The Verdant Academy's tournament arena roared with cheers, its stone benches packed with students and villagers under the bright sun. Kai stood on the dirt field, his Starborn Cub bouncing at his side, its silver fur shining like stars. His black hair, streaked with silver, stuck to his sweaty forehead, and his green eyes burned with focus. The star-shaped scar on his left hand pulsed, matching the cub's warm glow. His Thorned Viper slithered nearby, its green scales glinting, moving better with their bond. His blue robes, pinned with a Novice medallion, felt like a badge of pride.
Two weeks into Verdant Academy, Kai's control was sharper. The hunt in the Verdant Wilds had unlocked Starflare Burst, and Sylvara's praise had boosted him. Veyra's shadowy moves against the corrupted Dusktalon Owl, her violet eyes watching his cub, stuck in his mind. Today's tournament was a big deal—Novices fought to show their growth, and the winner got a special training session with Sylvara. The cub yipped, wings twitching, ready to fight.
Lila leaned against a post, her auburn ponytail swaying, blue streaks in her hair catching the light. Her hazel eyes sparkled with fire, and her green robes fluttered as her Windwing Sparrow perched on her arm. Her Windchime Pendant glowed, boosting her Windslash and Windstep moves. "Think you can win, Kai?" she teased, grinning. Kai smirked, her challenge pushing him. "Watch me steal the show, Lila."
Sylvara stood on the platform, her red hair blazing under her Ember Crown. Her amber eyes scanned the Novices, and her crimson robes glowed with flame runes. Her Blazefury Drake loomed, its fiery scales casting heat. "Novices!" she shouted, her voice strong. "This tournament tests your bonds. Fight smart, not wild. The winner trains with me." Her eyes met Kai's, a spark of expectation in them.
The first fights started, Novices clashing with Common beasts—Stone Badgers, Vine Lizards, Fangboars. Lila went first, her sparrow weaving through a rival's Mud Turtle with sharp Windslashes, winning fast. Kai clapped, impressed but ready. Then Sylvara called, "Kai versus Taren!" A broad Novice stepped forward, his Common Ironclaw Badger snarling, its thick hide tough.
Kai nodded, the cub bounding into the circle, viper slithering beside it. Sylvara raised her hand. "Start!" Taren's badger charged, its Earthrend Claw tearing up dirt. Kai channeled Essence, his scar glowing. "Cub, Starflare Burst!" The cub's wings flashed, a wide arc of starlight staggering the badger. Kai focused on the viper. "Viper, Venomshade Bind!" A new move, blending venom and shadow, coiled around the badger, slowing it with dark pulses.
Taren shouted, his badger burrowing underground. Kai's cub growled, sensing it. "Viper, track!" The serpent followed the vibrations, and Kai's Starflare Burst hit the ground, forcing the badger up. The viper's Venomshade Bind tightened, draining its strength. Taren's commands faltered, and Kai finished it. "Cub, hit it!" A final Starflare Burst knocked the badger out, the crowd roaring.
Lila ran over, grinning. "Nice one, Kai! That Venomshade's mean." Kai smirked, the cub nuzzling him. "Learned from your tricks, Lila." Her cheeks turned pink, her eyes soft before she elbowed him.
A deep hum broke the cheers, chilling the air. The cub growled, its fur standing up. Lila's sparrow screeched, landing on her arm. A corrupted beast—a Common Thornspike Wolf, its fur dark with veins, eyes glowing red—burst from the forest. Its power felt heavy, like a shadow. The crowd screamed, running.
Sylvara's drake roared, flames flashing, but a shadowy tendril pinned the wolf. Veyra stepped forward, her black hair braided with dark runes, violet eyes sharp. Her Voidfang Scepter pulsed with strange power. "Pests," she muttered, crushing the wolf, its body fading into mist. Kai's cub growled, wary. Lila's pendant glowed, her voice sharp. "Why're you here, Veyra?"
Sylvara's eyes narrowed. "Leave, Veyra." Veyra smirked, her eyes on Kai's cub. "It draws trouble, Sylvara. Train him well." She vanished, leaving a chill. Sylvara turned to the Novices. "Tournament's over. Kai, Lila, you advance to my training. Stay sharp." Her drake snarled, flames lingering.
Lila grabbed Kai's arm, her voice low. "That wolf wasn't random, Kai." Kai nodded, the cub's warmth steadying him. "I know, Lila." Her hand stayed on his arm, her hazel eyes soft. "We'll handle it, Kai." In the dorms, Kai sat with the cub, its Starflare glowing. Lila leaned against the door, her sparrow nearby. "You're trouble, Kai," she teased, her voice warm. Kai grinned. "Good thing you're here, Lila."