My master materialized from the locket, his presence commanding yet calm.
Master: "To make a healing pill, we'll need herbs. Fortunately, I sense there are many usable herbs around here."
I quickly brought out the herbs, their fragrance filling the air.
Master: "Now, observe carefully. The key to alchemy isn't just in mixing ingredients—it's in controlling the energy flow and balancing the properties of the materials."
The master uses his skills from fire. Moving both hands to a fire pot.
"Master, where did you harvest those fire skills? As I believed that fire and the air are compatible."
"I have obtained from the flame mountain"
"Master, can I cultivate another elemental core?"
"Idiot, only one person can harvest one elemental core. If someone tries to cultivate two core, they will suffer from back lash and some may have severe injuries or some may even die due to intense core pressure."
As he continues to make pills.
With a flick of his hand, my master conjured a small alchemy furnace.
His movements were precise and fluid as he placed the herbs inside and began channeling Qi into the furnace.
A faint red glow surrounded it as the ingredients melted and fused together.
Master: "Too much heat, and the essence will burn. Too little, and the pill won't form. This requires finesse."
I watched in awe as the energy danced around his hands, molding the herbs into a small, round pill.
Moments later, he held up the finished product—a crimson pill that radiated warmth.
So to be an alchemist we have to train? That's another task for me.
Master: "This is a basic healing pill, but it should be enough to save this creature. Go on, give it to the dog."
Compassion Amidst Darkness
I approached the Shadow Demon Dog cautiously. It growled weakly, its body tensing in fear.
Yin: "Easy now. I'm not here to hurt you."
I extended my hand, the red pill resting in my palm, it was very hot.
The dog sniffed it warily before opening its mouth and swallowing it whole.
Almost immediately, a faint glow enveloped its body. Its wounds began to close, and its breathing steadied.
The creature slowly stood up, towering over me despite its weakened state.
For a moment, it simply stared at me with its crimson eyes. Then, to my surprise, it lowered its head, a gesture of gratitude.
Master: "Interesting. It seems your kindness has earned its respect. They don't trust easily, but when they do, their loyalty is unshakable."
The dog let out a low, rumbling sound—neither a growl nor a bark. It felt almost like… a promise.
He begins to stand up. As he was alright. We walked away.
The shadow dog follows us. No matter what, we chase him away.
Master- "Perhaps he want to owe you back, he will follow you"
"We got a new friend, but the academy will not allow any beast to bring, they might kill."
"So i should keep him in my spiritual realm"
"But for now let him walk with us"
The forest was eerily quiet.
As I walked through the Mohe Forest, the sound of rustling leaves and the occasional bird cry were the only companions to my solitude.
Then, I heard it roaring, carrying on the wind like a warning. It stood for a little while. The noises weren't random.
I moved closer, the noise growing louder until I saw them—Kong's group.
They were fighting a bear beast, a monstrous creature nearly twice the size of an ordinary bear.
Its fur was matted with streaks of blood, its eyes glowing with primal rage as it lashed out.
The group was struggling, their movements frantic as they tried to defend themselves.
Kong barked orders, but it was clear they were barely holding on. Blood splattered the forest floor, and one of their members lay motionless nearby.
I hesitated. Helping them wasn't my problem. And yet, as the bear beast cornered the group, raising a massive paw to deliver the final blow, something in me wouldn't let me walk away.
Before I could decide, a low growl rumbled beside me. My demon shadow dog, silent until now, stepped forward.
"Wait—" I began, but it was already too late.
The shadow dog's form began to shift, its sleek frame expanding and twisting into something terrifying.
Its yellow eyes burned brighter, the glow casting eerie patterns against the dark forest.
Black smoke began to pour from its body, swirling around it like a living shroud.
Its mouth opened, smoke billowing out with every breath, and its once-modest size grew into a towering beast.
The transformation was both beautiful and horrifying, and for a moment, even I was shocked to the spot, unable to speak.
The bear beast roared, its fury turning toward the shadow dog. But the dog moved with terrifying speed, closing the distance in an instant.
With a single bite, it clamped its massive jaws around the bear's neck.
The sound of crunching bone echoed through the forest as the bear's roar was silenced. Its body fell limply to the ground, lifeless.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Smoke curled lazily from the shadow dog's body as it stood over its fallen prey, its yellow eyes glowing like twin suns in the darkness.
Kong's group stared, their faces pale and drawn. For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Kong, his voice trembling but laced with bitterness, broke the silence.
"We didn't need your help, Yin," he spat. "You're just a mere first-level, three-star boy.
Don't think you're something special just because you have a strong companion."
I looked at him, a smile tugging at my lips. There was no need to respond; his words were meaningless.
Turning away, I patted the shadow dog as it returned to its original size, still trailing wisps of smoke.
I will name you TAIN.
As I walked away, their stares burned into my back—filled with a mixture of anger, envy, and fear.
The forest reclaimed its silence, but something had shifted. Kong's group would remember this moment, whether they admitted it or not.
Meanwhile in the academy.
"So, the name of that boy is Yin"?
"You brat dared to raise voice to the royal. I will teach you a lesson. "