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From Zero to Apex: The Beast Tamer's Rise

🇫🇷AuthorZenas
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Synopsis
Haunted by visions, crushed by loneliness, Kael Valeos's final act protecting his pets ignites a strange transformation. His death, not an end, but the rise of a legendary beast tamer.
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Chapter 1 - Chapter 1: Aetherium Academy

The hum went on and on, a low buzz in his ears. Kael looked around the inside of the small pod. It was smooth and gray, nothing to see. He remembered a park, a flash of something shiny, and then... the sharp, burning pain. He remembered the desperate barks, the frantic scrambling of tiny paws. His dog and cat.

A wave of cold dread washed over him. He'd been protecting them. That's what he remembered.

A flash, a shout, and then darkness. Now, he was here, on his way to a place called Aetherium Academy.

He felt strange. Not his body, but inside. Like something had changed. He still felt the echo of panic, the need to protect, but it was muted, pushed down by a strange, numb calm.

A voice, like a computer, said, "We are landing in area four. Please get ready to leave."

Kael stood up. He touched his clothes. Gray and smooth, with a silver badge. He looked at himself in the shiny door. Black hair, dark brown eyes, a slender build with just a hint of muscle. He stood tall, with a natural good posture. He looked the same, but his eyes were different. They were still like he was waiting for something, or maybe like he'd seen something too terrible to forget.

The door opened. He stepped out. The place was big, filled with people. Everyone wore the same gray clothes. The air smelled like metal and something wild, like an animal. He took a breath.

The place was busy. People walked fast. Tall buildings stood in the distance, shiny and new. It was nothing like Earth. Nothing like the park.

He felt lost. Like he didn't belong. But he also felt like he was supposed to be here.

A girl walked up to him. "You're new, right?" she asked. "Welcome to Aetherium."

"I'm Kael," he said, his voice a little rough.

"I'm Lyra," she said and held out her hand. "Come on, we're starting soon. You look lost."

He took her hand. It was warm. They walked together. Kael looked around. Everything was new. The people, the buildings, the air. He was in a new world. But he couldn't forget the old one, not yet.

"Uhmm… Lyra, I have a question about the orientation?" he said, feeling shy, because he truly didn't know what was going on. He had just arrived in this world, having ridden the pod to Aetherium Academy, and was confused. He wanted more information to know what to expect.

Lyra looked at him and smiled. "The orientation will mostly cover campus information and beast taming. After that, there will be teacher introductions when you go to your respective classrooms."

Kael processed what she said, then nodded. "Thank you." Lyra smiled back and continued towards the main hall.

So I'm in a beast-taming school. That seems cool, he thought, looking around at the school buildings with curiosity. They seemed futuristic, yet also gave him a sense of familiarity, like the schools back home in his past life. He thought this life he was about to experience would be interesting, and he would try to survive in this new world without repeating the mistakes of his past.

As he began to think about his past life, a migraine started to form. He shook his head and followed Lyra, who seemed to be approaching the hall.

Arriving in the main hall, Kael was overwhelmed by the sheer number of students. He stared, shocked. He'd never seen so many people in one school before. So many people... What kind of school is Aetherium Academy? He wondered. He wanted to check his phone but wasn't sure if it was allowed. He decided to wait until break to look it up.

Lyra turned to him, smiling. "Here we are. Main Hall. May I see your ID?"

Kael blinked, confused, then nervously patted his pockets. "Wait a minute…" He found his ID in his wallet and handed it to her.

She looked at it. "Kael Valeos, Year 1 - Class 5." She smiled.

Kael nodded, still a bit lost, but at least he knew his class.

"Follow me again," Lyra said and walked on. Kael looked around, seeing groups of students talking, and even strange beasts he'd never seen before. They weren't like the pets he remembered from Earth; they looked wild, almost monstrous. This is so cool, he thought, a small smile on his face. He was excited but also cautious.

Lyra stopped, turning to him. She pointed to a group of students on the left, sitting and chatting. "This is your class. Go sit down and enjoy the orientation." She handed back his ID. "Don't forget this. You'll get demerits." She smiled.

"Thank you, Lyra," Kael said, grateful.

"See you around, Kael," she said and left.

Now alone, Kael looked at his future classmates. They were talking amongst themselves. Feeling awkward, he found an empty seat and sat down, facing the stage. I can't believe I'm back in school, he thought, then reminded himself, This isn't like any school I know. He was eager to learn about this new world. He was glad he was a student; he'd have a chance to learn more than if he'd arrived as an adult.

Students continued to file in. Kael observed his surroundings, listening for any useful gossip. Suddenly, someone poked his shoulder, startling him. He turned to see a guy with brown hair and green eyes, sweating slightly.

"Can I sit here?" the guy asked. "I'm late, and I don't want to bother the people in front."

"Sure, go ahead," Kael said, feeling a bit worried for the guy.

The guy sighed in relief and sat down.

A loud static noise echoed through the hall. The stage lit up with colorful lights. The orientation was starting. The students, especially the freshmen, cheered.

Kael watched, a little surprised, as the guy next to him cheered along with the others. He didn't understand everything, but he was excited for the adventure ahead, whatever it might bring.