The world of Aethelgard pulses with an unseen energy. Millennia ago, after an era of harmonious coexistence between humans and legendary creatures, the world fractured. Humanity, having forgotten ancient tales, now lives in fragile balance, constantly shadowed by whispers of forgotten realms. At 17, every individual in Aethelgard undergoes the 'Awakening Tamed'—a moment when their potential to interact with extraordinary powers manifests.
Most awaken the ability to tame existing monsters, categorized into the fierce Tamed Attackers, the resilient Tamed Defenders, and the supportive Tamed Supporters. Those with exceptional talent are called to Sterling Academy, a prestigious institution for elite tamers, overseen by the balance-guarding organization, 'The Argent Lumina'.
However, Toru Ashworth, a young man raised in simple surroundings, always felt something more—a different resonance within him, far beyond ordinary taming potential. His father, Lord Arthur Pendelton, an eccentric historian obsessed with ancient legends, once spoke of "a bloodline intertwined with primordial beings" and "a destiny awaiting in unexpected places." His mother, Lady Elara Vance, an artist with eyes holding deep sorrow, could only hold him close, whispering a vague warning: "Listen to the whispers of your heart."
The night of his 17th birthday arrived. Not with a grand celebration, but with the air itself vibrating with unusual energy, a resonance both alien and irresistible. In a narrow alley near his apartment, a portal pulsed. Not just any portal, but a gateway to another realm, radiating a strange mix of warm Lumin and cool Umbra. Driven by a powerful instinct and an undeniable call of destiny, Toru stepped through.
Thump!
He landed in an alien place. Rough stone walls, a damp scent, and a suffocating silence. A voice, familiar yet foreign, resonated from within him, whispering, "The Whispering Labyrinth... your first Trial Zone."
His gaze fell upon a small creature huddled in a corner, trembling. A jet-black cat, its fur as smooth as velvet, its emerald green eyes wide with fear, yet also with a bewildering sense of wonder.
This... is odd, Toru thought. His long-dormant instincts screamed. This creature was different. He approached slowly. "Hey, don't be scared," he whispered, his voice a little shaky. As his hand reached out, an unprecedented energy flowed from him—a perfect blend of Lumin and Umbra, calming the creature. The cat looked up, fear replaced by astonishment.
Ting!
A transparent window flickered before Toru's eyes, displaying information that changed everything.
[System Notification]
You have awakened the Prime Taming ability!
[New Partner Acquired]: Nyx (Shadow Cat)
Bond Level: F
The Whispering Labyrinth is your first Trial Zone.
Objective: Survive and grow stronger.
Before Toru could fully process what had happened, the ground beneath him trembled violently. The labyrinth walls shifted, and shadow creatures began to emerge from the darkness. Beside him, Nyx let out a meow, Umbra energy gathering around it.
"Toru!" a clear telepathic voice echoed, not from within him this time, but directly from Nyx. "I can protect you, but we have to be together!"
The next few seconds felt like an eternity. Toru stood frozen, eyes darting between the transparent status window floating in the air and the encroaching shadow creatures. Beside him, Nyx, the black cat who now felt far more than just a pet, hissed softly. The Umbra energy around Nyx began to form a faint, dim shield.
"Toru, you need to focus!" Nyx's telepathic voice echoed urgently. "Their power comes from wild, untamed Umbra. We must tame them or destroy them!"
Tame? Destroy? Toru's mind raced. He'd just awakened his Prime Taming ability, but was he ready to use it in a life-or-death situation? He looked at Nyx, then at the shadow creatures beginning to advance.
Instinct. That's what Toru followed. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to feel the energy flowing within him—the blend of Lumin and Umbra he'd felt when he first touched Nyx. He focused on that energy, imagining it flowing outwards, not to attack, but to reach out.
"Nyx," he called out mentally, "Can you lend me some of your strength? I'll try..."
Ting!
A new notification appeared, more detailed than the last.
[System Notification]
Prime Taming Activated.
Target: Shadow Beast (Low Tier)
Initiating Bond Attempt...
Toru's right hand began to glow with a soft silver light, a faint Lumin aura emanating from it. But surprisingly, from the back of his hand, a dark sigil pulsed with Umbra energy—as if a part of himself was responding to the Umbra of the beast before him.
"What... is this?" Toru murmured.
Nyx merely chirped, "It's part of you, Toru. Your Primordial power."
Toru took a breath and dared. He extended his glowing hand towards the nearest shadow creature. Instead of a spell or a direct attack, he focused on the sensation of "reaching out" and "connecting." He pictured that wild Umbra energy being soothed, harmonized, and then accepted.
Woosh!
A wave of energy, a blend of calming Lumin and binding Umbra, shot from Toru's hand. The shadow creature roared, seeming to writhe in pain for a moment, then... stopped. It didn't die, it wasn't destroyed. Instead, its shadowy form coalesced, slowly transforming into a dark crystal shard that pulsed faintly.
Ting!
[System Notification]
Target Tamed Successfully.
New Partner Acquired: Shadow Shard (Elemental Umbra)
Bond Level: E
Reward: EXP +200, Taming Potion x1
Toru gasped. He had just tamed the creature. He could feel its presence, a quiet Umbra echo now bound to him, just like Nyx. He looked at his glowing right hand, then at Nyx.
"You said... 'we have to be together'..." Toru asked, his gaze full of questions.
Nyx nuzzled against Toru's leg, purring softly. "Of course. You are the Prime Binder. I, and perhaps others, will always be with you. This is your destiny. This is the true 'Legacy of the Tamer'."
As Toru nodded, trying to comprehend the words, the labyrinth began to shake again. This time, it wasn't just a tremor. The stone walls shifted, forming more complex structures, and powerful auras of Lumin and Umbra began to fill the chamber. It seemed this was only the beginning of the true 'Trial Zone'.