While making his way through the bustling streets of the merchant district, Courage marveled at the vibrant sights and sounds. The air was thick with the scent of fresh produce, spices, and the occasional exotic beast being paraded through the crowd. He couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the sheer variety of goods on display. The possibilities seemed endless, and the excitement of exploring bubbled inside him.
“Now, what to buy first?” he muttered to himself, surveying the street vendors with their colorful stalls.
And that question a voice rang out from within his mind,
"Well, most certainly, first your beast's basic needs, of course."
Courage paused, a little startled, then nodded. "Makes sense," he muttered, looking for a vendor that might sell food suitable for his beetle beast.
He wandered through the market, his eyes scanning the various stalls until he found one selling a variety of beast foods—dried herbs, various insects, and odd pellets in several shapes and sizes. "This should be good," he thought, grabbing a handful of different feeds, trying to pick a variety that would suit his beetle's diet.
Dan’s voice echoed again in his head. "Make sure to buy in good quantities to last you a while. You’ll also want some variety—beetles can be picky. And don’t forget raw materials for developing your domain—perhaps some moss and special minerals for starters. Oh, and a few things to enhance the comfort of your beast too..."
Courage nodded, diligently listening to Dan's voice guiding him through his purchases. He made sure to stock up on everything, from basic food to more specialized materials, and even a few luxuries that Dan suggested would be useful down the line.
Several hours later, and Courage was sitting on the side of a fountain in the middle of a bustling square, exhausted from the spree. He hadn’t expected the shopping trip to be so tiring, but there was satisfaction in knowing he had the essentials—at least for now.
He dug into the food he’d bought from a nearby vendor, savoring the savory meat skewers and fresh bread. As he ate, his mind wandered back to the domain and the beetle nestled within his chest. It was strange, carrying a beast inside him but he decided not to delve in it to much .
a few quiet moments passed, the sound of water from the fountain and the hum of the busy market blending together as Courage sat, eating and doing some calculations in his mind
After finishing his calculations, Courage estimated the total expenses. “The total should be around 20 spirit stones,” he remarked casually.
“23 to be exact,” Dan corrected.
Courage raised an eyebrow. “Still, that’s not too bad, right?”
Dan nodded. “The average expenses for a tamer of your level are usually around 35 spirit stones a month for basic needs. So, on average, you’ve managed to save a bit on expenses.”
“Well, not by much, though,” Courage replied, shrugging.
“No, trust me,” Dan said, his tone turning serious. “For someone like you, every spirit stone is precious. Always try to save where you can.”
“Really?”
“You’ll understand once we start cultivating your beast,” Dan replied.
“All right, if you say so,” Courage said, conceding.
With his errands complete, Courage decided to spend the rest of the day exploring. While wandering the streets, he accidentally ran into Wally, the boy he had befriended in the past few days.
“Courage!” Wally exclaimed, his face lighting up with excitement. He hurried over, nearly tripping in his enthusiasm.
“Wally,” Courage said, smiling. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”
“I’m so glad I ran into you!” Wally said, practically bouncing on his heels. “I’ve been wanting to thank you.”
“Thank me? For what?” Courage asked, puzzled.
“For helping me with my training the last few days,” Wally said, his voice brimming with gratitude. “Thanks to your advice, I managed to score a passing grade in both tests today! That’s way more than I expected, especially with how slow I was improving before.”
Courage blinked in surprise. “Really? That’s great, Wally! But it’s not like I did much. You’re the one who put in the effort.”
“Don’t sell yourself short,” Wally insisted. “Without your help, I wouldn’t have even known what to focus on. You taught me how to adjust my will, how to manage my energy flow… It made all the difference!”
“Well,” Courage said with a sheepish grin, “I’m glad it worked out for you.”
“It did, and I owe it all to you,” Wally said earnestly. “Thank you, Courage. I’ll never forget this.”
“Don’t mention it,” Courage replied. “So, what are you up to now?”
“Not much,” Wally said. “I was just wandering around after shopping” He hesitated before adding, “Want to hang out for a bit?”
“Sure,” Courage said with a smile. “Why not?”
The two spent the next few hours exploring the city together, chatting about everything from training to their future goals as tamers. Wally’s infectious enthusiasm and Courage’s calm demeanor made for a relaxed and enjoyable time. They tried snacks from street vendors, watched performers in the square, and even stumbled upon a small shop selling beast-taming trinkets.
As the sun began to set and the streets grew quieter, the two made their way back toward the academy. The cool evening breeze carried a sense of accomplishment and camaraderie.
“Today was fun,” Wally said as they reached the academy gates. “Thanks for hanging out with me.”
“Same here,” Courage replied with a grin. “It’s nice to take a break every now and then.”
With a wave, they parted ways, each heading to their dorms. As Courage lay in bed that night, he reflected on the day. It had been productive, and spending time with Wally reminded him that even small hang outs could feel so satisfying .
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
The next morning, Courage sat cross-legged in his room, his mind focused and his breathing steady. His Totem hovered within his domain , resonating with his spirit energy.
Dan’s voice broke the silence. “Are you ready?”
“Yeah, yeah, let’s do this,” Courage replied, cracking his knuckles. “First step—developing my domain.”
Closing his eyes, he projected his consciousness into his domain. It appeared as it always did: a vast, white void. His beetle floated leisurely at the center . In one corner of the space, a hill of materials sat neatly piled—the products of yesterday’s purchases.
It must be noted that domains don’t just store beasts. Any material with even a trace of spiritual energy can be kept there. That's how courage managed to carry and transport all of his yesterday purchases by himself.
Courage soon began “Okay, let’s start with the ground,” he murmured.
With a surge of willpower, he directed the hill of materials to move. Hundreds of kilograms of soil began to spread evenly across the void. The slightly spiritually rich soil wasn’t anything special, but it served well as a foundation for his domain. Slowly, the sterile emptiness gave way to a solid, earthy floor stretching to the edges of his domain.
“Good. Now for the atmosphere,” Dan instructed.
Courage focused on a set of oversized flower buds, each the size of a pumpkin. Wielding his will, he infused spirit energy into the buds. One by one, they began to deflate, releasing streams of air and moisture. It wasn’t long before the dry void transformed—Courage could feel a faint breeze and the presence of humidity, as though the space had come alive.
“Alright, gravity’s next,” Courage said, concentrating once more.
He projected his will into the domain, and the change was instantaneous. His beetle, which had been floating aimlessly, began to descend gently until it touched the ground. The creature moved cautiously, its antennae twitching as it adjusted to the new environment. Courage projected a calming wave of reassurance through his Totem, soothing the beetle’s wariness.
“Good work so far,” Dan said, his tone approving.
Courage grinned. “We’re just getting started.”
Turning his focus upward, he manipulated the top of the domain, altering its color to simulate a blue sky. Wisps of white appeared, mimicking clouds, and the transformation brought a sense of openness to the once-confining void.
Satisfied, Courage shifted his attention back to the ground. He dug a shallow hole, concentrating the moisture in the air to fill it with water, creating a small pond. Around the pond, he began placing stones, grass seeds, moss, and saplings. Each item he planted visibly grew the moment it touched the soil, responding to his will. Within moments, the barren ground was alive with patches of greenery, a testament to the vitality of his domain.
As Courage surveyed his work, a satisfied smile crossed his face. “Alright, basic environment done.”
He sat back, watching his beetle explore its new habitat. The creature seemed more active now, scuttling around with curiosity. Courage couldn’t help but chuckle. “This feels like building a custom tank for my beetles back home. I missed doing this.”
Dan’s voice cut in with a note of encouragement. “You’re off to a solid start. A well-developed domain is essential for your beast’s growth.”
Courage nodded, his mind already brimming with ideas for future upgrades.
But returning to the task at hand, Courage refocused and willed a new batch of materials into position. This batch contained a particular item he had been saving: a small sapling known as the Vigor Sap Oak.
Unlike a regular oak tree, this sapling had a thick, sturdy trunk and copper-colored leaves that shimmered faintly in the artificial light of his domain. It wasn’t just for decoration—this tree was a vital cultivation resource. Its sap was uniquely suited for vigor-type beasts, and consuming it could significantly enhance Thier cultivation efficiency and effectiveness .
Courage examined the sapling carefully before choosing an ideal spot to plant it near the small pond. The tree’s importance wasn’t lost on him; at ten spirit stones, it had cost nearly half of his total expenses from the previous day.
After planting the tree, Courage used his will to guide spirit energy into the sapling, encouraging it to take root. The process was slow and far more taxing than he’d anticipated. Beads of sweat formed on his brow as he watched the roots extend into the soil and the trunk grow ever so slightly taller.
“Helping this thing grow sure is harder than planting regular stuff,” Courage muttered, taking a deep breath.
Dan’s voice resonated in his mind. “Of course it is. Unique cultivation materials are far more demanding than ordinary plants. They require precise conditions and a deep understanding of their needs to thrive.”
Courage frowned. “So you’re saying I probably won’t be able to grow this thing properly?”
“That’s not what I’m saying,” Dan replied. “You don’t need it to grow into a towering tree right now. As long as you can keep it alive and maintain it, the Vigor Sap Oak will still produce sap that your beast can use for cultivation. That’s all that matters for now.”
Courage exhaled and nodded, reassured by Dan’s words. “Alright, I’ll focus on maintaining it then. No point stressing over perfection.”
As the sapling settled into its new environment, Courage watched his beetle approach it, its antennae twitching with curiosity. The creature seemed drawn to the tree’s presence, and Courage couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction.
“This tree better be worth the effort,” he said with a smirk.
“It will be,” Dan assured him. “You’re investing in your beast’s future. Every bit of effort you put in now will pay off down the road.”
Courage took one last look at the sapling before moving on to the next task. His domain was slowly taking shape, each addition bringing it closer to being a space where his beetle could thrive and grow. Despite the challenges, Courage found himself enjoying the process.
After a few more adjustments and setups, Courage finally completed the initial development of his domain.
“Alright,” he said, wiping imaginary sweat from his brow. “That’s done. Should I start a cultivation session now?”
Dan’s voice chimed in. “Sure, but you’re running a bit low on spirit energy. It’s better to top off first.”
Taking the advice to heart, Courage withdrew his consciousness from his domain and returned to the outside world. He reached for the pouch at his side, filled with spirit stones he owned . Pulling out a fist-sized spirit stone, he held it firmly in his hands.
Closing his eyes, he focused on the faint hum emanating from the stone. Spirit stones weren’t just shiny objects—they were condensed repositories of spirit energy, created naturally by Spirit Springs. By channeling his will, Courage began drawing the energy out of the stone, replenishing his own reserves.
As the energy flowed into him, he felt a refreshing feeling spread through his body. Spirit stones were invaluable to tamers at all levels for this very reason. They provided a reliable and portable source of energy, whether for training, combat, or emergencies.
Dan’s voice broke through his thoughts. “You’re getting the hang of it. Just don’t take them for granted. Spirit stones are useful, but they’re not infinite. Their production is steady, but demand is even higher.”
Courage nodded as he continued absorbing energy. “Makes sense. They’re so versatile, it’s no wonder they’re considered valuable.”
Dan continued, his tone shifting into a more instructional one. “Exactly. The steady production from Spirit Springs ensures there’s a supply, but tamers consume them constantly. Between their usefulness and rarity, it’s no surprise that spirit stones became the universal currency.”
Courage opened his eyes, holding the a small handful of dust in his hand. He set it aside, knowing the spirit stone he used had been depleted of its energy. “Alright, I’m topped off. Let’s do this.”
Back in his domain, Courage's totem with his consciousness in it stood before the Vigor Sap Oak, ready to begin his beast's cultivation session. He carefully injected a small amount of spirit energy into the sapling, urging it to start producing sap. The tree responded slowly at first, its copper-colored leaves glowing faintly as the flow of spirit energy stimulated its internal processes.
Turning his attention to his beast, Courage issued a clear mental command. The beetle, sensing its tamer's will, moved toward the tree. Using its sturdy horn and immense strength, it began peeling away the oak's tough bark. After creating a split large enough for the sap to seep through, the beetle brought its mouthparts close to the opening and started sucking the rich, golden sap.
Courage smiled as he watched his beetle consume the sap with obvious satisfaction. “Good, looks like this was worth the investment,” he muttered.
While his beast fed, Courage began channeling his spirit energy directly into its body. He could feel the Beast Marks within the beetle starting to multiply and grow. The usual sluggish pace of the marks' development had noticeably accelerated, thanks to the sap's unique properties. Each new mark that appeared seemed sharper and more defined, signifying an increase in his beast's strength and potential.
“This is amazing,” Courage thought,The combination of the sap and his own energy was clearly paying off.
The cultivation session continued for several hours. Courage worked tirelessly, alternating between directing energy into his beetle and replenishing his own reserves using spirit stones. The strain was evident; his low aptitude meant his energy reserves were limited and regenerated slowly. Every time he ran out, he had to pause and absorb more energy from the stones.
By the time the session ended, Courage had depleted several spirit stones. He looked at the small pile of stone dust beside him and sighed, recalling Dan’s earlier warning.
“So this is what he meant,” Courage muttered. “If I want to keep up with everyone else, I’ll be burning through these like crazy.”
Despite the exhaustion and the realization of his uphill battle, courage Wiping sweat from his brow, smiled. “Alright, little guy. We’re making progress. Slowly but surely, we’ll get there.”
The beetle chirped softly, its antennae twitching as if in agreement.
After the cultivation session was over, Courage slumped back on his bed, sighing deeply. “Who knew beast cultivation could be this tiring?”
Dan's voice resonated within his mind. “Constantly depleting spirit energy, as well as projecting your will for prolonged periods, can indeed cause fatigue.”
“No kidding,” Courage groaned, rubbing his temples. “Anyway, how strong do you think my beast has gotten after all this?”
“See for yourself.”
Though clearly exhausted, Courage pushed through his weariness. Using his totem, he projected his consciousness into his domain, where his spirit beast rested. As he concentrated, he inspected its Beast Marks.
“So, what exactly am I supposed to look for here?” he asked.
“It’s simple—just count the marks,” the voice replied.
Strengthening his spirit sense, Courage felt new information entering his mind. The Beast Marks on his creature began to reveal themselves, glowing faintly. “Alright, let’s see... There are about 150 marks in total now. That’s a big improvement from before—there were only around 80. Not bad progress, right?”
“Not bad, but not exceptional either,” the voice commented.
Courage sighed. “Say, Dan, I’ve been wondering—since tamers are ranked by levels, how do we rank beasts?”
“The most common system aligns beast rankings with tamer levels,” Dan explained.
“Go on.”
“First, you need to know the ranking system for tamers. Tamers are divided into nine levels:
Levels 1 to 3 are considered rookies.
Levels 4 to 7 signify experts.
Levels 8 and 9 are the master ranks.
Similarly, beasts are ranked based on their compatibility with tamer levels. A tamer can only tame and cultivate beasts at their level or lower.”
“I see,” Courage murmured. “So, what’s the actual difference between the levels?”
“Beyond the obvious strength and capability improvements, there are key distinctions. For beasts, the most straightforward way to measure their rank is by the number of Beast Marks they possess.
A level 1 beast typically has hundreds of marks.
A level 2 beast would have thousands.
A level 3 beast might have tens of thousands.
And the base amount increases exponentially as you go higher. Beast Marks provide a clear and measurable
indication of their raw power, though their abilities and compatibility with their tamer also play crucial roles.”
Courage nodded thoughtfully. “So, the higher the marks, the stronger the beast... It makes sense i guess .