Beast Tamer Era: Capturing SSS-ranks with the Strongest Taming System-Chapter 112: The sacred rune art

"There’s one more thing you should know," Trixie said, pointing toward the corner of the room where a thick brown sack was sitting. "Do you see that sack over there? It’s filled with fasting pills. Each pill can suppress hunger for an entire day and maintain your stamina. You can use them whenever you feel weak or hungry."

"Got it," Ray said, nodding slightly.

Trixie smiled and fluttered her wings. "Well, my job here is done. I’ll be returning to the Spirit World now. Bye-bye!"

"Wait," Ray’s shout stopped her from leaving. "If I have any questions, how do I reach you?"

"You’ll be able to call me again once you pass the challenge. Otherwise, it’s impossible for us to meet again," Trixie said with a wink before vanishing in another puff of smoke, leaving Ray alone in the glowing room surrounded by floating candles spirit and altars with books.

"Let’s begin."

Cracking his knuckles, Ray started going through the several books to determine which unique technique he could learn the fastest, as he wanted to complete this challenge as soon as possible.

Each book was divided into two volumes.

The first one detailed a method explaining how entry into a distinct supernatural discipline could be gained. The second one provided profound insights related to mastering the unique techniques of that very discipline, outlining deeper applications, secret variations, and the principles behind perfect execution.

Ray chose the "sacred art of rune smithing."

Because of the soul cultivation method he had practiced, he already knew how to refine 100% purified primordial essence and manipulate it to his will.

As a result, the largest obstacle that deterred most people from learning it — the ability to marshal stable, usable primordial essence for the weaving of runes — simply did not exist for him.

That meant he could skip The Sacred Art of Rune Smithing’s first volume, Origin Theory of the Primordial Current, which described a deeply complex and tiresome way of squeezing out pure primordial essence from the universe, and move straight to comprehending its second volume, which explained the method of weaving runes into the air with pure primordial essence.

Once he had comphreneded it and applied it practically, he would have completed the challenge!

Worth noting, entry into the other supernatural disciplines either demanded specific knowledge that he lacked or thresholds that he hadn’t reached. He simply couldn’t learn the other unique techniques fast enough to pass the challenge.

After some hours, Ray comprehend the core aspects of the sacred art of rune smithing, feeling ready to put what he had learned into action.

Unlike the tower’s main hubs, this room was rich in primordial essence.

Using the soul cultivation method, he purified the primordial essence in his immediate surroundings before gathering it into a sphere.

He split the sphere of pure primodial essence into several parts, shaping each one into an intricate pattern. Once he was done with that, he tried to make them overlap to create one of the many symbol described in the book.

When they finally aligned, a unique symbol emerge. It flared with a blinding brilliance as soon as it appeared.

Boom!

A sharp crack echoed.

A bolt of lightning burst out from the symbol, tearing through the air and striking the wall opposite Ray.

The impact left a deep scar in the wall, molten edges glowing faintly before cooling into jagged cracks.

The rune flickered for a few seconds longer, then dispersed into countless motes of light that slowly faded away, leaving only the faint smell of ozone and burnt stone behind.

Ray stared at the laceration in the wall, eyes wide, a slow grin forming on his face. "It actually worked. I have succeeded in learning a unique technique. This challenge... should be considered cleared."

"It’s only been six hours and you’ve already mastered a unique technique?" Trixie appeared in front of him in a puff of smoke, her eyes wide in disbelief and awe. "You... what are you?" She stuttered like a broken recorder.

Learning a unique technique was no simple task.

Only monstorous geniuses with barely any equals in terms of comprehension ability could learn it in within a few weeks.

So, basically, this challenge was meant to distinguish such monsters from the others, meaning anyone lacking the necessary amount of comprehension ability would fail it.

Ray had passed it in a matter of hours. His comprehension ability was the most terrifying Trixie had ever seen!

"Just a human," Ray replied to her plainly, unwilling to advertise himself as a heavenly being without knowing what effect that might have.

"As if anyone would believe that," Trixie scoffed, thinking to herself that he might have the same form as humans, but they were likely two entirely different creatures. After all, as per her understanding, a human simply couldn’t be smart enough to learn a unique technique in hours.

Funnily enough, her guess about his identity was right on the mark.

Ray had technically ceased being human when he evolved into a heavenly being. Of course, it was an entirely different matter that he didn’t take the change too seriously. He wasn’t narcissistic enough to consider himself superior to the human race. Since he was born human, he still considered himself one despite his evolution.

Of course, she was wrong about the reason why he had learned a unique technique so fast.

"Where’s my reward for passing this challenge?" Ray asked, his tone calm but expectant.

"The reward..." Trixie’s lips curved into a faint smirk. "—is me. Right now, you can form a contract with me if you’re willing." Her voice carried a teasing pride, like she already knew he would accept.

Ray raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly will I gain from forming a contract with you?"

Trixie folded her arms, chin raised slightly, her wings flickering with a faint gold hue. "You’ll gain a powerful and knowledgeable guide who can mend your wounds when you are injured in battle, restore your stamina and reinvigorate you when you are feeling tired, and temporarily enhance your strength when needed. I also have an innate power that amplifies the magic power capacity of my contracted power by thirty percent."

Her tone softened and her glow dimmed a little as she continued, "I may not be a fighter, but... But! I sure as hell make a good partner. So what do you say? Do you want to team up with me?"

For a moment, the two just stared at each other. Then Ray’s lips quirked upward. "Fine. Let’s form the contract."

Trixie’s grin widened. "Then open your palm."

Ray extended his palm. Trixie floated forward, pressing her small hand against his.

The moment their palms connected, a circle of pale blue light unfolded beneath their feet, its patterns spinning slowly like ripples on still water.

In the very next moment, the air vibrated faintly as wisps of energy rose from the circle, weaving between their hands.

A pulse of warmth spread up Ray’s arm. Threads of silver light coiled around his wrist before sinking beneath his skin, leaving behind a faint mark resembling a winged sigil. The same thing happened to Trixie. A similiar tattoo formed on her pale white and tiny wrist.

Then, notifications rang in his ears.

♦️ You have established a Lawful Spirit Contract with Fairy Trixie.

♦️ Fairy Trixie has become your Contracted Spirit.

♦️ Magic Power Capacity permanently increased by 30%.

♦️ New skill acquired: Tangible Spirit Link (Lv.1) — Allows telepathic communication and mp exchange with your contracted spirit.

♦️ You can now summon or dismiss Fairy Trixie at will.

[Contracted Spirit: Fairy Trixie]

Rank: Peak Bronze

Type: Support Fairy

Stats:

Strength: 2

Agility: 60

Stamina: 15

Magic Power: 6800 units

Abilities:

Healing Glow: Restores a portion of the target’s HP every second while active. Cost: 4000 MP.

Stamina Restoration Spell: Restores the target’s stamina by 15 units every cast. Cost: 5000 MP.

Blessing of Light: Temporarily increases all physical stats of the target by 20% for 30 seconds. Cost: 6000 MP

Mana Infusion (Passive): Increases her master’s magic power capacity by 30%. Cost: None.

"Not bad," Ray’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. She hadn’t lied to him. She was capable of doing all the things she had mentioned to entice him into forming a contract with her. He started to see her in a better light thanks to her honesty.

"I will be in your Niwan Palace," Trixie said. "When you need me, just say my name."

"I will," Ray said before Trixie’s body dissolved into motes of light, which drifted toward his head and sank into him.

He felt another presence settle in his Niwan Palace. Trixie had settled there.

Now despite being a Iron Rank Tamer, he had two battle companions!