The path to the Red Rank loomed ahead, daunting but not insurmountable. Aidan stared at the glowing interface of his system, his mind racing with possibilities. Hope perched on his shoulder, emitting soft chirps of encouragement. Despite the challenges, the Thunder Wolf path called to him like a beacon of destiny, and he had no doubts about choosing it.
---
[Thunder Wolf: Focuses on speed and electrifying attacks. Gains abilities like Lightning Dash and Thunder Fang.
- Requirements: Reach Peak Feral Stage, consume five thunder orbs, and a thunder beast core.
- Potential: Successful chance to reach Ascended Stage, ???]
---
Aidan's gaze lingered on the requirements, his brow furrowing. Reaching Peak Feral Stage was feasible; Hope was already progressing steadily and would undoubtedly achieve it with time. The real challenge lay in acquiring the Thunder Orbs and the Thunder Beast Core. Resources like these were rare, valuable, and prohibitively expensive. Aidan's pockets, however, were empty.
He sighed, leaning back in his chair. "One step at a time," he muttered to himself, determination hardening his resolve. Tomorrow, he would find a way to earn the money he needed. There had to be a solution—he just had to look hard enough.
---
The next day in class, Aidan sat at his desk, his thoughts swirling as he brainstormed ways to gather funds. Darius, his seatmate and newfound friend, leaned over with a curious look.
"What's on your mind, man?" Darius asked, his tone casual but laced with genuine concern.
Aidan hesitated. Over the past few days, he and Darius had grown closer, bonding over shared meals and trading insights. Aidan had learned that Darius hailed from the influential Valtan family, one of the wealthiest on the planet. His father was a peak Green Stage tamer, and his grandfather had reached the legendary Blue Stage a feat few could claim.
"I need money," Aidan finally admitted. "Hope's path requires 5 thunder orbs and thunder beast core which I can't afford."
Darius raised an eyebrow but didn't press for details. He respected Aidan's privacy but couldn't help but speculate. Given Aidan's predicament, he was likely pursuing a rare and unique beast evolution but he don't know how he got to learn about the conditions needed for this. Darius grinned knowingly.
"Don't stress," he said. "If you reach the top 10 in the monthly exam, you'll get five elemental orbs of your choice. And if you secure a spot in the top 100 during the first-year exam, you'll be rewarded with a beast core. That should solve your problem."
Aidan blinked in surprise. "How do you know that?"
Darius shrugged, his grin widening. "Family connections. Perks of being a Valtan."
While Aidan was relieved to hear this, the timeline posed a problem. Waiting months for the first-year exam wasn't an option. His peers would advance to the next stage, leaving him behind. Still, securing the Thunder Orbs in the monthly exam was a solid start.
"Thanks, Darius," Aidan said sincerely.
"Don't mention it," Darius replied, slapping him on the back. "Just make sure you're ready to fight for that top 10 spot."
---
Later that day, the theory class commenced, led by Mr. Marlon, a respected scholar known for his expertise in beast behavior. Aidan listened intently as Marlon dissected the weaknesses of a rare beast, the Frost Lynx.
"To defeat a Frost Lynx, one must understand its reliance on icy terrain," Marlon explained. "How would you counter this advantage?"
The class fell silent, most students unsure of the answer. Aidan raised his hand.
"By forcing it to fight on neutral or heated ground," he answered confidently.
"Destroying its environmental advantage reduces its speed and agility."
Marlon's lips curled into a pleased smile. "Excellent, Aidan. Precisely."
When the class ended, Marlon called Aidan to his office. The room was lined with shelves of ancient tomes and glowing artifacts, the air thick with the scent of aged parchment. Aidan stood awkwardly, unsure of what to expect.
"Aidan," Marlon began, his tone warm, "your dedication hasn't gone unnoticed. I'm working on a research paper about beast evolution and could use an assistant. It's a one-month internship. If my paper is accepted, I'll reward you with a beast core of your choice."
Aidan's heart leapt. This was the break he needed.
"I'll do it," he said without hesitation.
Marlon nodded, handing him a stack of data tablets. "Start by reviewing these. I'll expect a draft on some of these monsters' evolution paths by the end of the week."
As Aidan left the office, a wave of relief washed over him. One major hurdle had been cleared. The Thunder Beast Core was now within reach.
---
Back in his dorm, Aidan sifted through the study materials. The research was dense, filled with technical jargon and intricate diagrams, but he was determined. Hope curled up beside him, occasionally nudging his hand as if offering moral support.
Though the task might have been daunting for others, Aidan had an edge: his system and the Beast Archive reward he'd unlocked earlier. Together, they made the work manageable, even engaging.
Hours passed as Aidan immersed himself in the materials. He cross-referenced beast evolutionary traits, taking meticulous notes and gaining new insights. His system chimed occasionally, providing additional details that bolstered his understanding.
The Frost Lynx, he learned, was not just a beast of icy terrains but also a master of ambush tactics. Its evolution paths included:
- Glacial Stalker: A stealth-based predator with freezing attacks.
- Blizzard Sentinel: A tank-like evolution capable of summoning snowstorms.
Aidan pondered these paths, wondering if Hope's Thunder Wolf path had similar branching options. The system's cryptic hints about ??? potential lingered in his mind. What secrets did the Thunder Wolf hold?
By the time he finished his draft, the first rays of dawn were peeking through the window. Aidan stretched, exhaustion tugging at his limbs, but a sense of accomplishment filled him.
"We're one step closer, Hope," he said, scratching the beast's head. "Let's keep pushing forward."
---
As Aidan prepared for the next day, his mind was already racing with plans. The monthly exam loomed closer, and with it, the chance to secure the Thunder Orbs. But the road ahead was fraught with challenges—rival students, grueling training, and the weight of expectations.
Unbeknownst to Aidan, however, his journey was about to take an unexpected turn. Forces beyond his control were already in motion, setting the stage for trials he could never have anticipated.