Rein's hand was still hovering mid-air when the Shadow Wolf's growl forced him back. Its blue eyes were like an abyss, locking onto Rein's gaze with an unrelenting intensity.
"Cooperate? You're not worthy." The Shadow Wolf's soul-bound voice echoed in Rein's consciousness, a sharp sting to his nerves.
The other students in the trial grounds gathered to watch, whispering among themselves. "Looks like he failed the contract," one said. "It's not surprising. The Shadow Wolf has a top-tier bloodline…"
The examiner's sharp gaze pierced through him. "If your contract beast refuses to submit, you will be immediately disqualified from this trial."
Rein's mind raced. He knew the Shadow Wolf's defiance wasn't mere wildness—it seemed to harbor a deeper animosity toward him as its potential master.
"Shadow Wolf," Rein's voice was low but steady. "If we fail, you'll be exiled from this world with me. You know full well you'll become a target for other Tamers."
The Shadow Wolf's pupils contracted slightly, letting out a cold snort, but it didn't attack further.
Though the Shadow Wolf stood by his side, its aura of arrogance and aloofness weighed heavily on him. Through their faint soul connection, Rein could feel the beast's emotions—a clear and unrelenting scrutiny.
"I know you're testing me," Rein said softly. "You want to see if I'm worthy of you. But this isn't the time for your judgment."
The Shadow Wolf didn't respond, but a faint flicker of light appeared in its blue eyes. Rein understood that, while the beast didn't trust him, it also wouldn't allow both of them to fail outright.
At that moment, the examiner's voice rang out from the center of the field.
"Attention, everyone! The trial is now entering its second phase. Demonstrate your contract beast's abilities and collect trial badges."
Rein was about to move when a low, guttural roar echoed from the depths of the trial grounds. The sound sent a chill down his spine—it was the roar of a Lord-class beast.
"How is this possible? A Lord-class beast shouldn't be here!" Rein's thoughts churned in alarm. In his memories from his previous life, this trial had no such anomaly.
The iron gates trembled violently as powerful adolescent beasts broke free from their cages, plunging the trial grounds into chaos.
"Stay calm!" Rein shouted. "Group up! Form a defensive line with your contract beasts!"
Some students heeded his orders, while others panicked and fled.
The Shadow Wolf stood in place, coldly watching the chaos unfold. "What are you waiting for?" Rein asked quietly. "Those beasts won't spare you."
The Shadow Wolf didn't respond, but its ears twitched slightly. Finally, it let out a low growl, and a surge of black mist erupted from its body, repelling the approaching beasts.
Rein let out a breath of relief, but he was more certain than ever that this Shadow Wolf's power far exceeded what it had shown.
Amid the chaos, Rein noticed one of the examiners behaving strangely. Instead of helping to control the situation, the man slipped quietly toward the depths of the trial grounds.
Rein's eyes locked onto the man's wrist, where a faint, familiar symbol appeared—the mark of the Cult of the Nether Pact.
"They've interfered already…" Rein muttered under his breath, his mind churning with shock.
What unsettled him even more was that the Shadow Wolf's aura seemed to sense something. It turned its head, its blue eyes fixed on the depths of the trial grounds.
The roars grew louder, and the oppressive air made all the students freeze. The examiner's voice rose sharply, "Everyone, retreat to the central zone and prepare to defend!"
Rein turned to the Shadow Wolf. "Do you feel it?"
The Shadow Wolf let out a low growl, its tone deep with a hint of dangerous disdain. "A Lord-class beast… is nothing special."
Rein's heart trembled. The Shadow Wolf wasn't mocking the enemy—it was provoking it.