan of pain. 

"Brat are you okay?" The Elder spoke with concern. 

Again, a soft and warm light hit my ankle moments later. 

"I am okay, just a little tired from our journey…" I lightly spoke, feeling my body going against my orders of staying in control. I have to show him that I am no threat like I did to the others before. 

Still, how come everyone that I've met thinks I am a monster that needs to be put down as soon as an important character leaves the room, leaving us alone? 

Standing up with my healed ankle, I signaled to him that the chairs were more acceptable than a one-sided battle between him and me. During my training with Mordain, I learned that I was being too cocky with my actions and words, something that I would have died too if Mordain didn't hear my deal. 

I too had to learn when I had chances to fight a battle and win, meaning that losing a battle was alright unlike dying and not knowing if I were to return to my old world. 

Risking too much was the younger me doing. 

As we both sat down in front of each other, I noticed Virion's serious expression. One wrong word and I was done for. I thought, nervously about my next words. 

"Elder Virion, you said you wanted to learn how I got to this level of my mana core? Well I will tell you the truth on how it happened along with how I got separated from my family." 

Without wasting any time, I told my side of the story but without my meetings with the asuras in the Beast Glades or with Elder Rinia. Telling him how one day I was just walking along the walls of the Giant Mountains and by coincidence I stumbled upon Arthur who fell off a cliff. And then where Arthur and I stumbled upon his granddaughter and the slave traders and how we got here. 

"T-that's the whole story, Elder Virion." 

He didn't respond to me or my words, instead he took a moment to think and analyze everything I said to see if it was the truth. Minutes if not hours passed by and I was barely holding on to my consciousness. 

"Hmm. If that is the case brat, why are you looking like you're going to faint any moment soon? Don't tell me that you too are a–"

I cut him off easily with confidence. "I assure you, Elder, that I don't have a beast's will in my core. And If I did, I wouldn't be so tired but rather in pain right now." 

It was true. If I had really a beast's will, things would go different if not the same. However, that also meant that I would get stronger before the war started, perhaps giving us a head start in the Wall fight or against the Retainer in the early phases of the war. 

Then again, that was crossing the line. That was just a child's fantasy of mine when I was in middle school, being cool having the same beast's will as Arthur's. Fighting through the hordes of Alacryans and corrupted beasts alike. 

Still, Virion didn't seem too convinced by my words, perhaps my next might do the trick. "Elder Virion, if you don't believe me, you can watch me and my intentions. After all, you can send 'them' after me to dispose of me." 

A terrifying silence filled the room as Virion's bloodlust occupied the entire room, leaving me with no oxygen to breath in. He frowned, listening to my words was of course a bad flag but it was the last thing I had to get out of here alive. He spoke, "Brat. Who are you?" 

I let out a small smile but it was meant not to be a threatening one but rather a relieved one. "I promise you Elder Virion, I don't mean harm to any of you in this continent. But there might be times where my actions might be questionable, still, please believe me when the time comes…"

Those were the last words I let out my mouth before losing consciousness.