At dawn, the Academic No. 13 High School flags came down. When the sun's edge cleared the mountains, the square was full of carts, horses, and a single cloud-carved carriage with the Dragon Country seal on it.
The steward yelled, "Students going to Beast Tamer Academy, line up!" His voice had a crack that no one wanted to test.
Chen Ho put his small pack on his back. It wasn't much: a bundle of dried meat, a coil of spider silk, a few silver coins he got from a dungeon, and the warm weight of Pionix on his shoulder. The chick proudly preened its amber feathers, which made the younger students stare and whisper.
"Seems to get stronger every day..."
"Still just a change."
"Mutation or miracle, it burned through the tournament."
Fatty Lin was busy next to Chen Ho, pulling along a bag that looked more like a portable kitchen than luggage. "Provisions!" Snacks! Things that protect you from bad luck! Extra buns in case someone steals your buns!
Chen Ho laughed and said, "Lin, you're not even enrolled."
Lin sniffed. "What is paperwork compared to fate? I also gave a driver dumplings as a bribe. "Who am I to argue with fate?"
Chen Ho shook his head but didn't say anything else.
The Caravan
The road was wide and dusty, and it wound its way toward the horizon, where the walls of Magic City could be seen faintly in the distance. A line of wagons moved forward, with armored riders and teachers from different schools watching over them.
Instructor He Ling rode a white mare at the front of the caravan. Even though it was early in the morning, her eyes were sharp. "Stay in line." Bandits roam these roads, and this time of year, spirit beasts are on the move.
A tall man with silver-streaked hair and a cloak trimmed with beast hide stood behind her and drew whispers. His eyes looked through people, as if they were measuring.
Bai Yun whispered in awe, "That's Master Gu Tian, one of the academy's outer instructors." "He trains Beast Tamers who can already control rank-2 beasts!"
Fatty Lin pushed Chen Ho. "Be careful." He'll see you ate my last bun if he stares at you for too long.
Pionix was angry at the thought.
The Trip
The first day went by in a steady rhythm, with hooves hitting the ground, wheels creaking, and a hawk screeching now and then. Chen Ho walked near the back, his eyes closed and listening. He tracked every gust of wind and every rustle of grass, just like he had in the dungeon.
The caravan stopped at a creek at noon. Students splashed water on their faces, animals drank, and teachers rested in the shade. Chen Ho sat by himself, giving Pionix smoked boar meat.
He whispered, "Lv.21," and watched the flames in the chick's eyes get brighter. "Good."
Fatty Lin fell down next to him. "Your bird levels up faster than I want to eat, and that's not fair."
"Then train your stomach," Chen Ho said with a straight face.
People laughed all around them. Bai Yun smiled, even though she still had bruises from the tournament. "At least your jokes match your tricks."
The Capital Uncovered
The caravan reached the top of a ridge on the third day. Gasps rose.
Magic City spread out over the plains like a jewel in bronze. Walls of jade-white stone rose up, with carvings of beasts that looked like they were about to jump out. There were floating platforms above the city that looked like sky arenas where battles shook the clouds. The tips of the glass and steel towers glowed with spirit fire. Beyond that, there were huge enclosures that sparkled: the Beast Fields, where tamers raised creatures from cubs to giants.
Chen Ho, who didn't often show surprise, felt his breath catch.
Pionix trilled softly, and its feathers glowed as if they were responding to the city.
Lin the Fat dropped his bun. "By the Emperor's whiskers." That isn't a city. That's—that's food for the gods.
Bai Zheng smiled. "Get used to it." The academy is not a place to play. If you make a mistake here, you'll be eaten, either by animals or by your enemies. His eyes darted to Chen Ho, sharp with unfinished business.
Getting to the Academy
The caravan went through huge gates into a courtyard that was as big as City H itself. Hundreds of new students from all over the country were walking around, each with a different animal by their side. Thunderwolves, shadow cats, and griffins.
Dean Yue Lian was waiting for them at the steps of the main hall. She was tall and wore a blue silk robe with phoenix feathers on it. Her eyes were as cool as the moon.
"Welcome to the Beast Tamer Academy of Magic City," she said, and her voice echoed across the courtyard. "Here, we test talent. You have to earn power. And pride is fixed.
She looked at Chen Ho for a moment before moving on.
Master Gu Tian said next to her, "Your first test starts at dawn tomorrow." Get through the Trial Beast Grounds. Bring back proof that you won. If you fail, you leave.
The crowd became tense.
"Dismissed."
A New Competitor
A tall person stood in Chen Ho's way as the students went to their assigned rooms. His beast was a lizard with scales and wings that were tightly folded.
The stranger said, "You're Chen Ho," in a voice that was smooth but sharp. "The one who won against Tian Ruo."
Chen Ho looked at him without saying a word.
The boy's smile was small. "I'm Zhao Yunxian, and I'm a candidate for inner seed." Keep my name in mind. "Because tomorrow, your little fire-chick will kneel in front of my beast."
He turned, the lizard hissed, and he walked away.
Pionix flared its feathers, and sparks flew. Chen Ho stroked its head, which made it calm. "Tomorrow, we'll hear it again." And then we answer.