Chapter 3: Forging a Path
The training grounds buzzed with excitement long after Liu Xian's unexpected victory over Zhao Ming. His duel had been a turning point—not just for him, but for the reputation of the so-called "academy's loser."
Liu Xian, however, knew that a single win wouldn't change much in the long run. If he wanted to survive in the Greenleaf Beast Taming Academy, let alone thrive, he'd need to do more than rely on raw determination and luck.
The Shadow Fox rested on his shoulder, its soft fur brushing against his neck. It was tired but visibly happy, chirping softly as if proud of its performance.
"Good job today," Liu Xian murmured, stroking its head. "But we've got a lot of work ahead of us."
The next morning, Liu Xian sat in the academy's dining hall, surrounded by the chatter of students. The smell of fresh bread and roasted meat filled the air, but his attention was fixed on a massive bulletin board at the far end of the room.
The Tamer Rankings were prominently displayed, updated daily to reflect the academy's competitive hierarchy.
His name was near the very bottom.
Liu Xian – Rank 148 of 150
Even after defeating Zhao Ming, the system hadn't shifted much. Rankings weren't just based on duels; they also considered a tamer's overall strength, beast growth, and academic performance.
"I've got a long way to go," Liu Xian muttered.
"You sure do," a familiar voice said.
He turned to see Lin Yue, her usual composed expression softened by a small smile. She set her tray down across from him and sat.
"Lin Yue," Liu Xian greeted, a little surprised.
"Word travels fast," she said, nodding toward the bulletin board. "Beating Zhao Ming was impressive, but if you want to climb the rankings, you'll need to prove yourself consistently."
"I figured," Liu Xian admitted. "Any advice?"
Lin Yue considered for a moment. "Focus on developing your Shadow Fox's skills. There's more to taming than just brute force. If you want to rise in the academy, you'll need to participate in missions, train your beast's abilities, and, most importantly, understand the bond between you and your companion."
Her words struck a chord. Liu Xian had felt that bond during the duel—the unspoken connection that had allowed them to work seamlessly together.
"I'll keep that in mind," he said, nodding.
"Good," Lin Yue said, standing. "Oh, and one more thing—be careful. Zhao Ming's not the type to let a grudge go."
After breakfast, Liu Xian made his way to the Mission Hall, a towering structure where students could accept various tasks to earn points and resources.
The hall was bustling with activity. Students crowded around glowing boards displaying available missions, each categorized by difficulty:
F-Rank: Basic tasks like gathering herbs or delivering supplies.
E-Rank: Slightly more dangerous, often involving low-level beasts.
D-Rank and Above: Reserved for experienced tamers with powerful beasts.
As a first-year, Liu Xian was limited to F-Rank missions. He scanned the board until a simple task caught his eye:
Mission: Collect 10 Moonshade Berries from the Whispering Woods.
Reward: 5 Spirit Stones + 1 Beast Core (Low-Grade).
"Moonshade Berries, huh?" Liu Xian muttered. The Whispering Woods were known for their eerie atmosphere and abundance of low-level beasts. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to train his Shadow Fox.
Liu Xian set out that afternoon, the Shadow Fox trotting beside him. The Whispering Woods loomed just outside the academy grounds, its dense trees casting long shadows over the path.
The forest lived up to its name. As Liu Xian ventured deeper, faint whispers seemed to echo through the trees. He tightened his grip on the crude dagger he'd brought, his senses on high alert.
"Stay close," he told the Shadow Fox, who chirped in response.
They moved cautiously, scanning the underbrush for any sign of Moonshade Berries. The blue, glowing fruits were said to grow near the bases of large trees.
After an hour of searching, Liu Xian spotted a cluster of berries nestled between the roots of an ancient oak.
"There they are," he said, approaching carefully.
But as he reached out to pluck the berries, a low growl stopped him in his tracks.
From the shadows, a pair of glowing red eyes emerged. A beast resembling a wolf, its fur bristling and its fangs bared, stepped into the light.
[Wild Beast Identified: Shadow Wolf – Stage 1, Level 2.]
The system's voice echoed in Liu Xian's mind.
"Shadow Fox, get ready!" Liu Xian commanded, stepping back to give his beast room to maneuver.
The Shadow Wolf lunged, its claws swiping toward the Shadow Fox.
"Dodge and counter with Shadow Dash!"
The Shadow Fox blurred out of sight, reappearing behind the wolf and swiping at its hind legs. The wolf yelped in surprise but quickly turned to retaliate.
The two beasts clashed, their movements a blur of speed and agility. Liu Xian's heart raced as he shouted instructions, relying on both the system's guidance and his own instincts.
"Use Dark Claw!"
The Shadow Fox's claws glowed with a faint black light as it struck the wolf's side. The attack landed with a satisfying thud, sending the wolf skidding across the forest floor.
The wolf growled weakly, its movements sluggish. It turned and fled into the shadows, leaving Liu Xian and the Shadow Fox victorious.
"Well done," Liu Xian said, crouching to pat the Shadow Fox. It chirped happily, nuzzling his hand.
The system chimed in:
[Battle Complete. Training Progress: 30%. Shadow Fox's attack power has increased slightly.]
With the Shadow Wolf gone, Liu Xian quickly gathered the Moonshade Berries. He stuffed them into his bag and made his way back to the academy, feeling a sense of accomplishment.
By the time Liu Xian returned to the Mission Hall, the sun was setting. He handed over the berries to the mission clerk, who inspected them before nodding.
"Mission complete. Here's your reward."
Liu Xian received a small pouch containing five Spirit Stones and a Low-Grade Beast Core.
"Thanks," he said, tucking the items into his bag.
As he left the hall, Liu Xian couldn't help but smile. It was a small step, but it was progress.
He glanced at the Shadow Fox, who looked up at him with shining amber eyes.
"We're just getting started," Liu Xian said.
To be continue