Lyra sat alone at the edge of the tribe square, her legs crossed, her hands resting on her knees. The forest outside the village hummed with life, but inside her chest, a storm raged.
Yesterday, she had survived the Hunt Trial. Subdued a wolf-beast with Kael's begrudging help. She had unlocked Beast Form Mastery: Level 1, and yet… she hadn't transformed. Not even a twitch.
The system's words echoed in her mind:
[Beast Form Mastery: Beginner — Activation Required]
[First Transformation Attempt Recommended]
Lyra exhaled through clenched teeth. She had survived zombies, zombies that could tear a human apart in seconds, but now… now she had to face herself. Her own body, weak and heavy.
"Alright," she muttered. "Let's see what you've got, beast body."
She planted her feet firmly on the ground, closed her eyes, and focused. Every muscle in her awkward body trembled as she tried to recall the system instructions:
[Focus your energy. Feel the beast inside. Let your instincts guide the transformation. Do not force.]
Lyra's hands tensed, claws extending slightly from the tips of her fingers. A low hum vibrated through her chest, almost like a purr. Her fur-brushed arms tingled. Her tail — yes, she had a tail — twitched nervously.
"Come on… just once," she whispered.
Her heartbeat quickened, sweat rolling down her face. The villagers were far enough away not to notice… she hoped. The forest seemed to hold its breath.
Her vision blurred. Her ears twitched uncontrollably. And then…
Nothing.
Her arms dropped. Her legs shook. She let out a frustrated scream.
"I can't do it! Why can't I do it?"
A shadow fell across the clearing.
Kael.
He leaned against a tree, golden eyes glinting, tail flicking lazily. "You're trying too hard," he said, voice low and sharp. "Beast forms aren't about brute force. They're about instinct."
Lyra's ears twitched in irritation. "Oh, thanks for the advice, Your Highness of Golden Eyes. Why don't you try it first?"
Kael smirked. "Because I already mastered it. You… clearly need help."
Lyra narrowed her eyes. "I don't need help. I need… patience… and maybe a little luck."
He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Fine. Watch carefully."
Kael closed his eyes. His body tensed, fur bristling slightly. Within seconds, his form shimmered — claws elongated, muscles bulged, his ears grew taller, his eyes glowed brighter. A perfect partial transformation.
Lyra's jaw dropped.
"I… I can do that too!" she shouted, clenching her fists. Her tail flicked, her ears twitched, and she concentrated harder than ever before.
The forest seemed to vibrate around her. Her claws grew sharper, her muscles tingled with newfound energy. Her fur shimmered slightly. Her heartbeat matched the rhythm of her instincts.
And then — a flash of light.
Her legs doubled in size. Her tail swayed uncontrollably. Her body elongated. She let out a gasp — half-human, half-beast, the first real sign of transformation.
But something went wrong.
Her balance failed. She stumbled, claws scraping the earth, ears flattened in frustration. Fur bristled awkwardly. She looked… ridiculous.
Kael's golden eyes widened — not with mockery, but… interest.
"You're… almost there," he said softly.
Lyra blinked at him, cheeks burning. "Almost there? I fell on my face! I look like a mess!"
He stepped closer, hands raised not to help, but to instruct subtly. "Focus. Control your instincts. Channel the energy, don't fight it."
Lyra nodded, taking a deep breath. She closed her eyes and imagined herself running through the forest, hunting, surviving. The beast inside her roared softly. Her claws steadied, tail swung in balance, muscles tense but controlled.
When she opened her eyes, her legs were strong, her arms steady, her ears sharp and alert. She wasn't perfect — her horns tilted slightly awkwardly, her fur was messy, and her face still carried the chubby roundness of her new body — but she had transformed.
A faint glow of system feedback chimed:
[First Beast Transformation Success!]
[Reward: Agility +3, Strength +2, Beast Form Control Beginner → Level 2]
Lyra exhaled, trembling but victorious. She could do this. She could master this body.
Kael's golden eyes softened slightly. "Not bad," he said, tail flicking. "For someone who can barely pull a boulder yesterday, you're… impressive."
Lyra blinked, shocked. "Impressive? You… you just said that?"
He smirked faintly, walking away. "I said it. Don't forget it."
Her cheeks burned — part embarrassment, part pride. The enemies-to-lovers spark crackled stronger than ever.