Chapter 27: Spirit Caller
Beast Masters of this world cannot share stats with their beasts. The beasts only provide them with skills and make it easier for them to gain strength through training. This happens because their souls are connected, allowing the beasts to help their masters utilize their soul's potential. The higher the soul rank and the greater the number of beasts, the easier it becomes for them to grow stronger.
Thus, some Beast Masters may have high-ranked beasts, yet remain weak themselves because they never trained properly to harness the full strength available to their rank. Such cases often lead to beasts disobeying their masters — especially when those beasts were only tamed while weakened or injured.
A Beast Master's star rank is determined by their highest-ranked tamed beast, whose power is measured by special devices.
For instance:
A 1-star beast allows a maximum of 10 attribute points in each stat (based on Leo's system).
0–2.5 = Low 1-star
2.5–5 = Mid 1-star
5–7.5 = High 1-star
7.5–10 = Peak 1-star
Leo's talent and system allow him to share stats with his beasts and even break the limit of strength potential within his star rank. Now, the same applied to Lily's talent too — the only difference being that she was a summoner-type. Though she could control fewer beasts, her stat-sharing ability balanced the power dynamics between Beast Masters and Summoners.
[Since this world is still in its early age, people are unaware of Summoners and other talents, as awakenings show no visible phenomenon — unlike Beast Taming.]
But seeing her stats so high… she must've been secretly training to become a hunter. Leo's eyes softened. Now it makes sense why she could exert so much strength last time.
Realizing this filled him with warmth. She was ready to risk her life for me.
"What happened, Leo? You seem distracted," Lily asked, noticing him lost in thought.
Leo suddenly hugged her and sat up, pulling her to sit in front of him.
"Now you can also grow strong!" he said, his gaze locked on hers.
Lily blinked, confused by his sudden excitement. "Eh? What happened to you all of a sudden?"
"You have a talent, Lily, and a very powerful one!" His voice carried uncontainable enthusiasm.
"T-Talent? I don't understand…"
Leo quickly explained how she could call forth spirits from beast cores and form contracts with them if she wished. These contracted spirits would share their strength with her, making her stronger and allowing her to summon them anytime to fight. There was even another effect he couldn't yet figure out.
Ba-dump. Ba-dump.
Lily's heart thumped wildly.
Can I really grow stronger? Will I be able to fight beside him? He's not just saying this to make me feel better… right?
Meanwhile, Leo retrieved the Windbreath Hound's core and placed it before her.
It's a peak 1-star beast core, and she's mid 1-star… it should be fine. The spirit's a weaker version anyway. And if it goes rampant, I'll handle it myself.
He quickly distributed his remaining points:
Strength: 5.1 → 12.1
Intelligence: 5.0 → 8.0
Mana: 400 → 640
Unallocated stats: 10 -> 0
This much should be alright.
He handed the core to Lily. "Try concentrating on this core and channel your mana inside," he instructed. Even he wasn't entirely sure how it would work — but his gut told him he was right.
"You seem so sure… okay, I trust you," Lily said softly.
The moment she sent her mana into the core, Leo sensed the change immediately. The core began absorbing her energy rapidly, a thin bluish stream flowing from her body into the veined, glowing sphere.
He quickly pulled up her interface.
Mana: 45/54 → 32/54 → 20/54
Shit! Will her mana not be enough?
Then, it stopped.
Mana: 4/54
The core pulsed and slowly hovered upward, glowing faintly. It descended near the floor, leaving bluish wisps trailing behind. Then — it began to dissolve into shimmering motes, which condensed and took the shape of a wolf.
Its abdomen formed first, then its legs, sharp claws striking the ground — followed by its tail, wagging left and right. Finally, its head emerged, fierce eyes locking onto Lily.
She stared in awe, instinctively knowing this wolf would obey her every command.
Leo scanned it quickly.
Windbreath Hound [Spirit] (Mid 1-star) – Mortal Bloodline
"It worked…" Lily whispered, almost unable to believe it.
She turned sharply to Leo. "Leo, it worked!" she squealed, throwing herself into his arms and knocking him flat on the bed, nuzzling her face against his neck.
He chuckled, patting her head. "Yes, it worked, and now you'll grow stronger too."
"Yes! I'll become powerful, and then I can protect you!" she declared proudly.
"Ooi, ooi, isn't that supposed to be my job?" he said with a teasing grin.
"Shut up and let the big sister handle everything," she shot back, too happy to realize what she'd just said.
"Hoh? Sister, you say?"
Leo grinned mischievously, caught her waist with one arm, and pushed her back onto the bed. Pinning her hands with his other, he leaned in close, his breath brushing her face.
"Say that again," he murmured. "What were you to me?"
Lily's eyes widened at the sudden development. The way Leo had pinned her, it was impossible to move with her current strength.
He is so close!!
Her face burned red as she turned her face to the side, avoiding his gaze. But the breath tickled her neck, making her squirm.
"W-what are you talking about? Of course I am your si-sis..." She stopped, unable to finish the sentence.
There was no way in hell a brother and sister would find themselves in such a situation.
"C'mon, finish what you were saying." He said with a grin, leaning closer to her ears and giving a soft blow.
She shivered from the cold wind.
"D-don't tease me, stupid." As if to distract him, she looked for anything she could find.
"T-the wolf! Let us check that first. I don't know why, but it feels like it will disappear soon."
Tsk. I guess next time.