Chapter 22 - 22: The Bond

Well, my father was serious about the combat training. Right outside the brewery was the sight of my mother stretching herself alongside her Karatsune while my Ragnaceros, Rakka, was sitting off to the side and watching the two with curiosity. As I walked out of the house and into the open, Rakka picked up my scent and stopped watching the unusual sight.

Rakka trudged over to me and cuddle, granted I was somewhat distracted by the information floating over his head.

[Name: Rakka

Species: Ragnaceros

Grade/Tier: Bronze 1 Star

Affinities: Ice, Fire, Lightning

Trait: Charger

Health:B

Strike: C

Protection:B

Magic:C

Discipline:C

Speed:D

Brawn:A

Talent:C

Description: Ragnaceros is an ancient monster from the time of the Old Empire. Wielding the power of fire, ice and lightning, Ragnaceros is a walking natural disaster, an apocalypse given form. Legends say it is the ancestor of all modern deer-like majimonsters but scholars still debate this fact.]

As I read the description floating in my eyes I let out a single "Huh" at the deluge of information.

(Voxea?)

(Yes?)

(Did you know that Ragnaceros could be born from mixing the essences of a Glacielk and Magmoose or did you just do that on a whim?)

(Yes.)

(Not helpful.)

My train of grumpy thoughts was soon interrupted by my mother finishing her stretches and exclaiming, "Alright! Time for battle practice. You ready Silvia?"

A bit stunned by the sudden question I responded with, "Uh...yes? Mother why am I seeing more information about Rakka then I looked at Magni?"

"Information? Oh...the Dragon's Eye? Well your father and I figured out that if you use it on a monster you're bonded with, you can see more detailed information such as it's potential for growth and overall power", she responded in knowledgeable manner. "Now come on Silvia, it's time for combat practice. Now you and Rakka stand over there". She pointed to a space in the snow across from her about several feet away.

Rakka looked at her and then me with a questioning gaze. Unsure of how to respond to his gaze, I just shrugged my shoulders and lead him over to where my mother pointed. The way we were positioned is that exact way most binders I've seen had formal duels. The two binders standing opposite of each other while their monsters were in the area in front of them.

"Now Silvia, I want you to take Rakka's drajule into your hand and focus on it. Tune out everything except him".

"Okay...sure".

Doing as my mother instructed, I took out the hunting knife that Rakka's drajule was embedded in and focused on it. It felt silly at first, a young woman staring at a gift knife for no reason, but that's when I started feeling...funny. My fingers and toes started to feel lighter and numb, followed by what felt like my mind somehow exiting my body and entering Rakka.

"Whoa...", I simultaneously said in my own body and thought in Rakka's, "What's going on"?

"That is the battle bond", I heard my mother said, "When binders focus on one of their summoned monsters, the connection between their souls strengthen. This allows a binder to give their monsters instantaneous orders and enhances a binder's reaction time".

"What do you mean?", I asked still in a bit of a daze.

My mother laughed a bit at the question. "Well, you'll find out in a bit", she said ominously. In the next moment, I could sense something change in the air as her Karatsune, Aura, walked up to the battle area and watched as she stared at her drajule ring intently. I might have been seeing things, but I saw a strange circle of power seem to flicker into existence both above the ring and floating behind her.

Was that in my head or did that happen when I focused on my bond with Rakka? Questions for later I suppose.

"Now get ready honey, because we're starting this practice fight...NOW!"