The old woman's hut smelled of herbs and fresh bread. She motioned Kai to a stool by the fire.
"I'm Mira," she said, handing him a bowl of warm stew. "Village healer. And I've seen enough strange things in my years to know when someone's soul doesn't match their body."
Kai froze mid-bite. Bouncy sat by his feet, happily absorbing a drop of spilled broth.
"How…?"
Mira smiled faintly. "Your eyes. The old Kai looked at the world like it had already beaten him. You look like you're ready to fight it." She leaned closer. "And that slime… it's bonded stronger than any I've seen. You awakened something special, didn't you?"
Kai hesitated, then nodded. No point lying to someone who already guessed. "Yeah. A system. It lets me fuse beasts with… ideas. Like making Bouncy bouncy like a rubber ball."
Mira's eyes widened. "Fusion? Not just taming?"
"Exactly. It's new to me too."
She sat back, thoughtful. "In this kingdom, beast tamers are everything. The strong ones go to academies, become elites, protect borders from wild beasts and rival nations. The weak… stay weak. But fusion… that's unheard of. Dangerous if the wrong people hear."
Kai spooned more stew. It tasted amazing after days of hunger in memories. "I just want to survive. Maybe help the village."
Mira chuckled. "Good heart. But survival here means growing stronger. The annual awakening test is in three days, everyone under 18 gets a chance to bond a starter beast from the forest shrine. You're… what, 16 in this body?"
"Close enough."
"Then go. But be careful. Some kids cheat with potions or bribes. Others get jealous fast."
Bouncy gurgled, hopping onto the table to sniff the bread.
Mira laughed. "He's adorable. Keep him hidden until you're ready to show off."
That night, Kai lay on fresh straw in Mira's spare room. Bouncy curled against his side like a living pillow.
He whispered, "We've got this, right?"
Bouncy vibrated happily.
Next morning, Mira gave him clean clothes and a small pouch of herbs. "For energy. And this," She pressed a wooden pendant into his hand. "Old family charm. Might help with bonds."
Kai thanked her, throat tight. First real kindness here.
He headed to the forest edge with other village kids. They chattered nervously, some excited, some scared. A tall boy named Renn smirked at Kai. "Orphan with a slime? Good luck not embarrassing yourself."
Kai just smiled. "We'll see."
At the shrine, a stone circle with glowing runes, the elder chanted. Light bloomed. Starter beasts appeared: foxes, birds, small wolves, turtles.
Most kids rushed forward. Bonds formed quickly, lights connecting hands to beasts.
Kai waited. Bouncy stayed hidden in his pocket, peeking out.
The system pinged.
[Scan Available: View fusion potential on nearby beasts]
He scanned a lone red fox kit hiding behind a rock, shy, but clever eyes.
[Red Fox Kit – Level 1]
[Traits: Agile, sharp senses, minor fire spark]
[Fusion Idea: Combine with Wind Fan Concept → Gust Fox (speed + light wind attacks)]
Tempting. But he already had Bouncy.
Then a tiny bird with shimmering blue feathers fluttered down, exhausted, wing bent.
[Wind Sparrow – Injured, Level 1]
[High Potential: Wind Affinity]
The other kids ignored it, too weak.
Kai stepped forward gently. "Hey, little one. Need help?"
The sparrow tilted its head. Kai offered his hand. Warm light flowed.
[Bond Formed! Wind Sparrow – Name?]
"Zephyr."
Zephyr chirped weakly, hopping onto his shoulder.
The elder raised an eyebrow. "Two bonds? Rare for beginners."
Renn laughed. "Slime and a half-dead bird? Pathetic."
But the system chimed.
[New Fusion Unlocked: Multi-Slot Preparation]
[Combine Bouncy + Zephyr? Cost: Low Energy]
Kai grinned inwardly. Not yet, save it for a wow moment.
As the test ended, the elder announced: "Tomorrow, winners report to the town academy scout. They choose promising talents."
Renn puffed his chest, he'd bonded a strong wolf pup.
Kai just patted Zephyr's head. Mira met him at the village entrance.
"You did well," she said. "But word spreads. That fusion power… keep it quiet a bit longer."
Kai nodded. But inside, excitement bubbled. Two beasts already. Real potential.
That night, practicing in the woods, he tried his first real fusion.
"Bouncy, Zephyr, ready?"
Both glowed. System: [Fuse: Slime + Wind Sparrow = Aero Slime? Or Wind-Infused Bounce?]
He chose Wind-Infused Bounce.
Bouncy shimmered blue. Now when it bounced, small gusts of wind followed, pushing leaves around.
Zephyr chirped approval.
Kai laughed. "We're gonna surprise everyone."
But in the shadows, Renn watched, eyes narrowed. Jealousy sparked.
The next day at the scout selection, something big was about to happen.
And Kai felt it, the start of something legendary.