The Beast Forest seemed even darker the next morning. Mist clung to the treetops, and a damp, earthy scent hung in the air. Most students were exhausted from yesterday's survival exercise, limping or nursing scratches.
Not Ethan. He strode forward with confidence, Flame Fox at his side, sixth tail flicking faintly. Every leaf, every shadow, every rustle was already scanned and logged in his mind thanks to his Eye of All Things.
Instructor Raymond gathered the students. "Today, we go deeper. The forest beyond this point is called the Shadowed Vale. Here, beasts of higher Black Iron and even low Diamond level dwell. Your mission is to hunt, survive, and bring back proof of your success."
A shiver ran through the crowd. Diamond-level Black Iron beasts were rare, lethal, and far beyond what most students could handle.
Lucas Greystone laughed, twirling a dagger. "Finally, a challenge worthy of my S-rank talent." His Steel-Armored Wolf growled, muscles rippling under its metallic fur.
Ethan didn't react. He crouched beside his fox, whispering softly. "Ready?" The fox's ears twitched. Its sixth tail glowed slightly brighter, reflecting its excitement. The fusion bond hummed faintly as their energies aligned.
Deeper into the Shadowed Vale
The deeper they ventured, the darker the forest became. Trees grew thick and gnarled, roots twisting into natural traps. Strange glowing insects buzzed in patterns that resembled eyes, and distant roars hinted at predators far beyond the standard Black Iron 7-8 range.
Ethan moved silently, trusting his Eye of All Things.
[Beast Scan – Nearby]
Species: Darkfang Panther
Bloodline: Silver (High)
Level: Black Iron 8
Potential Evolution: Platinum
Notes: Agile predator; highly territorial; attacks in ambush.
Ethan smiled faintly. "Perfect. First target."
The fox crouched low, tails quivering with anticipation. The sixth tail emitted small embers that reflected off the mist. Ethan inhaled sharply. Today's target wasn't just a fight—it was a catalyst for evolution.
Ambush and Precision
The Darkfang Panther leapt from the shadows. Its claws tore through the air, aiming for the fox. Most students would have panicked.
Ethan didn't. His body reacted as one with the fox thanks to fusion. "Left flank, dodge and strike!"
The fox darted, embers trailing from its sixth tail. The panther landed with a thud, claws scraping stones where the fox had been moments before.
Ethan felt the fox's adrenaline spike—its growth potential activated. He whispered softly, barely audible, invoking the Evolution Talent: "Now. Accelerate."
A sudden surge of energy coursed through the fox. Its fur brightened, muscles rippling. A faint outline of a seventh tail flickered behind the six existing ones. It wasn't fully solid yet, more like a shimmering wisp, but it was unmistakable.
The Darkfang Panther lunged again. This time, the fox moved with fluid, almost predatory grace. It struck the panther with precise bites and claw swipes, exploiting every gap in the predator's defense.
Lucas and his wolf were watching nearby, jaw dropping. "No… a Bronze fox… outmaneuvering a Black Iron 8 Silver Panther? That's impossible!"
Ethan didn't respond. He simply felt the fox, guiding it with every subtle movement, every microsecond of reaction. This was fusion at work, using both instincts and intelligence simultaneously.
Unleashing Hidden Potential
After repeated exchanges, the fox found an opening. Its six tails flared into an almost blinding light. The seventh tail solidified briefly, a small flame curling outward. The panther yelped in surprise and fled into the shadows, wounded but alive.
Ethan knelt beside his fox, feeling the fusion surge through him. "You did it… the seventh tail."
The fox's body glowed faintly, embers trailing across its bronze fur. Its eyes gleamed with awareness, intelligence, and an almost divine aura. It wasn't just stronger physically—its instincts, reactions, and coordination had jumped multiple levels.
Ethan whispered, stroking the fox's fur. "We're just getting started. Every tail, every evolution… we'll surpass them all."
Observation and Reflection
Instructor Raymond approached, eyes wide with surprise. "Ethan Cross… that fox… your synchronization, your control, its acceleration… It's unprecedented for a B-rank talent. You are rewriting the limits of Bronze bloodline beasts."
Lucas clenched his fists, rage boiling over. "This isn't possible. I'm S-rank, and my wolf—"
Ethan interrupted him calmly. "Talent isn't everything, Lucas. Understanding, evolution, and fusion… that's how a weak beast can surpass the strong."
The fox curled up against Ethan's chest, its seventh tail flicking faintly. The embers danced in the mist, a tiny fire defying the shadowed forest.
[Flame Fox Status]
Bloodline: Bronze
Level: Black Iron 4 (combat-tested, growth potential accelerating)
Tails: 7/9
Notes: Seventh tail awakened; combat instincts and reflexes dramatically increased; fusion synchronization at peak efficiency.
A Glimpse of the Mythical Future
That night, back at the dormitory, Ethan sat under the stars. The fox lay beside him, tails flicking softly, each tail glowing faintly in rhythm with its heartbeat.
Ethan gazed upward. "Sixth tail, seventh tail… soon, every tail will awaken. Every evolution, every fight… will make us unstoppable."
He closed his eyes briefly, feeling the fusion bond deepen. The fox's abilities were now partially integrated with him, meaning even his B-rank body moved with enhanced instincts and reflexes.
"The world thinks we are weak… but they will learn," Ethan whispered. "By the time the ninth tail awakens, we will be untouchable."
And in the shadows of the forest, a distant growl echoed—something far stronger than any of yesterday's opponents. Yet Ethan smiled faintly. "Good. That's the kind of challenge we need."
✨ End of Chapter 10 ✨