The Molten Horned Lizard lay still—its glowing body slowly cooling, steam hissing from every crack in its scales. The firelight around the gorge dimmed, the magma veins beneath the earth pulsing less violently now.
Kiyanotoka stood silently over the corpse, eyes sharp and calculating. His clothes were torn at the edges, and sweat clung to his skin, but his breathing was steady.
Behind him, his squad gathered—exhausted but intact.
> "B-Rank boss. No instructor. No support," Maya said breathlessly. "We actually did it."
"We didn't just do it," Riku said, brushing ash from his sleeve. "We made it look easy."
"Speak for yourself," Maya muttered. "I think my knees are still vibrating."
Fuyue stood a few paces back, her arms crossed, expression unreadable. Her Ice Phoenix circled above them in a wide arc, watching the perimeter.
> "We should go," she said. "The barrier only stays open for another twenty minutes."
Kiyanotoka nodded. "Let's collect the core."
Riku stepped forward and used his blade to carefully cut into the lizard's cooling chest. After a moment, he pulled out the Beast Core, glowing faintly orange and pulsing with residual power.
> "Fire-aspect, pure type. This thing could power a mid-tier evolution chamber for weeks."
Kiyanotoka took it with a single nod and handed it to Thamuz, who gripped it gently in its clawed hands. The baby Fire Dragon let out a low rumble of satisfaction.
> [ SYSTEM ]
[ Fire Crystal Shard Stored ]
Beast Evolution Material: Pending Activation
Requirement: 100% Spirit Core Awakening (Current: 12%)
Kiyanotoka silently noted the update and turned to lead the squad out of the Ember Vein Zone.
---
🌲 Exiting the Ridge
By the time they crossed back through the final scorchgate and passed under the blackened trees, the sun was already beginning to dip over the horizon. Twilight turned the sky violet.
At the academy gate, instructors in brown robes and armbands marked with red suns waited with evaluation orbs and record scrolls.
Most students returned with one or two cores—bruised, limping, proud.
When Squad 7 arrived carrying three cores from their initial battle and the giant husk of a B-Rank beast, silence spread across the courtyard.
One instructor blinked in disbelief. "You killed… that? With just four?"
"Where are your injuries?" another asked.
"We didn't take any," Riku said plainly.
"I'm sorry," Maya added with a crooked smile. "Is that not allowed?"
The crowd murmured. A few students from other squads stared with a mix of awe and resentment.
> "No way they killed a B-Rank beast with that squad…"
"It was probably injured already."
"That dragon kid must have some kind of hidden artifact."
"Or maybe… a system?"
Kiyanotoka ignored the noise. His face remained calm.
The lead instructor stepped forward and scanned their team bracelets.
> "Squad 7: mission cleared. Trial points awarded—triple value for boss clear and zero-casualty run."
A golden sigil appeared above Kiyanotoka's bracelet for a moment—signifying first place among all trial squads.
> "You're dismissed. Report to the upper yard for squad evaluations tomorrow."
As they walked off, Maya leaned toward Kiyanotoka and whispered, "I think you just became the academy's most interesting mystery."
> "I don't mind," Kiyanotoka said. "Mysteries get ignored. Heroes get targeted."
Fuyue didn't say anything—but her eyes lingered on him a little longer than usual.
---
🧊 That Night – Ice Bloom Courtyard
A snowflake-shaped pond reflected the moonlight inside the girls' dorm garden. Fuyue Lin sat on a frozen bench, her Phoenix perched on a stone behind her.
A soft chime echoed through the air.
> "I know you're there," she said.
A second-year student emerged from the shadows. He had the academy crest on his collar and a smug smile on his face.
> "Still tailing that fire-dragon boy?"
"Still listening to rumors like a child?" she replied flatly.
He ignored the jab. "He's got no visible skill. But he leads better than most Command Path students."
"So?"
"So either he's hiding a rare technique…" The boy stepped closer. "Or he has something... unregistered."
Fuyue's gaze didn't change. "Even if he does… it's not your concern."
"But it's yours, isn't it?"
She stood up, her ice Phoenix letting out a faint screech of warning.
> "Stay out of this," she said. "If he's dangerous—I'll find out myself."
---
🔥 Meanwhile – Kiyanotoka's Dorm
Kiyanotoka sat cross-legged on the floor, Thamuz resting beside him like a coiled flame. His system panel hovered silently in front of him.
> [ Status Update ]
Skill: Tamer's Command – Level 2
Unlocked: Squad Coordination Node (Basic)
Next Unlock: Dual-Beast Sync Link
Beast Evolution Status:
Fire Dragon (S Rank)
Evolution Materials: 1/3
Evolution Route: Unknown (Locked)
Spirit Core Awakening: 12%
> [ Hidden Trait Awakening Quest Available ]
Objective: Form a second bond with a compatible spirit beast.
Bonus: Unlock Passive — Commander's Domain.
Kiyanotoka leaned back against the wall, eyes sharp.
> Second beast, huh? I can handle that.
The academy only allowed one beast slot for first-years—unless your skill path unlocked more. His Tamer's Command already pushed the limit by giving him an early bonus slot.
> "I'll need to find something versatile," he murmured. "A scout-type… or maybe a counter-element beast."
Thamuz snorted smoke.
> "Don't worry," he said, smiling. "You're still my number one."
The dragon flicked its tail proudly.
---
📘 End of Chapter 6
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