The night sky above Shrek University shimmered with faint constellations, quiet and distant. On the rooftop of Dorm Building C, Kiyanotoka Ash stood with his arms crossed, his silver-white hair dancing gently in the breeze. His gaze was fixed not on the stars—but on a translucent blue screen hovering silently before him.
It pulsed softly, visible only to him.
> [ SYSTEM UNLOCKED – Starter Skill Slot Available ]
Choose a Skill Path:
① Beast Bond (Support / Healing)
② Dragon Pulse (Attack / Aura)
③ Tamer's Command (Control / Multi-beast Control)
Kiyanotoka's fingers twitched slightly. The decision wasn't difficult. Though he lacked combat experience, he understood one thing well from all the stories he'd read before his transmigration: brute strength meant nothing without control.
> "I don't want to be the strongest…"
"I want to lead the strongest."
He raised his hand and calmly tapped the third option.
> "I choose... Tamer's Command."
---
⚙️ System Response
> [ Skill Acquired: Tamer's Command – Level 1 ]
Forms a focused link with spirit beasts, enhancing precision and command responsiveness. Increases future compatibility for controlling multiple beasts simultaneously.
[ Passive Bonus: +1 Beast Slot (Max Now: 2) ]
[ Title Unlocked: Initiate Commander ]
[ NOTICE: System remains hidden. All data is masked from external scans. ]
A sudden warmth spread across Kiyanotoka's chest. His thoughts grew clearer. It was as if a thousand scattered instincts were pulled into alignment. He blinked once—and felt it.
A new link had formed.
He turned slowly toward Thamuz, the baby Fire Dragon curled beside him. The dragon's fiery scales pulsed gently with heat as it dozed, its tail lazily releasing trails of smoke into the air.
> Thamuz… can you feel me better now?
The dragon's tail twitched.
It wasn't a voice in his head, but he understood the intent—curiosity, comfort, awareness. Their bond had changed. Deepened. It wasn't just emotional anymore. It was tactical.
---
🌅 The Next Morning – Spirit Appraisal Grounds
The training field outside the main hall buzzed with nervous energy. Rows of first-year students stood in line, awaiting their turn to be scanned by the evaluation orbs. Above them, semi-transparent blue screens hovered, projecting each student's beast rank, affinity type, and sync percentage.
Kiyanotoka stood near the back of the line, unnoticed. Whispers filled the air.
> "Hey, that's the kid with the S-Rank dragon."
"No way that's real. He probably forged the scan."
"Didn't he have no skill yesterday?"
He said nothing.
Let them talk.
His name was called.
> "Kiyanotoka Ash. Step forward."
He stepped onto the platform and placed his palm on the scanning crystal. A soft hum followed as the system orb floated up and lit with golden-red energy.
---
> [ PUBLIC SPIRIT DATA – VISIBLE ]
[ Name: Kiyanotoka Ash ]
[ Spirit Beast: Baby Fire Dragon – S Rank (Confirmed) ]
[ Control Affinity: Mild ]
[ Registered Skill: None ]
[ Combat Sync Score: 61% ]
—System Interface Hidden—
> [ True Sync Score: 82% ]
[ Skill: Tamer's Command – Level 1 ]
[ Beast Slot 2: Unlocked (Undisclosed) ]
Murmurs rippled through the crowd as the orb flared briefly gold.
> "Holy crap... it's real."
"But no skill registered? Weird."
"Is he just raw talent… or hiding something?"
The instructor, a middle-aged woman with sharp eyes and wind-tossed hair, narrowed her gaze.
> "Interesting. You've got a control-type resonance but no official path. Ever consider the Command Branch?"
Kiyanotoka met her gaze and shrugged faintly.
> "Haven't decided yet."
She nodded once, unimpressed—but intrigued.
> "Well, we'll see what you're made of in the field."
---
❄️ Elsewhere – Observation Tower
From a higher balcony, Fuyue Lin leaned on the railing, arms crossed.
Her Ice Phoenix perched behind her, silent and regal, frost trailing from its feathers.
She watched Kiyanotoka step down from the platform.
> "No skill registered. No spirit resonance title. No visible system activity," she murmured.
Her fingers clenched slightly.
> "But the scan hesitated. The orb pulsed twice."
She said nothing more, but her eyes gleamed with interest.
---
📜 Later That Afternoon – Mission Board
A large parchment scroll was nailed to the central mission post at the edge of the training yard. Students surrounded it quickly.
> [ TRIAL MISSION: SCORCHWOOD RIDGE – TIER I ZONE ]
Objective: Eliminate 3+ Wild Spirit Beasts (D-Rank minimum)
Team Requirement: 4 Tamers
Special Rule: Team leader must possess a command or control-type affinity
Reward: Beast Cores + Trial Points
Penalty: Forced withdrawal if team is wiped or fails to clear zone in 3 hours
Kiyanotoka read it once—and walked away without a word.
He knew what this was.
A test. For leaders.
---