The pre-dawn light filtered weakly into the hidden cave as Sebastian completed his calculations. The Rune-scroll shimmered, displaying their astronomical Credit balance – a staggering 750,000 Credits. It was far beyond their initial target, a testament to their efficiency and Sebastian's predatory acumen.
"Now that our financial target has been accomplished, Kael," Sebastian stated, his voice calm and resolute, "we should stop exchanging materials for Credits. From now on, we will keep all the materials collected on this Trial Island Theta for ourselves."
Kael, wiping sweat from his brow after a final check of his new gear, nodded in agreement. "You are right, My Lord. I think we might need them in the future. These materials are too valuable to just sell off."
"Precisely," Sebastian affirmed. "We can't evolve our current Rune-Beasts right now, because it might take them days to recover from the process, leaving us vulnerable. But we can collect all the materials needed for their evolution, so they can evolve safely inside the academy once the trial concludes."
"You are right, My Lord," Kael conceded, then furrowed his brow. "But then, how are we going to increase our strength? Without our Rune-Beasts evolving, we might fall short against the other prodigies from other nations, especially the ones with Tier V companions." He was thinking of Prince Leopold and his Quartzion Rhino.
Sebastian's gaze drifted, his mind processing the lessons learned from observing the Diamond Bear and Quartzion Rhino clash. "Hmm. After seeing Prince Leopold Amadeus Von Hohencrist fight alongside his Tier V: Quartzion Rhino, I can think of only one way to significantly increase our immediate combat strength. That's to bond with new, stronger Rune-Beasts that are present on this island."
Kael's eyes widened behind his mask. "Is that even possible, My Lord? Bonding with powerful Rune-Beasts in the middle of a trial?"
"Of course, it's possible," Sebastian replied, a faint, almost imperceptible smile touching his lips beneath his mask. "But we have to be willing to gamble our future on it. Capturing a high-tier Rune-Beast mid-trial, and then successfully bonding with it, carries immense risk, but also immense reward."
"That was the least I was worried about," Kael stated immediately, his unwavering loyalty and courage shining through. "If it's possible, My Lord, then let's do it!"
"Then what are we waiting for?" Sebastian said, rising to his feet. "Let's get some new beast-rings first from the trading terminal. We'll need plenty if we're going to expand our arsenal."
The early morning of the fourth day saw Sebastian and Kael approaching the trading terminal once more. Their new Veil of the Silent Sentinel armor, with its dark metallic plates and flowing midnight blue cloaks, combined with their angular, geometric masks, rendered them almost unrecognizable. The Assistant Professor, already at his station, looked up as they entered, a weary but professional smile on his face.
"Can I help you, students?" he asked unknowingly, his eyes scanning their formidable new appearance. "Can you tell me your identities, students?"
Kael, always more direct, decided to prod him. "Professor, can't you recognize us?"
The Assistant Professor squinted, studying their masked faces. "Umm, have we met before? Your gear is... unfamiliar." He genuinely seemed to draw a blank.
Only after Sebastian and Kael reached up and removed their masks, revealing their faces, did the Assistant Professor's eyes snap wide open. "You two! Sebastian! Kael!" His jaw dropped. He then took in their high-quality armor and weapons, his eyes practically bugging out. "If I remember correctly, both of you never exchanged armor for Credits. So how in the hell did you get your hands on these armors and weapons? These are top-tier materials! And the craftsmanship is... unreal!"
Sebastian simply stated, "We just made them ourselves, Professor."
The Assistant Professor stared, then blinked, his mind struggling to comprehend. "Hmm. Is this possible?" He thought for a while, a glimmer of realization slowly dawning in his eyes. "It is possible, if one of you had a talent related to forging... a very high-grade talent, at that."
Sebastian nodded. "You are right, Professor."
"Hah! Sebastian," the Assistant Professor exclaimed, a mix of shock and awe in his voice, "do you know how valuable you are right now? A combat prodigy is one thing, but a combatant who can craft legendary gear from raw materials in the field? That's... unprecedented for a first-year student."
"No, I don't," Sebastian replied calmly, though he had a very clear idea of the value of his Immortal Craftsman Hands.
"Hmm, you will know in the future just how valuable your talent is. It's truly a game-changer. Okay, let's get down to business. If both of you have come here, then I guess you want to buy something?"
"Yes," Sebastian confirmed. "We would like to buy 100 Beast-rings."
The Assistant Professor raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the quantity but quickly calculating. "Hmm, that would cost you about 5,000 Credits. Standard price for basic rings, though they're durable enough for most captured Rune-Beasts."
"Okay," Sebastian agreed, unfazed by the amount.
The Assistant Professor swiped their student ID card, transferring 5,000 Credits. "Here are your 100 Beast-rings, students. Anything else?"
"Nothing else for now, Professor," Sebastian said, donning his mask once more. "Now, we will only meet after this trial ends."
"All the best then, you two," the Assistant Professor said, still in a daze. As he watched Sebastian and Kael turn to leave, he glanced reflexively at their combined Credit value on the terminal's screen. His eyes nearly popped out of his head. The Credit value was about 750,000 Credits! "Seven hundred and fifty thousand... in three days..." he whispered, his voice trailing off as they vanished into the jungle. "These students... they're truly insane."
Sebastian and Kael moved directly towards the deepest parts of the core sectors, their new equipment feeling like a second skin. The air grew thicker with mana, the ancient trees twisted into more monstrous forms, and the ground underfoot became uneven, often laced with exposed roots or strange, glowing fungi.
"Let's get some new Rune-Beasts," Sebastian said, his voice carrying a predatory edge.
"What kind of Rune-Beasts are you expecting, My Lord?" Kael inquired, his hand resting on the hilt of his Star-Iron Warhammer.
"Hmm, I already have Rune-Beasts related to Ice (Frostmaw), Earth (Blairon Giant), Lightning (Storm Hawk, Thunderjaw Wyvern, Gale Shield Cicada), and Nature (Springshoot Panda)," Sebastian mused, listing his companions. "So, I would like to capture some with different elemental affinities or unique abilities from my current Rune-Beasts. Let's first explore the dense forests in the core sectors. We might find some interesting things. Perhaps something avian, agile, or with powerful arcane abilities."
"Understood, My Lord," Kael affirmed, his senses heightened, constantly scanning their surroundings.
As if responding to Sebastian's unspoken desires, the Book of Beast Records (Unique), which resided within his mind, began to flip frantically. Its pages blurred with images and data, processing the new, stronger energy signatures in their vicinity.
The first group of beasts they encountered was a large flock of Tier III: Cyravex and their undeniable leader, a magnificent Tier V: Azure Zephyrex.
[[ First Encounter: "Azure Zephyrex – Tier V (Mystic Avian Beast)"
*Rune Power Level: 2100
*Bonding Difficulty: Master (10 Rune Requirements)
*Magical Resonance: Legendary
-Characteristics: A one-of-a-kind Mystic Avian Beast
*Size: Stands 3.5 meters tall when perched; wingspan stretches over 9 meters.
*Body: Sleek, aerodynamic body covered in shimmering sapphire-blue feathers with deep obsidian and silver accents. The feathers shift in color slightly based on its mood or magical activity.
*Head: A sharp, curved beak resembling polished steel; crowned with a majestic crest of long, radiant feathers that rise like a ceremonial headdress when agitated or displaying dominance.
*Eyes: Intelligent, glowing with an inner blue flame, capable of seeing magical energy flows.
*Tail: Long, fan-like tail with iridescent eye-like patterns that dazzle predators and rivals.
*Legs & Talons: Powerful talons made of hardened mythril-like keratin capable of cracking enchanted stone.
-Abilities:
*Sonic Cry (Echo Pulse): Releases a piercing, multi-toned screech that causes intense disorientation, shattering illusions and disrupting sound-based attacks or communication. It can even temporarily deafen magical beasts.
*Mirrorfeather Cloak: Its feathers can bend light and energy, allowing the Zephyrex to become partially invisible or mimic its surroundings, perfect for ambushes or stealth in forest canopies.
*Storm Glider: When flying at full speed, the Zephyrex can manipulate air currents and static charges to summon small tempests. It rides lightning and can strike with bolts through its wings.
*Memory Echo: Can mimic any voice or sound it has heard once, including complex languages or spells. This makes it a mimic-trap in forest regions, luring travelers with familiar voices.
*Sky Runes: The pattern on its wings glows when casting elemental wind or sky magic. With each beat of its wings, ancient sigils form in the air, enabling barrier creation or burst flight through magical acceleration.
-Additional Information:
*Habitat: Realm of Sylventhral, a floating forest kingdom veiled by permanent mist and high-altitude clouds. The Zephyrex nests in ancient skybark trees surrounded by mana-charged winds.
*Behavior: Highly intelligent and territorial. Often acts as a guardian beast for sacred groves or relic towers. Has a complex song dialect that can store history, messages, and magical secrets.
*Encounter Rate: Unique (only one such beast is present on the Trial Island Theta)
*Evolution Stages: Unknown (potential for Legendary evolution)
*Bonding Time: 3-5 years (extremely difficult
*Lifespan: 1500-2500 years
*Threat Level: Catastrophic (due to unique abilities, intelligence, and power) ]]
The Azure Zephyrex perched regally on a massive branch of an ancient skybark tree, its sapphire-blue feathers shimmering, its intelligent blue eyes surveying its domain. Below it, a flock of Cyravex (smaller, Tier III versions of the Zephyrex) darted through the canopy.
When Kael first saw the Azure Zephyrex, he couldn't help but admire its breathtaking beauty and powerful aura. It was a creature out of legend. He found himself momentarily stunned, forgetting the danger.
Sebastian, noticing Kael's uncharacteristic stillness, asked, his voice low and steady, "Do you want to bond with it, Kael?"
Kael snapped out of his trance, his eyes wide with a mix of awe and renewed determination. "Is it possible, My Lord? A beast of this caliber... it's a Mystic Beast!"
"Why not?" Sebastian replied, his gaze unwavering as he stared at the Azure Zephyrex. "It's a Master-difficulty bond, a legendary creature. It will demand everything you have. You just need to defeat that Tier V: Azure Zephyrex with all you've got and then establish a bond with him. It will be the ultimate test of your strength, your will, and your connection to the Rune-Beasts you already command."
"Got it, My Lord!" Kael's voice was firm, all traces of awe replaced by fierce resolve. He clenched his fists around the hilt of his Star-Iron Warhammer.
"Kael, don't worry about any disturbance," Sebastian said, his eyes scanning the surrounding forest for any other potential threats or rival students. "I will make sure nobody disturbs your battle. And don't do it for me, Kael, but for yourself. This is your chance to prove your worth, to elevate your strength beyond limits."
"Thank you, My Lord!" Kael exclaimed, a surge of gratitude and raw power coursing through him.
Kael prepared himself, adjusting his Veil of the Silent Sentinel armor. He hefted his Star-Iron Warhammer and raised his Obsidian Soul Shield, its dark blue gradient reflecting the dim light. He then brought out his three personal Rune-Beasts: his loyal Stoneclaw Grizzly (Tier III), the agile Umbralwing (Tier II), and the formidable Boulder Fang (Tier IV). These were his beasts, bound solely to him, and together, they were a force.
Sebastian, with a swift, almost imperceptible motion, threw an empty beast-ring towards Kael. "Give your all, Kael."
Kael caught the beast-ring, his resolve unwavering, his confidence burning like a forge. He roared, a challenge that echoed through the dense canopy, and charged towards the Azure Zephyrex, his beasts following his lead. The Stoneclaw Grizzly let out a guttural growl, the Umbralwing a silent, ominous presence, and the Boulder Fang stomped forward, shaking the ground.
At the same time, Sebastian sprang into action. He brought out every Rune-Beast he had, except for the hidden Frostmaw. His Thunderjaw Wyvern, Storm Hawk, Gale Shield Cicada, Blairon Giant, and Springshoot Panda materialized around him. His objective was clear: create a wide perimeter, eliminate all the Tier III: Cyravex to prevent them from interfering with Kael's monumental fight, and ensure not a single other student dared to approach.
The forest immediately erupted into a maelstrom of light, sound, and elemental energy. Sebastian, wielding his Twin Starfang Blades with deadly precision, moved like a phantom, his Veil of the Silent Sentinel armor allowing him to slip through the chaos. He slashed, dodged, and parried, his Rune-Beasts working in perfect synchronicity around him.
The Cyravex, though only Tier III, were numerous and agile. They darted through the trees, attempting Sonic Cries and utilizing their Mirrorfeather Cloaks to ambush. But Sebastian's All-Seeing Eyes pierced their illusions, and his Unified Twilight Blade Art met every attack with overwhelming force. His Adamantine Piercing Arrows whistled through the air, felling multiple Cyravex with each shot. His Starmetal Shivs, thrown with pinpoint accuracy, found vulnerable spots, their invisible strings recalling them instantly.
His Thunderjaw Wyvern roared, unleashing bolts of lightning that incinerated groups of Cyravex. The Storm Hawk soared, its own Lightning Barrages striking down avian foes. The Gale Shield Cicada emitted disruptive Sonic Waves, preventing the Cyravex from fully utilizing their abilities. The Blairon Giant acted as a moving fortress, smashing through dense clusters, while the Springshoot Panda created thorny thickets and healing mists, providing both offensive and defensive support.
Sebastian moved with ruthless efficiency, his every action precise and deadly. He wasn't just fighting; he was clearing a battlefield. As he dispatched each Cyravex, he swiftly collected their remains and, to his pleasant surprise, found a plethora of Cyravex Eggs (Grade C Rare). He stored them immediately in his incubators. The sheer number of eggs was astounding – about 90 in total. This was an unforeseen bonus, providing valuable future bonding opportunities or highly marketable resources.
Meanwhile, a thunderous roar ripped through the air as Kael's battle with the Azure Zephyrex began in earnest. The rhythmic clang of Kael's Star-Iron Warhammer against the Zephyrex's mythril-like talons and the piercing sound of its Sonic Cry (Echo Pulse) filled the forest, a symphony of raw power. Kael was giving his all, just as Sebastian had commanded. The true test had begun.