The atmosphere at Pavilion Academy crackled with excitement as the third-year students prepared for a pivotal day—their first opportunity to tame a beast as part of a test to qualify for the upcoming baptism, the grand event celebrating successful taming. Anticipation hung in the air, punctuated by whispers and nervous laughter as students exchanged glances, each wondering what awaited them.
Classes today were focused entirely on the intricacies of taming. Kayden felt a surge of exhilaration, though he masked it with a blank and neutral expression. This was an important step, albeit one involving low-quality beasts, to gauge his potential for bonding with a creature before venturing into the wild on baptism day.
Standing at the front of the classroom was Professor Lirael, the instructor for Beast Taming 101. Her expression bore the weight of irritation as she adjusted her glasses, peering at the large, dusty tome open before her. It was evident she would have preferred to be anywhere else, yet her knowledge was essential for the students.
"Alright, settle down," she said with a sharpness that cut through the chatter. "Today, we will discuss the ranking system of beasts, alongside examples and descriptions of each tier, and how to approach and tame them."
She turned a page in the heavy book, revealing illustrations of various beasts, each more fascinating than the last. "The ranking system consists of five tiers, plus the legendary category. Each tier reflects a beast's abilities and their potential for bonding with a tamer."
Professor Lirael pointed to an image of a nimble Tier 1 beast, the Sprightly Fox, known for its agility and keen senses. "Tier 1 beasts are the easiest to tame, ideal for beginners. Today, you will have the chance to bond with these low-quality creatures, which will help you assess your own affinities and skills."
Next, she showcased a fierce-looking Tier 2 beast, the Ember Lynx, with flames flickering along its fur. "While you will be working with lower-ranked beasts, don't underestimate their potential. They can still teach you valuable lessons about trust and patience in the taming process."
Kayden listened intently, trying to absorb every detail. The descriptions of Tier 3 beasts—the Thunder Drake, a dragon-like creature harnessing the power of storms—filled him with awe, though he knew such beasts were far beyond the scope of today's test.
Finally, she reached the legendary beasts. "These creatures are incredibly rare and possess immense power. A single taming event with a Tier 5 beast can change the course of a tamer's life, but it's important to remember that today is not about bonding with the strongest. Instead, it's a practice that will prepare you for baptism day when you will venture into the wild to find a beast that is attracted to you."
"Each tier of beast is attracted to the detail and excellency of the rune that you draw. If your rune is not perfect enough, you will only attract lower level beasts. Also, if your spirit is not strong enough, the beast will kill you."
Mutters passed trough the classroom, no one had ever heard of a beast killing its tamer before. "This is why though some are skilled enough to draw and attract legendary and tier 4 beasts, not much tamers exist with such beasts. Excluding the Taril family."
Automatically, eyes were drawn to Kayden and looks of astonishment at jealousy was passed around.
"This most powerful beast in the beast world are the spirit beasts, these have the potential to move from a tier 1-3 to a legendary if cared for right, no other beast can evolve. Only one person in history have ever tamed a spirit beast."
"You may notice spirit foxes roaming around the campus. This is because unlike other beasts, spirit beats have immense intelligence and the ability to communicate with their tamer. and some -like the foxes- aren't aggressive."
The professor concluded her lecture with a nod toward the door. "Now, let's get started on our practical lesson. We'll be venturing into the arena to meet some of our academy's resident beasts. Remember, though your rune might be perfect, the creature will gauge your spirit before approaching you"
As Kayden stepped into the arena, he was immediately struck by the breathtaking sight that surrounded him. The vast training ground was a magnificent blend of natural beauty and carefully crafted structures, designed to facilitate both the tamers' practice and the beasts' comfort. Towering walls of stone enclosed the arena, their surfaces draped with vibrant climbing vines that seemed to pulse with life. Sunlight filtered through the leafy canopy overhead, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the soft, earthen floor.
The training arena's ambiance brimmed with both tranquility and anticipation, its quiet beauty contrasted by the intense purpose of the day. Kayden moved forward, heart pounding despite his calm exterior. Around him, other students were equally entranced, some casting nervous glances at their surroundings, others murmuring softly as they studied their rune scrolls, each preparing mentally for their first taming attempt.
At the far end of the arena, a line of low-tier creatures awaited them. The Sprightly Foxes—the nimble, Tier 1 beasts Professor Lirael had described—watched the approaching students with curious, glinting eyes. Despite their classification as low-tier, they seemed perceptive, as if evaluating each student's worthiness from afar. Kayden's gaze shifted to a particularly large fox, its fur shimmering with a slight silvery hue that set it apart from the others. *That one's got spirit,* he thought, feeling a small spark of intrigue.
Professor Lirael stepped into the center of the arena, her voice carrying effortlessly over the group. "Each of you will take turns approaching the creature you wish to tame. Remember, the bond begins with the rune. Draw it with conviction—show the beast your spirit, your intent."
Kayden's mind ran over the runic patterns he had practiced countless times, visualizing each precise stroke. The rune was the key to unlocking a connection with a beast, serving as both a signal of strength and a gesture of respect. As the first students began stepping forward, he watched closely, gauging their techniques and reactions. Some of his peers seemed confident, while others trembled as they raised their scrolls, uncertain about the creatures' responses.
When Kayden's turn arrived, he took a steadying breath, stepped forward, and knelt, clearing a patch of dirt on the ground. With his finger, he began tracing the rune, each line carefully crafted, each curve deliberate. As he finished, he felt an almost imperceptible pull, a subtle hum in the air, as if something beyond his control had awakened. He glanced up, locking eyes with the silver-furred fox that had caught his attention earlier.
The creature's gaze held his for a heartbeat, assessing him in a way that made him feel exposed, vulnerable even. And then, to his astonishment, it approached, each graceful step drawing it closer to his rune. Kayden could feel his pulse in his ears as the fox paused over his marking, sniffing at it with a keen, intelligent glint in its eyes. Then, almost casually, it nudged the rune with its nose, and a faint glow sparked between the lines he had drawn, illuminating the shape for a brief moment.
A murmur of surprise ran through the arena. Kayden sensed the eyes of the professor, as well as his classmates, on him, but he stayed focused on the fox. This was more than he had anticipated—a true response to his rune. Yet the fox did not stay close; it merely acknowledged his effort before sauntering back to the rest of its pack, casting one last glance over its shoulder.
Professor Lirael's voice broke the spell. "An acknowledgment is rare on the first attempt. Well done, Kayden. This is spirit fox and rarely do they form bonds. It might just be that your rune was too advanced, none of the lower tiers wanted to approach."
With a small nod, he stepped back, a quiet satisfaction warming him. Rael smirked at him from across the arena, his sprightly fox jumping and running all around him.