The Azure Sky Academy's main hall was ablaze with banners of crimson, gold, and silver, announcing the start of the Mid-Year Beast Trials. Unlike the earlier forest expedition, these trials were formal, controlled, and designed to test every aspect of a Beast Master's capability: battle strategy, beast evolution, synchronization, and combat against peers.
The stands were crowded with spectators: academy elders, renowned Beast Masters, and representatives from wealthy clans. Whispers of Ethan Cross had already begun to circulate. The orphan and his Bronze-bloodline fox were now a name people were cautiously watching.
Lucas Greystone, clad in his ceremonial armor, his Steel-Armored Wolf by his side, glared at Ethan with barely concealed fury. "Cross," he growled, "don't think yesterday's forest dodge proves anything. Today, I'll crush both you and that mutt of yours. You'll regret surviving the forest."
Ethan merely adjusted the fox's collar, its bronze fur glinting under the morning sun. The faint glow of the first tail lingered, while a subtle second wisp flickered intermittently. Patience. Timing is everything.
Trial Announcement
Instructor Raymond stepped to the center of the arena, his long robes swaying. "Welcome to the Mid-Year Trials," he announced. "Today, you will face a series of challenges designed to test synchronization, combat, and strategy. Remember: your beast's bloodline and level alone do not guarantee victory. Only mastery, growth, and synergy will determine your true strength."
Gasps echoed from the students. Many of the academy's top-tier attendees—Silver and Gold-bloodline owners—smirked, certain of easy victories.
The trials were divided into three main stages:
Beast Combat Sparring – One-on-one duels to gauge tactical ability and synchronization.
Strategic Capture Simulation – Teams navigate obstacles, capture a target beast, and return it safely.
Survival and Evolution Test – Students face mid-tier wild beasts to assess bloodline evolution and mastery potential.
Ethan observed quietly. He knew the fox could handle the first stage, but the real test would be survival and evolution.
Stage 1 – Beast Combat Sparring
Lucas stepped forward first, the wolf's claws scraping the stone. He scanned the arena, confident in his dominance. "Who wants to face me?"
A few students stepped back. Lucas smirked and pointed at Ethan. "You. Bronze fox. Show me what survival taught you."
The arena erupted with whispers.
"B-rank orphan against S-rank heir… the fox will be shredded.""This will be entertaining."
The sparring began. Lucas' wolf charged with incredible speed, its steel-like claws aiming to shred the fox instantly. Ethan's heart raced, but he remained calm.
"Focus. Observe. Tail one, defend," he whispered. The fox crouched, eyes sharp. As the wolf's claws came down, it rolled sideways with agility no Bronze fox should possess, flames flickering briefly from the tail.
Ethan's Eye of All Things scanned Lucas and the wolf instantly:
Wolf Level: Black Iron 4
Wolf Bloodline: Silver
Attack Pattern: Aggressive frontal strike, reliant on strength
Weakness: Overcommitment in frontal assault, vulnerable rear flank
Ethan guided the fox silently, using its speed and environmental cover to evade repeated attacks. Each dodge, each flicker of flame, was calculated.
At the right moment, Ethan whispered, "Tail two—ignite!" A more defined wisp of golden flame swirled around the fox's tail. The wolf flinched, startled by the sudden heat and energy. With a swift counter, the fox leaped onto the wolf's back, teeth finding gaps in its armor.
Lucas' eyes widened. "Impossible… this Bronze fox…"
Instructor Raymond, observing from above, murmured, "Interesting… synchronization and latent bloodline potential. This fox is far beyond what its label suggests."
The sparring ended with Ethan standing, fox at his side, unharmed. Lucas' wolf was scratched, humiliated, but intact.
Stage 2 – Strategic Capture Simulation
Next came the team-based strategic capture. Students were divided into small squads. Each team had to capture a mid-tier wild beast and bring it back to the arena. Obstacles, traps, and environmental hazards added complexity.
Ethan paired with two classmates, both Silver-bloodline owners. The plan was simple: control the battlefield, let the fox lead, and maintain stealth.
While other teams relied on brute force, Ethan used the fox to detect hidden paths, locate weak points in obstacles, and distract wild beasts. He whispered precise commands:
"Left flank, tail one for distraction. Wait for opening."
The fox's tail flickered, drawing attention as predicted. Wild beasts turned, leaving a clear path for teammates to corner the target. One student, impressed, whispered, "How does a Bronze fox know all this?"
Ethan didn't respond. Inwardly, he calculated: with the Eye of All Things, he could anticipate movements of every beast and obstacle. His fox acted as both scout and combatant, its second tail flicker subtly influencing combat perception.
By the end, Ethan's team captured the target beast fastest, returning it safely with minimal risk. The audience murmured in shock. Even mid-tier Silver and Gold owners struggled to achieve the same result.
Stage 3 – Survival and Evolution Test
The final stage was the most grueling. Students faced wild beasts in a semi-controlled arena designed to simulate unpredictable natural behavior. Here, the fox's evolution potential would be tested.
As Ethan entered, he noticed a group of Black Iron 5 beasts roaming. Among them, a rare Bronze Bloodline Flame Lizard—typically low tier—displayed unusual aggression.
Ethan whispered to the fox: "Observe first. Tail two, remain hidden. Evolution when necessary."
The fox crouched, eyes scanning. As the lizard lunged unexpectedly, the fox dodged instinctively. Its first and second tails flickered in combination, releasing a faint heat wave that staggered the lizard.
Ethan activated the Evolution Talent partially. He didn't want to awaken the Mythical Nine-Tails fully yet, only enough to enhance the bloodline temporarily. Instantly, the fox's Bronze-bloodline energy surged. Muscles tensed, reflexes sharpened, and its flame tail grew slightly stronger.
The fox moved like a shadow, dodging, striking, and weaving around the larger beasts. Its synchronization with Ethan was flawless. He felt the fox as an extension of himself. Each movement, each dodge, each attack was shared—proof of the Fusion Talent's latent potential, though he had not fully activated it yet.
Within moments, the fox neutralized threats far beyond what any Bronze fox should handle. Students and spectators gasped.
Lucas, watching from the sidelines, clenched his fists. "No… a Bronze fox shouldn't be able to… that's… cheating!"
Instructor Raymond nodded slowly. "Remarkable. This student's talents are extraordinary. He has three abilities I have never fully observed in combination before: full beast information perception, controlled evolution, and partial fusion potential."
End of Trials – Rankings Update
The trials concluded with Ethan standing at the top tier. Official rankings were updated:
Ethan Cross – A+ Rank Beast Master
Lucas Greystone – S-rank Beast Master
Other students: Silver and Gold owners adjusted accordingly
Though officially Lucas remained S-rank, whispers circulated: Ethan's performance suggested hidden power beyond current rankings.
The fox sat beside Ethan, tail flickering twice now, faint flames dancing like tiny suns. Only Ethan knew: this was just the beginning.
Dormitory Night – Hints of Fusion
That night, Ethan sat in the quiet dormitory courtyard, fox resting against him. Moonlight shimmered on its bronze fur.
"Today… we've tested strength, strategy, and evolution," Ethan murmured. "Next, we'll practice fusion. I won't awaken you fully yet, but a taste will prepare you."
He reached out, laying his hand gently over the fox's back. A faint warmth surged between them. For a brief second, their aura merged. Ethan felt:
Enhanced senses
Accelerated reflexes
Minor elemental flame control
He pulled back, letting the fox rest. Patience was key. The Nine-Tails potential will not be rushed.
Ethan gazed at the moon. "One day, the world will recognize… the Bronze fox at my side is destined for the heights of Mythical. And when fusion is complete, all abilities… will be mine."
The fox yawned, tail flicking twice, a subtle affirmation of trust and growth. Ethan smiled faintly. The path ahead was long, but today proved one thing: even an orphan with a B-rank awakening could outclass the elite, step by step, tail by tail.
✨ End of Chapter 5 ✨