The morning fog clung to the outskirts of Azure Sky Academy like a silvery veil, obscuring the jagged tree line of the Beast Forest. This sprawling wilderness was a training ground for Beast Masters of all ranks, filled with creatures ranging from low-grade Bronze to rare Gold-blooded monsters. Each year, the academy sent students into the forest to test their beasts' abilities, survival skills, and synchronization with their masters.
Eighteen-year-olds gathered near the forest edge, clutching their summoning crystals, eyes wide with anticipation. For many, this was the first real test outside the controlled training grounds, the first chance to see how their talents and beasts performed under true danger.
Ethan Cross walked calmly at the back of the group. His fox padded silently beside him, bronze fur gleaming faintly under the diffused light. Unlike the other students, he remained serene, observing both the forest and the other participants.
"B-rank talent and a Bronze fox," Lucas Greystone sneered from ahead. His wolf, gleaming with steel-like fur, paced beside him. "You really think you'll survive this, Cross? Don't drag my wolf into your failure."
"Don't underestimate the little ones," Ethan replied softly, though his words were meant more for himself than Lucas.
The instructors raised their hands, signaling the start of the hunt.
"Remember," Instructor Raymond called out, voice carrying across the mist, "this exercise is not just about combat. Survival, observation, and strategic thinking count just as much. Anyone caught off-guard may face serious consequences. Keep your distance, track your prey, and trust your beast."
With that, the students dispersed into the thick fog of the forest. The atmosphere was tense; each snapping branch, rustling leaf, or distant roar carried weight.
Into the Forest
Ethan moved carefully, letting the fox lead when necessary. Its nose twitched, picking up faint scents, its tail flicking in small, controlled motions. Despite its seemingly ordinary Bronze-bloodline, the fox's awareness was uncanny.
[Eye of All Things activated]
Creature Detected: Forest Stalker Wolf
Bloodline: Bronze
Level: Black Iron 2
Behavior: Aggressive, Territorial
Evolution Path: Black Iron → Bronze → Silver → Gold → Platinum → Diamond → King → Supreme → Mythical
Hidden Evolution: None
Ethan's eyes narrowed. Even low-level beasts could be dangerous when hunting in groups or in their own territory. The fox's fur bristled slightly, sensing the nearby predator.
"Stay close," Ethan whispered, and the fox crouched low, ready to move.
A sudden howl pierced the mist. A pair of Forest Stalker Wolves emerged from behind the trees, their silver-gray fur mottled with mud and leaves. They were mid-tier Bronze bloodlines, small but agile, with claws capable of tearing through thin wood.
Lucas, further down the trail, laughed loudly. "Cross! You're surrounded! Run if you can!"
Ethan's expression remained calm. The fox's eyes glowed faintly gold—its first real test in combat.
First Combat – Tail Awakening
The wolves lunged simultaneously, fangs bared. The fox darted to the side, almost slipping on wet leaves. Its tail flicked instinctively, and a faint wisp of flame flickered, unnoticed by anyone but Ethan.
"Focus… trust me," he murmured. Using the Fusion Talent, he synchronized slightly with the fox, linking their reflexes without fully merging. The fox's movements sharpened, its dodges precise and elegant.
One wolf aimed directly at the fox, claws extended. In a blink, the fox leapt over the attack, twisting mid-air. A small golden flame erupted from its tail, striking the wolf and burning a shallow mark across its shoulder. The wolf yelped, recoiling in pain.
Ethan's eyes glimmered. First tail has awakened.
The fox landed gracefully and lunged at the second wolf, biting its leg. While it didn't seriously injure the beast, the attack staggered it enough for Ethan to issue another command.
"Dodge again, then flank!"
The fox moved like liquid shadow, weaving through the trees, tail flicking intermittently. Flames shimmered faintly with each motion, marking the emergence of the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox's first tail.
Even in a fight with Bronze-level wolves, the fox's movements were far beyond its level. Ethan's Eye of All Things displayed hidden potential for rapid evolution.
[Evolution Talent Available – Option Detected]
Accelerate bloodline evolution?
Current: Bronze → Next: Silver → Potential Mythical Tail Activation
Ethan hesitated. Not yet. One battle at a time. He allowed the fox to continue, letting it rely on instinct and their minor fusion. Every maneuver honed its combat skills, and the fox's first taste of real battle cemented its connection with him.
Observation and Strategy
While most students charged recklessly at any creatures they encountered, Ethan took a measured approach. He observed predator paths, calculated distances, and issued precise commands. His fox mirrored his intelligence in micro-movements.
Several higher-ranking students, wielding Silver or Gold-bloodline beasts, stumbled into the same wolves. Within minutes, they found themselves outmaneuvered, claws scraped, bites bruising. Yet Ethan's fox remained unharmed, moving with calculated precision and faint golden trails marking each tail flick.
Lucas' wolf finally reached Ethan's location, snarling. "Cross! You can't hide forever! Step aside, or my wolf—"
"Fox, dodge, then strike the rear!" Ethan commanded. The fox obeyed instantly, leaping behind a large boulder. Its tail flicked once more, and a thin streak of flame shot at the wolf's hind leg, causing it to stumble.
Lucas' jaw tightened. "Impossible… how can a Bronze-level fox move like that?"
Ethan's lips curved into a faint smile. "You're looking at it, Lucas. But don't blink, or you'll miss the rest."
The Hidden Evolution
The fight with the wolves ended quickly. Ethan allowed them to escape into the forest after minor injuries, knowing that teaching the fox patience and control was more important than killing every low-tier beast.
After the wolves retreated, the fox sat by his side, tail flicking faintly, the golden flame now more distinct. It had survived its first real fight, and in doing so, its latent Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox evolution had progressed further.
Ethan knelt and touched the fox's head. "Good. First battle completed. First tail awakened. Each step forward will make you stronger, and one day, you'll surpass them all."
[Beast Status – Visible Only to Ethan]
Bloodline: Bronze → Minor Evolution Progress
Level: Black Iron 1 → 2 (experience gained from battle)
Hidden Evolution: Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox, First Tail Activated
Ability Growth: Reflexes +15%, Agility +10%, Flame Control +5%
The fox's eyes glimmered with newfound confidence, tail swishing in acknowledgment. Its small form radiated potential that no one else could detect.
Back at the Camp
By dusk, students regrouped at the forest's edge. Exhausted, muddy, and bruised, most were demoralized. Several Silver and Gold-bloodline students complained of injuries, while lower-tier students barely survived against minor beasts.
Lucas' wolf limped slightly, the steel claws dulled by the fox's small strikes. His pride was wounded more than his beast. He shot Ethan a glare that could burn stone.
"You… how?" Lucas growled, voice low. "Your fox… it shouldn't be able to do that."
Ethan only smiled faintly. "You'll see in time. Today was just a small step."
Instructor Raymond approached, inspecting the students. His eyes lingered on Ethan and the fox. "Exceptional," he muttered under his breath. "That beast… and its master. There's something extraordinary hidden there. I must observe further."
Evening Reflection
As night fell, Ethan sat beside the fox in a quiet glade, the forest alive with nocturnal creatures. The fox curled up, tail flicking gently as faint embers of gold danced along its fur.
"This is only the beginning," Ethan whispered. "We've survived the first hunt. But next time, we'll aim higher. Each battle… each evolution… will bring us closer to the Mythical. No one will underestimate us."
The fox's warm body pressed against him, a silent affirmation. Ethan's Fusion Talent hummed quietly, the connection between them deepening.
And in the shadows of the forest, unseen eyes observed them both. Ancient forces, long dormant, sensed the stirrings of a future Beast Emperor. Whispers of legends carried through the trees:
"A master and his beast… Bronze today, Mythical tomorrow… the world will tremble before the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox."
Ethan's eyes reflected the faint moonlight, unwavering and calm. "Let them laugh today. One day… they'll bow."
✨ End of Chapter 3 ✨