James sat on a low fence post behind his house, watching the early morning mist roll off the hills. Chickens clucked nearby. Birds chirped. Somewhere in the distance, a neighbor was yelling at a goat.
It was all very peaceful.
Except for the dragon curled around his feet like an arrogant housecat made of molten pride.
Alice-von-Scarlet let out a low snort. > "This is beneath me."
"Good morning to you too," James muttered.
> "I am a dragon of ancient flame. I was not forged to nap in hay and endure chicken droppings."
"Welcome to Elderwyn. We have goats. And disappointment."
Alice stretched her wings with a dramatic sigh. James could feel the heat rolling off her scales. It was like having a living furnace that occasionally insulted your fashion choices.
> "The least you could do is explain this backwater realm we inhabit. What pitiful corner of the world is this?"
James raised an eyebrow. "You want the grand tour?"
> "I wish to understand the battleground upon which we shall rise."
"Oh boy." James sat up straighter, arms crossed. "Alright then. Welcome to the Kingdom of Aldrathia — land of rolling fields, boring politics, and more mud than sense."
---
The World According to James (with bonus sarcasm)
Aldrathia was one of six kingdoms on the continent of Arkenfall, though most people didn't care unless their neighbors were invading. Which was often.
Magic existed — kind of. It wasn't just magic like throwing fireballs because you were cranky. People shaped the world through Essentia, the fundamental life force that flowed through all living things. You could channel it... if you had an affinity. If you didn't, well — welcome to broom sweeping and potato farming.
That's where Beast Tamers came in.
Tamers forged a bond with a creature — a wolf, hawk, elemental beast, whatever — and gained power through that link. The stronger the bond, the stronger the tamer. A rare few could even wield abilities linked to their beast's nature. Most couldn't.
The system was as follows:
📜 The Basics
Class: The kind of tamer you are — Spiritcaller, Fangblade, Beast Knight, etc.
Affinity: The element or domain your soul connects with (Fire, Ice, Wind, Earth, Shadow, Light, etc.)
Rank: Your official strength level, starting from:
Unranked (Null)
Initiate
Adept
Veteran
Master
Ascendant (super rare — aka, borderline mythical)
James, officially, was a Null.
Unofficially?
He had a sarcastic dragon, a glitchy talking system, and a bloodline tied to creatures no one had seen in centuries.
---
Alice yawned, revealing rows of pointed teeth. > "Primitive. The flame of this age has grown dim indeed."
James rubbed the back of his neck. "You should see our plumbing. It's a miracle we bathe at all."
> "And you were mocked for being Talentless?"
"Yup."
> "Hilarious."
James was starting to think that might be his new superpower — making absurd things happen through sheer spite and awkward timing.
Just then, the system pinged in front of him again.
> [BEASTBOUND SYSTEM – BEGINNER TUTORIAL: POWER STRUCTURE UNLOCKED]
"To become stronger, you must:
• Strengthen your bond with your beast.
• Complete trials and challenges.
• Absorb Essentia cores from defeated beasts.
• Unlock class evolution through legacy achievements."**
> "Also," the system added, with far too much cheer, "you are currently behind your peers. Please attempt to suck less."
James blinked.
"Did the system just roast me?"
> "You deserved it," Alice said calmly.
> "Bond Sync Level: 15%. Mild Trust Achieved."
"Mild? We shared a psychic fire-summoning moment!"
> "You still sleep in a bed shaped like a wagon."
James groaned. "One day, I will have a castle. And I will ban sarcasm in every room."
> "Then I shall live in the courtyard."
---
🐾 The First Challenge
The system chimed again, brighter now.
> New Quest: Beginner Bond Trial – Defeat a Wild Rank 1 Beast
Reward: +1 Beast Affinity, Flame Pulse Skill, Minor Core Absorption
> "Recommended Location: Whispergrove Woods – 2.3 kilometers south."
James sighed. "Of course. A monster hunt. Because nothing says 'welcome to bonding' like possibly being eaten."
Alice stood up, shaking off embers from her scales.
> "A Rank 1 beast is no threat. Point me at it and I shall roast it with honor."
"You said that about the barn mouse yesterday."
> "It looked suspicious."
James stood and dusted himself off. The wind carried the smell of morning bread and damp leaves.
He glanced at Alice, then at the path leading toward the forest.
No class. No affinity. A talking dragon with an ego the size of a mountain.
And apparently, a trial that could get him killed.
"Alright," he muttered. "Let's go w
restle a wolf or something. Just another normal day for a Talentless idiot with a fire-breathing ego bomb."
Alice flicked her tail proudly. > "And don't you forget it."