Chapter 12: The First Cut
A quiet tension settled over the arena grounds like a fine mist. The final echoes of battle had faded, and a hush rippled through the gathered crowd of students. All eyes were fixed on the stone platform at the center of the training grounds where Instructor Kael stood, arms folded behind his back, surveying the hopeful faces before him.
Aren stood amidst the crowd, his heart steady but curious. Sharu perched quietly on his shoulder, silver fur slightly ruffled in the wind. His teammates flanked him—Aric grinning as usual, Dorian fidgeting with impatience, Lyra silent as a shadow, and Liora standing with practiced grace, her Ice Wolf seated calmly at her side.
Kael's voice finally broke the silence.
"You've all shown what you're capable of," he began. "Some of you displayed strategy. Others, raw strength. Some… survived by sheer luck."
A few chuckles broke out, but most remained silent, the tension too thick.
"But today isn't just about who won or lost. It's about potential. Growth. And the ten names I will announce now are the ones with the highest performance scores in this first round."
Aren's ears perked up, as did the students around him.
Kael raised a crystalline plaque, etched with names that glowed faintly under the sun. "These ten students not only completed their matches but demonstrated exceptional synergy with their beasts, tactical intelligence, and combat adaptability."
He cleared his throat and began.
"1. Lance Vermilion — Beast: Gryphon."
Gasps erupted instantly. Lance stood tall, his dark red uniform flaring in the wind, and the sleek-winged Gryphon at his side gave a short screech.
"He was amazing," Aren admitted under his breath. "That aerial combo…"
Sharu rolled his eyes dramatically. Tch. Flashy.
"2. Velia Rune — Beast: Crystalline Fox."
The girl with moon-pale hair nodded coolly from the side. Her beast shimmered like diamond light, tails waving behind her like silk banners.
"3. Dorian Thorne — Beast: Shockwave Lion."
Dorian's jaw dropped. "Wait… third?!"
Aric laughed and clapped him on the back. "Be proud, man. That lion of yours practically shook the whole arena."
Dorian looked smug for a heartbeat before recomposing himself.
"4. Kael Rin — Beast: Shadow Serpent."
Aren turned to see the boy with piercing violet eyes nod slightly. His Shadow Serpent curled lazily at his feet, black scales catching faint motes of darkness.
"He's strong," Lyra murmured. "His bond with that serpent… it's unnatural."
"5. Lyra Stormcloud — Beast: Shadow Falcon."
Lyra blinked once, clearly not expecting her name. The Shadow Falcon on her shoulder let out a low caw, proud.
"I thought you were holding back," Aren whispered.
She said nothing, but a hint of a smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
"6. Aric Sunflare — Beast: Fire Salamander."
"Let's gooo!" Aric pumped a fist, drawing a small puff of smoke from his companion beast.
"7. Liora Frostwind — Beast: Ice Wolf."
Liora inclined her head with a soft expression. "Acceptable."
"Acceptable? You placed seventh!" Aric teased.
"8. Aren Valen — Beast: Unknown."
A moment of silence fell.
Eyes turned toward Aren, brows raised, lips murmuring. An "unknown" beast? That alone caught attention. Sharu stretched lazily on Aren's shoulder, basking in the spotlight with smug satisfaction.
The judge didn't elaborate, moving on without pause.
"9. Velten Crowne — Beast: Ironhide Beetle."
A stocky boy with a massive armored insect by his side grunted. His beetle let out a deep, metallic screech.
"10. Mirella Dusk — Beast: Ash Lynx."
A girl cloaked in grey leaned against the wall, her feline-like companion curling around her feet with a whisper of shadowy smoke.
Kael lowered the plaque. "These ten students will be observed closely over the coming weeks. But that does not mean others have failed. Everyone here has passed the first round and qualified for the tournament arc."
Aren let out a small breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Around him, murmurs spread.
"Did you see the way that guy's gryphon dived through the wind barrier?"
"That crystalline fox girl's control over reflections was insane."
"Who the hell is Aren Valen? Never heard of him."
"An unknown beast? Sounds weak if you ask me."
Aren felt eyes on him, some curious, others skeptical. Sharu narrowed his glowing blue eyes and let out a quiet huff.
"Let them talk," Aren muttered. "They'll know soon enough."
"Your beast really is strange," Aric said, eyeing Sharu. "Doesn't even look like he can spit fire."
Sharu slowly turned his head and yawned in Aric's face.
"I stand corrected. He's terrifying," Aric chuckled.
Kael raised a hand. "That concludes today's announcements. For the next week, there will be strategy and bonding exercises. Prepare yourselves. The real test begins in the next phase."
As students began to disperse, Aren lingered, watching the top-ranked students. Lance was already surrounded by admirers, Velia stood alone like a crystalline statue, and Kael Rin looked directly at Aren with unreadable eyes.
"Interesting lineup," Liora said quietly, standing beside him.
"You think we'll be teamed together?" Aren asked.
"I hope so," she replied, surprising him. "You're not what I expected."
"Neither is my beast," Aren replied with a dry smile.
From his shoulder, Sharu looked from student to student, his gaze lingering on Kael Rin and Velia Rune. His tail flicked.
Dangerous ones, came the quiet mental note, a rare moment of seriousness from the small silver creature.
"Noted," Aren whispered.
As the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows over the courtyard, Aren looked around once more. For the first time, he didn't feel like an outsider. Not entirely.
He'd made it this far.
Now… the real path would begin.
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End of Chapter 12