[Zephyr's POV]
The entrance ceremony at Beyond Horizon Academia? Yeah, it's supposed to be this huge, awe-inspiring event—grand speeches, sacred traditions, the whole work. For the freshers, it's their first taste of the academia's scale and glory. They get introduced to the systems, the hierarchy, the legacy… yada, yada, yada. Honestly, it's all a bit much for me. I mean, when you've revolutionized entire fields and tamed mythical beasts that most people only dream about, it's hard to get excited about this kind of thing.
"Anyway, looks like the principal's about to kick things off," I think, shaking off my boredom.
'Well the principal is going to start better pay attention' I muse to myself.
On the stage the principal an elder tamer named 'Hiroshi' slowly walks up to the podium, wearing a pure white robe with patterns embroidered in red and sea green, with his long beard and squinted eyes he gives off the vibe of a highly knowledgeable grandfather figure who is very approachable, he activates the microphone runes on the podium as the glow green signaling that it is online and ready to use, the principle begins.
"Welcome everyone to another academic year at Beyond Horizon Academia, the premier institution for beast taming in the entire world! Here, knowledge flows like the mightiest river, and generations of tamers have gathered to perfect the sacred art of connecting with creatures both fierce and majestic. Our institution stands as the pinnacle of wisdom and strength in the world of beast taming, and today, we are thrilled to welcome all of you our freshers into this historic legacy."
He pauses for a moment, his eyes scanning the eager faces before him.
"I know the road to standing here today was no easy feat. You've worked tirelessly, honed your skills, and endured challenges that many others would have been overwhelmed by. You are here because of your unwavering dedication, passion, and relentless pursuit of mastery. Your place here is earned, and it is a privilege to have each of you join our ranks."
Hiroshi lets out a small, knowing chuckle as if recalling something fond.
"Now, while today's ceremony may feel like a simple tradition to some, do not underestimate its significance. The knowledge you will gain here is priceless, and the bonds you will form with the beasts you tame will be unbreakable. The legacy you will build will echo throughout history."
With a slight shift in posture, Hiroshi's voice takes on a tone of deep respect.
"But today, there is something more special than just the beginning of a new academic year. Today, we welcome someone whose name transcends the walls of this academia, whose reputation as a tamer is not just legendary but revolutionary. Today, we welcome a man whose contributions have completely reshaped the way we understand beast taming."
Hiroshi gestures toward Zephyr, standing nonchalantly beside him. The audience quiets, eyes shifting toward the figure who has transformed the world of beast-taming.
"It is my great honor to introduce Zephyr, the Legendary Sacred Beast Tamer—a name whispered in awe across the continents. A man who has not only tamed mythical creatures that others could only dream of but who has revolutionized the very methods we use to bond with beasts. Zephyr is not just a tamer; he is a pioneer, a visionary. He has developed techniques and practices that have shaped the foundation of our field, creating new avenues for connection that have brought tamer and beast closer than ever before."
The crowd listens in awe, their respect palpable. Hiroshi's eyes gleam with admiration as he continues.
"And yet, despite all his achievements, Zephyr is not one to seek accolades or fame. No, he accepted our invitation not out of necessity but because… as he put it, he was simply bored."
Zephyr gives a half-hearted wave to the crowd, clearly uninterested in the grand fanfare. Hiroshi chuckles softly at the contrast between his colleague's legendary status and his apparent indifference.
"But make no mistake," Hiroshi adds, his voice taking on a tone of reverence, "Zephyr's influence on this field is immeasurable. His methods are taught across the world, and many of the innovations you will learn here were shaped by his genius. He has tamed creatures that others deemed untamable, and in doing so, he has shown us all the true depth of the bond between tamer and beast."
He turns to the freshers, a knowing smile on his face.
"Zephyr's presence here will undoubtedly elevate all of you. As your new Beast Taming Instructor, he will teach you not just the basics of bonding with creatures but the art of truly understanding them—the subtle signs, the quiet moments, and the power of empathy that transcends words. His teachings will open doors for you, just as they have for the many tamers who came before you."
Hiroshi steps back from the podium, his gaze softening as he looks out at the students before him.
"So, let us all welcome Zephyr, the living legend, and trust that under his guidance, you will grow in ways you cannot yet imagine. Freshers, the journey you begin today is one of discovery, hard work, failure, and triumph. You will encounter challenges that will push you to your limits—but remember, you are not alone. You are surrounded by the best, and with Zephyr leading the way, there is no limit to what you can achieve."
Hiroshi's voice grows warm, filled with an almost grandfatherly affection.
"Welcome to Beyond Horizon Academia. May your bonds with your beasts be strong, your minds sharp, and your hearts open to the endless possibilities that await you."
He bows slightly, then gestures toward Zephyr, signaling for him to take the stage.
I smile towards him as I walk to the podium, a bit amused by the level of reverence everyone has for me. To be honest, it feels a little over the top, but hey, I guess that's the price of being a living legend. Not that I mind the attention—I'm just here to teach, and I've got my own reasons for accepting the offer. The truth is, I'm bored. And when you've tamed a dozen mythical beasts and revolutionized a dozen fields, you start looking for new ways to pass the time.
I step up to the podium, my boots clicking softly against the polished floor, and I make sure to face the sea of freshers. The air is thick with anticipation, and I can almost feel the weight of their expectations, though I'd rather be anywhere else right now.
I clear my throat, and the green glow from the runes of the microphone hums to life.
"Alright, let's keep this short," I begin, my voice echoing through the hall, casual as always. "I'm Zephyr. No need for grand titles, no need for any fanfare or theatrics. You've heard the stories, you've read the textbooks, and now you're stuck with me for the year. But just so we're clear, I didn't come here to hand you some Run-of-the-mill lessons on how to tame a wolf or a griffin. If that's what you're looking for, you can leave now. I've pioneered methods that go far beyond that."
I pause, letting my words sink in. A few students exchange nervous glances, but I don't mind them.
"I didn't come here to feed you the same tried theories and ancient scrolls that every other institution teaches. No, I came here to show you something different, something real. I've tamed beasts that shouldn't even exist and formed bonds that defy what any of you have been taught. If you're ready to push your limits, to truly understand the creatures you work with, then we're going to get along just fine."
A smirk tugs at the corner of my lips as I glance around the room.
"Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not your typical professor. I'm not here to play the wise old sage or tell you fairy tales. I'm here because, frankly, I'm bored, and this academy has some of the best beasts and minds to offer. I expect you to challenge me just as much as I'll challenge you. That's how we'll get results."
I lean into the microphone slightly, my tone becoming more serious, though still with that underlying casualness.
"So, welcome to Beyond Horizon Academia. Get ready to work harder than you've ever worked before. And maybe, just maybe, we'll have some fun along the way. That's all I have for you, let's get started."
With that, I step back from the podium, letting the weight of my words settle over the freshers. The hall is silent, their anticipation hanging in the air like a thundercloud ready to burst. I glance at Hiroshi, who gives me a subtle nod of approval, then turn my gaze back to the students.
"Now," I say, my tone sharp and commanding, "if you think you're ready to prove yourselves, meet me at the training grounds at sunrise. Bring your courage and your best instincts. Dismissed."
I pivot on my heel and stride off the stage without waiting for a response, the echoes of my boots against the polished floor the only sound in the room. Behind me, the murmurs start to rise, a mix of awe, excitement, and maybe a little fear. Just the way I like it.
The air was thick with tension as the students approached their assigned beasts. The training grounds, sprawling with various terrains, were a cacophony of growls, hisses, and stomps as the creatures observed their would-be partners with piercing eyes. Zephyr stood at the center of it all, arms crossed, his sharp gaze sweeping across the field. He offered no further instructions, leaving the freshers to navigate the daunting task on their own.
[Aaron's POV]
Aaron, the tall and confident boy, strode toward the sleek silver-furred wolf. Its glowing blue eyes locked onto him, unblinking, its body taut and ready to pounce. Aaron stopped a few meters away, kneeling to make himself appear less threatening.
"Hey there, buddy," he said, his voice calm but firm. "I'm not here to hurt you. Let's work together, yeah?"
The wolf bared its teeth, a low growl rumbling from its throat. Aaron flinched but didn't back away. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small, glowing orb—one of the standard tools given to students for initial bonding attempts. The orb emitted a soft, soothing hum as he rolled it toward the wolf.
The beast sniffed the orb cautiously, then swiped it away with a claw, its growl deepening. Aaron's confidence wavered. He glanced back at Zephyr, hoping for some guidance, but the instructor simply raised an eyebrow, as if to say, Figure it out.
[Elise's POV]
Elise approached the Ember Fang Lynx with measured steps. The lynx was stunning—a feline creature with fiery red fur streaked with black, its fangs glowing faintly like molten metal. It lay lazily on a rocky outcrop, its eyes half-lidded in disinterest.
"Okay," Elise murmured to herself, "you're not going to make this easy, are you?"
She stopped a few meters away, crouching to meet the lynx's gaze. The beast flicked its tail dismissively but didn't move otherwise.
"Fine," Elise said, exhaling slowly. "You want me to prove myself? Let's start simple."
She extended her hand, palm open, radiating calm. The lynx's ears twitched, but it didn't react otherwise. Elise waited, her arm growing tired, but she refused to lower it. Finally, the lynx stood, stretching languidly, and padded toward her. Just as its nose brushed her hand, it hissed and swiped at her, forcing her to stumble back.
Elise clenched her jaw, her hand trembling slightly from the near miss. "So, you're testing me," she muttered. "Alright. Let's try this your way."
[Damien's POV]
Damien stood before the Shadowscale Wyvern, a creature of nightmares. Its black, glossy scales shimmered faintly in the morning light, and its yellow, slitted eyes seemed to pierce through Damien's very soul. Unlike the other students, Damien didn't try to speak or reach out to the beast. He simply stood there, his arms crossed, staring the wyvern down.
The beast growled, low and menacing, shifting its massive frame. When Damien didn't flinch, the wyvern leaned closer, its jaws parting to reveal rows of razor-sharp teeth. Still, Damien didn't move.
"You're not going to scare me," he said, his voice steady. "If you want me to run, you'll be disappointed."
The wyvern tilted its head, a curious flicker in its eyes. It growled again, softer this time, and coiled back into a resting position. Damien smirked, his confidence unshaken.