As Astraeus, the Divine Lion, soared higher into the heavens, the clouds parted to reveal a breathtaking sight. Suspended in the sky like a celestial fortress was the Divine Academy, an ancient citadel floating above the world, woven into the very fabric of existence itself. Towering spires of glistening crystal stretched into infinity, rivers of pure energy cascaded down like waterfalls, and massive floating platforms connected by shimmering bridges hovered effortlessly in the air.
Kael, Ren, and their master—who was only five years older than them yet had just ascended past the 6th God Realm—stared in awe as Astraeus glided toward the grand gates of the academy.
"Well," Kael said, still struggling with everything they had learned. "At least this place looks important."
Ren, still recovering from his existential crisis, muttered, "If I find out that this is just some starter zone for even bigger academies, I might lose my mind."
Their master chuckled but said nothing.
As Astraeus landed gracefully before the colossal entrance, an enormous gateway carved with divine symbols, hundreds of figures stood waiting. Students, teachers, and elders alike had gathered, their gazes fixed on the newcomers.
A voice boomed through the sky. "Welcome, challengers, to the Divine Academy!" An elder, draped in golden robes, stepped forward. "Before you may enter, you must prove your worth. The Rite of Contract awaits."
The massive gates opened, revealing a colossal orb of origin hovering at the centre of an arena. The air itself trembled with power.
The elder continued, "Place your hand upon the Orb. It shall reveal the creature with which you are fated to form a contract. Your bonded companion shall define your destiny."
One by one, students stepped forward, touching the Orb. Some were blessed with fierce wyverns, others with celestial wolves, and a lucky few with mythical beings of unimaginable strength.
Then came Ren's turn.
Ren stepped forward, a skeptical look still on his face. He placed his hand on the orb, and the response was immediate. The air around him crackled, as if the very atmosphere had bent in response to the orb's call.
Kael looked over at Ren. "You okay?"
Ren just grinned, though his expression was more serious than usual. "I'm fine. Just... feel like something's waking up."
The orb's glow intensified, and then, to everyone's shock, a series of energy ripples erupted from it. The ground trembled, and the air itself seemed to pulse with a deep, ancient power.
And then it happened.
From within the orb, a small, glowing egg appeared, floating above Ren's hand. But as everyone watched, the egg began to crack. A deep, ominous hum filled the air. Kael felt his heart race as the cracking intensified.
The true master, along with the elders, stared intently at the egg. Something was wrong. No, it wasn't wrong—it was far beyond anything they had expected.
The egg shattered, and from within it emerged a creature—a dragon, but not just any dragon. This dragon's form was ethereal, its scales glimmering with cosmic energy, as if it had been born from the fabric of reality itself. Its eyes glowed with an ancient, timeless power, and its very presence seemed to warp the space around it.
The elders gasped in unison.
"Impossible…" one elder whispered. "This creature—its power is beyond comprehension. It's… a being that can reshape reality itself."
The true master, usually so composed, took a step back, his eyes wide with disbelief. "This is… this isn't just a creature. This is something entirely different."
The dragon, now fully manifested, let out a roar that shook the heavens. Time itself seemed to falter in the wake of its cry. The entire academy trembled, as though even the very fabric of existence was in danger of unraveling. The dragon's power radiated outward, an unstoppable force that threatened to tear the academy apart.
Ren stepped back, his eyes wide. "W-What the hell is this?!" His voice was filled with shock, but also a hint of excitement.
Kael, still in shock, looked between Ren and the creature. "What did you do?!"
The true master finally spoke, his voice low and reverent. "Ren, your pet… It's not a pet at all. This... this creature is far beyond any being in the Narrative Realm. It is a creature that transcends all realms. Its power is limitless. Time itself bends to its will. It can erase anything with a thought."
Ren's eyes widened, and even the dragon seemed to observe him with a knowing gaze, its eyes glowing brighter as if it recognized the bond between them.
One of the elders stepped forward, his voice trembling. "This dragon is not just a beast—it is a force of nature. It is capable of powers so vast that beings even in realms above the Narrative Realm will be reduced to nothing but toys."
Ren's jaw dropped. "Wait, so you're telling me that my little pet here—" He looked at the dragon, which now appeared to be stretching its wings with cosmic energy rippling through them— "can wipe out entire worlds?"
The true master nodded solemnly. "Yes. In time, it will evolve into a being that will make even the highest of realms, even those beyond the Narrative Realm, seem like mere dust in the wind. This dragon will be a power beyond infinite itself. There will be no limit to its capabilities."
Kael took a step back, his mind reeling. "Are we talking about something that could erase time itself?"
The true master's eyes met Kael's. "Yes. That is exactly what I'm talking about."
The other elders exchanged looks of sheer disbelief, some whispering among themselves. They had never witnessed a creature like this before. Ren's pet, though small and unassuming in appearance, was now the most powerful being in the entire academy.
The true master looked at Ren, his expression serious. "This is a gift, Ren. And a burden. Your creature is an ally, yes, but its power is so immense that it will change the very course of reality itself. You must tread carefully with this power. It will test your resolve like nothing else."
Ren looked at his pet, now calmly sitting beside him, its glowing eyes soft but piercing. The weight of what had just happened settled on him. "I never expected this," he said, his voice almost a whisper.
The true master placed a hand on Ren's shoulder. "No one ever does. But you've forged a bond that transcends everything. You, Kael, and your creatures will be the future of this world. And beyond."
As the dragon's energy settled, the academy seemed to calm, though the air still hummed with power. The elders slowly began to regain their composure, their astonishment giving way to respect. This new generation of students—Kael, Ren, and their creatures—were destined for something far greater than anyone had anticipated.
Ren glanced at Kael, his usual cocky grin now replaced with a thoughtful expression. "Guess I'm not just getting a pet after all."
Kael laughed nervously. "Yeah, no kidding. You've got a cosmic beast that can destroy everything. No big deal."
The true master's smile was a rare, genuine one. "This is only the beginning, boys. The real journey starts now."
And with that, they stepped forward into the academy, ready to face the challenges that awaited them. But none of them knew just how much their futures were about to change—or how much power lay within Ren's dragon, waiting to reshape the world itself.
Kael stepped forward next. Taking a deep breath, he placed his hand on the Orb. The same overwhelming energy filled the air. Another egg materialized—dark, shifting, almost like a miniature black hole contained in a shell.
The elders nearly fainted. "An Eclipse Dragon... a beast of boundless destruction and creation! This—this is absurd!"
Kael smirked. "Guess I'm just that lucky."
Then, to everyone's shock, their master stepped forward. "Guess I'll give it a shot too."
One elder nearly choked. "B-But Master, you... you are—"
Before he could protest, the master touched the Orb.
The world froze.
Space itself seemed to crack as the sky darkened. The ground trembled. A third egg appeared, but unlike the others, it was infinitely small, yet radiated an infinite power. Its mere presence distorted time and space.
The elders immediately knelt. "I-It cannot be... A Primordial Deity Egg... the kind that births gods beyond gods!"
Silence.
Kael and Ren just stared at their master.
Their master blinked. "Huh. Neat."
The elders nearly fainted again.
As the three of them stood with their newfound companions, murmurs erupted through the crowd. Rivalries were already forming. Other students glared at them, others grinned, eager for the challenge ahead.
Ren smirked. "Looks like this academy won't be boring after all."
Kael nodded. "Yeah. Let's see what's waiting for us."
And with that, their journey at the Divine Academy had begun.