The next morning at Eldara Academy, whispers still floated through the corridors.
"Did you hear? Ashveil's summoning circle exploded.""Yeah, and nothing came out! Probably fried his own mana."
Lyn ignored them as he trudged toward the Beast Tamer's Stable, a small, moss-covered building tucked behind the grand training fields. Inside, other tamers tended to their small creatures — slimes bubbling in jars, birds chirping weakly, and a single boy proudly brushing a rabbit with wings.
"Morning, Lyn!" called Ira, a cheerful tamer girl with green hair tied in twin braids. "Heard you caused fireworks at the trial yesterday."
Lyn smiled faintly. "Guess my magic wanted attention."
In truth, he hadn't slept much. The voice in his shadow had returned several times, whispering things he couldn't understand.When he reached the corner of the stable, his shadow rippled. Two crimson eyes blinked from it.
"Master. You called."
Lyn nearly tripped over a feed bucket. The beast's voice was smooth — cold yet familiar. From his shadow rose a wolf-like creature with horns curling from its head, its fur a blend of darkness and smoke.
"You're real," Lyn whispered."Real enough to eat those who mocked you," the beast said, yawning.
Lyn stared. "No eating anyone. Especially not students."
The beast tilted its head, amused. "Then perhaps… introductions?"
"I'm Lyn. You?""Names are burdens. But once, they called me Umbra."
A chill ran through Lyn's spine. He remembered reading about the name — a Mythic-tier Shadow Beast, said to have vanished centuries ago. But those were fairy tales… weren't they?
"Umbra," he said carefully, "why did you choose me?""Because, little tamer," Umbra rumbled, eyes glowing faintly, "you're the first human who didn't flinch when I spoke."
Lyn blinked. "That's it?"
"Also," Umbra added lazily, "your mana smells like the moon."
Before Lyn could ask what that meant, the stable door burst open. A senior instructor stood there, red-faced."Ashveil! You're late for your evaluation!"
Lyn sighed. "Great."He looked at Umbra, who melted back into his shadow.
"Behave," Lyn muttered."No promises," came the amused reply.
That day, when Lyn stepped into the evaluation hall, the glowing crest on his hand flickered gold again.And somewhere in the academy's archives… an ancient seal began to crack.