(Mael's POV)
"Now that the beast is out....." Tsuki said as she stood next to the wolf, which was looking around, "This is where the similarities to Beast Taming should play out. I can sense that this beast is connected to you via magic. The tether to you is quite noticeable."
I nodded, looking at the wolf, "Right."
"Because you are connected to her, you must maintain some focus in trying to control the wolf's actions." She said, crossing her arms, "The more summons you have out, the more difficult it would be to maintain accurate control."
"I figure." I said
"Try to make a command to the wolf." She said, gesturing at the beast, "It should listen to you."
I looked at the wolf, which was slowly turning around to see me, "Uhm..." I said, "Right..."
I looked around, spotting the roof of the pagoda that was in the distance. I then cleared my throat and pointed at the pagoda.
"Go and jump there." I said
The wolf looked at where I was pointing, staring at it for a couple of seconds and then back at me. It blinked slowly and simply stood there.
I cleared my throat again, "Go." I said, "I command you."
The wolf blinked again.
"Your Command is not working." Tsuki said, having her arms crossed, "You must mix magic with the command."
"How do I do that?" I said
"You must flow the magic into your words, mix them together." She said, "Similar to what you did to summon it."
I nodded, "Fine...."
It was all too confusing, but I had to try. I visualized a scenario, a command for the wolf, and cleared my throat. I flowed my magic power, pouring them into the words I was about to say.
"Obey"
I saw the wolf's ear twitch slightly and it hunched down, as if it was alert.
"Go." I said, pointing at the pagoda, "Now."
It then took off into a sprint, running to the pagoda and jumping onto the second story's roof. As it landed there, it turned around and looked at me, as if waiting for another command.
"Command it to return." Tsuki said, "The stronger the connection, the easier for it to listen to your command."
"Return." I said, calmly, "Now."
With blinding speed, the Okuri ran back to the spot it was in previously. It had jumped off the roof with ease, sprinting back to me swiftly. It then stopped right in front of me and looked at me, waiting for my next command.
"Take it back to you." Tsuki said
"What?" I said
"Take it back to you." She said, "If they are similar to Shikigami, then you can take them back similar to how you conjured them."
I nodded, "Right...." I said, walking up to it and grabbing its back, "R-Return...."
I then saw as its body turned into a grey swirling energy that was siphoned into my arm. I felt a rush of energy course through my body as this happened, causing me to stumble slightly.
"Ah...." I said, "Whoa..."
I looked at Tsuki, she had her hand on her chin, as if she was in deep thought.
"Very interesting." She said, "Now, from now on, we will train how much you can keep up the connection and how many times you can summon the beast."
"Be prepared."
******************
"Very interesting." Tsuki said as I was sitting down, rubbing my neck with a wet towel, "It appears that you are improving in your ability to control the beasts."
I looked at her, "Thanks...."
It had been two days since I arrived here with Tsuki, and since then, she had been helping me train with my abilities. So far, I have been able to summon the Okuri and improve coordination in the Commands.
I can summon it without issue now and we can execute several actions together, but I haven't been able to try and summon the others. I had a feeling that Tsuki didn't want to risk doing that, considering the possibility of losing control due to the unknown nature of the Magic.
She was standing next to me, staring at me, "I have been observing your actions for the past two days." She said, "I am not a very trusting person, so I was prepared to deal with you if you showed any signs of hostility."
I nodded, "I don't doubt it." I said, "You are a very tense person."
"Someone has to be." She said, turning to the side, "The Kurama Forest is very dangerous and not because of the wildlife or the Yokai that roam it. It is men who are the most dangerous."
"Right...." I said
"Ren placed her faith in my ability to help you." She said, "And she sent you here to me so I can teach you how to control this power. She felt it was necessary and a way to thank you, I suppose. You ought to thank her for that kindness. She is the only reason I even considered it, make no mistake."
"I am aware." I said with a nod, "Don't think I am not."
"You truly are a fresh Cosmic Traveler, completely unaware of where you are and what to do." She said with a scoff, "Typical of Ren to help out such helpless fools."
"Then teach me." I said, looking at her, "You're right, I'm still green. I haven't spent a damn week in the Godlands. Just a week ago, I was a blind idiot who was hustling to bring food to the table. I have family back home and I gotta do what it takes to reach the Blood Moon before-"
I stopped myself, not sure if it was a smart idea to keep talking. But I couldn't help myself to start speaking, suddenly thinking of Lisa and my sisters.
She looked at me, "What did you say about the Blood Moon?"
I shook my head, "N-Nothing."
"Cosmic Travelers seek the Blood Moon, from what I am aware of." She said, "But what is so special about it?"
"I...." I started, "Well...."
"Is it a way for you to return?" She asked, raising an eyebrow, "You have a family?"
"I have two sisters and a dear friend of mine," I said, "I had to leave them for a chance of a better life."
"How does abandoning them achieve that?" She asked, "Coming here to the Godlands."
"It's....a difficult thing to explain." I said, looking down
"And you said you were a blind idiot?" She said, "That hasn't changed, it seems."
"I...." I said, "Listen, all I want is to understand what I ended up in, that's all."
"Hm." She said, "Go back to Ren's shrine, boy. My job here is done."
"But...." I started, "Well...."
"If you want a teacher who can put up with you." She started, "Go on with Ren, she'll more than likely oblige."
"F-Fine...." I said, "Thanks for everything."
"I appreciate it."