08:31 – Beast Theory Amphitheater | Post-Combat
The sand pit still smoked where the Tier-5 Emerald Wyrm had collapsed. Its broken wing twitched; medics in rune-etched hazmat suits dragged it back to the cages with chains of light. The crowd's roar hadn't died—three hundred Takers and Givers chanting "Fresh-man! Fresh-man!" in rhythmic thunder. Crystal orbs hovered overhead, live-streaming to every dorm screen in Elyssara.
Arya stood at the center of it all, chest heaving, dragon-scale armored bikini gleaming under the triple moons. Level 18. The brand above her heart pulsed like a war drum. Her hair—once dishwater brown—was now a living cascade of obsidian and starlight, floating as if underwater. The system's voice purred in her skull:
[ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: PUBLIC Dragon TAMER]
[REWARD: +10 FAME | ACADEMY BOUNTY BOARD ACCESS]
[TRAIT UPGRADE: Dragon TAMER → RANK C (30% BEFRIEND CHANCE)]
[PRIVATE MESSAGE FROM ALEXANDER NICHOLAS: "MY ROOM. CURFEW. BRING THE SWEAT AND THE SCARS."]
She was still catching her breath when the crowd parted.
Alexander Nicholas strode down the amphitheater steps like he owned gravity. The midnight-blue cadet coat hugged his frame, silver runes flaring with every step. His hair was tousled from patrol; a fresh cut traced his jaw—Dragon claw, shallow but bleeding. The scent of cedar, ozone, and iron followed him.
He stopped three feet away. The chanting faded to a hush. Even the Dragons in their cages quieted.
"Level eighteen," he said, voice low but carrying. "In one morning."
Arya's heart stuttered. The instant crush from the cafeteria hadn't worn off—system-confirmed, 24-hour debuff. His presence was a physical force: heat, power, want. She clenched her fists to keep from reaching.
"Jealous?" she asked, echoing their earlier exchange.
"Murderously." He stepped closer, close enough that the runes on his coat brushed her armored bikini. "You tamed a Dragon with your thighs. I'm reconsidering my life choices."
Laughter rippled through the crowd. Liora, three rows up, crushed her ice goblet into powder. Cassia's flames guttered like dying candles.
Alexander's hand rose—slow, deliberate. His thumb brushed the fresh brand, tracing the obsidian teeth. The contact sparked; pleasure spiked so sharply Arya's knees buckled. He caught her elbow, steadying her without looking away.
"Careful," he murmured. "The garden's still warded. No one hears us here either."
His other hand produced a shard of the rooftop corset—black silk laced with silver runes, still warm from her skin. He tucked it into her palm. "Souvenir. Tonight, I want the rest."
The system pinged, smug.
[TRAIT DETECTED: ALEXANDER NICHOLAS – CHARM AURA (PASSIVE)]
[RESISTANCE CHECK: FAILED AGAIN]
[CRUSH DURATION EXTENDED: 48H]
Arya licked her lips. "You're bleeding."
"Dragon got lucky." He shrugged. "You'll kiss it better."
Professor Nyxara's whip cracked, cutting through the tension. "Cadet Nicholas! Remove yourself from my pit or join the next volunteer."
Alexander's smile was all teeth. "Gladly."
He stepped back, but not before leaning in—lips brushing her ear. "Curfew. My room. Don't make me come find you."
Then he was gone, coat flaring like wings as he vaulted the barrier and disappeared into the cadet tunnels. The crowd *exploded*.
08:45 – Beast Theory Aftermath | Locker Rooms
The locker room was a steamy labyrinth of black marble and mana-heated showers. Takers stripped without shame—levels glowed on bare skin like neon tattoos. Arya's cohort clustered around her like moths to a flame.
Velira twirled a dagger, smirking. "You just made the bounty board. Tier-6 Dragon contract—dead or alive. Reward: 5000 mana crystals."
Sable's shadows curled around Arya's ankles, cool and soothing. "I volunteer to be your second. Shadows hide everything."
Mireille scribbled furiously in her waterproof ledger. "Noted: subject A.N. triggers public arousal spike of 87%. Recommend isolation protocols."
The twins—Eris and Nyx—spoke in unison: "We call dibs on the victory orgy."
Cassia stormed in, flames licking her fists. "This is *bullshit*. One prank and you're the golden girl?"
Liora followed, ice trailing from her heels. "Enjoy it while it lasts. The higher you climb, the harder you fall."
Arya peeled off the armored bikini, letting it dissolve into mist. The system replaced it with Taker Uniform V7: a backless halter of dragon-scale mesh and a skirt that flashed crimson when she moved. The brand peeked above the neckline, teeth glinting.
"Fall?" She met Liora's gaze. "I haven't even started flying."
09:15 – Side Quest Follow-Up | Cafeteria VIP Lounge
The VIP pass unlocked a private alcove above the refectory—velvet cushions, floating dessert trays, a view of the entire hall. Milo and Lena were already there, holding hands, runes glowing in sync. They bowed awkwardly.
"Thank you," Lena whispered. "The soul-bond… it's like I can hear his thoughts."
Milo blushed. "We're practicing dual-casting. Want to see?"
Arya grinned. "Show me."
They raised their hands. Runes intertwined—gold and teal—forming a miniature Dragon made of light. It roared silently, then dissolved into sparkles that rained over the table.
[SOUL-BOND DEMONSTRATION: DUAL TELEKINESIS – RANK D]
"Beautiful," Arya said. "Now practice on real Dragons. Tier-3s in the training pits. I'll supervise."
The system rewarded her foresight.
[SIDE QUEST FOLLOW-UP: MENTORSHIP]
[REWARD: +1 LEVEL → LEVEL 19]
[TRAIT UNLOCKED: COMMANDER'S AURA – ALLIES WITHIN 10M GAIN +5% STATS]
12:00 – Dragon Patrol | First Public Power Display
The bounty board contract activated at noon. Tier-6 Crimson Dragon—escaped from the menagerie, last seen near the outer wall. Arya's name was already on it, signed in her own blood (system magic was weird).
She met her team at the gate:
- Gilgamesh (speed)
- Velira (daggers + teleport)
- Milo & Lena (dual telekinesis)
- Sable (shadows)
Alexander was there too—officially "supervising." Unofficially, his eyes hadn't left her since the amphitheater.
The Dragon was massive—fifteen meters of molten scales and fury. It perched on the outer wall, wings spread, roasting guards with breath that turned stone to glass.
Combat initiated.
Gilgamesh blurred, drawing aggro. "Clock's ticking, Taker!"
Arya activated Commander's Aura. Her team glowed faintly.
Step 1: Containment.
Milo and Lena raised their hands. Dual telekinesis formed a dome of force around the Dragon—Rank D, but combined = Rank B. The beast roared, slamming against the barrier.
Step 2: Distraction.
Sable's shadows erupted into a swarm of illusionary Takers—each one moaning Alexander's name. The Dragon hesitated, confused.
Step 3: Precision.
Velira teleported onto the Dragon's back, daggers flashing. She carved runes into the wing joints—paralysis sigils.
Step 4: Taming.
Arya sprinted, Blink Step #1 to the Dragon's head. She pressed her palm to its snout. Dragon Tamer Rank C activated—30% chance.
The beast's eyes locked on hers. Telepathy flooded its mind: submit / protect / bond. The percentage rolled… 27%… 28%… 30%—SUCCESS.
The Dragon knelt.
[BEAST TAMED: CRIMSON WYRM "RUBY"]
[ARYA → LEVEL 21]
[TRAIT UPGRADE: DRAGON TAMER → RANK B (50% BEFRIEND CHANCE)]
[RUBY STATS: FLIGHT | FIRE BREATH | LOYALTY 100%]
The guards cheered. Crystal orbs went wild. Alexander's smile was slow, proud, hungry.
20:00 – Curfew | Alexander's Room
The cadet dorms were a fortress of stone and silence. Alexander's door opened before she knocked—wards recognizing her brand.
Inside: spartan, masculine. A single bed, weapon rack, a window overlooking the city. He'd showered; hair damp, wearing only loose trousers. The cut on his jaw was healed, but a faint scar remained.
"You tamed a Tier-6," he said, voice rough. "With a team you built in one day."
Arya stepped inside. The door sealed behind her. "Jealous?"
"Obsessed." He crossed the room in two strides, hands cupping her face. "You're going to ruin me, Arya Allison."
The kiss was devastating—teeth, tongue, the taste of ozone and want. He backed her against the wall, hands sliding under the halter, thumbs brushing the brand. Pleasure spiked; she moaned—not his name, but close.
He pulled back, eyes blazing. "Still no moaning my name in public?"
"Challenge accepted," she gasped.
He laughed, low and dark. "Then let's make you scream it in private."
The system pinged, delighted.
[PRIVATE QUEST: SURVIVE ALEXANDER'S BED]
[REWARD: SOUL-BOND INITIATION | LEVEL +5]
[DIFFICULTY: GOD-TIER]
She smiled against his mouth.
Let the war begin.