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Rain fell softly over Shrek Academy's rooftop tiles, mist curling along the pathways. The Trial Rankings had faded from students' minds—but the memory of Squad 7's performance lingered like smoke.
In his dorm, Kiyanotoka Ash stared at the rotating beast core that floated above his hand—a shimmering red orb that pulsed in sync with his heartbeat.
> [ SYSTEM – Core Analysis: Complete. ]
Molten Horned Lizard Core (Grade: B)
Fusion Option: Fire Affinity Boost (Minor) / Soul Compression (Rare – Locked)
He didn't touch the fusion yet.
Not because he doubted the reward—but because every step forward risked attention. And attention in this world meant danger.
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🐉 The World of Elarion: Where Beasts and Bloodlines Rule
In ancient times, spirit beasts roamed Elarion as wild lords. Cities trembled under their wrath, until a fragile alliance was forged between human will and beast soul. From that pact emerged the Beast Masters—humans born with the ability to bond with spirit beasts through the Soul Thread, an invisible link formed by instinct, heart, and spiritual will.
Over time, humanity divided itself:
Tamers, who formed emotional bonds with beasts.
Controllers, who bent weaker creatures by force.
And the rarest—Commanders, who led multiple beasts as one, like a general commanding an army.
To train them, powerful cities built academies. And among them all, Shrek Academy stood at the pinnacle.
But even in Shrek, no one spoke of systems. There were no stats, no quests, no levels. Only instincts, training, bloodline, and fate.
Only Kiyanotoka walked the razor's edge of truth—quietly mastering a power no one else believed existed.
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⚔️ South Arena – Elemental Trial Preparations
A new announcement had shaken the student body:
> "The Elemental Trial Grounds will open for first-years. Only three squads will be chosen to enter."
The Elemental Trial was different.
Instead of simulated training, it exposed students to an ancient sealed realm where raw elemental chaos surged across living landscapes—volcanic rivers, frozen jungles, lightning-infused deserts.
No room for casual tests. Only real-life danger.
Squad 7 had been shortlisted.
> "We'll need a full combat and support rotation," Maya said, spreading out a hand-drawn map on the table.
> "Riku and I will scout paths with wind and speed," she continued. "Fuyue controls mid-range with frost. Kiyanotoka, you—"
"I'll handle frontline suppression," he said calmly. "And beast coordination."
Riku glanced at him.
"Don't you think we should rotate lead sometimes?"
Kiyanotoka looked at him—not unkindly.
"If I fall, the squad fails. Until then, I'll make sure none of us do."
Riku didn't reply. But he didn't argue either.
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🔥 The Volcano's Edge – Secret Training Grounds
That night, Kiyanotoka walked deep into the off-limits canyon near the academy's southern cliffs. His target: a collapsed rift called Redfall Hollow, where ancient volcanic energy still seeped through cracks in the earth.
No one trained here. Too unstable.
Perfect.
He stood at the edge of the crag, breathing in sulfur and heat.
> [ SYSTEM: Fire Core Environment Match – Amplification Active ]
Initiating Fire Dragon Growth Task – "Trial of the Embers"
Objective: Withstand volcanic pulse while maintaining beast bond.
Duration: 2 hours.
> "Let's begin," he whispered.
He summoned Thamuz, who landed beside him with wings outspread, roaring softly.
> "Stay synced with me. No matter what happens."
They stepped together into the molten crevasse.
Flames licked at their skin.
Kiyanotoka knelt, focusing his spirit energy through his core. His bond thread pulsed.
Thamuz snarled—not from pain, but from instinct—resisting the push of elemental madness.
And then the visions came.
> Beasts of fire with obsidian wings.
Memories not his.
A whisper: You lead not because you command… but because you are followed.
He gritted his teeth.
> [ Task Complete. Fire Affinity Enhanced. Sync Rate: 62% ]
[ Hidden Trait Progress – Ember Authority (1/5) ]
When he emerged, the rain above had stopped.
And he was stronger.
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🌙 Side Story: The Frost Watching the Flame – Fuyue Lin's Thoughts
Fuyue sat by the quiet pond in her courtyard, her Ice Phoenix resting behind her.
She thought of her childhood in the northern empire—cold halls, colder parents. Power meant perfection. Bonds were measured, tested, broken when weak.
Then came Shrek.
Then came him.
Kiyanotoka didn't talk much. Didn't laugh. Didn't boast.
But when he gave a command, beasts obeyed. His dragon looked at him not with fear—but with trust.
Fuyue reached down and touched the ice at her feet.
> He's not like us. He's not even like them.
> He's something… else.
She closed her eyes and whispered, "I will find out what you're hiding, Ash."
Her Phoenix lifted its head as if hearing something far off.
So did she.
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📘 End of Chapter 9
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