The ground beneath Kaito's feet trembled as the Silver Rank Thorn Beast emerged from the underbrush, its thorn-covered body scraping against the trees. The beast's red eyes glowed with a dangerous intensity as it stalked toward them, its low growl echoing through the clearing. Its massive frame and razor-sharp spines were a far cry from the smaller beasts they had faced before.
Taro's eyes gleamed with excitement, but there was no mistaking the seriousness of his expression. "This is no joke. That's a Silver RankThorn Beast. We'll need to be sharp, both of us," he said, his voice steady but laced with anticipation.
Kaito nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. The Starlight Fox stood beside him, its glowing tail flicking as it sensed the danger. The fox's usual playful demeanor had vanished, replaced by an aura of focus and readiness.
"Alright, Starlight Fox, we're in this together," Kaito said, his voice calm and determined. "Stay on your toes and let's outmaneuver it."
The fox's eyes glinted with understanding. Without a moment's hesitation, it activated Starlight Cloak and vanished into thin air, leaving only a faint trail of light behind. Kaito's hand instinctively moved to his side, feeling the pulse of mana that flowed through him and his partner. The connection between them had never been stronger.
Taro's Saladin let out a cry, the mighty eagle spreading its wings wide. The wind around it seemed to bend, and in an instant, it was soaring high above the battlefield. Taro quickly surveyed the situation and made his move.
"Saladin, Tempest Dive!" Taro commanded.
The eagle, a blur of golden feathers, dove from the sky, aiming straight for the Thorn Beast's head. The force of the wind behind it added to the eagle's power, the gusts creating a sharp, slicing sound as Saladin descended at breakneck speed.
But the Thorn Beast was no slow creature. It twisted its body, raising its thorn-covered spines defensively, and as Saladin neared, it swung its massive tail with terrifying force.
Saladin barely managed to dodge the tail swipe, pulling up just in time to avoid being impaled by the thorns. Taro clicked his tongue, frustration creeping into his expression. "It's faster than I expected. Watch out, Kaito!"
Kaito's eyes narrowed. The Thorn Beast was dangerous, but he knew it wasn't invincible. He needed to use his partner's speed and precision to its fullest.
"Starlight Fox, move in! Use Space Wrap!" Kaito ordered.
In a flash, the Starlight Fox appeared behind the Thorn Beast, its body flickering out of view and reappearing in the blink of an eye. The fox's paws glowed with condensed cosmic energy, ready to strike. But before it could launch its attack, the Thorn Beast whipped around, its sharp spines extending in every direction like a living forest of thorns.
"Watch out!" Kaito shouted, but it was already too late.
The fox's Starlight Cloak flickered, and in that moment of distraction, one of the Thorn Beast's spines grazed the fox's side. The fox let out a low whine as it was forced to retreat, its cloak dissipating as it reappeared a short distance away.
Kaito clenched his fists in frustration. "You're okay, right?" he asked, concern flashing in his eyes.
The fox's tail twitched as it shook off the pain, nodding as if to reassure Kaito. It was a quick learner, and the hit would only make it more cautious, but Kaito wasn't about to back down now.
"Starlight Fox, Cosmic Strike!" Kaito called out, his voice firm.
The fox, now more cautious, blinked across the battlefield again, this time appearing just to the side of the Thorn Beast. With a swift motion, it slammed its paw into the beast's side, sending a concentrated burst of cosmic energy into the creature's flank. The force of the impact caused the Thorn Beast to stagger slightly, but it didn't go down.
Taro watched the exchange with a sharp eye. "Not bad, but we've got to end this quickly. This thing isn't going down without a fight."
Kaito's expression hardened as he considered his next move. The Starlight Fox was fast, but the Thorn Beast's defenses were formidable. He would need to use its agility and his own intellect to outmaneuver the creature. Taro was already moving his own beast into position.
"Saladin, Wind Lash!" Taro commanded, his voice cutting through the chaos.
The eagle's wings flapped hard, creating a violent gust of wind that whipped through the air and caught the Thorn Beast off guard. The wind wasn't just a distraction—it was a force designed to throw off the creature's balance.
Seizing the opportunity, Kaito gave the order.
"Starlight Fox, Space Wrap—attack from behind!"
The Starlight Fox immediately blinked across the battlefield, reappearing directly behind the Thorn Beast. It was so fast that the Thorn Beast barely had time to react before the fox launched its Cosmic Strike again. This time, the fox focused the energy in a single, concentrated point.
The burst of cosmic energy slammed into the back of the Thorn Beast with a resounding explosion, and the creature howled in pain, stumbling forward. The force was too much for it to handle, and its massive body crashed to the ground with a thud.
But even as the Thorn Beast lay motionless, Kaito's senses tingled with unease. He wasn't sure if the battle was truly over. The Thorn Beast was a tough opponent, and there was always a chance it could spring back to life at the last second.
Kaito stepped forward, his eyes scanning the creature. The Thorn Beast lay still, its thorns quivering as its last breaths rattled out of its massive body.
Kaito couldn't help but smile, his hand resting on the Starlight Fox's back. "Thanks. We make a good team."
The fox looked up at him, its tail wagging happily, pleased with their victory. The bond between them felt stronger than ever, the two of them growing together with each passing challenge.
The battle was finally over. The Silver Rank Thorn Beast lay defeated on the ground, its thorns quivering slightly as the final tremors of its life force dissipated. The air around them felt charged with the aftermath of such a fierce confrontation. Kaito exhaled a deep breath, wiping the sweat from his brow as he approached the fallen creature.
Taro did the same, though his eyes were still sharp and alert. "Is it really over?" he asked, not letting his guard down just yet.
Kaito nodded cautiously. "I think so. It's not moving."
His hand rested on the Starlight Fox, who was beside him, its small body still glowing faintly with cosmic energy. The fox, too, was alert but seemed to relax as the danger passed. With its partner at its side, it was more than capable of handling the threat, as proven.
Before Kaito could speak again, a familiar hum filled the air—the low, electronic buzz of the System Panel activating. His heart skipped a beat. The rewards for defeating such a formidable opponent were about to come in, and he wasn't sure what to expect.
[System Notification: Rewards Available]
EXP Boost:
10x EXP Boost activated!
Kaito Yamada: +5000 EXP (Level 10 → Level 14)
Starlight Fox: +4000 EXP (Level 6 → Level 7)
Stat Boost:
Kaito Yamada:
Strength: +20 (45 → 65)
Intelligence: +20 (56 → 76)
Agility: +20 (34 → 54)
Endurance: +20 (26 → 46)
HP: +200 (1000 → 1200)
Mana: +100 (500 → 600)
New Stats:
HP: 1200/1200
Mana: 600/600
Strength: 65
Agility: 54
Intelligence: 76
Endurance: 46
Starlight Fox:
Strength: +10 (20 → 30)
Stamina: +10 (25 → 35)
Defense: +10 (18 → 28)
Agility: +10 (20 → 30)
Mana: +50 (200 → 250)
New Stats:
Strength: 30
Stamina: 35
Defense: 28
Agility: 30
Mana: 250
Skill Points Awarded:
Kaito Yamada: +100 Skill Points Starlight Fox: +100 Skill Points
Item Drop:
Skill Book: "Flame Dash" (E-Rank) - A movement-based offensive skill that allows the user to dash forward at high speed, enveloped in flames. Deals fire damage upon contact.
The rewards flooded Kaito's mind, and he felt an immediate surge of power coursing through his body. His EXP jumped significantly, pushing him to Level 14, and his stats saw a considerable boost. It was as though he could feel his body becoming stronger, his mind clearer, and his connection with the fox even deeper.
"Wow, look at all this…" Kaito whispered to himself, unable to hide the excitement in his voice. "I've leveled up by four levels, and the stats are insane."
The Starlight Fox also grew in power, leveling up to Level 7. Its EXP bar was now just about to reach the next cap for level 8. Kaito could see the experience required for the next level-up clearly displayed on his system interface.
Kaito Yamada
Level: 14 EXP: 5000/10000 (Next Level: 5000 EXP)
Stats:
HP: 1200/1200
Mana: 600/600
Strength: 65
Agility: 54
Intelligence: 76
Endurance: 46
Starlight Fox
Level: 7 EXP: 4000/8000 (Next Level: 4000 EXP)
Stats:
Strength: 28
Stamina: 35
Agility: 30
Mana: 250
The two tamers exchanged a glance. Taro, who had been silently observing Kaito's progress, raised an eyebrow. "Impressive. I didn't expect the rewards to be this generous."
Kaito grinned, feeling a sense of pride. "This is what happens when you face a tough opponent. It feels good, doesn't it?"
But then his gaze shifted to the Skill Book that had dropped from the Thorn Beast. He quickly picked it up from the ground, the red glow of the book lighting up in his hands. The title read "Flame Dash" in elegant script, and Kaito's curiosity piqued instantly.
"Flame Dash?" he murmured, scanning the description.
Skill Book: "Flame Dash"
Grade: E-Rank Description: A movement-based offensive skill that allows the user to dash forward at high speed, enveloped in flames. Deals fire damage to enemies on contact. Mana Cost: 50 Cooldown: 30 seconds Requires: None
It was a simple, offensive dash attack, but Kaito could see its potential. If used right, it could be a powerful mobility tool in battle, allowing him to close gaps quickly or retreat if needed. Fire-based attacks were also versatile, and the added mobility could complement the Starlight Fox's already agile nature.
"Well, this could be useful," Kaito mused aloud. "I'll definitely take it."
Without hesitation, he used his Skill Points to learn the new skill. The sudden rush of heat surrounded him for a moment, and his feet felt lighter, almost as if he could sprint faster now.
He grinned, feeling the rush of newfound power. "Flame Dash, huh? Let's see how this works."
Taro glanced over, still looking impressed. "Did you just get a fire move?"
Kaito nodded, his grin widening. "Yeah, looks like it. It's an E-Rank skill, but I think it could be fun to experiment with."
Taro raised an eyebrow. "I'll admit, that's a pretty good drop. Looks like you got lucky."
With the rewards claimed, Kaito took a moment to reflect on everything that had happened. The victory over the Thorn Beast had been hard-earned, but the system's rewards were more than just compensation—they were a sign that he was growing stronger, one step at a time.
"Alright," Kaito said, shaking off the excitement. "Let's head back and rest for a bit. We've earned it."
Taro nodded, giving a small smirk. "Agreed. But don't get too comfortable. We're just getting started."
The two tamers and their beasts made their way back to the academy, the excitement of the battle still fresh in their minds. The path ahead was full of challenges, but Kaito knew he and his fox were more than ready for whatever came next.