Thankfully, his mental skills had improved considerably with the myriad of skills he’d been training and using regularly. Pax sank into a concentrated focus, working quickly as he moved from one beast to the next and stopped just before completing the Taming.
The candidates working with him weren’t thrilled to be left hanging, but he’d explained the plan to them beforehand, so they kept quiet and let him work. Some were even excited to help him make progress toward his more advanced Taming skill on behalf of the rebellion. Others were just happy to make it to the front of the line to get a companion. A few extra minutes or even hours were worth the wait.
Pax kept tabs on the progress of his skill between each attempt, gratified to see the numbers tick up with each new beast, even if it was slower than he’d hoped. By the eighth aborted attempt at Taming, he found himself two points away from level 5 in Universal Beast Tamer.
Looking up and blinking out of his intense focus, Pax saw that the sun had fully risen, casting a bright light over the chilly morning and highlighting everything the shadows had hidden.
Weary fighters slipped in the slippery mess of blood and entrails across the stone walkway. The coppery smell mixed with an acrid stench made Pax regret the deep breath he’d just taken. He shook his head at how the distinctive smell of battle had become such a regular part of his life. He didn’t think that would change anytime soon.
Putting aside his morbid thoughts, Pax checked on how the work was going for the other Tamers spread out amongst the row of cages lining the inner edge of the walkway.
In contrast to the other side of the wall, where things had slowed down now that morning had come, the rows of cages full of trapped beasts now bustled with activity. Pax recognized a handful of excited smiles and powerful beasts wolfing down their first meals as companions.
Pax grinned, happy to see that this design looked like it had passed the first trial successfully. He could easily envision how the technique, once they worked out the kinks, would spread to every wall controlled by the rebellion. He’d known the Taming skill was a force multiplier, but seeing it come to fruition was incredible.
“And I thought we were building too many cages.” Rin walked up to him with that mix of weariness and buzzing adrenaline that followed a battle high.
The rest of the crew joined them, too, their gazes also drawn to checking out how their new Taming endeavor was doing.
“I have a feeling we’re going to be building as many cages as fast as we can soon.” Tyrodon’s eyes were busy calculating numbers, a pleased smile on his face. “And now that us crafters have figured out how to standardize the cage builds so they can stack in inventory and break down into parts light enough to carry, we’ll be able to move them to whichever city or camp the rebellion needs.”
Amil gave Tyrodon a congratulatory clap on the back. “Because of you crafters, we’ve taken another huge step toward doubling the rebellion’s forces.”
Tyrodon grinned as he pulled out a notebook and jotted down a few things. “Now that we’ve worked out the process for the wall, our next bottleneck will be gathering enough materials to build enough cages.”
“Well, that and training more people with the Taming skill,” Rin said with a pragmatic tone. “Though Turgan and the rest of his growing Team Tribal are doing a good job of boosting those who can Tame considerably. That just leaves transporting those with the Tamer skill across a war front to where they’re needed without losing them along the way.”
“Well, it’s a good thing more people are gaining the skill among all the rebel groups.” Dahni shrugged. “Even if they can’t Tame adults right away, they can help those with higher Taming skills move through the process faster.”
“Speaking of—” Amil gave Pax an expectant look. “Since I haven’t seen any notifications about the quest rewards, does that mean—?”
Pax flushed, embarrassed that he’d let himself get distracted so close to his goal. “I was actually just waiting for the rest of you to show up for the finale. I only need two points to hit Taming 5, and I’ll get that with the first one I complete. Then just two more and we’ll finish the last part of our quest and be done. Then we’ll see how amazing the final boosts from the quest are.”
His friends exchanged excited looks while Rin aimed an impatient one at him. He took the hint and turned back to the caged air beast with wings too damaged to struggle much. The mage who’d been waiting patiently perked up, hurrying in, obviously eager to gain a new companion.
When a notification popped up after Taming the air beast, Pax smiled and checked his notifications.
***
Skill Boost: +4 to Universal Beast Tamer Level 4 (Rare) - 402/400
Congratulations! Universal Beast Tamer is now Level 5
You’ve earned 16 Leveling Points and 16 Evolution Points
Mage Leveling Points: 31/80
Class Evolution Points Unused: 34
Companion Slots: 2/3 (+1)
***
“Yes.”
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His quiet word of satisfaction caught the attention of his friends. Dahni clapped him on the back and, when Pax stood from his stool, Amil wrapped him up in an excited bear hug.
When Amil released him, Pax looked at Rin.
She just shook her head and waved him away with an impatient gesture. “Take care of two more and then we can actually celebrate.”
It was only a handful of minutes before Pax got the notifications he’d been dreaming about since the two Solanis first gave his crew the quest. He still couldn’t believe how much had changed since then, despite how little time had actually passed.
***
Crew Quest: Part 2: Help rebel mages and warriors Tame adult beast companions - 100/100 (+3)
Reward: +1 level for each crew companion and +1 to the Taming level for each crew member who aids in this process, along with a bonus choice from all possible system evolutions for the skill.
Congratulations! You have successfully helped rebel mages and warriors Tame 100 adult beast companions. You have helped complete part 2 of your Crew Quest and earned the full reward.
Each member of your crew has gained a new level in their Tamer skills. All companions have also advanced to their next level.
As the first one in generations to unlock the Universal Beast Tamer skill you have earned a choice from the entire evolution tree, including first, second and third evolutions of the skill. The new level for your Tamer skill will be delayed until you choose one of the following:
First Evolution Choices:
- Beast Enhancement
- Beast Mob:
Second Evolution Choices:
1a. Beast Titan
1b. Mythic Bond
2a. Pack Synergy
2b. Wild Command
Third Evolution Choices:
1ai. Colossal Apex
1aii. Battle Guardian
1bi. Phantom Beast
1bii. Alpha Predator
2ai. Coordinated Assault
2aii. Adaptive Tactics
2bi. Horde’s Will
2bii. Chaos Unleashed
(Note: Choosing a more advanced evolution will not grant all the abilities from the earlier evolutions of that branch. However, it may be possible to gain those by using, understanding and advancing the evolved skill over more time and levels.)
***
Pax almost stopped breathing, and his heart pounded with shock and excitement as his eyes moved up and down the wealth of choices for the future of his Tamer skill. Mythic Bond? Battle Guardian? Chaos Unleashed? Every single one of them sounded like a phenomenal choice for the coming war.
And with his Tamer skill at level 5 and soon to be level 6, the evolution cost for anything but the first evolution would be too astronomical for him to reach before the war was over.
He quickly calculated the cost the reward allowed him to bypass. If he evolved his Tamer skill at its current level of 5, the first evolution would cost 5 points, the second 125 and the third, an insane 500 evolution points. A rush of exultation rushed through him, and he tipped his head back and let out a yell of victory.
“So, you finally made it? Got yourself all the way to mage level 5 before even reaching your second year in the Academy?”
Pax, breathing hard with excitement, spun around to see Titus walking up in battle-spattered gear with a proud grin on his face.
Then his brother’s words penetrated, and Pax realized he hadn’t actually gotten to the final quest completion notice with the additional class level. Whoops. Still grinning so wide his cheeks hurt, he held up one finger. “Give me a sec to finish, and then you won’t believe what just happened.”
Titus tried to protest, while Amil snickered. Pax ignored them both and closed his eyes.
***
Congratulations! You and your crew have successfully completed all parts of your crew quest and earned the full reward. Each of you will receive enough leveling points to reach the next level in your class.
Mage Leveling Points: 80/80 (+49)
Congratulations, Mage Pax Vipersworn! For completing a complex and challenging crew quest, you have advanced to Mage Level 5 and gained boosts to both your health and mana. The range, duration and versatility of all your mage skills and spells have improved as well, though mana cost can increase, depending on improvements.
You will unlock another foundational spell slot at level 10 and again at every tenth level after that. Unlocking and advancing minor and secondary elements will continue to earn additional spell slots.
Continue your hard work and effort to reach even greater heights in the future. Your next level requires advancing enough skills and spells to earn 125 leveling points. May Vitur guide your path.
Health: 163 (+25)
Mana: 210 (+28)
Inventory: 28/32 (+1)
***
Stunned, Pax tried to process how much power they’d all gained in the last few minutes. He blinked his eyes open, shaking his head in wonder as he looked around him.
His brother was standing in front of him, impatient, but also looking excited as he listened to the exuberant overlap of conversation amongst Pax’s crew. When they noticed him looking at them, they quieted down, shaking their heads with wordless looks of amazement that mirrored how he felt inside.
“So, you’re all level 4 now? Even you guys, Bryn, Tasar and Tyrodon?” Pax couldn’t help asking.
It was like his question opened a dam. They all suddenly started talking at once, blurting out their new stats and ideas about what a difference they would make. He didn’t catch everything his friends were saying, but Pax just let them go, enjoying the unfettered joy and excitement.
They’d worked so hard and risked disaster and death to get to this point.
This is a well-earned reward. Solani 2-nine’s voice popped into his mind.
I have to agree. The gravely sound of Magesecond Fenix’s came next.
Pax looked around, startled. Then he saw both managers set up on the sturdy case that held and protected their crystals. Tyrodon had designed it to make it easy for them to join the crew during stationary activities.
He gave them a happy nod, glad his Altar Interface skill let him still connect with them. Sadly, they were too far from the base now to the altar and the other managers they’d left behind. You and the other managers made this possible, so thank you.
A shrill whistle broke through the impromptu celebration. Everyone turned to look at Titus, who’d been watching the scene with a wide grin. Behind him, Langley and his people trailed in, their eyes bright with curiosity as they took in the festive scene of Pax’s people and their companions.
Pax’s brows shot up when he saw Incedis and Eldan also walking toward them from the other direction on the wall. Apparently, many people were interested in how the initial testing of their new Taming strategy had worked out during the night.
Or they wanted to know what Pax and his friends were up to this time. Pax could still feel the rush of new mana and health settling inside him and grinned even wider.
When Titus saw he had most of their attention, he focused on Pax. “How about you explain to the rest of us what all of you pulled off this time?”
Incedis hurried closer, head shaking as he heard Titus’ question. “How about we reconvene somewhere with a bit more privacy? And then we can discuss a lot of things that are happening with the war right now, too.”
Titus gave him a startled glance and after a quick glance around at the nearby workers doing their best to listen in without being obvious, he threw Incedis a sheepish look. “That sounds like a good idea.”
Langley snorted behind him. “You think?”
Pax suppressed a smile at his brother’s discomfort as they gathered everyone up, companions included, and trooped away after Incedis to see what plans he had in store for them next.