Nathan turned four months old, and his body already responded far better than any normal baby's should have.
He could sit up on his own, crawl at surprising speed, and even pull himself to his feet by grabbing the edges of the crib.
Evelyn watched him with a mix of pride and faint concern.
"It's like he's in a hurry to grow up," she said to Gideon one afternoon while they prepared dinner.
Gideon only nodded, because deep down he felt it too: his son was not ordinary.
Ember, for his part, had grown a bit as well.
He was no longer a clumsy cub; now he was an agile fox, about the size of a medium dog, with darker fur and eyes that gleamed with intelligence.
Nathan trained him in secret.
He gave mental orders: fetch small objects, hide in the shadows, watch the door.
The system recorded every improvement.
[Beast training completed: Obedience level +15%]
[Ember reaches Level 3 (Beast F → E+)]
[+8 EXP for the host]
[Current progress: Level 2 (96/200 EXP)]
Nathan realized that the bond worked both ways.
The stronger Ember became, the more mana Nathan could channel through the fox.
It was like having an extension of his own body, and he liked that.
One clear morning, when Evelyn went out to fetch water from the well and Gideon was working in the fields, Nathan decided to try something new.
He sat on the dirt floor with his legs crossed, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.
'System. Show me available Magic Style options.'
[Initial Magic Style unlocked]
[Select one (only one for now):]
Pure Element (basic control of fire, water, wind, or earth)
Binding (strengthens and amplifies bonds with beasts)
Shadow (manipulation of darkness, stealth, and deception)
Vital (accelerated healing and bodily enhancement)
Nathan opened his eyes for a second and looked at Ember, who watched him attentively from the corner.
'Shadow,' he decided without hesitation.
He wanted total control.
He wanted to move unseen.
He wanted no one to know where the strike came from.
[Style selected: Shadow]
[Automatic learning initiated]
[First skill unlocked: Veil of Mist (Level 1)]
[Consumes 4 mana. Creates a light dark mist within a 3-meter radius that reduces enemy accuracy and conceals movement]
Nathan extended his small hand.
A thin wisp of black mist flowed from his fingers, spreading slowly across the floor and wrapping around the crib like living smoke.
It lasted only ten seconds before dissipating, but the sensation remained etched into him: raw power, cold, and his.
'Perfect,' he thought.
'This will be useful when it's time to leave this village.'
Just then, the system rang with urgency.
[Urgent mission alert]
[Wild beast detected nearby: Adult Ashen Wolf (Level D)]
[Injured and aggressive. Taming probability: 32%]
[Opportunity to absorb beast essence if successfully bonded]
[Warning: Failure may draw it toward the village]
Nathan looked toward the open window.
In the distance, among the trees at the edge of the Ashen Forest, he saw movement: a large dark-gray wolf, limping and leaving a trail of blood.
Ember went on alert, letting out a low growl.
Nathan didn't hesitate.
He pulled himself up using the edge of the crib, crawled quickly out through the back door that was always left slightly open, and headed toward the forest.
His body was weak, but his mind was not.
He used the first trace of Veil of Mist to cover himself.
A thin layer of darkness wrapped around him, making his baby form look like nothing more than a shadow on the ground.
He reached a small clearing.
The wolf was there, panting, with an arrow embedded in its flank.
Nathan sat down in front of it, unafraid.
The animal lifted its head and growled, baring its fangs.
Nathan extended both small hands.
He channeled all his available mana through his bond with Ember, who positioned himself at Nathan's side in support.
A thick strand of dark energy burst from Nathan's chest and connected with the wolf.
The animal trembled violently, let out a single roar… and then lowered its head.
[Bonding in progress!]
[Probability increased due to Shadow Style affinity: 58%]
[Bond successful!]
[Tamed beast: Adult Ashen Wolf – Suggested name: Claw]
[Primordial Tamer rises to Rank D]
[+45 EXP]
[Level up: Level 3]
[All stats +2]
[Hidden bonus: Beast Essence Absorption – +1 permanent Vitality]
Nathan felt warmth surge through his tiny body.
The wolf limped closer, lay down beside him, and allowed the baby to rest a hand on its head.
Ember approached as well and licked the wolf's wound, as if he already understood they were pack now.
Nathan looked up at the sky.
The sun was high.
He had to return before Evelyn came back.
With effort, he mentally ordered Claw to hide in the nearby forest and wait for his call.
The wolf obeyed without hesitation.
Nathan crawled back to the cabin, slipped in through the back door, and sat innocently on the floor as if nothing had happened.
Minutes later, Evelyn entered carrying the bucket of water.
"What are you doing sitting so quietly, my love?" she asked with a smile.
Nathan looked at her with those cold gray eyes and simply said, in a clear voice:
"Good."
Evelyn laughed and lifted him into her arms.
She had no idea that, at that very moment, her son had just recruited a Level D beast and gained another level.
Nathan closed his eyes as she rocked him.
'Three levels in four months,' he thought.
'This is going faster than planned.'
And in the forest, two shadows waited for his command: a fox and a wolf.
The beginning of something far greater.