LightReader

Chapter 12 - Chapter 12: Whispers in the Walls

---

The sky was quiet after the storm.

Too quiet.

Smoke still curled from the jagged ridge where the Storm Roc had landed its final strike, but the flames had died, and the air now crackled with reverence.

Kiyanotoka Ash lay unconscious on a stone ledge, wrapped in a fire-resistant cloak. His white hair was singed at the tips, his coat torn—but his chest rose and fell in steady rhythm.

Beside him sat Thamuz, guarding his body like a beast possessed.

Above him soared the Storm Roc, circling the sky like a watchful hawk.

And near his feet, almost invisible, shimmered the Lunar Sylph-Hare, unmoving, glowing faintly under the pale light.

The squad had made camp. But none of them rested.

---

🌘 Silence Among the Squad

Maya finally spoke. "He bonded with it… didn't he?"

Riku didn't answer. His fists were clenched. His gaze never left Kiyanotoka's still form.

Fuyue's tone was quiet. "No one can bond three beasts. Not without a legendary crest or ancient pact."

Maya glanced up. "Then how do you explain that?" She pointed at the Roc.

Fuyue didn't reply.

Because deep down, she didn't want to say what she suspected.

> He's not like us. He never was.

---

🏛️ Shrek Academy – The High Chamber

Meanwhile, far from the chaos of the trial realm, a council of instructors had gathered in a circular stone room, lit only by arcane lanterns and glowing beast sigils on the walls.

Instructor Kuroda stood at the center, arms crossed.

"Storm Roc activity confirmed," he said grimly. "No warning. It targeted one of our squads directly."

Another elder, wearing flowing emerald robes, leaned forward. "Which squad?"

Kuroda's jaw tightened. "…Squad 7."

Murmurs spread through the council.

"They shouldn't have survived that."

"They're first-years!"

"They didn't just survive," Kuroda said. "They subdued it."

Silence.

The High Seer spoke then—an elderly woman with moon-white eyes.

> "This world… is on the cusp of change. And that boy may be its herald."

---

⚔️ Return to the Trial Zone – Awakening

Hours later, Kiyanotoka stirred.

He opened his eyes to the smell of ash and lightning.

His body ached, but the pain didn't matter.

> [ SYSTEM – Awakening Complete. ]

Commander's Domain Fully Online.

Beast Links: Fire / Wind / Moonlight – S, SS, and S-Rank Active

New Ability: Unified Command (Aura Boost to All Bonded Beasts)

New Trait: Adaptive Battlefield Instinct (Situational Analysis + Reaction Boost)

He sat up slowly.

The moment he did, all three beasts turned toward him at once.

Thamuz bowed.

The Roc dipped one wing.

Even the Sylph-Hare hopped closer and curled beside his boot.

> Three spirits. Three threads. And still no one knows.

He rose.

Time to move again.

---

🌍 World Insight: Beast Master Hierarchy

> In the known nations of Elarion, Tamer Class is divided into ranks and specialization:

Standard Tamers – 1 Beast Bond

Elite Tamers – 2 Beast Bonds

Commanders – 3 or more Bonds (Extremely rare)

Beast Callers – Mystics who awaken ancient, often one-time-use bonds.

Bloodline Lords – Born with inherited cores or spirit marks.

To bond three beasts before age 20 was… unheard of.

To do so without anyone noticing?

Impossible.

Unless you were Kiyanotoka Ash.

---

🧊 Confrontation – Fuyue's Question

That evening, as they prepared to move toward the Lightning Spire, Fuyue approached him alone.

"You should be dead."

Kiyanotoka glanced at her. "Maybe I'm lucky."

"No," she said flatly. "Luck doesn't make a Roc submit."

Silence.

She stepped closer, eyes cold.

"You've been lying."

He said nothing.

"I'll find out what you're hiding, Ash. Even if it kills me."

He met her gaze—calm, unreadable.

"Then try."

---

🔥 Path Forward – Into the Spire

They crossed into the final zone of the trial grounds: the Lightning Spire Basin.

Storms danced across the horizon, striking obelisks of blue metal, arcing between jagged peaks.

The mission was almost over. One final test remained.

But Kiyanotoka wasn't thinking about missions.

He was watching the system calculate something new:

> [ SYSTEM – Passive Threat Matrix Activated ]

Detected: Unknown Beast Core Signature – Above SS-Rank

Entity Name: ???

Condition: Dormant / Sealed / Dangerous

Recommendation: Avoid Contact Until Domain Level Upgraded.

> Something… ancient is here.

He looked up at the storm-wracked spire.

And for the first time since entering this realm—

> He felt fear.

---

📘 End of Chapter 12

---

🧠 Chapter Highlights

Element Details

Storm Roc Now Officially Bonded Triple Beast Command begins

Squad Reaction Shock, suspicion, rising tension

Academy Council Learns the Truth Instructors take interest in Squad 7

Kiyanotoka's Power Grows Quietly New command abilities unlocked

Worldbuilding Expanded Explained Tamer types and power structure

Fuyue's Confrontation She directly challenges Kiyanotoka

Ancient Threat Foreshadowed Unknown overpowered entity awaits at Lightning Spire

---

More Chapters