Mira stood at the edge of Mount Hester, the cold wind brushing against her face. The entire mountain pulsed with life, the air thick with spiritual energy so dense it almost felt like breathing magic itself. This place was nothing like the academy—untamed, raw, and filled with creatures that had lived for centuries without human interference.
Grandmaster stood beside her, his presence calm as ever. "This mountain is why Artemis Academy stands strong. The beasts here are unlike anything you've seen. If you're to find your spiritual beast, it'll be here all the others took two entire days to find one that suited them."
Mira tightened her fists, nodding. Her body still ached from training, but excitement buzzed under her skin. A spiritual beast—her own companion, a creature tied to her magic. The Seven Devils already had theirs, powerful beings that matched them perfectly. She wanted one too she could not wait but she was worried about the beasts test.
"Go," Grandmaster said simply. "Don't think too much. If it's here, you'll find it."
Mira took off, feet pounding against the soft earth. The moment she stepped past the ridge, the mountain came alive.
Silver streaks flashed through the sky—Lunar Horn Horses galloped across the plains, their coats shimmering under the sunlight, hooves leaving trails of light. Mira slowed, watching them in awe, but when she stepped forward, they flickered and vanished, as if they had never been there.
Not my match.
She kept running, deeper into the mountain. Near a grove of golden trees, she saw Eclipse Stags, their antlers crackling with lightning. They stood still, watching her, their presence commanding. She felt something stir inside her, a flicker of connection, but the moment she reached out, they turned and disappeared into the mist.
Still not the one.
The deeper she went, the more creatures she saw. Thunder Falcons screeched as they soared overhead, lightning sparking from their wings. Shadow Panthers prowled between the trees, their black coats blending into the darkness. The energy of the mountain wrapped around her, overwhelming, intoxicating.
But none of them stopped for her. None of them answered her call.
Mira slowed to a stop at the edge of a glowing lake, frustration bubbling in her chest. The water was impossibly still, reflecting the sky like a perfect mirror. She caught her own reflection—eyes sharp, expression determined but tired.
"Why?" she muttered under her breath. "Why won't any of them choose me?"
A voice broke the silence. "Because you're looking for something that isn't here maybe."
She turned. Grandmaster had appeared behind her, his white robes untouched by the dirt and wind. His gaze was unreadable as he looked over the lake.
Mira clenched her fists. "Then where do I go?"
He turned toward the peak of the mountain, where thick clouds swirled, dark and unyielding. "The Guardian Beast's Cave."
Mira's breath hitched. Everyone at Artemis knew about the Guardian Beast—an immortal creature that had watched over the mountain for centuries. Some said it was the first spirit beast ever born. Others believed it was a divine being that had chosen to sleep here, waiting for something—or someone—worthy of its presence.
"The Guardian Beast?" she echoed. "You think it'll know?"
Grandmaster started walking up the path. "If no beast here answers your call, then it's time to ask the one who rules them all."
Mira swallowed hard and followed.
The higher they climbed, the more the energy around them shifted. The vibrant greenery disappeared, replaced by jagged rocks and thick fog. Lightning cracked across the sky, illuminating the entrance of a massive cave carved into the mountainside. The air hummed with power, dense and suffocating.
Mira stared into the darkness, heart pounding. Whatever was inside wasn't just a beast. It was something beyond that. Something ancient.
Grandmaster placed a hand on her shoulder. "Are you afraid?"
Mira exhaled slowly, steadying herself. "No. I'm ready."
Without another word, she stepped into the cave.