Raine stood on the balcony of his academy quarters, staring out at the distant mountains that framed the horizon. The sun was setting, casting long shadows over the sprawling campus of the Royal Academy. His gaze drifted to the Beast Taming Tower, where the trials continued. Though he had passed the initial tests, Raine knew that the true challenges lay ahead. And yet, his mind was heavy with something else—something he couldn't quite shake.
The whispering voice of his Eye of Insight skill, now at an intermediate level, began to hum softly in his mind. It wasn't just information—it was insight into the creatures, into people, and into himself. Recently, Raine had started to notice odd fluctuations in the magical energy of the academy, especially when certain instructors or nobles passed by. It wasn't something he could explain, but it felt like there were hidden currents flowing beneath the surface.
A soft knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Raine turned, his expression neutral as he called out, "Enter."
The door opened to reveal Elira, his younger sister. She stood in the doorway, her fiery red hair cascading down her back like a flame. She was dressed in a simple but elegant academy uniform, her face lit with determination.
"Raine," she greeted, stepping inside. "I need to talk to you. It's important."
Raine nodded, gesturing for her to sit. "What's on your mind?"
Elira closed the door behind her and sat down across from him, her hands resting nervously in her lap. "It's about the trials," she began. "I've been hearing rumors among the other students. They're… concerned."
"Concerned?" Raine raised an eyebrow. "About what?"
"About you," she said, her voice low. "I overheard some students in the courtyard talking about how you've been making waves in the Beast Taming Tower. They say you're drawing attention—both good and bad."
Raine frowned, his sharp mind already piecing together the pieces. "So, what's the problem?"
Elira hesitated. "There are whispers that some of the nobles here at the academy are not happy with how quickly you're rising. You're not just learning Beast Taming; you're mastering it. Some of the other tamers… they're worried."
Raine leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. This wasn't news to him. He'd always known that his rise would make waves, but he hadn't expected it to stir the nobles so quickly. It wasn't just his talent that had caught their attention—it was the legacy of his family, the Valthorns. The royal bloodline of Beast Tamers had once been untouchable, revered by all. But that had been before the fall of Beast Taming's prominence. Raine's abilities had stirred old emotions, dredging up feelings of jealousy and fear in those who had long been accustomed to their own place at the top.
"Do you think they'll try to stop me?" Raine asked, his voice calm despite the growing tension in his chest.
Elira's eyes met his, and for a moment, there was a flicker of uncertainty. "I don't know. But there's more, Raine. There's something strange happening at the academy."
Raine's interest piqued. "What do you mean?"
"I don't know the details, but…" Elira paused, glancing over her shoulder as if to make sure no one was listening. "I've heard rumors about The Shadows. They've been mentioned in hushed tones. The Shadows are an old organization that once operated behind the scenes, manipulating events, pulling strings. No one knows for sure if they still exist, but… people are starting to talk."
"The Shadows?" Raine repeated, his mind racing. "Who are they?"
"They're not just a group," Elira explained, her voice quieter now. "They were once an elite faction of Beast Tamers. They had their own secret agenda—some say they were trying to harness the power of mystical creatures in ways that the crown never intended. They were wiped out years ago, or so the story goes. But now, it seems like their influence is returning. Some believe that they're operating within the academy."
Raine's expression hardened. He had heard rumors about the Shadows before, but they were always dismissed as mere legend. To hear his sister speak of them so openly was unsettling. If the Shadows had returned, it could mean far more than just political intrigue—it could mean the return of dangerous, forbidden magic.
"This isn't just about me, is it?" Raine said after a long pause. "This is about something much bigger."
Elira nodded gravely. "I think so. The academy is filled with power struggles, Raine. The nobles are vying for influence, and if the Shadows are involved, they might have their own agenda. You're not just a student here—you're part of something much larger than you realize."
Raine sat back in his chair, deep in thought. His instincts, sharpened by years of navigating difficult situations, told him that this was just the beginning. If there was one thing he had learned in both his past and present life, it was that power rarely stayed in the hands of those who didn't know how to wield it.
But he couldn't ignore the warning in Elira's voice. The Shadows were no ordinary faction. Their involvement in the academy could lead to chaos. Raine had to prepare himself, not just for the trials in the Beast Taming Tower, but for whatever shadows were lurking behind the walls of the academy itself.
Later that evening, Raine sat in his quarters, reviewing his progress.
His Eye of Insight skill had grown even stronger, and with it, his ability to sense the hidden magic around him. But his focus wasn't entirely on his tamed beasts today. Instead, he reviewed the Shadows' history, searching for any clues that might help him understand their motives. The more he learned, the more he realized just how deeply their influence had once reached. It was clear that they were connected to the decline of Beast Taming—an art that had once been revered, now seen as a mere tool for control.
Raine's Status:
Name: Raine Evernight ValthornAge: 14Affiliation: Valthorn HouseholdLevel: 5Skills:Beast Taming (Master)Eye of Insight (Advanced)Veterinary Medicine (Expert, Legacy)Tactical Planning (Intermediate)Attributes:Strength: 10/10 (Exceptional)Agility: 9/10 (High)Intelligence: 10/10 (Exceptional)Charisma: 9/10 (High)Perception: 10/10 (Exceptional)Focus: 10/10 (Exceptional)Luck: 7/10 (Above Average)Beast Taming Stats:Flame Sprout (Fire Element): Rank 2-StarSoul Weaver (Shadow Element): Rank 3-StarAzure Solfox (Water/Light Element): Rank 4-StarSolvine (Light/Plant Element): Rank 3-StarCoins: 120Experience Points: 250/500 (Next Level: 5-Star Beast Tamer)Special: Shadow Awareness (Activated due to proximity to the Shadows)
Raine's mind whirred with possibilities. There was much to uncover, and the Shadows were only one piece of the puzzle. His journey was becoming far more complex than he had ever imagined, but he was no longer afraid. He was ready for whatever lay ahead.