Chereads / The Beast Sovereign's Eclipse / Chapter 17 - News about Auction

Chapter 17 - News about Auction

The cheers of the crowd still echoed in Zane's ears, a phantom roar that vibrated through him. The unexpected victory over Theron had sent ripples through Meron Preparatory, a shockwave that had disrupted the established order. Almost immediately after the match concluded, the ranking board in the main hall updated. Zane's name, previously at the very bottom as "Unranked (Previously Last - Never Participated)," now sat proudly at number 19, directly replacing Theron. The rapid rise was unprecedented, a meteoric ascent that had everyone talking. It only intensified the whispers and speculation surrounding him, turning him into an overnight sensation.

He walked away from the training grounds, Mike trailing excitedly behind him, practically bouncing with energy. "Dude, that was insane!" Mike exclaimed, his eyes wide with admiration. "You completely destroyed him! I can't believe it! Did you see the look on Gareth's face?"Zane managed a small smile. He was pleased with his performance, a quiet satisfaction settling within him. But he also knew it wasn't perfect. He could feel the strain on his spirit energy, the slight tremors in his hands after using so much fire magic. He had pushed himself further than he ever had before, and he could feel the limitations of his current abilities. He knew he needed to work on his stamina and refine his control if he wanted to progress further."It was just one match, Mike," Zane said, trying to downplay the victory, though a hint of pride crept into his voice. "I still have a long way to go.""But still! You went from unranked to 19th in one fight!" Mike insisted, gesturing emphatically. "That's crazy! Everyone's talking about it. Gareth looked like he swallowed a lemon. Theron hasn't even gotten up yet."Zane chuckled at that image. He glanced back at the training grounds. Theron was being helped up by a couple of other students, his face flushed and his expression dazed. Further away, Gareth stood with Marcus, his face a mask of barely contained fury. Zane met his gaze for a brief moment before turning away. He knew Gareth wouldn't take this lightly. He also knew that, according to school regulations, a student could only issue or accept one official challenge per day. This meant Gareth couldn't immediately challenge him. It gave Zane a small reprieve, a brief respite before the inevitable storm.As they walked, Zane reflected on the fight. He realized he was still far from where he wanted to be. He had relied heavily on his newfound agility and control over fire, but he could feel the limits of his spirit energy. A prolonged battle against a stronger opponent would likely leave him exhausted and vulnerable. He needed to increase his stamina, refine his control, and expand his magical repertoire. He knew that the hatching of the Phoenix egg would take time, a long and arduous process. He couldn't rely on its power to bail him out of every situation. He had to become stronger on his own merit.As they passed a quieter section of the courtyard, they were intercepted by Gareth and Marcus. Theron was nowhere to be seen, likely nursing his bruised ego and body. Gareth's expression was dark, his eyes narrowed with barely concealed rage."That was… interesting," Gareth said, his voice tight with barely suppressed anger. "A lucky fluke, I presume."Zane simply shrugged. "I trained," he replied calmly. "I guess it paid off.""Don't get cocky," Gareth snarled, taking a step closer. "This isn't over. You haven't proven anything.""I proved I could beat your lackey," Zane countered, his voice even. He wasn't trying to provoke Gareth, but he wasn't going to back down either.Marcus, looking uncomfortable, placed a hand on Gareth's arm. "Gareth, let's just go," he murmured.Gareth shook him off, his eyes still fixed on Zane. "You think you're so clever, don't you?" he hissed. "But you're nothing. You'll never be anything."Zane simply met his gaze, refusing to be intimidated. He knew that words were just wind. It was actions that mattered."Hey, Zane," Mike said, interrupting the tense standoff, pulling Zane's attention away from Gareth. "I overheard some upperclassmen talking about something. Apparently, there's a big auction happening tonight in the city. They're selling all sorts of things… artifacts, tech, even some rare beasts."Zane's ears perked up. He remembered his uncle's teachings about beast taming, about forming a symbiotic bond with a creature and harnessing its unique abilities. It was a crucial part of his training, one he had been eager to begin."An auction with beasts?" Zane asked, his interest piqued, his gaze shifting from Gareth to Mike."Yeah," Mike replied. "Apparently, some wealthy collectors are selling off some of their stock. It's supposed to be a pretty exclusive event, but I heard there are some… less expensive lots too."Zane thought for a moment. This could be the perfect opportunity to acquire a beast companion. He knew he needed to diversify his abilities, and beast taming was the ideal path. He glanced back at Gareth, who was still glaring at him, before turning his attention fully to Mike. "Mike," Zane said, a determined look in his eyes. "We should go."Mike grinned. "Really? You think we can afford anything?"Zane shrugged. "We can at least go and look. See what's available. Maybe we can find something within our budget." He knew his resources were limited, but he was willing to take the risk. He had saved up a decent amount from odd jobs and his uncle's small inheritance. He knew it wouldn't buy him a top-tier creature, but perhaps something suitable for a beginner."Besides," Zane added, a thoughtful expression on his face. "My primary focus is beast taming. It's time I started taking it seriously." He knew that the path ahead would be challenging, but he was determined to overcome his limitations and become the best he could be. The auction, he felt, was the first step on that path. He knew the hatching of the Phoenix egg was a long-term endeavor, and he needed to focus on his own development in the meantime.As they made plans to attend the auction, Zane glanced up at the sky. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across Meron Preparatory. He felt a sense of anticipation mixed with a hint of apprehension. He knew that the challenges ahead would be difficult, but he was ready to face them head-on. He had proven himself once today, and he was determined to keep proving himself, one step at a time.