Beast Taming Path, Claiming Rewards

Obviously, the line below was why the owl was being given away for free.

It had scratched two owners in a row. It was far too fierce; no one would buy an owl like that for a young wizard.

Well...

Hagrid excepted.

But in Rhine's view, perhaps the owl was not entirely to blame.

Bringing Hermione to the counter, Rhine called out.

"Boss, is that owl in the display window really being given away for free?"

Hearing Rhine's voice, a middle-aged warlock emerged from behind the counter and hurriedly replied.

"It's genuine, of course it's genuine!"

"I sell magical creatures. How could I possibly lie about it?"

However, seeing Rhine and Hermione, the middle-aged warlock hesitated.

"But this owl can't be given to young wizards."

"As you can see, it's too fierce. Owls may look cute and silly, but they are genuine birds of prey."

"My apologies."

Rhine's gaze flickered slightly as he looked at the middle-aged warlock with a hint of surprise.

More information appeared on the system screen.

You and Deng Chanyu arrived at the Beast Taming Sect and received a personal audience with the Beast Taming Sect Leader.

Though beast taming is a minor path, its power is far from insignificant. With a formidable spirit beast, one can often defeat the strong while weak.

Form a Casual Acquaintance with the Beast Taming Sect Leader to receive: Spirit Beast Affinity Talent. You are naturally able to earn the favor of spirit beasts. Even dangerous spirit beasts will not attack you of their own accord.

Form a Close Friendship with the Beast Taming Sect Leader to receive: Spirit Beast Cultivation Talent. You possess unparalleled talent in cultivating spirit beasts. Spirit beasts raised by you are more likely to break through their own limits and may even undergo bloodline mutations.

Form a Life-and-Death Friendship with the Beast Taming Sect Leader to receive: Beast Taming Path Cultivation Method. Cultivate this method to truly command spirit beasts for your own use, directing them as easily as your own limbs, with your minds as one.

Rhine was delighted.

The Beast Taming Sect?

There were good things here too.

Although in the Primordial Fengshen world, the Beast Taming Path was considered a trivial minor path.

Those powerful spirit beasts were little more than mounts before the Immortal Gods of the Chan Sect and Jie Sect, unable to play much of a role in battle.

But this was the wizarding world.

Grindelwald, the previous Dark Lord, surely understood just how formidable magical creatures could be.

A Class 5X dragon required a large number of wizards to deal with, and if used cleverly enough, it could even blow up Gringotts.

Creatures such as Venomous Tentacula were even more dangerous. Dozens of adult wizards might not be able to handle one.

Rhine also thought of the basilisk in Hogwarts' Chamber of Secrets.

The last Thousand-Year Basilisk in the world—what if he could command it?

He could swagger through the world on that alone!

But judging by this "Beast Taming Sect Leader," he clearly would not be as welcoming as Madam Malkin.

Making friends with him would not be easy.

Yet the owl in the display window might be an opportunity.

An idea struck Rhine, and he said to the shop owner.

"What if I said I knew why this owl attacks people?"

The shop owner's face filled with doubt.

"Hey, kid, I've dealt with magical creatures all my life. I've seen plenty of fierce ones."

"I don't even know why it attacks its owners. How would you know?"

Rhine replied calmly.

"The reason is simple. Ever since I was little, I've had a peculiar talent—I can understand some animals."

"When I passed the display window just now, I heard the owl inside saying that its first owner tied a knot around its neck. It has been strangling it day after day, nearly choking it to death."

"As long as the knot is undone, it naturally won't attack people anymore."

The moment Rhine finished speaking, the shop owner froze.

He had wanted to call it nonsense, but when he looked toward the display window, he found that the Gray Owl was indeed nodding repeatedly, as though agreeing with Rhine.

While he was still stunned, Rhine had already stepped forward and said gently.

"Good. Don't move. Stretch out your neck, and I'll undo the knot for you."

Just as Rhine had said, the Gray Owl stretched out its neck.

Rhine parted its feathers and saw a tightly knotted ribbon deep underneath.

He was speechless.

What kind of people were raising pets these days? Muggles were unreliable enough, and wizards were no better.

No wonder the owl had scratched its owners one after another. It had probably been half-suffocated for so long; it was a miracle it had not been strangled to death.

A legendary King Nailer, this one.

After Rhine untied the ribbon, the Gray Owl cautiously moved its neck. Its eyes were filled with gratitude as it happily flapped its wings.

Before the owner could stop it, it carefully landed on Rhine's shoulder.

Hermione's eyes shone at the sight, her face full of admiration.

Then she looked toward the shop owner.

"You're not going to go back on your word, are you?"

The middle-aged warlock could only smile bitterly.

Seeing the Gray Owl like this, it was clearly determined to follow Rhine. Could he really go back on his word?

Besides, it was just an owl. It had not cost him much, and giving it to Rhine would even free up space in the display window.

Compared to that, Rhine's talent was what truly made the middle-aged warlock's eyes burn.

A talent for communicating with magical creatures?

If Rhine were willing to help him, perhaps he could acquire some magical creatures that were particularly difficult to deal with!

The middle-aged warlock rubbed his hands together and chuckled.

"I won't go back on my word. This Gray Owl is yours."

"And this one too..."

He pointed at the Brown Owl Hermione had chosen.

"Free. That one's free too."

"I only have one request."

As though he had anticipated the man's thoughts, Rhine spoke first.

"I won't have time after school starts, but between now and then, as well as during holidays, I can come over and help you out a few times."

The middle-aged warlock was overjoyed.

"Deal!"

"My name is Warwick. Rhine, don't worry—I definitely won't let you work for nothing. I've got plenty of good stuff here!"

Rhine was delighted as well.

His relationship with the Beast Taming Sect Leader had reached Casual Acquaintance.

The Spirit Beast Affinity Talent could be claimed!

After leaving the Magical Menagerie, Hermione looked at the sky outside and finally realized how late it was.

Her face filled with panic.

"No, I have to leave right now. My family must be worried."

"Rhine, thank you for the owl. See you next time!"

Watching Hermione hurry away, and seeing on the system screen that their relationship had reached Close Friendship, Rhine's face lit up with joy.

Then, a nearly tangible fervor filled his eyes.

This trip to Diagon Alley had been immensely profitable.

He had received Skilled in Martial Arts and the Mount Mastery Talent from Hermione, Metallurgy and Silver Refining from Ollivander, and now Spirit Beast Affinity Talent from Warwick.

A full four rewards were waiting for him!

If he had not been worried about causing a commotion in Diagon Alley, Rhine would hardly have been able to resist finding a dark corner and claiming all the rewards right away.

But he endured until he returned to the manor.

The moment he got back, Rhine locked the study door and took a deep breath.

"System, Skilled in Martial Arts, Mount Mastery Talent, Metallurgy and Silver Refining Talent, Spirit Beast Affinity Talent..."

"Claim them all!"