Run.

Don't look back.

Run!

My lungs burned. My legs felt like lead. I didn't care. I couldn't care.

I stumbled, hitting the ground hard. "Gah!" I gasped, scrambling to my feet, dragging my left leg, which I was sure was sprained. Pain shot through my ankle, but I pushed through it, gritting my teeth.

No time for pain.

Run.

My breath came in short, ragged bursts. I tried to control it, slow my breathing, anything to keep myself from collapsing, but I'd been running non-stop for what felt like an eternity. An hour? More? My muscles screamed for rest, but I had to keep moving.

What is happening? Where am I?

More importantly...

What the hell is that?

I dared a glance over my shoulder—and instantly regretted it. But fear was a good motivator.

My legs pumped faster.

Chasing me was... a monster. A grotesque mix of creatures that had no business being combined. It had the face of a snarling bulldog, but the body—a large, round, fluffy body—of a Persian cat.

Of all things, why ruin a cat?

A cat...

"RAAAAHHHH!!!" It roared, louder than anything I'd ever heard. I flinched, covering my ears from the sheer volume of its scream.

Why isn't it barking?

The ground shook with every thundering step it took.

THUD. THUD. THUD.

My legs wobbled, threatening to give out from under me.

Suddenly, a massive shadow darkened the ground in front of me.

My stomach dropped.

I didn't need to look up to know what was happening. The shadow had limbs.

It jumped.

I skid to a stop, heart hammering in my chest. There was no way to outrun it. Nowhere to hide.

This is it.

I took one last, ragged breath, and closed my eyes, bracing myself.

"Copernicus! Halt!"

The voice cut through the air like a whip.

My eyes snapped open.

The beast landed just feet in front of me, its gigantic paws shaking the earth. It let out a low growl, its eyes narrowing as it stared into mine.

I stood still, barely breathing, staring into its snarling face.

"You may stop now." The voice, commanded again.

The beast—Copernicus—snorted in irritation but obeyed, slowly backing off. Its ears perked up, and the menace drained from its eyes. It was as if someone had flipped a switch. One second, it looked like it wanted to tear me apart, and now... it looked almost like a happy pet.

Its tongue hung out, and it stared at me with the wide-eyed innocence of a puppy waiting for treats. Was it... smirking?

I blinked, completely dumbfounded.

What just happened?

Then I turned toward the voice—and froze again, even more shocked than before.

"Dad?"

He stood there, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. "Even at taming beasts, you are no good," he said, his voice flat, but the disappointment was clear.

Oh.

"Ask them to heal your injury. Our training sessions will end here. From now on, you'll be focusing on the academy."

With that, he turned and walked away, not waiting for a response. His back was as cold and distant as his words.

I just stood there, processing everything.

Pfft....I see.

I pushed my glasses up the bridge of my nose.

I can guess what my situation is now.

But wait...

I have glasses?