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**Chapter 4: The Academy of the Awakened**
The path to the **Academy of the Awakened** stretched for days, leading Erythion through dense forests, across wide plains, and up steep, towering cliffs. He had come to understand that his journey—both the literal one to the academy and the figurative one of discovering his power—was far from ordinary. The weight of his destiny as the **Sovereign of Infinite Beasts** pressed down on him, but Erythion had learned to embrace the struggle, to face the challenges head-on.
The Academy, situated in the heart of the **Celestine Vale**, seemed like a distant dream as they approached. A colossal structure, perched between two jagged mountains, its high towers gleaming in the fading sunlight. Massive stone walls enveloped the entire complex, and banners hung from every peak, showcasing the emblem of the academy: a majestic beast with an outstretched claw and an open hand intertwined. The sound of bustling activity carried on the wind, signaling that life continued within the Academy's walls—despite the growing chaos in the outside world.
At the gates, they were met by a tall, stern-looking woman with silver hair tied tightly into a bun. Her piercing blue eyes were sharp and calculating, not a single detail escaping her notice. She carried herself with the authority of someone who had seen the rise and fall of many heroes and villains. Her voice rang out with confidence as she greeted the group.
"Welcome to the **Academy of the Awakened**," she said, her gaze sweeping over them all. "I am Instructor Calenira. You have been expected."
Erythion's heart skipped a beat. **Expected**. The words sent an unsettling chill down his spine. Had they truly anticipated his arrival? And what was more unsettling was the fact that his presence seemed so... carefully planned.
Before Erythion could respond, she continued, "Follow me. The trials are about to begin."
The gates of the Academy opened, and they stepped inside, where the sprawling grounds came into view. Beast Tamers sparred in the open fields, mages chanted incantations and crafted magical constructs, and warriors practiced their swordplay. Erythion felt the buzz of power that radiated from the place, the palpable tension in the air that hinted at both the potential for greatness—and the danger lurking beneath the surface.
Calenira led them to a large stone arena, where other students had already gathered, their eyes fixed on the new arrivals. The **Initiation Trials**, Erythion was told, would begin soon. Every new student, regardless of their background, must undergo these trials. It was the first step to proving their worth.
The arena floor was inscribed with ancient runes, glowing faintly with an aura of power. The space felt both ancient and alive, as though it had borne witness to countless battles, to the rise of the Beast Sovereigns and the fall of great heroes.
"In this arena," Calenira's voice broke through his thoughts, "you will face your first challenge. **The Senior Trials** will test your bond with your beast, your mastery over your abilities, and your adaptability under pressure. There is no room for hesitation."
Erythion took a deep breath. This was what he had come for, to unlock the full potential of his bond with his beast, to push his powers to their limits, and to understand his role in the coming storm.
"As you are all aware, there is no mercy for those who fail. Do not waste this opportunity," Calenira added, her eyes cold as she surveyed them.
The sound of footsteps made Erythion turn his head. Across the arena, three figures were stepping forward—another group of new students. One was a tall man with raven-black hair and an arrogant grin, his eyes locked onto Erythion's with unspoken challenge. Another, a woman with silver hair and violet eyes, moved with an almost ethereal grace, her expression calm but intense. The third was a younger woman, her nerves obvious as she clutched a staff close to her chest, though her companion—the graceful winged beast hovering above her—seemed to offer her comfort.
"Your opponents," Calenira said, motioning toward the new arrivals, "Kaelen Torenfeld, Liraen Dalisor, and Rynna Valiseth."
Kaelen, the one who had locked eyes with Erythion, let out a chuckle. "I hope you're ready for the trials. I don't intend to go easy on any of you."
Erythion ignored the provocation, his gaze flickering to Liraen. Something about her calm demeanor felt strangely familiar—though he couldn't place it. Liraen, however, gave him a brief nod of acknowledgment, her expression unreadable.
Rynna, the young mage, smiled nervously but didn't speak, instead looking down at the shimmering arcane runes on her staff. Her beast, a majestic creature made of radiant energy, circled above her protectively.
"Each of you will be paired for your first trial," Calenira continued. "The pairs will be assigned based on your strengths. Kaelen and Liraen, you will face one another first. The rest of you will await your turn."
Erythion felt the pressure building within his chest. This would be his first test, his first step toward proving himself. But what he couldn't shake was the growing sense that there was more to this academy, more to these trials, than met the eye. The eyes of his opponents—especially Liraen's—held something deeper. Was she aware of the true nature of the world's awakening? Did she sense the impending darkness as he did?
He had no time to dwell on it. The trial had begun.
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**The Arena**
The bell rang, signaling the start of Kaelen and Liraen's trial. The arena seemed to hum with anticipation. Erythion watched intently as Kaelen drew his blades, a confident grin on his face, while Liraen raised her hands in a calm, fluid motion. Her beast, **Celestara**, a creature that seemed to shimmer with starlight, hovered beside her, its wings beating softly.
Kaelen's **Ashara**, a Flame Wyrm, roared as she emerged from the ground in a burst of fire, her body wreathed in flames. Without hesitation, she charged toward Celestara, her fiery breath cutting through the air.
Liraen's eyes narrowed, her fingers tracing patterns in the air as **Celestara** responded with a series of dazzling beams of light, intercepting Ashara's flames and dissipating them into harmless sparks. She moved gracefully, like a dancer, as Celestara wove through the air to dodge Ashara's fiery onslaught.
Kaelen smirked, clearly impressed. "Not bad," he muttered under his breath. "But can you keep up with this?"
With a wave of his hand, Kaelen commanded Ashara to unleash a fiery inferno, engulfing the arena in flames. Liraen reacted immediately, her beast creating a barrier of light to deflect the worst of the attack.
Erythion could see it—Kaelen was powerful, driven by his desire to dominate, but Liraen... Liraen was something different. Her calm, controlled movements showed a mastery over both her beast and her emotions that Kaelen lacked. She was not just reacting—she was controlling the flow of the battle, turning Kaelen's strength against him.
But Kaelen wasn't giving up easily. He roared in frustration, directing Ashara to launch a series of fiery shockwaves toward Liraen. As the waves of fire crashed against Celestara's barrier, a pulse of light exploded from within, sending a shockwave through the arena.
When the dust settled, Kaelen was panting, his expression serious. "Looks like you've got some tricks up your sleeve, huh?" he said, sheathing his blades.
Liraen nodded, her beast slowly returning to her side. "This is only the beginning," she replied quietly.
As the battle drew to a close, Calenira stepped forward, her voice cold and calculating. "Both of you have passed the trial. The next step will be even more difficult."
Erythion stood on the sidelines, watching the scene unfold. He felt a sense of foreboding growing in his chest. The trials had begun, but something told him that the true test lay not just in battling other tamers and beasts... but in the darkness that was stirring beneath the surface of the world.
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*End of Chapter 4.*