Shadow Beast 1

Sitting on his bed, Evan unraveled the string on the scroll. He opened the scroll painstakingly, as if, if he rushed it they paper would tear.

Inside the scroll, it was written at the top (shadow summon)

Evan read down on the details.

[Shadow summon. A spell that dives into the aspect of dark magic that involves manipulation of the dead. Find a suitable Beast and kill it, use it's blood to carry out the ritual that is illustrated below. The ritual binds the soul of the beast turning it into a shadow beast that can be summoned at any time to aid you. The caster should take note and not use a beast whose soul is far stronger than his. The limit of summon depends on the casters strength and number of beast he has]

The scroll proceeded to show drawings, that depicted the ritual process, a magical circle made by the a mixture of the casters blood and the blood if the beast. The heart of the beast will be placed at the center of the circle. The caster would have to recite a certain incantation, as the caster stood before the circle. When the caster finishes the incantation, the soul of the beast would try to escape. The caster will have to supress the soul with his own soul. If he is successful, a shadow beast is born.

Evan sucked in cold air, the spell was something else.

"So this is the power of a level 4 darkness spell."

He looked at the scroll, as his eyes shined.

'I should find Sophia or Winston, the can possibly help me to get a beast. It probably will be best if it is rank 2 beast. Rank 3 will probably have an exceedingly strong soul, so till my strength increases I should use Rank 2.'

Evan left, headed to the bar. He wanted to find out if Sophia or Winston was there, or if the bartender could tell him where the were.

Opening the door of the bar, though it was open, very few people were here at this time. It was a complete contrast compared to last night. Evan walked straight to the bartender, who was using a rag to clean his counter.

When the bartender saw Evan, he remembered that he was one if the fellows that came for the last meeting, so he knew that Evan was one of them. But as a safety procedure, Evan still had to show the coin he was given yesterday.

When the bartender completely verified his authenticity, he asked what Evan wanted.

"I want to find out if Lady Sophia or Mr Winston are available, and if not were I can find them."

"Lady Sophia is currently in the Cellar." The bartender informed Evan, "I don't think she is doing anything too serious so you can go see her."

After receiving permission from the bartender, Evan went to the Cellar.

Inside the cellar, lady Sophia wore a dazzling yet simple white gown. Added to her white hair, she looked like and angel. She sat reading a book, but as Evan stepped in, she closed it and placed it in the table beside her.

"Do you stay here?" Evan was curious.

"No, I just find it quiet and peaceful, so I come here to think." She responded, while standing up from her chair.

"So what brings you here? I thought you would want to enjoy your last days before the test "

"I need a rank two beast." Evan stated.

"Hmm, rank two beast? You could purchase, but I would not advice it as their souls have been tainted to bind them. That being said if you don't mind that, then you can buy, but if you do mind. Then hunting a beast for yourself would be better."

Evan did not want the soul of the beast to be tainted, infact he needed it to be in perfect condition.

"I think I will hunt my own beast, so please can you tell me were to get rank 2 beast?"

Sophia took out a map from her storage ring and handed it to Evan. "That maps out all the territories of beast in the forest outside of Esperia."

Evan was barely listening to her at this point. His gaze lingered solemnly on the map, focused in the dire wolves territory. 'If I take down a pack, I can have a good amount if summons.

He looked at Sophia. "Lady Sophia, do you have weapons? They don't have to he enchanted, just iron will be ok."

Sophia nodded, then walked to a crate, and opened it. Inside lay multiple blades, their lustrous glean shown brightly.

Evan walked up to the crate, he picked up a dagger, it was 15 cm long. The grip was black and made with fine leather. Evan took the dagger, bidding his farewell to Sophia, he left.

He took the money on him and went to go rent a horse, renting a land dragon would let him get to the place faster, but it was much more expensive. Evan did not have such money on him, so he opted for a horse.

Saddled and ready to go, Evan kicked and the horse began galloping away. Evan learnt how to ride, because some of the gladiator fights had required him to ride horses.

Moving swiftly, he left the city in a few minutes, headed for the forest, so that he could aquire shadow beasts, and increase his strength. Every increased in strength, was a step towards the direction if his revenge.

He looked forward to the fight that he and the dire wolves would have. His time fighting for entertainment, had made him addicted. He found the spilling of blood exciting. There was even a rumour amongst gladiators, that he cuts down his opponent with a smile.

With the blade inside a sheath that he purchased before leaving. He strapped it to his waist. The dagger was his favorite weapon from the days of his being a gladiator.