After eight months of rigorous practice, my magical abilities have finally reached a pivotal milestone, standing impressively at ten points. Tonight, something unexpected unfolded— an occurrence that usually happens after extended meditation or upon reaching one's utmost potential.

In this surreal vision, I found myself traversing a desert, tirelessly searching for an elusive oasis. Days passed during this spectral odyssey, yet I experienced an unusual sensation. I felt neither hunger nor thirst, and weariness eluded me. However, amid this surreal journey, a sense of isolation gnawed at me.

Yet, a revelation dawned upon me—though I perceived solitude, I was not truly alone. My constant companion was there: my shadow, steadfast and unwavering, stood beside me in the presence of the sun, the moon, and the stars. It seemed as though my shadow had taken on a life of its own, an entity intertwined with my being.

Suddenly, I awoke, drenched in sweat, the remnants of an otherworldly experience lingering vividly in my mind.

Upon awakening, I hastily checked my status and discovered a new skill—Shadow Control. It was an unprecedented skill, ranking as a Unique grade, superior even to rare skills. Intrigued, I instinctively reached out to my shadow, testing its newfound capabilities.

To my surprise, controlling it felt almost effortless. The shadow responded to my commands seamlessly, bending and shifting at my will. Not stopping there, I experimented further, attempting to manipulate small objects using the shadow's malleability. Astonishingly, I found success, effortlessly moving objects with a mere thought, guided by the shadow's obedient movements.

The implications of this unique skill left me both exhilarated and perplexed.

It's been another year, and my mana stat has now reached 20 points. The journey, however, has taken its toll. The exhaustive process of absorbing mana has drained me to the bone, leaving me gaunt and feeble. It's as if I'm on the verge of collapse, prompting concern from even my friends, Fatty and Brainless Muscle.

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The silver lining in this ordeal lies in the abundance of mana at my disposal. This surplus enables me to continue honing my Shadow Control skill tirelessly. Remarkably, I've mastered enough control to inflict considerable damage using only my shadow. The newfound strength in manipulating shadows gives me an edge, to the point where I could easily outwit Fatty if I wished.

Despite the physical weariness, the growing strength in manipulating shadows and the surplus of mana provide a glimmer of hope amidst my weakened state.

I've observed that my shadow consistently mirrors my own shape. However, I'm intrigued by the possibility of shaping it into different forms. This curiosity has driven me to initiate thorough research on altering the appearance of my shadow.

I desired to mimic the shadow of a monster, so I visited the adventurer guild and hired a female tamer accompanied by a wolf. I kept my true intention hidden, pretending to play with the wolf. I tossed a stick, prompting the wolf to eagerly chase and retrieve it.

As the wolf brought back the stick, the tamer looked at me curiously. "You seem fond of playing with the wolf. Are you planning to train one yourself?"

I nodded with a smile. "Yeah, I've been considering it. They seem quite intelligent and loyal."

She chuckled. "That they are. They can be excellent companions if you treat them right."

I agreed, concealing my real motive behind studying their movements and shadow patterns.

"During the month, I hired the female adventurer several times. Eventually, after some practice, I was able to perfectly replicate the shadow of the wolf. I expressed my gratitude to the adventurer for her guidance and help. In return, she suggested that I consider taking the Tamer's Curse. She mentioned it was beneficial for those passionate about taming creatures. This curse can be pursued in the final year of the Adventurer Academy. It's not obligatory, but having a little monster by your side can be quite advantageous."

"Thanks for teaching me the tricks with the shadows," I said, appreciatively. "I didn't expect to pick it up this fast."

The adventurer smiled. "You've got a knack for it. Have you thought about the Tamer's Curse? It might be a perfect fit for someone like you."

I pondered her suggestion. "A curse that lets me tame monsters? That sounds intriguing. How does it work?"

"It's an elective course at the academy," she explained. "Not everyone takes it, but it can be useful, especially if you're passionate about creatures. Imagine having a little companion by your side during your adventures."

I mulled over the idea. "That does sound interesting. I'll definitely consider it, thanks!"