The training platform was quiet now, save for the faint hum of the protective runes that lined its edges. The sparring session had ended, and the sky above Skyreach Spire was painted in the warm hues of evening. Azhaan sat at the edge of the platform, his elbows resting on his knees as he stared out at the forest far below.
Shade lay beside him, its sleek body stretched out, its chest rising and falling with slow, steady breaths. The bond between them pulsed faintly, a quiet rhythm that matched Azhaan's thoughts.
Kaela approached, her celestial dragon, Lirian, perched gracefully on her shoulder. She folded her arms, studying Azhaan with an appraising look.
"You're getting better," she said, her tone matter-of-fact. "But you're still thinking too much in the moment. Strategy isn't just about reacting—it's about predicting."
Azhaan glanced up at her, his brow furrowing. "Easier said than done. How am I supposed to predict what someone like you is going to do?"
Kaela smirked, crouching down to meet his gaze. "It's not about knowing exactly what your opponent will do—it's about knowing the possibilities. What can they do, and how do you counter it before it even happens?"
Azhaan leaned back, letting her words sink in. He had always relied on quick thinking and adaptability to get through fights, but Kaela was right. If he wanted to succeed in the tournament, he needed to think several steps ahead.
"Maybe I need to take a different approach," he muttered, his gaze drifting to Shade.
Kaela raised an eyebrow. "What kind of approach?"
Azhaan hesitated, then shook his head. "I'm not sure yet. But I'll figure it out."
That night, Azhaan returned to his dormitory, his body aching from the day's training. He dropped onto the chair by his desk, the faint hum of the Spire's magic filling the quiet room.
Shade settled near the window, its red eyes glowing faintly as it watched the horizon. The bond between them pulsed softly, a comforting presence that steadied Azhaan's thoughts.
He activated his System, the glowing interface appearing before him. Shade's details filled the screen, its abilities and attributes listed in precise detail.
Azhaan frowned, scrolling through the information. "There has to be more to this," he muttered. "I can't just rely on what I see here. There's something missing."
As if in response, the System flickered faintly, and a familiar line of text appeared:
"New Feature in Development: Advanced Evolution Planning."
Azhaan leaned forward, his pulse quickening. "There it is again. What does it mean?"
This time, the text lingered longer, and a second line appeared beneath it:
"Simulation module initializing… 32% complete."
Azhaan stared at the words, his mind racing. "Simulation module? Is it… is it trying to give me a way to test things?"
The idea sent a surge of energy through him. If the System was developing a way to simulate evolutions, it could be exactly what he needed—not just for Shade, but for any future beasts he contracted.
Shade growled softly from its place by the window, its gaze shifting to Azhaan. The bond between them pulsed faintly, a mix of curiosity and encouragement.
Azhaan closed the interface, leaning back in his chair. "Alright, System," he said softly. "Let's see what you've got."
The next morning, Azhaan found himself back in the library. The quiet hum of the Spire seemed louder here, the air thick with the scent of old paper and faint magic. He carried the black leather-bound tome he had borrowed the day before, its pages still fresh in his mind.
As he settled into a corner table, Shade lay beside him, its red eyes scanning the room with quiet vigilance. Azhaan opened the book to the section on advanced evolution, his eyes skimming the dense text.
"The success of an evolution depends not only on the materials but on the balance of energies between them. Unstable combinations can result in catastrophic failures, while complementary materials enhance the desired traits of the beast."
Azhaan frowned, tapping the edge of the page. "Balance of energies…"
He flipped to another section, this one detailing case studies of failed evolutions. Each failure had a common thread—tamers who had used materials without understanding their properties or how they interacted.
"It's all trial and error," he muttered, his frustration growing. "How is anyone supposed to figure this out without losing half their resources?"
The System's earlier message flickered in his mind, and a spark of realization struck him. If the Simulation Module could show him how materials interacted before he used them, it could eliminate the guesswork entirely.
"That has to be what it's for," he said softly.
Shade growled faintly, its gaze fixed on the book. The bond between them pulsed with quiet agreement, a shared understanding flowing through the connection.
Azhaan spent the next few hours studying the book, his notes filling the margins of a worn notebook he had borrowed from the library. The more he read, the clearer his understanding of evolution became.
Each material had unique properties—attributes tied to its elemental nature, spiritual grade, and compatibility with the beast in question. Combining these factors in the right way could unlock powerful transformations, but the process was far from straightforward.
By the time Azhaan closed the book, his mind was buzzing with ideas.
"We're close," he said, glancing at Shade. "If I can figure out how to use this simulation feature, it'll change everything."
Shade growled softly, its red eyes glinting with determination.
Azhaan stood, gathering his things. He still didn't know when the System would complete the Simulation Module, but he wasn't going to sit around and wait.
"Come on," he said, slinging his pack over his shoulder. "Let's head to the training grounds. Kaela's not the only one who can push us."
Shade rose to its feet, its movements fluid and purposeful. The bond between them pulsed strongly, a quiet reminder of the journey they had undertaken together.
As Azhaan left the library, the hum of the Spire seemed louder than ever, as though the ancient structure itself was watching his every step.