The second day on Trial Island Theta faded into dusk, painting the jungle in hues of deep violet and fading orange. After a relentless day of hunting, gathering, and strategic egg theft, Sebastian and Kael decided it was time for a brief reprieve. The trading terminal, a beacon of activity, was their target.
Outside the invisible barrier of the terminal, Sebastian and Kael found a discreet thicket of dense foliage. With practiced ease, they shed their dark, concealing robes and masks, stowing them carefully back into Sebastian's spatial ring. Their Rune-Beasts – Storm Hawk, Gale Shield Cicada, Blairon Giant, Stoneclaw Grizzly, Umbralwing, and Boulder Fang – were silently recalled to their respective beast-rings, their magical signatures vanishing to avoid drawing unnecessary attention. Sebastian kept his Thunderjaw Wyvern and Frostmaw as hidden trump cards, unseen by anyone thus far. They moved cautiously, blending with the weary students trickling towards the terminal, their faces revealing nothing of the day's audacious plunder.
Inside the barrier, the air was surprisingly calm, a stark contrast to the untamed wild outside. Students, some with minor injuries, others simply looking drained, queued at the trading counter or rested in makeshift camps. Sebastian and Kael approached the Assistant Professor, who looked up, a knowing glint in his eyes.
"After collecting resources for a whole day, both of you finally returned," the Assistant Professor observed, his gaze quickly assessing their unblemished appearance. He knew better than to comment on their mysterious disappearance and reappearance. "Hmm, seems both of you had a day full of good harvest without taking much damage. Alright, business first. What do you want?"
"Of course, Professor," Kael replied, a faint, almost imperceptible smirk playing on his lips.
Sebastian nodded, getting straight to the point. "Assistant Professor, we would like to exchange harvested material for Credits." He had already mentally segregated the Rune-Beast eggs; those were not for sale. All 500 would be kept.
"Okay, let's see how much the materials brought by both of you value," the Assistant Professor said, his casual tone belying his sharp, experienced eye. He gestured towards a large, enchanted scale. Sebastian began carefully extracting materials from his spatial ring: gleaming Star-Iron shards, pulsating Earthblood Crystals, rare Firelily Blooms, meticulously collected Crimson Mane Gorilla hides and cores, Ironhide Boar tusks, and an array of other high-grade herbs and minerals. Kael added his own contributions, though his haul was smaller.
The Assistant Professor's composure slowly eroded as the pile grew. He checked the quality and quantity, his brow furrowing deeper with each passing moment. After a long, meticulous assessment, he finally concluded the value. His eyes, usually impassive, widened to saucers.
"Holy shit!" he exclaimed, his jaw dropping. "What in the hell were both of you doing the whole day to collect materials of this much Credits?!" He rechecked the display, as if disbelieving his own findings. "One hundred and five thousand Credits!"
Kael, trying to maintain a straight face, replied casually, "Nothing, Professor. Just hunting and killing Rune-Beasts and gathering other materials."
The Assistant Professor stared at them, a mixture of awe and exasperation on his face. "Hey, kids, this is not ordinary hunting or killing. It's like a massacre on a whole other level. Both of you are literally plundering everything that has value!"
"We have to do this, Professor," Sebastian said, his tone matter-of-fact. "After all, our target is to earn Credits enough for our ten years of academic expenses."
The Assistant Professor's jaw dropped again, his eyes practically bugging out. "But that will be almost half a million Credits!"
Sebastian merely gave a slight nod. "Of course, Professor." He turned, gesturing for Kael to follow as they left the trading counter.
The Assistant Professor watched them go, shaking his head. "These two are not human in any way. They are truly monsters in human form or what? I can't understand them, but these two kids are going to turn the whole Trial Island Theta upside down."
As they walked past the food stalls, Kael's stomach rumbled audibly. "My Lord," he said, eyeing a stall wafting the inviting aroma of roasted meat and savory herbs. "I think we should eat something to recover our drained energies."
Sebastian chuckled softly, a rare, faint smile touching his lips. "You're right, Kael. Let's have some food before leaving the trading terminal."
The food stall was operated by Mysticrium Academy staff, providing nourishment to students in exchange for Credits. It was packed, bustling with students from different nations, their conversations a low hum of chatter, complaints, and boasts. Sebastian and Kael found a corner seat, a small, quiet island amidst the chaos. They ordered light dinner for themselves, and Sebastian used a few Credits to purchase specialized Rune-Beast kibble for their companions resting in their beast-rings, a small token of appreciation for their tireless efforts.
While having their dinner, Sebastian and Kael listened, their ears keenly attuned to the surrounding conversations. Rumors flowed like currents in a river. They heard whispers of powerful students, tales of incredible feats, and hushed accounts of those who had stumbled upon great opportunities, even evolving their Rune-Beasts using rare materials found on Trial Island Theta. They also heard about themselves.
"...and then there are those two, you know, the ones everyone's calling the 'Masked Plunderers'," a student at a nearby table whispered. "They say they're cleaning out entire sectors. No one knows who they are, but their Credit score is insane!"
Kael nudged Sebastian. "My Lord, we got our own nicknames now." He grinned, a glint of amusement in his eyes.
Sebastian chuckled, a small, genuine smile gracing his face. It seemed their efforts weren't going unnoticed. The anonymous nature of their current operation was working, allowing them to remain hidden in plain sight.
After finishing their dinner, the brief respite invigorating them, Sebastian and Kael decided to leave the trading terminal. There was no time to waste. They needed more Credits.
As they walked, Sebastian accessed the Book of Beast Records mentally, focusing on the evolution requirements for some of their Rune-Beasts. The intricate runic patterns and material prerequisites for advancing a Rune-Beast from a lower tier to an Arcane Protector or even higher were displayed in his mind's eye. The requirements were steep, involving extremely rare resources.
"Kael," Sebastian said, his voice firm, "this time, we are going to collect materials more efficiently. And we will also specifically target materials needed to evolve some of our Rune-Beasts, especially those we want to push to Arcane Protector level or beyond."
"Roger, My Lord," Kael replied, his newfound energy and the feel of his Star-Iron Warhammer making him eager for the hunt.
They plunged back into the dark embrace of the jungle, their figures once again cloaked in the Shadowsilk robes, their faces hidden behind the masks. The night hummed with different dangers, but also different opportunities.
Sebastian's All-Seeing Eyes became even more vital in the low light, painting the landscape in heat signatures, magical auras, and the subtle movements of nocturnal predators. His Book of Beast Records continuously fed him real-time data on every new creature encountered, prioritizing those with valuable eggs or evolution materials.
[First Encounter: "Nocturne Stalker – Tier IV (Arcane Protector)"
* Rune Power Level: 900
* Bonding Difficulty: Expert (7 Rune Requirements)
* Magical Resonance: Very High
* Characteristics: Elusive, highly intelligent nocturnal hunter, capable of blending perfectly with shadows and emitting disorienting sonic cries. Often targets isolated individuals.
* Abilities: Shadow Veil (superior stealth), Disorienting Wail, Phantom Claws (ethereal strikes), Night Vision.
* Encounter Rate: Rare (3-10% in wild)
* Evolution Stages: 4-5 possible evolutions
* Bonding Time: 6 months - 2 years
* Lifespan: 500-1000 years
* Threat Level: Very High ]
They detected a Nocturne Stalker, a chilling silhouette blending almost perfectly with the deep shadows. Sebastian's All-Seeing Eyes highlighted its ethereal form, its dangerous Shadow Veil useless against his unique talent. The creature moved with unsettling silence, a true predator. Sebastian knew they needed its core for its unique shadow properties – potentially useful for Umbralwing's evolution.
"Kael, that way," Sebastian whispered, pointing. "Flank right. Blairon Giant, prepare for a wide sweep. Storm Hawk, light it up. Cicada, sonic pulses."
The Nocturne Stalker lunged, a phantom blur. Sebastian met it head-on, his Twin Starfang Blades appearing as streaks of light and darkness.
-Fifth Stance: Serenade of Light and Silence – "Dual Tranquility"
As the Nocturne Stalker's Phantom Claws sliced through the air, Sebastian rotated, his movements fluid and precise. The Dawn Blade flashed, reflecting the ethereal attack like morning light off a mirror, deflecting the claw strikes with uncanny ease. Simultaneously, the Dusk Blade absorbed and redirected the force, flowing like shadow, subtly guiding the Stalker past him, disrupting its momentum. The Stalker, surprised by its ineffective attack, found itself off-balance.
Kael, his Star-Iron Warhammer ready, exploded into action. "Stoneclaw Grizzly, Boulder Fang, pin it!"
The two powerful Tier III and Tier IV beasts converged on the disoriented Nocturne Stalker. The Stoneclaw Grizzly roared, its Stone Claw Slash tearing into the Stalker's semi-ethereal form, momentarily solidifying it. The Boulder Fang followed up with an Earth Shatter, sending tremors through the ground that destabilized the agile Stalker further.
The Nocturne Stalker shrieked, a Disorienting Wail that rippled through the clearing, seeking to disrupt their focus. Sebastian, immune due to his War God Body and Kael, protected by his Iron Will Mind, were unaffected.
"Storm Hawk, Lightning Barrage! Cicada, Sonic Wave!" Sebastian commanded. The Storm Hawk rained down crackling bolts, disrupting the Stalker's attempts to re-engage its Shadow Veil. The Gale Shield Cicada emitted a powerful Sonic Wave, disorienting the Stalker further and forcing it to momentarily materialize more fully.
Seeing the opportunity, Sebastian executed a brutal offensive.
-Second Stance: Radiant Fang, Fading Claw – "Eclipse Fang"
He feinted with a bright, aggressive thrust of the Dawn Blade, drawing the Nocturne Stalker's attention and forcing it to defend. As it raised a phantom claw, the Dusk Blade followed from a blind spot, a silent, curving strike aimed directly at its chest core. The Star-Iron blade, resonating with celestial magic, bypassed the Stalker's ethereal defenses, sinking deep.
The Nocturne Stalker convulsed, its Shadow Veil flickering wildly before collapsing completely. It let out a final, pained shriek as it dissolved into faint, swirling shadows.
"Quickly, Kael," Sebastian urged. "Collect its core. And check for an egg; its lair should be nearby." The core of a Tier IV Arcane Protector was invaluable.
They pressed on, a highly efficient plundering machine. They targeted Tier II and Tier III Rune-Beasts primarily, dispatching them with brutal efficiency, leaving nothing of value behind. When they encountered Tier IV beasts like the Storm Roc or Nocturne Stalker, they engaged with extreme caution, prioritizing eggs or specific high-value materials.
Sebastian also used his All-Seeing Eyes to constantly scan for areas of high magical concentration or hidden entrances that might lead to ancient ruins or forgotten caches. He bypassed common routes, knowing that the real treasures lay in the uncharted or most dangerous zones. Their Credit tally continued its meteoric rise.
A deep canyon, shrouded in mists, caught Sebastian's attention. His All-Seeing Eyes penetrated the veil, revealing a pulsating core of raw earth magic deep within. It felt incredibly ancient, powerful. And it was guarded.
[First Encounter: "Earth Titan – Tier IV (Arcane Protector)"
* Rune Power Level: 1400
* Bonding Difficulty: Expert (7 Rune Requirements)
* Magical Resonance: Very High
* Characteristics: Colossal, rock-skinned golem, almost indistinguishable from its environment. Slow but immensely powerful, capable of manipulating geological forces.
* Abilities: Seismic Stomp (AOE ground shatter), Rockslide Barrage, Earthen Armor (passive damage reduction), Core Collapse (self-destructs if near defeat for massive damage).
* Encounter Rate: Rare (3-10% in wild)
* Evolution Stages: 4-5 possible evolutions
* Bonding Time: 6 months - 2 years
* Lifespan: 500-1000 years
* Threat Level: Very High (Extreme danger due to size and destructive power) ]
"An Earth Titan," Sebastian muttered, his eyes narrowing as the Book of Beast Records displayed its profile. "Tier IV, almost Tier V. Too dangerous to engage head-on. But that core… it's radiating ancient earth energy. It might be exactly what Boulder Fang needs for its next evolution."
"My Lord, it's enormous!" Kael exclaimed, his voice hushed. "We can't fight that!"
"We won't. We're going for the egg," Sebastian corrected. "And the core, if possible, without a direct confrontation. Kael, your Umbralwing is key here. Can it create a deep enough shadow to mask our movements even against its tremor sense?"
["Umbralwing (Shade) – Tier II (Spark Guardian)"
* Rune Power Level: 320
* Bonding Difficulty: Apprentice (3 Rune Requirements)
* Magical Resonance: Moderate
* Characteristics: Small, agile, bat-like creature with a strong affinity for shadow. Excellent for stealth and reconnaissance.
* Abilities: Shadow Veil (basic stealth), Sonic Echolocation, Darkness Pulse.
* Encounter Rate: Common (25-40% in wild)
* Evolution Stages: 2-3 possible evolutions
* Bonding Time: 1-3 weeks
* Lifespan: 100-200 years
* Threat Level: Moderate ]
"Yes, My Lord! Shade can do it!" Kael affirmed, his Umbralwing twitching with excitement.
Sebastian laid out the plan. A precise, high-stakes infiltration. Umbralwing would create a zone of deep shadow, masking their approach. Sebastian, with his All-Seeing Eyes and Beast Whisperer talent, would navigate the Titan's patrol path and sense its weak points. Kael, with his raw strength and the Blairon Giant, would be ready to create a distraction if necessary, while Sebastian focused on snatching the egg and, if the opportunity arose, targeting the exposed core. They would be moving too fast for the slow, lumbering Titan to respond effectively.
As they crept into the canyon, a powerful tremor shook the ground – the Earth Titan was moving. This was their window.
"Now, Kael!" Sebastian whispered.
Umbralwing, Shade, flitted forward, its tiny form expanding, casting an unnaturally dark Shadow Veil over a significant area around the Titan's legs, creating pockets of true blackness even in the dim canyon light. The colossal golem rumbled, sensing something amiss, but couldn't pinpoint the disturbance.
Sebastian moved with impossible stealth and speed. He was a ghost in the shadows, his War God Body making him light on his feet, his Immortal Craftsman Hands ready to extract what was needed. He saw the faint aura of a nesting site behind one of the Titan's massive, stony legs. A single, enormous egg, radiating immense earth magic. The perfect evolution material for Boulder Fang.
As he reached the egg, he felt the Titan beginning to turn, its tremor sense finally pinpointing a slight shift in the shadows.
"Kael, now! Distraction!" Sebastian ordered, already scooping the Earth Titan Egg (Grade A Legendary) into an incubator in his spatial ring.
"My Lord!" Kael roared, and with a primal yell, he unleashed his Boulder Fang. The Tier IV beast let out a defiant howl, charging the Titan's other leg. The Blairon Giant joined the assault, its metallic fists pounding the Titan's immense rocky hide. Their combined attacks, though unlikely to truly harm the Titan, drew its attention fully. The ground trembled violently as the Earth Titan focused its rage on Kael's beasts.
This was Sebastian's chance. He identified a vulnerable seam in the Titan's back, a place where the ancient core occasionally pulsed, briefly exposed.
- Seventh Stance: Final Stance: One Sky, Two Ends – "Zenith of Twilight"
Sebastian sheathed both Twin Starfang Blades with a soft click, closed his eyes for a split second, and then unsheathed them in a spinning flash that fused Dawn and Dusk energy. He lunged, a single strike that embodied both total brilliance and consuming void. A radiant arc of pure light flashed forward, aimed at the Titan's exposed core – then, darkness seemed to swallow the aftershock, a void of silence. The strike didn't pierce the entire Titan, but it severed a critical, pulsing fragment of its ancient core, a clean, precise cut.
The Earth Titan bellowed, a sound of profound pain and rage, shaking the entire canyon. "Retreat!" Sebastian commanded, having already secured the vital Earth Titan Core Shard (Grade A Legendary). Kael immediately recalled his beasts, turning to run.
They didn't look back as the Earth Titan unleashed a furious Seismic Stomp, ripping through the canyon, its attack missing them by mere feet. They were out, the precious egg and core secured.
The Headmaster of Mysticrium Academy watched the live feed, his expression unreadable. Beside him, the Heavenly Blade Emperor was practically vibrating with excitement, his smile wider than ever.
"Did you see that, Headmaster?!" the Heavenly Blade Emperor exclaimed, pointing at the screen where Sebastian's silhouette had just performed the final, paradoxical strike. "The Zenith of Twilight! I've only ever seen theoretical diagrams of such a move, combining the essence of duality into a single, devastating blow! And on an Earth Titan, no less!"
The Headmaster nodded slowly. "Indeed, Master Jian. His control over that blade art is... unprecedented for someone his age. And his resourcefulness in obtaining that Earth Titan egg and core is equally impressive."
"He's not just a prodigy in combat, Headmaster. He's a strategos! A true apex predator. He identifies weakness, leverages his talents, and doesn't waste a single movement or resource. And Kael… that retainer is utterly devoted and perfectly complementary," Master Jian continued, his eyes sparkling. "They're not just collecting Credits; they're redefining the trial itself. The other students are mere sheep in comparison."
On the massive scoreboard, Sebastian and Kael's Credit score, already astronomical, saw another significant leap, pushing them even further ahead of the rest of the 1,000 students. The Heavenly Blade Emperor chuckled. "Trial Island Theta will be a different place by the time they're done with it."
The Headmaster's gaze drifted to the other entries on the screen, seeing the scattered, lower scores. He then looked back at Sebastian and Kael's data. Frostmaw and Thunderjaw Wyvern were still listed as Sebastian's Rune-Beasts, yet he hadn't deployed Frostmaw once, even against a Tier IV Earth Titan. He had secrets. Deep ones. The Headmaster's smile grew. This trial was proving to be far more interesting than anticipated.