Max stood in the clearing, his gaze fixed on the wild boar, which had become both his greatest challenge and his most faithful companion. The mountain lion had long since disappeared into the shadows of the Vyrn Mountains, but the boar remained by his side, a reminder of how far he'd come in such a short time. The bond between them had deepened, but Max knew it wasn't enough. Not yet.
Liora stood a few paces away, observing him silently. Her posture was calm, but Max could see the sharpness in her eyes, the intensity with which she watched him. This wasn't just a test of his ability to tame creatures — this was a test of his character. Could he remain patient, could he stay focused long enough to truly understand the creatures he bonded with, or would he falter?
Max felt the weight of her gaze, but it only made him more determined. The Biomancer of the Bound Flesh class was unlike any other. The connection he had with his creatures was powerful, yes, but he needed to learn how to control that power — to be the master of the creatures he tamed, not just their partner. It would take time, he knew, but Liora was right — it all began with patience.
Max took a step forward, his eyes never leaving the wild boar. He had learned the basic commands, but he knew that true control meant more than just commanding the boar to stay. It meant showing the boar that he was its leader, its guide, that he could be trusted to protect it, to lead it when needed.
"Stay," Max said softly, his voice steady but firm. The boar looked up at him, its dark eyes locking with his. It was still a wild creature, its instincts sharp, but it was learning. The bond they had formed was still fragile, but there was something stronger now — a foundation of trust.
The boar remained where it was, not moving, but Max could sense the tension in its muscles. The creature wasn't fully relaxed yet. It was still unsure, still testing him. Max could feel its restlessness, the pull of its wild nature urging it to move, to explore, to run. But he needed it to understand. He needed the boar to feel safe under his control.
Max took a slow step forward, watching the boar carefully. "Good," he whispered, offering a soft, calm smile. "Good." He reached out slowly, offering his hand. The boar hesitated, its snout twitching in the air. For a moment, Max thought it would back away, but then, the boar leaned in cautiously, sniffing his hand.
Max didn't move, didn't push. He let the boar come to him, at its own pace. This was the key — he had learned that pushing too hard, too fast, would break the bond. Trust was earned, not forced.
The boar nudged his hand gently, its nose cold against his palm. Max's smile widened slightly. It wasn't perfect, but it was progress. The boar was learning, and so was Max.
Liora spoke from behind him, her voice low and measured. "You're doing well, Maxiel. But this is only the beginning. You're learning to bond with the creature, but now you must train it. Training goes beyond taming. It requires consistency, patience, and an understanding of the creature's needs."
Max turned to face her, his heart pounding with anticipation. "How do I train it? What's the next step?"
Liora's expression softened, but there was a quiet intensity in her eyes. "You've tamed the boar. Now, you must teach it to listen, to follow commands, to trust that you will guide it when needed. Your bond will strengthen through repetition, through demonstrating that you are not just its tamer, but its leader."
Max nodded, absorbing her words. Training was more than just taming. It was a relationship of equals, one where the creature chose to follow because it trusted its leader.
Liora stepped forward and motioned for Max to follow her. "Come with me. I'll show you."
The Training Begins
Max followed Liora through the clearing, and the wild boar trailed behind them obediently, its large body moving with surprising grace. The mountain lion, once a shadow in the distance, remained at the edge of the clearing, its amber eyes watching the group. Liora led Max toward a cluster of boulders, where a few creatures — including a mountain goat and a pair of hawks — were gathered.
"These creatures are trained for survival in these harsh conditions," Liora explained. "But survival is only part of it. Taming is not enough. You have to show them why they should follow you, why they should listen."
Max nodded, his eyes shifting to the creatures. "How do I do that?"
Liora's smile was small but knowing. "By understanding them. By reading them."
Max watched as Liora approached the mountain goat without hesitation. The goat eyed her warily at first, but then it stepped forward, its head lowering in a gesture of acceptance. Liora moved slowly, her movements deliberate and calm. She reached out and gently ran her hand along the creature's side, her fingers brushing against its coarse fur.
"You see?" she asked, her voice low. "This isn't about dominance. It's about showing the creature that you understand it. That you see it. You are not a threat. You are its guide."
Max watched in awe as Liora moved with such ease, the creatures responding to her presence as though they instinctively knew she was a part of their world.
"Your connection with the creatures you tame will grow stronger the more you understand them," Liora continued, turning back to Max. "You are learning to become part of their world, to move as they move, think as they think. When you can do that, you will become their leader."
Max felt a fire in his chest. This was what he needed to learn. This was the key to mastering his Biomancer of the Bound Flesh class. Control came from understanding, from becoming one with the creatures he tamed.
He turned back to the wild boar, who had been watching the entire exchange. It was waiting, as though unsure of what to do next.
Max took a step forward, his hand extended. He knew what to do now. He didn't rush this time. He simply stood still, offering his palm to the boar, allowing it to approach at its own pace.
It sniffed his hand cautiously, and for a moment, Max thought it might walk away. But then, to his surprise, the boar nudged his hand, the coldness of its nose a welcome sensation.
Max smiled softly. It was slow, but it was progress. This was the bond, the trust that Liora spoke of. He had taken the first step.
A Future Unfolding
As the day came to an end, Max sat with the wild boar by the fire, his thoughts swirling in his mind. The mountain lion had long since disappeared into the shadows, but Max could feel the bond between him and the creatures growing stronger. He had made progress, but he knew the journey was far from over.
Liora stood at the edge of the clearing, her arms crossed as she watched him. She didn't speak for a long while, but when she finally did, her voice was low and measured.
"You've made progress, Maxiel. But this is just the beginning. Taming and training is a long road, and it takes more than patience. It takes understanding. If you continue on this path, you will become a great tamer — but the real test will come when you must face creatures more dangerous, more unpredictable."
Max stood, his gaze fixed on the wild boar beside him. "I'm ready. I'll keep training. I won't stop."
Liora nodded, her expression softening. "Good. Keep this in mind — true mastery of a creature comes when you stop thinking of yourself as its tamer. You must think of yourself as its partner. That is when the bond becomes unbreakable."
Max felt a surge of determination rise within him. He had learned so much in such a short time, but there was still more to discover. He had barely begun to tap into the true power of his class, the depth of the bond he could form with the creatures he tamed.
Liora watched him closely, her eyes filled with quiet approval. "Now, we begin the real work."
Max turned back toward the path ahead, a newfound sense of purpose driving him forward. The road to true mastery was long, but with Liora's guidance, he would walk it.