The days following Raine's tense meeting with the headmaster felt strangely heavy. His every step seemed to carry the weight of a thousand unspoken words, as if the academy itself was holding its breath, waiting for something to unfold. It was as if every hallway whispered secrets, every flicker of shadow held a silent threat. Raine knew the headmaster's words were not just empty threats. The game had changed. And Raine had just made his first move.
But there was little time for reflection. Raine had more immediate concerns, especially the 5-star beast he was keeping hidden. It was becoming more and more clear to him that Varyx was no ordinary beast. The creature's true nature was a mystery, its potential vast and unsettling. Raine wasn't naive enough to think that no one would eventually catch wind of it.
The more he trained with Varyx in secret, the more Raine realized that the beast was evolving in ways that defied all logic. Its form continued to shift, sometimes taking on draconic features, other times resembling something far older—an elemental being with vast, untapped power. There were moments when Raine could feel the beast's yearning, a pull that suggested Varyx was not only capable of evolving into something even stronger but that it might be linked to something older than the academy itself.
It was in these private training sessions that Raine came to terms with the true cost of his decision to tame Varyx. Keeping such a creature a secret was no small feat, especially in a place like the academy, where secrets were currency. He would have to be careful. He could not afford to let his guard down.
But even as he trained with the mythical beast, the academy's annual tournament loomed large on the horizon. This year's competition was expected to be unlike any other. Not only would it be an opportunity for students to showcase their abilities, but it would also be a chance for the Ten Towers to test the strength of their champions. This tournament was more than just a display of magical prowess—it was a chance to prove the superiority of a tower's teachings.
The Beast Taming Tower, though small and often overlooked, was expected to send a contender this year. Raine knew this was his moment to solidify his position not only within the academy but also within the broader landscape of the kingdom's magic community. If he won, it would send a message that the art of Beast Taming still had power—a message that could reverberate through the halls of the academy and beyond.
But there was a catch.
In the days leading up to the tournament, rumors began to circulate that a new challenge would be introduced. Instead of the usual battle royale, the final event would test the competitors' ability to tame wild, powerful creatures—beasts that had been specifically chosen for their rarity and danger. It was said that the creatures would be released into the arena, and the students would have to subdue them without the use of weapons or magic. The goal was to demonstrate not just magical strength but the true bond between tamer and beast.
Raine's mind raced. The rumors surrounding the tournament were troubling. If he was to compete, he would need to rely on more than just his current beasts. He needed to keep Varyx a secret, but the thought of using his other tamed creatures was daunting. The strength of his beasts was growing, but could they truly stand up to whatever the academy would throw at them?
The day of the tournament arrived with a chill in the air, the sky overcast as though the heavens themselves were waiting for the clash to come. Raine stood at the edge of the arena, surrounded by the other students of the academy. The mood was electric—anticipation crackled in the air, and the arena was filled with the sound of anxious whispers.
Raine had chosen to participate under the guise of the Beast Taming Tower, though it was no secret that the Flame Tower, War Tower, and Aether Tower were the frontrunners in this tournament. Students from these towers were known for their sheer magical might, their abilities honed by years of rigorous training. But Raine wasn't concerned with them. His focus was on something more personal—the creatures he had spent years taming, nurturing, and understanding.
"Do you think he'll win?" A voice cut through his thoughts, drawing his attention. Raine turned to find one of his classmates from the Beast Taming Tower, a young man named Kian, standing beside him. Kian had always been supportive of Raine, though he didn't fully understand the extent of Raine's abilities.
"I don't know," Raine replied coolly. "But I'll make sure to give it my best shot."
Kian raised an eyebrow. "You're not worried?"
Raine shook his head. "Worrying doesn't change the outcome. But knowing my beasts and using the right strategy—that's what will make the difference."
The tournament began with a grand flourish, the arena gates opening to reveal the first set of wild beasts that would serve as the challenges for the students. Each beast was more dangerous than the last—massive, fierce creatures with powers that seemed almost unreal. Some were elemental in nature, others pure creatures of myth, long thought to be extinct.
Raine's turn came sooner than he expected. His heart raced as he stepped into the arena, his gaze locking onto the massive creature waiting for him. The beast before him was unlike anything he had seen before—an enormous, winged serpent with scales that shimmered like liquid metal. Its eyes burned with an eerie intelligence, and its body seemed to writhe with an unnatural energy.
The challenge was clear. Raine had to tame it.
His first instinct was to reach out with his magic, to establish a connection with the creature, but he quickly realized that the serpent was no ordinary beast. Its energy was chaotic, unpredictable. It wasn't responding to his usual methods. Raine's brow furrowed as he focused, feeling the creature's power pushing against him, testing his resolve.
And then, just as the serpent prepared to strike, Raine made his move. He released a burst of energy, sending a wave of magic toward the beast. It wasn't an attack—it was an invitation.
The serpent hesitated, its head tilting slightly as if considering Raine's offer. For a brief moment, the world around them seemed to freeze, the only sound the beating of Raine's heart.
Then, with a sudden lunge, the serpent charged. Raine's pulse spiked. There was no turning back now.
To be continued…