Beastbound: Awakening the Hunter

Boom!

Oliver raised the staff, pointing it forward with a subtle motion. His chant flowed seamlessly, channeling his magical energy into the staff. In an instant, a torrent of shattered stones erupted ahead, raining destruction across the training ground. The practice dummies collapsed in droves under the relentless assault.

As Oliver expected, the staff amplified his magic’s potency by 30% while also reducing his casting time by nearly a third. But the true advantage lay beyond these immediate benefits. With the staff in hand, he could now attempt far more complex and powerful spells—spells that were previously out of reach.

This staff represented an opportunity. It was his chance to master the higher-tier orange-level spells and, one day, become a fully-fledged mage.

For now, Oliver chose not to test the staff’s imbued Arcane ability. After all, no one wanted to risk burning Andre’s forge to the ground.

“Stark, this staff is the finest work of my career,” Andre declared with a mixture of pride and excitement. “So, how does it feel? Incredible, right?”

Andre’s enthusiasm was understandable. The materials alone were extraordinary: a pristine mana core from a Shatterbeast, premium walnut wood, and the exceedingly rare scales of a Fire Serpent. Yet the staff’s creation also owed its success to Andre’s unparalleled craftsmanship—and perhaps a touch of luck.

“Let’s test the Arcane outside,” Andre suggested. “I know just the place!”

“Yes! Let’s see how powerful it really is!” chimed in the apprentices, their excitement infectious.

Truth be told, Oliver was just as curious. Accompanied by the eager crowd, they made their way to a nearby deserted hill.

“Using the Arcane is simple,” Andre explained. “Just pour as much of your mana as you can into the staff’s core.”

Taking a deep breath, Oliver spoke the spell’s name: “Destruction Serpent.” His mana surged forth like a torrent, flooding the staff’s core. Almost immediately, he felt the strain. The Arcane’s mana demand was staggering.

Even with Oliver’s above-average mana reserves, he could feel his energy depleting rapidly. In mere moments, more than half his mana was gone. He realized that, even at full capacity, he could only cast this spell once. The Arcane’s mana cost was at least ten times greater than that of a standard orange-tier spell.

As the staff absorbed the massive influx of mana, its core erupted in a brilliant blaze of light. The staff trembled violently in his hands, almost slipping from his grip.

Oliver steadied himself and aimed the staff at the hill. He pointed forward.

Boom!

A deafening roar echoed across the landscape as a colossal fire serpent burst forth from the staff’s tip. Its enormous, blazing form illuminated the sky, painting everything in shades of fiery red. The serpent surged toward the hill, striking with ferocious intensity. A thunderous explosion followed, and the entire hill ignited in a sea of flames.

In a matter of seconds, half the hill was reduced to ashes. The scorching heatwave rolled outward, ruffling everyone’s cloaks and leaving the onlookers in stunned silence.

“One spell… burned half a hill?” someone murmured in disbelief.

The apprentices stared, wide-eyed and slack-jawed. Even Oliver was momentarily overwhelmed by the sheer power of the spell. This was destruction on a scale that rivaled modern artillery from his past life. Perhaps it was even more devastating.

“With this spell,” Oliver thought, exhilarated, “I could obliterate that juvenile wraith Kramar in an instant. No need for a prolonged fight—just one Arcane, and it’s gone.”

Of course, Oliver understood the risks. This spell was a trump card, not to be used lightly. The immense mana cost left him vulnerable to follow-up attacks.

“This staff is incredible,” Andre said, visibly awed. “With this, Stark, even I wouldn’t want to face you in battle.”

Coming from a fully-fledged knight like Andre, this was high praise. The staff’s power elevated Oliver’s combat potential to the equivalent of a red-tier knight or mage. And that didn’t even account for his other assets: his pets, his innate abilities—each one a formidable force.

By all measures, Oliver’s overall strength now surpassed that of most red-tier combatants.

“Such a remarkable staff deserves a name,” an apprentice suggested. “What do you think, Stark?”

After a moment of thought, Oliver decided: “Staff of the Flame Serpent.” It was simple, perhaps, but fitting.

As they returned to the forge, still buzzing with excitement, an apprentice hurried to meet them.

“Master Andre, Sir Stark,” the apprentice reported, “Hector’s party has captured enough bandits and is heading back. They’ve sent word to meet them at the village gate.”

Oliver and Andre exchanged a glance, their smiles fading. It was time to get serious. The confrontation with the swarm of Kramar wraiths was imminent.

Within moments, they reached the village gate. Soon after, the sound of hooves and wheels reached their ears. Hector and Violanda appeared on horseback, approaching at speed. Behind them, bound bandits were slung across saddles, crammed into carts, and even dragged along by ropes.

The bandits were a wretched sight. Scarred and scowling, some cursed loudly while others wept, begging for mercy. Their defeat was absolute.

“These scoundrels have slaughtered countless innocents,” Hector said grimly. “Their hideout was littered with human remains. It was sickening.”

Violanda’s sharp gaze fell on the staff at Oliver’s waist. Her eyes lit up.

“Is that an Arcane staff?” she exclaimed. “You finished it already? Let me see!”

Her excitement was palpable, and it was clear she shared the apprentices’ admiration for Oliver’s new weapon.