Spirit Taming

Chapter 274: Blood And Iron

"That scrawny brat left? Why would he do that and go off to get killed in the wilderness?" Ralph's surprise was more like anger. He was angry that someone had just run away so easily. Jerold had clearly messed up and should have stayed to make it right.

"Professor Wright just told us that her beast is watching him. He won't die. But he still might get very badly hurt." Grace was a little shy when it came to Ralph's heated speech. It was clear that she wasn't ready to accept a head on fight with someone who was well ahead of her.

"I was just saying. It's a bad situation." Ralph's sudden drop in heated speech made all of them look at him curiously. Clark's group had known Ralph to be angry and fiery tempered no matter who spoke to him. But a simple reply from Grace had somehow cooled him off? Something was amiss.

"That is correct. He will not die out in the wilderness. I made a slight promise with him. My beast protects him and he will show up ready for the tournament regardless of improvement or failure to do so. While I may not understand the full happenings within that dungeon, he did recount his failings.

Even when I was young, my emotions and the pursuit of my goals clouded my judgment." This was the same for most people. But Professor Wright had said it to make the point clear. She was not going to be biased here. The decisions had already been made.

"Now, I assume that every bandage you wear taught you a lesson? And that every scrape I see on your bodies did the same?" Professor Wright didn't need to hear every single small detail. She just needed to ensure that they had learned well from this stop on their journey.

"Yes…well, maybe. I kind of got hit once pretty hard but it was for a good reason." Brad was a little downtrodden after being hurt but he was full of energy still. He would be opening a taming space soon!

"Just some small scuffles. They were of no concern. The smallest of inquiries reflect on our inability to use our techniques in a mastered form." From what Ella just said, they all knew that she had been self evaluation constantly. It was also a clear sign that she had begun to analyze them as well.

"I see, then we will keep up the good work. You were all inside that dungeon for twelve hours. Two groups came by and are currently waiting for the chance to explore. I assume you will want to speak with them?" Professor Wright backed off and there were two ragged looking tamers in front of Clark's group immediately.

Isa stepped up and faced the two. There were the leaders of their teams. The ones that would make all the choices here. "Hello, my name is Isa Rolly. It's nice to see two bright eyed team leaders ready for an adventure. Care to make a small purchase before your teams enter this newly opened mining dungeon?

There have been a few changes to the map due to tunnel collapses along with invasions of pests."

"Rolly?" The two looked at each other in shocked curiosity. They did not realize they would meet such a big named family member here.

"Of course, my family is well spread out. I am currently on a small journey to the north. As that stands, you two are lucky to make a deal with me. I can not stay here and watch over this dungeon but you will profit. I expect that you will share the information about who gave it to you? My beast planning business needs some good advertisements." This calm and cool attitude was impenetrable.

The two team leaders couldn't see an opening at all.

"Can only one of us-"

"Both of you should really join up to handle the situation inside. It will be easier for you two to pay the fee as well." Isa smiled sweetly as she saw the two glance and nod at each other.

"Good, now you will have access to a map made of the new area we discovered after clearing the collapse. There are dangers caused by the steel clawed moles that invaded the dungeon. Currently, the majority of large and dangerous hammer tailed and dual tailed lizards have been dealt with. That means there are fresh mining spots to mine for you.

Furthermore, the ores are very high quality due to the long term of rest on that newly opened cave system."

Isa went on to show a small map that Ella had sketched along with a copied document of the beasts' weaknesses within the dungeon. All the information was so valuable that the two team leaders didn't have a single worry when they handed over nearly all the gold, silver, and any other valuable items they had on them. Isa was a true business mogul at this point.

"Good luck in your mining endeavors. And thank you for your purchases!" Isa left the two off while their teammates seemed lost looking. But as soon as their leaders explained the situation, there were shouts of joy. They had come somewhere that they had heard was abandoned with the will to dig it out. Now they were hearing that they had an immeasurable chance to earn money.

They even had the way cleared for them!

"That was very impressive." Reese had usually focused on his sword techniques, but seeing that Isa had just used skills in business and personability so well made him curious. If he focused on such skills, could he manipulate and guide people to do what he wanted so easily?

"It was just a little work to make us some gold. I believe it is a well earned rest." Isa handed the materials she had gained to Ella who cataloged them. But what caught everyone's attention was when Brad approached Clark.

"Is it time?" There was a yearning that anyone would be able to see in Brad's eyes.

"Yes, I know I said that you could open a certain taming space, but the materials are different and more numerous than expected. The high iron we gained should be able to open a few taming spaces. But I will give you the knowledge to open one I think will be perfect for you."

"Whatever I need to do." Brad's resolve was nothing like before. It had become even more concentrated. He refused to allow himself to step anywhere else without opening his taming space.

This intense focus made Clark smile. "Then do what I say and do not stray from a single word." The nod was all Clark needed to begin preparations.

The others set up camp while Calrk cleared an area for Brad. The ground was covered in the ores that they had found along with the high iron benign the focus. The high iron was also piled up for the possessed helm to rest on. It was slowly absorbing it in to itself while Clark and Brad created runic patterns around the ores.

The drops of blood came from Brad as he mixed them in to the runes they made on the ground. This was a requirement that Clark had given him to be able to better open his taming space. But it was also a requirement for him to open a unique taming space.

Clark had taken the time to look through the taming space suggestions from the system. Since there was nothing that could be done without the correct materials and energies, the system had not stopped Clark from looking at the details. Once he had selected one, the system had allowed Clark full view of the process. Just because Clark guided Brad, didn't mean that he would succeed.

"Now let me be clear before you start. There is nothing I can do to help you once you begin. This is to open a very rare taming space. A unique taming space that is much more advanced than the one you thought of before. You may even die if you fail." This didn't perturb Brad at all.

"If I die, I will keep going until I succeed beyond death." This sort of resolve was inspiring but also crazy. Professor Wright wondered just how Clark had discovered the potential in Brad. she had only seen Brad sleep and look unfocused. Now he was fully focused and even willing to throw his life away for his goals. It was like the other side of a coin.

"Good, then you will be starting now. The taming space runes, materials, and even your beast are ready. You have the energy and the blood inside your body for this. Just place your palms on those two runes and do not give up. The pain might make it a little hard though." Brad didn't flinch but everyone wondered what kind of taming space Brad was going to open.

Clark had not told him or them the name at all. "Good luck," Clark said this as Brad sat down and placed his palms on the two rune symbols.