The dawn mist curled like smoke across the Ashroot cliffs, veiling the landscape in silver fog.
Kiyanotoka Ash stood shirtless at the ridge's edge. His breath steamed in the cold, his body wrapped in iron thread bands—a resistance tool for core muscle compression training.
Each breath deepened the flame within.
Each movement sharpened the edges of a body still learning how to fight without relying on beasts.
---
💢 Training in Silence
He performed slow, weighted motions—cross strikes, one-legged holds, high-speed core compression bursts.
> [ SYSTEM – Flame Core Pulse: 99% Efficiency ]
Stabilized. Minor surge risk detected. Core nearing refinement limit for Level 2.
Trait Unlock Pending: Meridian Anchor (Requires breakthrough to Level 3).
But something felt… off.
His strikes lacked flow. His breathing, uneven. Focus kept slipping.
> "Tch."
He dropped the stance and sat, frustrated.
> Am I plateauing already? No… I'm distracted.
He hated admitting it—but something had been gnawing at his focus ever since the duel.
---
🧠 The Flaw
Secrecy was Kiyanotoka's shield.
But lately… it had started to feel like a cage.
He couldn't trust the instructors, not with the system. Couldn't open up to Fuyue, who might expose him. And even his beasts, who were growing stronger—he sometimes issued commands instead of listening.
> I'm starting to treat them like tools…
He clenched his fist.
> No. That's not who I am.
---
🐉 Beasts Reconnecting
He called them out one by one—not for training, but for bonding.
The Fire Dragon yawned and stretched its wings wider than ever before. It licked his cheek—a rare sign of affection—and curled beside him.
The Storm Roc landed silently, perched behind him. Its eyes scanned the clouds.
The Sylph-Hare blinked in, laid its ears on his lap, and closed its eyes.
Kiyanotoka exhaled.
> "I don't say it enough… but you're not just strength. You're my fireline."
And for the first time in a long while, he just… sat with them.
Not training. Not testing.
Just being.
---
📣 Announcement: Inter-Academy Trials
Later that day, in the main courtyard, Head Instructor Kaelus stood atop the stone dais.
A hush fell across the crowd of students.
> "All first-year combat students are hereby summoned to prepare for the Inter-Academy Beast Trials," he declared. "A test of command, combat synergy, and resilience."
> "The trials will begin in seven days."
Murmurs spread.
> "Already?"
"Who's going to represent us?"
"Will Fuyue be first again?"
Kaelus raised a hand.
> "You will train. You will bleed. You will bond."
> "This year… you will be watched by the Council of Five themselves."
A stir of awe rippled through the crowd.
The trials weren't just for prestige—they were a recruitment battleground.
---
🌀 Invitation from Kale Drayven
That evening, Kiyanotoka received a message—no system trigger, just paper and ink:
> "Training tomorrow at dusk. North Ravine. Come alone.
— Kale Drayven"
He considered ignoring it.
But something about Kale's style intrigued him.
He was strong. Proud. Dangerous.
And he didn't pretend to be anything else.
> Unlike me.
---
🌑 The North Ravine
The next day, Kiyanotoka met Kale at the ravine edge, where jagged stones jutted like broken teeth.
Kale sat on a boulder, bare-chested, arms crossed, covered in faint spirit scars.
> "Didn't think you'd show."
> "I don't ignore duels."
> "It's not a duel."
Kale stood, cracking his knuckles.
> "It's an invitation."
He stepped forward.
> "You hide. Behind silence. Behind intellect. Behind those beasts. But I see it."
> "You burn. Just like I do."
> "So let's see if you're fire, or just smoke."
He lunged.
---
⚔️ Blow for Blow
No beasts.
No spirit energy.
Just fists, grit, and burning lungs.
Kiyanotoka countered. Kale drove him back. A punch to the ribs. A knee to the thigh. Kiyanotoka rolled, swept Kale's leg, rose—
And froze.
His vision blurred for half a second.
> Flame Pulse over-surge.
Core instability: minor strain.
He gritted his teeth.
Kale saw the momentary hesitation—and stopped.
> "That's your flaw, Ash."
> "You don't pace yourself. You think control means holding it all in."
He offered a hand.
> "Let it burn through you—not around you."
Kiyanotoka stared.
Then took the hand.
> "Thanks."
---
📘 End of Chapter 20
---
📊 Kiyanotoka Ash – Full Stats
👤 Name: Kiyanotoka Ash
🌐 Class: Spiritual Beast Master (Hidden Body Cultivator)
📈 Body Level: Level 2 – Flame Core Initiate
🔥 Traits:
Core Flame Pulse (Short burst every 30 seconds)
Pulse Guard (1 fatal strike negation/day – cooldown: 24h)
Iron Breath Band Training (Passive resistance growth)
Weakness: Prone to internal strain if over-suppressing flame
Efficiency: 99%
---
🐉 Spirit Beasts:
1. Fire Dragon (Juvenile)
Rank: S
Type: Fire
Skills:
Refined Fire Arc (Mid-tier)
Heat Surge (Passive: +fire resistance to Kiyanotoka)
Emotion: Strong bond forming
Evolution: Locked (~59%)
2. Storm Roc
Rank: A
Type: Wind/Lightning
Skills:
Wing Charge
Thunder Dive (Locked)
Tactical Loyalty: High
Evolution: Locked (~45%)
3. Sylph-Hare
Rank: B
Type: Void
Skills:
Shadow Step
Spatial Skip
Emotion: Highly curious, deeply attached
Evolution: Locked (~66%)
---
🧬 Beast Synchronization:
Current Sync: 27%
System Bonus: Cross Command
Next Bonus: Tri-Layered Coordination (at 35%)
---
🌍 World Events:
Inter-Academy Trials: Begins in 7 days
Council of Five watching participants
Political pressure rising between spirit and body factions