Aleph's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Only he could truly understand the immense potential that lay before them as he assisted Eren in his pursuit of strength. For Aleph, this endeavor was intricately intertwined with one of his primary objectives– the pursuit of an Elder Seed Artifact.
It was the driving force behind Aleph's mission to spread his Soul Imprints across countless worlds, tirelessly searching for even the faintest trace of these elusive artifacts.
Aleph's proposal left Kino contemplating. What Aleph had mentioned about the Beast Companion Technique held true. Through this technique, Eren and Tiamat would experience accelerated growth, benefiting from the synergistic effects it offered. Their paths of advancement would become heavily intertwined, rendering them interdependent.
This meant that Eren and Tiamat would progress together, sharing the burdens of their respective bottlenecks, which could be advantageous or detrimental. It all depended on the circumstances surrounding each bottleneck.
However, there was another downside to the Beast Companion Technique.
If Eren were to bind only through the Spirit Contract with Tiamat, in the event of either one's death, only the survivor's soul would be affected, while their ranking path would remain mostly unaffected. Conversely, if Eren bound himself to Tiamat using the Beast Companion Technique, he would experience regression in his rank upon Tiamat's unfortunate demise. It could potentially lead to Eren becoming a Rankless mortal or even facing death himself.
This was the consequence of utilizing the Beast Companion Technique. It was the reason Kino initially hesitated to suggest Eren employ this Amazonian technique, as it would make him intricately dependent on Tiamat's ranking journey as well. He would need to diligently oversee Tiamat's progress and provide top-tier resources to support the wyvern's growth.
Kino was unsure if Eren was mentally and financially prepared to undertake such a challenge.
***
Aleph did as he promised.
After their conversation, Aleph's consciousness retreated into the Soul Imprint from whence it came, allowing Eren to awaken from his slumber and regain consciousness. Though still mentally fatigued from the lack of sleep and rest, he found solace in reclining leisurely on the ground, stretching his limbs in all directions while listening to Kino's explanation.
"Eren, are you absolutely certain about proceeding with the Beast Companion Technique?" Kino inquired, concern etched on her face. She had already detailed its advantages and disadvantages to him, but Eren seemed to find some hidden benefit in the technique, a perspective that eluded her.
"Yes, I'm certain. Let's proceed," he confirmed, his weariness evident in his sigh. With a tired exhale, Kino summoned another runic Array and enclosed Eren and Tiamat within its bounds. Since they had already completed the Spirit Contract, the process was swift, taking only a few minutes.
Thanks to the Beast Companion Technique, Eren was able to send Tiamat into a pocket dimension known as the Beast Space. Kino explained that the pocket dimension was anchored to his body, symbolized by the runic tattoo of a wyvern with outspread wings that had manifested on his back. Through the runic tattoo, Eren could summon Tiamat whenever needed.
As the completion of the Beast Companion Technique brought relief to Eren, Kino informed him that his body had been temporarily taken over by Aleph while he was unconscious. It was Aleph who had proposed the binding of Eren and Tiamat through this technique.
***
Initially, Eren had reservations about embracing the technique due to its potential drawbacks. Tiamat, the formidable wyvern, was indeed a force to be reckoned with, but Gilaahan harbored numerous dangers and entities capable of slaying such a creature.
If Tiamat were to perish in a dire situation, Eren would have to face the consequences, even if he managed to survive or escape. Moreover, Eren recognized that Tiamat's ranking bottleneck would become increasingly significant as he progressed further in rank. Being a dragonkind, smooth advancement in their ranking journey was not a simple feat. The Beast Companion Technique would compel Eren to shoulder a portion of Tiamat's burden, making his own journey more arduous than it already was.
Yet, there was a glimmer of consolation. Tiamat had already surpassed Eren in rank, currently residing in the solid stage mana core of Rank-2. Tiamat was already well into Rank-2 when Eren first met him. And unlike Eren, who remained in a vegetative state, Tiamat had made substantial progress throughout the 14 years, far surpassing him when they first met.
This advancement meant that Eren's own progress in the Awakened Rank would be accelerated significantly due to the synergistic effect of the Beast Companion Technique.
However, the Beast Companion Technique carried grave consequences that were equally borne by both Eren and Tiamat. Severe soul injuries, regression in rank, the possibility of being reduced to a mortal state, or even facing death were all potential outcomes if and when a perilous situation arrived. As Eren pondered these weighty repercussions, he began to reassess Aleph's proposal, carefully evaluating the balance between the promised benefits and the lurking risks.
However, despite the potential risks, Eren sensed that there was a compelling reason behind Aleph's insistence on proceeding with the Beast Companion Technique. Curiosity piqued, he implored Kino to shed further light on the advantages of embracing this technique, hoping to unravel its allure. As Kino elaborated, Eren's understanding deepened, and he grasped the true appeal of the technique.
Kino explained that through their connection forged by the Amazonian Technique, Eren and Tiamat would be able to share their mana reserves. This meant they could compensate for each other's deficiencies and shortages, a particularly enticing prospect considering Tiamat's naturally abundant mana reserves as a wyvern.
However, it wasn't the access to Tiamat's mana alone that captivated Eren. With his own infinite mana core, he realized he could provide Tiamat with an unlimited well of mana, enabling the wyvern to unleash his inherent spells with newfound freedom. The implications were staggering – the duo would become an indomitable force, their combined offense, and defense reaching unparalleled heights.
Enthralled by this tremendous advantage, Eren willingly embraced Aleph's decision, intertwining his own ranking path with Tiamat's. In that moment, he saw the potential for incredible growth and power, making the drawbacks of the technique seem insignificant in comparison.
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