The first rays of dawn filtered through the runed window of Azhaan's dormitory, casting pale light over the small room. Azhaan sat at the edge of his bed, his thoughts restless. The strange message from his System the night before refused to leave his mind.
"New Feature in Development: Advanced Evolution Planning."
What could it mean? Was the System adapting to him, just as he had to adapt to this world? The question nagged at him, its implications both exciting and unsettling.
Shade stirred near the window, its sleek, shadowy form blending into the dim light. The Shadow Stalker stretched and let out a low growl, its red eyes glowing faintly as it watched him.
"Morning, buddy," Azhaan said softly. He leaned forward, rubbing his temples. "I hope you're ready for another day of getting our butts kicked by Kaela."
Shade growled again, the bond between them pulsing with amusement.
Azhaan couldn't help but smile. For all the uncertainty and challenges, Shade's presence was a constant he could rely on.
After a quick meal in the academy's dining hall, Azhaan found himself in one of the quieter wings of the Spire—the library. The sprawling room was filled with towering shelves, their surfaces crammed with books, scrolls, and glowing tablets. Runes flickered faintly on the walls, their light creating a serene, almost mystical atmosphere.
Azhaan scanned the shelves, searching for anything that might give him an edge in the tournament. He wasn't just looking for tactics—he wanted to understand the science and magic behind beast evolution, something he had only scratched the surface of so far.
"Can I help you?"
Azhaan turned to see a tall, thin man with angular features and round glasses perched on his nose. The man's robe was embroidered with the sigil of the academy—a hawk intertwined with a dragon.
"I'm looking for books on beast evolution," Azhaan said, his tone polite but direct.
The librarian raised an eyebrow. "That's a rather broad topic. Are you looking for specific methods, materials, or perhaps the history of evolution practices?"
Azhaan hesitated. "I guess… methods. Specifically, anything about planning evolutions or understanding how different materials interact."
The librarian nodded slowly, his glasses glinting in the soft light. "Follow me."
He led Azhaan to a secluded section of the library, where the shelves were filled with dusty tomes and glowing scrolls. The air here was cooler, the faint hum of magic stronger than in the main chamber.
"These texts cover advanced evolution theory," the librarian said, gesturing to the shelves. "They're not light reading, but they're thorough. Good luck."
Azhaan nodded his thanks and began browsing the titles. One book caught his eye—a thick tome bound in black leather, its title glowing faintly: "The Alchemy of Beasts: Evolution and Enhancement."
He pulled the book from the shelf and carried it to a nearby table, Shade following silently.
The book's pages were filled with intricate diagrams and dense text, detailing the interactions between various materials and their effects on beast evolution. Azhaan read intently, his mind racing as he absorbed the information.
One section caught his attention:
"The outcome of a beast's evolution is not fixed but shaped by the combination of materials and the tamer's intent. While most tamers rely on trial and error, those with a deeper understanding of material interactions can guide the process with precision, unlocking unique and powerful results."
Azhaan frowned, tapping the edge of the page. "So, it's not just about collecting the right materials—it's about knowing how to use them together."
Shade growled softly, its red eyes fixed on the book as though it understood.
Another section elaborated on the importance of balance:
"Materials with opposing attributes can destabilize the process, while complementary materials enhance the beast's abilities harmoniously. A skilled tamer can create entirely new paths of evolution by carefully selecting and combining resources."
Azhaan leaned back, his thoughts churning. The System's cryptic message was starting to make sense. If evolution depended on precision, then an advanced planning feature could change everything.
"This could give us a serious edge," Azhaan muttered. "If I can figure out how to plan evolutions instead of guessing…"
Shade let out a low growl, the bond between them pulsing with quiet determination.
Later that afternoon, Azhaan met Kaela on one of the Spire's training platforms. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the arena.
Kaela stood at the center of the platform, her celestial dragon, Lirian, perched nearby. Its crystalline wings glinted in the light, and its sharp amber eyes watched Azhaan and Shade intently.
"You're late," Kaela said, smirking as Azhaan approached.
"Had to do some research," Azhaan replied, stepping onto the platform. "I'm not exactly overflowing with free time these days."
Kaela chuckled, gesturing for him to take his position. "Good. Let's see if that research paid off. Same rules as before—show me what Shade can do."
The match began with a blur of motion. Lirian launched into the air, its wings leaving shimmering trails as it circled above. Shade crouched low, its red eyes tracking the dragon's movements.
"Dusk Shroud!" Azhaan called.
Shade released a wave of shadowy energy, the field spreading across the platform and obscuring Lirian's view.
"Wraith Step!" Azhaan shouted.
Shade disappeared into the shadows, reappearing behind Lirian in an instant. Its claws slashed through the air, but Lirian twisted sharply, evading the strike.
Kaela grinned. "Not bad, but predictable."
Lirian unleashed a burst of starlight, the energy scattering the shadows and forcing Shade to retreat.
Azhaan frowned, his mind racing. He needed to think faster, to anticipate Kaela's counters. The battle wasn't just about Shade's skills—it was about how he used them.
As the spar continued, Azhaan felt a strange flicker in the back of his mind—a faint hum from the System. It wasn't a notification or a message, but something deeper, like the stirring of a dormant feature.
His thoughts turned to the book he'd read earlier, to the idea of precision and planning.
What if I could see the outcomes of my choices before I made them?
The thought sent a surge of energy through him, the bond with Shade pulsing sharply in response. It wasn't just a fleeting idea—it felt like a piece of the puzzle falling into place.
"Focus!" Kaela called, snapping him back to the fight.
Shade dodged another blast of starlight, its movements fluid but strained. Azhaan clenched his fists, determination hardening his resolve.
"We'll figure it out," he muttered under his breath. "One step at a time."