The gates of the Ashvale Tamer Academy towered high above the street, carved from dark stone and covered with ancient runes that shimmered faintly whenever a beast passed nearby. Hundreds of new tamers were gathered outside, waiting to register after yesterday's Beast Contract Ceremony.
Aether stood among them quietly, his Fire Pup sitting calmly at his side. Most people ignored the small beast, assuming it was too weak to matter. That was exactly how Aether wanted it.
The academy was not just a place for training. It was also where the major factions of Ashvale City selected promising tamers to recruit. For most students, joining a strong faction meant access to resources, protection, and opportunities to grow stronger.
For Aether, it meant survival.
Inside the academy courtyard, representatives from several factions had already arrived. Their banners hung from tall poles, each displaying a different crest. Some factions were known for military strength, others for research, and a few were rumored to have connections to higher worlds beyond this universe.
Aether observed them carefully as he walked forward with the other candidates. He had learned early in life that understanding people was just as important as understanding beasts.
One banner caught his attention.
It displayed a silver wing surrounding a circular gate symbol.
Below it stood several calm but powerful individuals. Unlike the other factions, they were not loudly recruiting students or showing off their beasts. Instead, they simply watched the crowd.
Aether felt that they were observing more than just appearances.
While he was looking at them, someone nearby spoke loudly.
"Hey, look. It's the Fire Pup guy."
A few students turned and laughed.
"Did you come here to become the weakest tamer in the academy?"
Aether glanced at them briefly but didn't respond.
The Fire Pup, however, seemed less amused. Its small flames flickered slightly as it stared back at them.
One of the boys scoffed. "Even your beast looks angry."
Aether placed a hand gently on the pup's head. The flames calmed instantly.
"We don't need to prove anything," he said quietly.
The group laughed again but soon lost interest and walked away.
As the line moved forward, Aether noticed that the representatives from the silver-wing faction were still watching him. One of them, a young woman wearing a long dark coat, stepped slightly closer.
Her eyes briefly scanned Aether and then the Fire Pup.
"You're Aether, correct?" she asked.
Aether nodded. "Yes."
"I watched the ceremony yesterday," she said calmly. "Your contract was… interesting."
Aether tilted his head slightly. "Because it was a Fire Pup?"
"Partly," she replied. "But not only that."
There was a brief pause.
Then she extended her hand.
"I represent the Skygate Faction."
Aether recognized the name. Skygate was one of the **ten strongest factions** in Ashvale City, known for producing tamers who had successfully reached the Ascension Gate.
"You're recruiting me?" he asked.
"Not exactly," she said. "We're offering you a trial."
---
The academy registration hall was enormous, filled with desks where new tamers were being evaluated. While most students joined factions immediately, some were offered trials instead, allowing the faction to observe their potential before fully accepting them.
Aether followed the woman through the hall until they reached a quieter section near the back.
"My name is Liora," she said as they walked. "And before you ask, yes, we know your beast is weak."
"That's reassuring," Aether replied.
Liora smiled slightly. "But sometimes, weak beasts hide interesting possibilities."
They stopped near a large training field where several young tamers were battling with their contracted beasts. Sparks of energy and bursts of elemental attacks filled the air.
"This will be your first evaluation," Liora explained. "A simple test."
Aether looked at the field.
"You want me to fight?"
"Yes," she said. "But don't worry. It's not about winning."
Aether thought for a moment.
"That sounds suspicious."
Liora chuckled softly. "It's about observing how you command your beast."
Before he could respond, another instructor approached them. The man was tall and carried the calm presence of an experienced tamer.
"This is the candidate?" he asked.
"Yes," Liora replied. "Aether."
The instructor looked down at the Fire Pup.
"A Fire Pup," he said flatly.
"Yes," Aether confirmed.
The instructor crossed his arms. "Interesting choice."
Then he gestured toward the field.
"Your opponent is already waiting."
Aether followed his gaze and saw a young man standing at the center of the arena with a large wolf-like beast beside him. The creature's fur was dark blue, and faint lightning sparks moved across its body.
That was clearly a much stronger beast than a Fire Pup.
Aether sighed quietly.
"So it begins."
---
The arena soon gathered attention from nearby students. Many of them recognized the opponent immediately.
"That's Riven from the Thunderclaw family."
"He already contracted a Storm Wolf."
"This won't last long."
Riven looked at Aether and smirked.
"I heard about you," he said. "The Fire Pup tamer."
Aether stepped into the arena calmly.
"Nice to meet you too."
Riven shrugged. "Don't worry. I'll keep it quick."
The instructor raised his hand.
"Begin."
Immediately, the Storm Wolf lunged forward, lightning crackling around its claws.
The crowd leaned forward in anticipation.
But instead of panicking, Aether simply looked down at his Fire Pup.
"Try not to burn the arena."
The Fire Pup's flames flared slightly.
In the next moment, something unexpected happened.
A faint reddish golden glow appeared around the small creature—so faint that most people didn't notice it.
But Liora did.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
The Storm Wolf reached them within seconds.
Yet just before the attack landed, the Fire Pup moved.
Its speed was far greater than anyone expected.
The small creature dodged easily and released a burst of flame that forced the Storm Wolf to step back.
The arena went quiet.
Riven frowned.
"That was lucky."
Aether tilted his head.
"Maybe."
But inside his mind, the Perfect Evolution Talent was already reacting again.
The Fire Pup's potential was awakening faster than it should.
And this fight…
Was only the beginning.