The early morning sun bathed the academy grounds in golden light, glinting off the pristine stone paths and towering spires that reached toward the clouds. Birds chirped from the treetops, and the occasional roar or screech of a beast echoed from training grounds in the distance.
Aren stood stiffly in the middle of the courtyard, clutching his small bag and watching as new students bustled about. Sharu sat perched on his shoulder like a judgmental cat, his silver fur gleaming, blue eyes narrowed at everyone.
"Why are they all so loud?" Aren murmured, glancing nervously around.
Sharu huffed through his nose and flicked his tail in disdain, as if saying, Welcome to your nightmare, human.
Their new home was as vast and intimidating as it was beautiful. Dozens of towering buildings spiraled up from the ground, each housing different disciplines of beast studies. The academy grounds were alive with activity: students practicing with their bonded beasts, instructors giving animated lectures, and occasional bursts of elemental energy lighting up the air.
A soft voice interrupted his awe.
"You're Aren, right?"
He turned to see Lyra Stormcloud standing a few steps away, hands behind her back. Her raven-black hair caught the sunlight, and her mysterious bird-like beast perched silently on her shoulder.
"Uh, yes?" Aren blinked.
"I like your beast," she said, tilting her head at Sharu. "He looks smug."
Sharu gave her a slow blink, then turned his head dramatically away.
Aren scratched his neck. "Yeah… he's got an attitude."
Lyra offered a faint smile. "Fitting pair."
Before Aren could figure out whether that was a compliment, someone shouted.
"There you are, newbie!" Dorian Thorne strode over, muscular arms crossed and a proud smirk on his face. His lion-like beast padded beside him, its heavy paws thudding softly.
Aren tensed. "Hi?"
"Relax. I'm not here to fight you. Not yet, anyway." Dorian grinned. "Just wanted to say welcome. Though, you might wanna work on standing straighter. You look like you're trying to disappear."
"I kinda am," Aren muttered.
"Don't let them stomp all over you, man," Dorian said, slapping him on the back. "You've got a cool beast. Might be tiny, but I bet there's more to it."
Sharu growled faintly. Dorian's lion narrowed its eyes. A silent standoff followed, until the lion looked away, and Sharu lifted his chin victoriously.
"I think they just fought a war," Aren whispered.
"Pretty sure my beast just lost," Dorian groaned.
"First day jitters?" a cool voice cut in.
Liora Frostwind approached, her ice wolf walking beside her with the grace of royalty. Her silver braid was immaculate, her robes spotless. She barely spared Aren a glance.
"You should all head inside. Orientation starts soon."
She walked away without waiting for a reply. Her aura was colder than her beast's breath.
"…I think she's part glacier," Dorian whispered.
"Be careful," Lyra added. "Liora's family is… intense."
Before long, the group was ushered into a large hall where dozens of students sat in rows. The instructors stood at the front, a panel of stern faces and brightly dressed mentors with their beasts at their sides.
An older man with sharp eyes and a beard like carved stone stepped forward.
"Welcome to the Grand Dominion Academy," he said, voice booming. "Over the next few years, you will learn to fight, survive, and rise above. Your bond with your beast is your greatest weapon, but without discipline, it will mean nothing."
Aren tried to pay attention, but his gaze wandered to the various beasts sitting beside their partners. Some were enormous, others feathered or scaled, all of them unique.
Sharu, meanwhile, had curled into a tight ball on Aren's shoulder and was now… snoring?
A nearby student gawked. "Is your beast asleep?!"
"He's… reserving energy," Aren said quickly.
Sharu snorted mid-snore.
When the speeches ended, students were assigned to dormitories. Aren was paired with Dorian, much to his horror.
"Look on the bright side," Dorian said as they entered the room. "At least we're not with Aric. That guy wakes up at dawn to meditate with the sun or whatever."
Their room was surprisingly spacious, with two beds, writing desks, and a small balcony. Sharu claimed the pillow immediately, curling up like a prince.
"Your beast doesn't respect you at all, huh?" Dorian grinned.
"Nope. Not even a little."
The next few days were a blur of classes and chaos.
In Beast Bond Theory, a teacher tried to explain the emotional connection between a human and their beast. Sharu sat in the corner, licking his paw in boredom. When Aren tried to answer a question, Sharu yawned loudly.
In Beast Combat Basics, Aren failed spectacularly at synchronized movement exercises. Sharu refused to move in sync, instead leaping off to chase butterflies.
And in Care and Nurture, Sharu bit the instructor's hand when he tried to examine him.
"He's a bit… spirited," the instructor muttered, nursing a bandage.
Still, something strange began happening. When Aren was being pushed around by older students in the dining hall, Sharu leaped onto the table, flared his fur, and let out a growl so fierce the plates rattled.
The bullies left quickly.
"Thanks," Aren whispered afterward.
Sharu just stared, then turned away with a hmph.
Aren smiled. Maybe he didn't say it, but Sharu was watching over him.
By the end of the week, Aren was beginning to settle in. Lyra would occasionally offer quiet tips. Dorian dragged him into loud arguments about beast strength. Liora ignored him—but not as coldly. And Aric… Aric smiled, but it never reached his eyes.
One evening, after lights out, Aren sat on the balcony, watching the stars. Sharu curled beside him, tail flicking lazily.
"Do you think I belong here?" Aren asked softly.
Sharu didn't respond. But after a moment, the little beast leaned against him—just a little.
It was enough.
---