The final phase of the Grand Battle Royale was drawing near. The battle for supremacy had already become intense, and the once sprawling, chaotic battlefield had now shrunk down to a smaller arena, a dense and mist-covered labyrinth where the remaining participants—those who had survived the cutthroat tournament—were now cornered, hiding, waiting, strategizing.
Raine stood still, his mind racing through possibilities. His heartbeat, steady but quick, matched the rhythmic breathing of his companions, Beast Sprout and Azure Solfox, who were positioned just a few paces away. He was ready. His heart, forged by years of poverty, desperation, and struggle, now beat with the ferocity of a winner.
He hadn't just come to win the Grand Battle Royale. He had come to prove a point—not just to his academy, not just to his family, but to himself.
It was clear now that the Beast Taming Tower, once relegated to a secondary status within the academy, had been the underdog for far too long. Despite the disdain and ridicule of some, Raine had learned something critical during his time at the academy. Beast taming wasn't just about strength—it was about understanding, connecting, and elevating the creatures he worked with. He had spent countless nights refining his beasts, forming bonds that went beyond simple commands and obedience. Each one of his creatures, no matter how humble, held power.
The arena now was a place of death and glory. The mist was thick with the scent of magic—of elemental mages still casting their volatile spells, of warriors wielding blades with skill, and of Raine, who remained unseen, waiting.
The Final Showdown
The arena had become a battleground where only a few remained—Raine, a War Tower student named Thorn, and two Gale Tower students. The other competitors had already fallen, eliminated in brutal battles or lost to the dangers of the environment itself.
Raine's strategy was simple: remain hidden, wait for the right moment, and strike decisively. He didn't need to be the biggest or the fastest; he needed to be the most calculated, the one who could survive long enough to strike when his enemies were vulnerable.
Thorn was a beast of a man—towering, with a battle-scarred body that screamed experience. His blade, heavy and deadly, had cleaved through many during the tournament. But there was something about him that Raine didn't like—his arrogance. Thorn had relied too much on his strength, too little on strategy.
The Gale Tower students, on the other hand, were agile and unpredictable. Their elemental magic was destructive, able to tear through the environment with tornadoes and fierce winds. But Raine knew that their power could be turned against them. They were too flashy, too obvious in their attacks. They gave away too much.
As Raine crouched low in the shadows of a large stone structure within the arena, he considered his options. He had already learned the key to the Gale mages—they relied on precision and timing. He would have to counter that with speed and deception.
A loud roar echoed in the distance, followed by a booming crash as Thorn engaged the Gale students in a brutal contest of strength and magic.
"Now's the time," Raine muttered under his breath.
The Battle Unfolds
Raine signaled for Beast Sprout and Azure Solfox to move. Beast Sprout was a silent fighter, its flames dancing in quiet harmony as it approached the Gale mages from behind. Meanwhile, Raine stepped forward, using the thick mist to his advantage. He called upon Flame Harmony, blending the power of fire with his beast's energy. The combination created an aura of heat, an unpredictable element in the damp and foggy environment.
The first Gale student spun around to face him, sensing something approaching. But it was too late. Azure Solfox, with its icy speed, leaped at the Gale mage, freezing the ground beneath their feet. The Gale mage stumbled, losing his footing.
Before the mage could recover, Raine dashed forward, his hands glowing with the same flame that had once transformed Beast Sprout. He slashed through the air with precision, unleashing a stream of fiery energy directly at the mage's face. The explosion of magic was blinding, and the Gale mage fell, unconscious.
Raine turned to see Thorn, still engaged with the remaining Gale mage. It was now a battle of brute strength, the War Tower student swinging his massive blade and releasing shockwaves of magic with every strike. But even as Thorn gained the upper hand, Raine knew the battle wasn't over yet. It was his turn now.
With the Gale mage down, Raine sprinted toward Thorn, his Beast Sprout following behind like a fiery wraith. Thorn, noticing him too late, attempted to charge. But the War Tower student was slow. He was confident in his strength, but Raine was quicker, more adaptable.
Using his Wind Magic to give him a burst of speed, Raine launched himself into the air. He could feel the power of his magic surging through his body, his Beast Taming skills resonating deeply with the creatures he commanded. Beast Sprout, now fully evolved into a fearsome beast of flame, launched itself at Thorn, wrapping him in its fiery coils.
Thorn bellowed in anger and tried to fight the flames, but his body was becoming exhausted from the constant battle. Raine, from above, locked eyes with the man. "It's over."
With a final strike, Raine slammed his sword into the ground, sending a shockwave of energy into the earth beneath them. The shock caused Thorn to lose his footing. In the chaos, Beast Sprout completed its attack, burning the War Tower student into unconsciousness.
The final Gale mage, seeing his last ally fall, attempted a desperate assault—but it was futile. Raine's Azure Solfox froze him in place, while Beast Sprout tore through the final barriers with an unrelenting fury. The last opponent fell to the ground, defeated.
Raine stood victorious in the center of the arena, his heart pounding with adrenaline and pride. He had done it. Not through brute force, not by sheer luck, but by the power of strategy, patience, and his bond with the beasts he had tamed.