Kael took out the rabbit from under his robe and handed it to Roan. He was amazed. Immediately, he began to examine its features. Opening the rabbits mouth, he looked inside—counting its teeth—and wrote down notes on a blank sheet. He continued this way for a while, taking samples of its hair and blood.

"Where did you find this beast?" Roan asked, putting down his pen.

"In the forest."

"Boy don't lie. This species is not found within the forest."

"I did find it there." Kael insisted. He didn't mention the portal or the yellow side for it would only be more difficult to explain things.

"Could it be a mutation then?" Roan muttered. "No, there isn't any record suggesting a normal rabbit could mutate in such a drastic way…"

He went back into his study and brought out an old golden book. It was massive. It probably has thousands of pages. Kael thought, trying to peek at the pages as Roan flipped through them. Even at the fast speed which Roan turned the pages, Kael managed to make out several drawings of beasts. Beasts he’d never seen before.

Roan finally stopped on a page and handed the book to Kael. "Look boy, this rabbit is very similar to this species."

The Sepir Rabbit, Kael read, is usually found in the Snow mountains of the Laros Continent. It thrives by gnawing at the ice glaciers hence its typical blue hued hair. There have been reports of a similar breed—its hair tinted red—that feeds on crystals created near lava. They are located deep within the Laros Mountain Range. It is believed these two species have a common ancestor...

The book continued on and on about their similarities. Kael's eyes finally read the last part. The Sepir Rabbit and its cousin, Sepira Rabbit, are very docile and weak creatures; there unusual color made them a commodity and usually, made into pets for kids. There was one recorded case of a tamer obsessed with the sepir species. He even forced a Sepir Rabbit to reach its second fracture. This specimen, however, was selectively bred and fed multitudes of precious herbs over the course of three years; it died shortly after from explosion as its body could not properly maintain the amount of energy. Concluding that this beast is unsuitable for taming or training.

The final words caused Kael to frown. It's not a strong beast? He thought. Then why did it come from a portal? How is it still alive? Kael didn't want to believe that he had placed his life in danger for a useless rabbit. It just couldn't be real.

"It is unfortunate." Roan said. "But I can provide you with a different beast to tame."

It sounded tempting. Kael looked at the sleeping rabbit on the table. He sighed, giving it one last glance. Well, I guess that was that. He told himself.

"Elder I wish t-"

A light flickered from the rabbit's scar. Shocked Kael went closer to it. It flickered again then dimmed. That wasn't normal. He smiled.

"Elder I wish to keep it." He said. "I will tame and train it."

Roan shrugged. "It's your choice boy. However, there won't a reissue of materials or a change in beast provided. So, you only get this one chance to change your mind. Make a wise choice."

Kael shook his head. "No, I want this one."

"Alright.” He sighed. “Give me a moment."

Roan went back into his study a light flashed several times followed by a high pitched rhythmic humming. He then came back out holding a bag and handed it to Kael.

"These are the exact materials needed to create and activate the contract circle. Do you need me to explain which one to use?"

Kael shook his head as he took the bag. It was heavy. He opened it and look inside. A red bottle, a blue stone and several herbs were contained inside. The standard materials for a contract circle.

"Elder, how is this tailored for rabbit species?" Kael asked. He had read that each species needed a special item acting as a catalyst for the species, but in his bag, there was none.

"Oh, that is right. You wouldn't know. The Sepir is one of the few exceptions to that rule. Tamers still don't know exactly why, but only the three basic materials are needed to form a successful pact."

Nodding, kael brought out his journal and made some notes on the last empty space. Roan smiled as he watched him.

"Elder," Kael said, looking at the massive book. “May I come and study from this book."

"I'm afraid I can't let you do that." He said, sighing. "The only reason I let you read part of it was because it was related to the beast you brought. Otherwise, you would have to have the status of an elder to be able to study from it." He said and closed the book.

Kael frown, his gaze lingering on the book like it was a treasure. "Well, can I at least come and look at the painting?"

"That old thing? Sure, knock yourself out boy. Just don't block the hall or try to sneak further in."

"Thanks elder." Kael said happily. "I'll come by tomorrow to study it."

He grabbed the rabbit—placing it inside his robe—and bag. He gave a small bow and turned to head out.

“Wait. I almost forgot.” Roan said, reaching into his robe. “Here is the key for the room you will be staying in for the duration of the binding process.”

Kael took the small iron key. Feeling its cool surface and simple shape. “Thanks elder.” He said, bowing and leaving.

His footsteps echoed in the narrow dimly lit hall. He unconsciously tightened his fists. The hall seemed lifeless. Even the painting didn’t give off any type of feeling. He gave it one last look before promising to come tomorrow and continued on his way.

The disciple was gone from his post. Only the two guards stood—watching over him as he left the building.

It was dark. The moon was high up and only several lamps illuminated the lonely night. Kael stretched himself and looked around for Nar. After a short while, however, he found out that Nar had not waited for him.

It’s not like him. Kael thought. Nar never breaks his word.

He wondered if it had something to do with the disappointed look he had when he passed him or the fact that he had taken well over one hour to get out. He sighed and walked. I’ll ask him tomorrow.

Suddenly, he spotted a figure in the distance. Shining bright red under a faint lamp. Dean.

Taking a deep breath Kael approached.

"Sometimes I wonder if you hate me, Kael." Dean said, looking up at the stars.

Kael trembled. "I don't." He said his voice shivering.

Dean looked at him. "But you don't trust me. If you did you would have told me about your leg."

"It's not that..."

"Than what is it Kael?"

"I thought you would get mad at me."

"Of course, I would." He said as he kneeled down "but only at first. I would have helped you. It hurt me that you didn't tell me you were wounded."

Kael looked down. "I'm sorry, Dean."

"Promise me if something like this ever happens you will tell me." He said. "You are the last thing your father entrusted me with, before he passed. I can't fail him. Not again."

"I promise." Kael said, hugging him. "I promise to tell you whatever happens." Tears ran down his face as he held onto Dean.

A short while later he finally let go. Dean seemed different. He no longer looked stupid in those bright red robes.

“Well, I must be leaving.” Dean said, standing. “I need to rest for tomorrow.”

“Dean, can I have Leggy back now?”

“You can’t.” he sighed. “Not until after the aptitude test. You need to focus on one beast.”

“I can manage two. I ca-“

“Stop Kael. It’s the rules.” He said firmly. “plus even if I give her back to you, you wouldn’t be able to interact with her.”

“What! Did something happen to her?”

“Nothing bad. She just formed a cocoon around herself and is sleeping. I asked Roan and he said she is probably undergoing a maturation process.”

Maturation? Kael wondered. Is that why she had been sleepy and curling into a ball so often?

“I understand. Dean.”

“Don’t worry, you will get her back. It’s only thirty days.” Road said, patting his head. “Now go to your assigned room and rest.”

With that he headed off into the darkness leaving Kael alone.

##

Kael used his key and opened the door to his new room. It was plain. A wooden room large enough for one person. Only a small bed, a cage and a desk furnished the room. He sighed. Compared to his room, this was empty. He set his things aside, placed the rabbit in the small cage in the room and laid on the bed and tried to sleep, but his mind kept returning to the rabbit. His eagerness got the better of him and he read from his journal.

Reading the steps to create the circle and memorizing the actual circle, tracing the lines with his index finger. After many times, he finally opened the bottle with the red paste. It was gooey and viscous, but Kael ignored it and drew the circle on the floor. Next, he carefully placed the herbs in their position, they would provide additional energy and reinforce the bond once it was complete. Stepping back, he looked at his work and smiled as he compared it to his notes. Not a single mistake in sight.

Kael set the rabbit in the center of the contract circle and stepped back. He was nervous. It was the first time he would actually try to bind something. Doubt bubbled in his mind. What if he couldn't do it? What if he had no aptitude for taming?

Get a grip of yourself Kael. He told himself. You can do this. It’s just like you read and practiced a thousand times.

The sect made every beginner train their qi control daily. they would be given a ball with many patterns engraved in it. The task would be to light up the patterns in a certain way, with qi of course. It was hard. One had to have extreme control over his qi to do it. It would have been simpler if they were at their first fracture, but the sect prevented any disciples from cracking and expanding their core before they went through a test. Something to do with discovering which path was the correct one to follow and that it would be more effective to fracture your core once you had great qi control. They even set a rule that if anyone fractured before the elders deemed it time to do it, they would be expelled; it had happened to one kid about six months ago.

Kael shook his head and focused. He grabbed the blue Link stone in his right hand. He took a deep breath and placed it on the edge of the circle. Can I really do it? He asked himself. Maybe I should practice a bit more.

A second voice trailed in his mind. Kael, you can do anything if you try hard enough. His father’s voice. Just believe in yourself. He gave his father’s journal a quick glanced then smiled. Refocusing his mind, he controlled the energy in the stone. It glowed blue.

The binding had begun.