Chapter 23: Shadows and Clones

Chapter 23: Chapter 23: Shadows and Clones

When Coal finally began to stir from his prolonged slumber, the ambient mana inside the quiet attic rippled outward in a sudden, visible shockwave.

A series of drastic physiological changes took hold of the young bird right before Eric’s eyes.

His wingspan expanded by nearly twenty percent, the bone-white plating along his beak hardening into an ivory sheen that gleamed with razor-sharp density. His plumage darkened into an abyssal obsidian, giving off a deep, oily luster under the pale moonlight. Most strikingly, faint wisps of dark, smoke-like Shadow mana bled from his talons, wrapping around his wooden perch in a heavy, commanding aura he had completely lacked before.

"Look at you, Coal..." Eric whispered, stepping toward the desk with genuine awe. "Does crossing into Level 5 always trigger this massive physical transformation for beasts?"

With a thought, Eric called up Coal’s panel directly through their shared soul bond.

│ CONTRACTED BEAST STATUS

│

│ Name: Coal

│ Race: Bonepecker Crow

│ Cultivation Stage: Mortal

│ Level: 5 (1%)

│ Rank: D

│ Element: Shadow

│ Skills:

│ - Flight (Rank E ➔ Rank D)

│ - Shadow Talons (Rank F Scratch ➔ Rank E)

│ - Shadow Clone (Rank D) [NEW]

Eric’s jaw dropped in sheer disbelief.

"Holy shit, buddy... this is an insane boost!"

Not only had his mobility and basic melee capabilities advanced an entire grade, with his crude, physical *Scratch* mutating into the mana-infused *Shadow Talons*, but he had also unlocked an entirely new, high-tier innate skill.

Eric tapped into the newly registered skill detail through their mental link:

│ [SKILL: Shadow Clone]

│

│ Rank: D

│ Element: Shadow

│ Description: Condenses shadow-element mana into corporeal avian illusions. Can manifest up to 5 shadow clones simultaneously to confuse, distract, feint, and overwhelm opponents in tactical combat.

"This... this is absurdly strong."

Eric reached out with both hands, vigorously stroking Coal’s crown feathers like an overgrown housecat.

"Incredible work, Coal! With five shadow clones pulling aggro, drawing ranged fire, and blinding monster lines of sight, hunting in the rifts is going to be ten times safer."

*Caww~!*

Coal puffed out his broad chest feathers, leaning into Eric’s palm with an immensely smug, triumphant trill that echoed softly against the attic ceiling.

Eager to see the shared growth, Eric called up his own personal status window.

│ STATUS PANEL

│

│ Name: Eric

│ Race: Human

│ Cultivation Stage: Mortal

│ Level: 2 (97%)

│ Talent: Appraisal (Rank D), Skill Comprehension (Rank C)

│ Skills: None

│ Contracted Beast: 1/1

"Sigh..."

Eric scratched the back of his neck, letting out a dry, self-deprecating chuckle.

"Even after that massive torrent of soul feedback from your Level 5 breakthrough, I’m sitting right at ninety-seven percent. Just three percent shy of Level 3."

He shook his head with a wide grin.

"Well, three percent is nothing. With my upgraded Rank-D Appraisal and Rank-C Comprehension, I can bridge that final gap with just a couple of hours of light meditation tonight."

He placed a fresh dish of crushed protein grains and clean water beside Coal’s perch, then stretched his arms high above his head until his spine popped with a satisfying release.

He kicked off his boots and settled onto his straw mattress, assuming the lotus posture.

Closing his eyes, Eric drew the cool night mana through his skin. Without the friction of unrefined channels, the energy flowed effortlessly along his established circuits, funneling straight into the pulsating core of his Mana Heart.

Two and a half hours later, a gentle, resonant chime echoed in his mind.

*THUMP.*

The final barrier dissolved. A smooth, warm wave of refined mana circulated through his muscles, firming his sinews and elevating his senses to a new threshold of clarity.

│ STATUS PANEL (PARTIAL)

│

│ Cultivation Stage: Mortal

│ Level: 3 (1%)

Eric opened his eyes, feeling energized, light on his feet, and brimming with razor-sharp focus.

He looked over at Coal, who was resting calmly on his perch, dark shadow wisps coiling lazily around his obsidian talons.

"Get some good rest tonight, Coal," Eric whispered, a predatory smirk touching his lips as he looked toward the window.

"Because tomorrow morning, we’re going full unga bunga in the grasslands.