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Shrek Academy shimmered beneath the morning sun, its towers glowing with spirit energy and carved banners of famous beast tamers fluttering high in the wind.
But not everything that shined was strong.
And not everything strong needed to shine.
---
đ„ Before the Dawn
Inside the abandoned Ashroot training hall, Kiyanotoka Ash stood shirtless, sweat glistening under the lantern glow. His fists were wrapped, knuckles bruised. The ground beneath him cracked with heat.
A quiet breath.
A slow stance.
Thenâstrike.
The air shook.
His fist slammed into the iron pillar before him, bending it with a muffled groan.
> [ SYSTEM â Body Level: 1 (Flame-Rooted Physique) ]
Progress: 71% toward Level 2
Trait Awakened: Inner Pressure â Temporary burst of strength when injured.
> Every morning before class. Every night after missions. Keep it secret. Grow it quietly.
He exhaled.
Muscles still sore. Flame still unstable.
But he was improving.
> Beast power may earn aweâbut this⊠this is mine alone.
---
âïž Trial Recompense
Later that day, Squad 7 stood in the Mission Hall as instructors officially recognized their survival of the Elemental Trial.
A small ceremony. Low-key. But full of tension.
No one asked how Kiyanotoka bonded the Roc.
No one dared.
But many stared.
Even the head instructors whispered behind illusion wards. Even upperclassmen watched, eyes narrowed.
One instructor stepped forward, offering him a sealed scroll.
> "This is a rare-class solo permit," he said carefully. "Use it to challenge one of the Four Pillars if you ever choose."
The Four Pillarsâlegendary beasts tamed by the founders of Shrek.
No first-year had ever been given such a token.
Kiyanotoka bowed respectfully. "Thank you."
He didn't smile.
He didn't explain.
And that unsettled them more than anything else.
---
đ„ In the Underground
Meanwhile, far below the city in the abandoned furnace quarter, Kale Drayven was making noise.
Loud noise.
The kind that made people listen.
He shattered a second spirit-crystal dummyâbarehandedâand turned to the small crowd.
> "You see that?" he called out. "Beasts aren't everything!"
> "You think you're weak because you didn't get a bond? Because you weren't chosen?"
He raised a bruised hand.
> "Then choose yourself!"
Dozens of unaffiliated youth cheered.
Others watched in fear.
One man in the back turned away, whispering to a hooded messenger.
> "It's him. The one from the Frost Ditch fights."
> "Tell the guilds. He's not alone anymore."
---
đ§± Body Cultivation: Path Structure
Back at the academy, Kiyanotoka quietly scrolled through the system archiveânow unlocked after his physique awakened.
> [ BODY CULTIVATION TIERS ]
Level 0 â Coreless (Dormant)
Level 1 â Flame-Rooted / Wind-Borne / Stone-Forged / Others
Level 2 â Core Initiate
Level 3 â Pulse Tempered
Level 4 â Meridian Awakening
Level 5 â Elemental Vessel
(Beyond: Unknown â Requires Ancient Key)
> At Level 2, internal flame core solidifies. Energy generation becomes self-sustaining.
> No need for spirit energy from beasts. True independence.
But few in this world even knew this existed.
And fewer still dared to train both paths.
He closed the scroll and looked at his hands again.
---
đ Academy Stirring
As days passed, rumors spread faster than fire.
Someone had been training without a beast⊠and breaking duel records in the lower grounds.
Some students believed it was a rogue instructor.
Others thought it was a spirit beast in human form.
Only one instructor, Master Kaelus, a retired beast-tamer with stone scars across his arms, spoke up in the academy's war chamber.
> "Mark my words," he growled, "if body cultivators rise again⊠this balance we built will burn."
The headmaster simply nodded.
> "Then prepare the seal chambers. And assign surveillance to Squad 7."
---
đ Alone Again
That night, Kiyanotoka sat on the rooftop alone.
His beasts were asleep in their pocket domains.
His body ached. His knuckles bled.
But he had never felt more alive.
> [ SYSTEM â Dual Path Synchronization at 8%. ]
Beast Thread: Storm / Flame / Lunar
Body Thread: Flame-Core | Strength: 2 | Vitality: 2
> I'm not just a tamer anymore.
> I'm becoming⊠something new.
Then something shifted in the wind.
From the darkness across the courtyard, a voice spokeâfamiliar, sharp.
"Your breathing's changed, Ash. You're training something else."
He turned.
Fuyue.
She stepped into view, arms folded, face unreadable.
"I don't know what you're hiding. But you're becoming dangerous."
She met his gaze.
"And I'll find out what you are before the academy does."
---
đ End of Chapter 15
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đ§ Chapter Highlights
Element Description
Kiyanotoka Begins Daily Body Training Secret sessions at abandoned training hall
Body Cultivation Path Detailed System reveals full tier progression
Underground Cultivator Rising Kale Drayven builds a following
Academy Begins to Take Notice Instructors suspect rising body threats
Fuyue Senses the Change Direct confrontation begins to brew
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