Chapter 19 – Taming Class
The Academy smelled faintly of herbs, damp earth, and animal musk. It was a good smell if you liked nature, magical creatures, and chaos waiting to happen.
I blinked as I stepped into the Taming Classroom—a vast outdoor arena filled with cages, pens, and glowing sigils on the ground. Magical creatures of all shapes and sizes roamed freely under the supervision of instructors. Some looked friendly, others… less so.
"Welcome back, Lorian," said Professor Yellin, attempting a stern tone while keeping one eye on a hovering drake pup. "Today's lesson is taming: the art of controlling, communicating, and cooperating with magical beasts. And yes, accidents last week do count toward your record."
I waved cheerfully. "Hi! Don't worry. I promise… mostly." Crimson sparks flickered faintly around my fingertips, unnoticed by most but enough to make nearby sparrows twitch nervously.
The other students groaned, murmuring. Here we go again…
"Class, pick your partner beast," Professor Yellin instructed. "And remember: taming is about patience, not power."
I tilted my head, scanning the creatures. There was a tiny phoenix, a baby wyvern, a fire salamander, and… a colossal wolf with two tails staring at me like I was dessert.
"Oh… the wolf looks fun!" I said, waving. "Hello! Wanna be friends?"
Before anyone could stop me, I clapped my hands. A faint swirl of crimson magic enveloped the wolf. It yelped, then sat obediently, wagging its twin tails happily.
The class froze. The instructor's jaw dropped. "Did he just… tame that fully-grown alpha with a snap of his fingers?"
I grinned. "Yep! We're friends now!"
A couple of students whispered furiously. "Impossible…" "No human can—" "Did he just—"
Meanwhile, the wolf licked my face, tail swishing. I laughed. "Good boy! You're adorable!"
Professor Yellin groaned. "Lorian, it's about connection, not domination!"
I shrugged. "Well… connection's easier when they like me." Crimson sparks formed tiny hearts above my head.
---
Next, we were tasked with taming a more challenging creature: a miniature dragon no larger than a large dog, scales glittering in green and gold.
Fay knelt carefully. "Hi little guy. Wanna play?"
The dragon snorted fire in a half-hearted warning. I clapped my hands. Instantly, a swirl of wind and flame encircled it—not harming, just gently coaxing. The tiny dragon squeaked and started performing flips and somersaults.
"Did he just… choreograph a dragon?" whispered a student.
I laughed. "Pretty good, huh? Dance practice time!"
By the end of the exercise, the small dragon was perched on my shoulder, tail coiled around my arm. It purred, sneezing little sparks. I scratched behind its ear. "Good job, buddy. You're learning fast!"
Professor Yellin pinched the bridge of his nose. "Learning fast, yes. Control, somewhat questionable."
---
Then came the "wild creature" segment: three creatures were released into the arena—an electric fox, a shadow wolf, and a crystalline lizard that refracted light into dazzling beams.
The students scattered, trying to tame them with standard techniques. I jogged toward the creatures with a grin. "Hi! Let's be friends!"
The electric fox dashed at me, sparks crackling. I raised a hand lazily. Instantly, the sparks formed playful loops around my fingers, harmless but mesmerizing. The fox blinked and curled up at my feet.
The shadow wolf leapt. Crimson aura flared. It froze midair, then bowed politely before sitting.
The crystalline lizard shimmered, refracting sunlight into a tiny rainbow across the arena. I clapped. "Pretty! Wanna play?" It scampered onto my shoulder, glowing brightly.
By the time the instructors reached me, I was juggling all three creatures with perfect ease, sparks and light twisting in a chaotic, dazzling display.
"Lorian!" Professor Yellin shouted. "Stop before—"
"I'm done! See? All tamed!" I said cheerfully, crimson aura flickering like a party.
The class stared, pale faces and jaws dropped. Even the more skeptical students murmured in awe.
"How…?" one muttered.
I shrugged. "I guess… they just like me?"
Professor Yellin groaned. "Patience, Lorian. Connection. Not raw power!"
I laughed. "Yeah… connection! Totally."
---
Lunch was a quieter disaster. I attempted to feed the creatures with conjured food: roasted meat, glowing fruit, and tiny cakes. Unfortunately, the electric fox accidentally sparked a small fire, the shadow wolf created a harmless shadow storm, and the crystalline lizard refracted sunlight into a dazzling prism that temporarily blinded half the students.
"Lorian!" the instructor yelled. "You are impossible!"
I waved, grinning. "I try!"
Some students whispered. "This isn't taming… this is chaos incarnate."
Others whispered back, "And somehow… incredible."
I shrugged. "Both. Fun combo."
---
Afternoon brought "team taming": students paired to tame a particularly stubborn gryphon pup. My partner froze in terror when I approached. I bent down, crimson aura flickering gently.
"Hi there! Wanna be friends?" I said softly. The pup snarled, wings flapping.
I extended my hand. A swirl of magic gently lifted it off the ground, coaxing it into calm. Soon, it was nuzzling my shoulder, letting me scratch behind its ears. My partner stared, mouth agape.
"That is… cheating," they whispered.
I laughed. "Nope! Just… friendship magic!" Crimson sparks formed tiny stars in the air.
By the end of the day, all the creatures in the arena were either following me, perching on my shoulders, or napping at my feet. Some of the instructors muttered nervously. Others shook their heads in disbelief. Even the Queen's offer from before lingered in my mind, giving me a faint sense of pride.
---
As the sun set, the arena cleared. I sat surrounded by tamed creatures, all happily resting against me. The students and instructors approached cautiously, awe and irritation mixed on their faces.
"Lorian," Professor Yellin said finally, "you've… exceeded all expectations. Again."
I shrugged, smiling. "Well… I like making friends. And sometimes friends are… magical." Crimson sparks floated lazily above my head, forming tiny hearts and stars.
The Queen's words echoed in my mind. Perhaps the world needs a child who can both destroy and save it.
I yawned, looking at the creatures around me. "Tomorrow, maybe we'll try flying practice?"
One of the gryphons tilted its head. The shadow wolf purred. The tiny phoenix preened.
I grinned. "Yeah… we'll have fun. Mostly. Maybe a little chaos. But fun!"
And as the Academy grounds quieted for the evening, I realized something important:
Being overpowered isn't just about power. It's about bringing life—and laughter—wherever you go.
And in my heart, I knew this was only the beginning.
End of chapter 19