The day was brisk and clear, the courtyard of Skyreach Spire bustling with activity. Tamers of all ranks moved between training arenas and supply kiosks, their beasts trailing alongside them. The energy in the air was palpable, a buzz of anticipation for the upcoming intercollegiate tournament.
Azhaan stood near the central notice board, scanning the latest postings. The names of participants for the tournament were listed in bold, glowing letters, his name standing out as a first-year contender.
Beside him, Kaela leaned against the board, her arms crossed and her amber eyes scanning the crowd. "You're already drawing attention, you know," she said, smirking faintly.
Azhaan sighed, adjusting the strap of his pack. "Attention I didn't ask for."
Kaela shrugged, her silver hair catching the sunlight. "Welcome to the life of a tamer with an evolved beast. People are going to watch, and they're going to judge. You'd better get used to it."
Shade growled softly at Azhaan's side, its red eyes flicking toward a group of older tamers who were whispering and pointing in their direction. The bond between them pulsed faintly, a mix of irritation and protectiveness flowing through the connection.
Azhaan smirked, crouching to place a hand on Shade's head. "They'll get over it," he said softly.
Kaela led Azhaan to one of the Spire's training platforms, a wide, open space surrounded by protective barriers. The floor was etched with runes that absorbed and dispersed energy, ensuring the safety of both tamers and their beasts.
"You've got two weeks," Kaela said, stepping onto the platform. "That's not much time to get ready, so you'll need to focus on Shade's strengths and cover its weaknesses. The tournament isn't just about power—it's about strategy."
Azhaan nodded, glancing at Shade. "We're good at thinking outside the box. That's how we've survived this long."
Kaela raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "Then prove it. Let's see what you've got."
Azhaan stepped onto the platform, his heart racing as Shade moved to stand beside him. Across from them, Kaela's celestial dragon, Lirian, perched gracefully, its crystalline wings glowing faintly in the sunlight.
The air between them was charged with tension as Kaela raised a hand. "Let's start simple. Show me how Shade handles pressure."
Lirian darted forward with startling speed, its wings leaving trails of light as it closed the distance. Shade reacted instantly, phasing into shadow and reappearing a few feet to the side.
Azhaan felt the bond surge with focus as Shade circled around Lirian, its movements fluid and precise.
"Good!" Kaela called. "But evasion won't win you a fight. What's your counter?"
Azhaan's mind raced. Shade's new abilities were powerful, but they lacked versatility in direct combat. He needed to think creatively.
"Use Dusk Shroud!" he commanded.
Shade let out a low snarl, its body emitting a thick cloud of shadow that enveloped the platform. The field obscured Lirian's vision, muffling the sound of Shade's movements as it darted closer.
"Umbra Fangs!" Azhaan shouted.
Shade lunged from the shadows, its fangs glowing with shadow energy as it struck at Lirian's flank. The dragon let out a sharp cry, its crystalline scales flashing as it narrowly evaded the attack.
Kaela smirked. "Not bad. But you'll need more than tricks to win the tournament."
After the spar, Azhaan sat on the edge of the platform, catching his breath as Shade rested beside him. Kaela approached, her expression thoughtful.
"You've got potential," she said, leaning against the barrier. "But you're relying too much on Shade's current skills. If you're not careful, you'll hit a wall."
Azhaan frowned, his hand resting on Shade's head. "What do you mean?"
Kaela gestured toward Shade. "Its abilities are powerful, but they're specialized. Against someone who knows how to counter shadows, you'll be at a disadvantage. You need to start thinking about the bigger picture."
Azhaan's mind raced as he considered her words. Shade was his first and only beast, and while their bond was strong, it wasn't enough to cover every situation.
"You're saying I need another beast," he said slowly.
Kaela nodded. "Or at least prepare for the possibility. The tournament isn't just one battle—it's a series of challenges. You'll need versatility if you want to make it through."
Azhaan glanced at Shade, who growled softly. The bond between them pulsed faintly, a quiet sense of agreement flowing through the connection.
"I'll figure it out," Azhaan said, determination hardening his voice.
That night, Azhaan sat at his desk, the glow of the Spire's runes casting soft light over the room. The Lunar Bloom and Starfire Shard rested nearby, their faint glow a reminder of the ritual he and Shade had completed.
He activated his System, the familiar interface appearing before him. He focused on Shade's details, scanning its skills and attributes as his mind churned with possibilities.
"There has to be a way to cover our weaknesses," he muttered.
As if in response, the System flickered faintly, and a new line of text appeared:
"New Feature in Development: Advanced Evolution Planning."
Azhaan frowned, leaning closer. "What does that mean?"
The text vanished as quickly as it had appeared, leaving Azhaan staring at the empty interface.
Shade growled softly from its place near the window, its red eyes watching him intently.
"You saw that too, didn't you?" Azhaan said, glancing at Shade.
The Shadow Stalker tilted its head, the bond between them pulsing faintly with curiosity.
Azhaan leaned back in his chair, his thoughts racing. Whatever the System was preparing, it felt important—like the key to solving the challenges ahead.
"We'll figure it out," he said softly, his gaze drifting to the horizon. "One step at a time."