The sun rose high above the Academy grounds, casting golden rays over the coliseum-like arena constructed at the center of campus. Word of the first official ranking tournament had spread quickly. Students, instructors, and even a few prominent guests from noble families filled the seats around the arena, eager to witness the abilities of this year's freshmen. It wasn't just a show of strength—it was the first step toward prestige and recognition.
Aren stood at the waiting grounds, Sharu perched on his shoulder. The silver-furred beast yawned lazily, as if the excitement meant little to him. But Aren could feel the low thrum of energy in their bond, the quiet tension beneath Sharu's seemingly indifferent gaze. He was ready.
The announcer's voice boomed through the air. "Welcome to the First-Year Ranking Tournament! The first round will consist of individual duels. Participants will be selected randomly, and the winners will move on to the next stage."
The crowd cheered.
A large projection screen lit up with the names of the first pair: Liora Frostwind vs. Brann Durell.
Aren watched as Liora, cool and graceful, entered the field with her Ice Wolf at her side. Brann, a stocky boy from a middle-class merchant family, released his beast—a large boulder-backed lizard with molten veins running along its skin.
"Begin!"
Brann commanded his beast to use Lava Quake, slamming its tail into the ground. Magma burst from beneath the arena, sending a shockwave toward Liora.
But Liora was composed. "Freeze it." Her voice was calm.
Her Ice Wolf leapt forward, howling. A crescent of frost spiraled from its mouth, clashing with the lava and instantly solidifying it into brittle stone. Before Brann could recover, the wolf blinked behind the lizard and raked its claws across its back. The beast let out a groan before collapsing.
"Winner: Liora Frostwind!"
The crowd roared. Liora nodded once and left the field without a word.
The next few matches went quickly. Students summoned fire-breathing lizards, water serpents, and even one who had a metallic rhino that could charge with crushing force. Some matches were fierce, others over in seconds.
Then came: Dorian Thorne vs. Elric Vane.
Dorian's eyes sharpened. He entered the field with determination, his Dark Lion stalking beside him. Elric, a lean boy with a grass-green cloak, called forth a Steelfeather Hawk, which flared its wings with shimmering metallic feathers.
Elric tried to keep his distance. "Steel Dive!"
His hawk zipped forward, wings slicing the air like blades. But Dorian was ready.
"Ground it."
The Dark Lion roared. A pulse of black sound tore through the air—Sonic Roar. The hawk staggered mid-flight, its balance thrown. In a blur, the lion pounced and pinned it.
The fight was over.
"Winner: Dorian Thorne!"
A few students in the audience clapped slowly, impressed. Some of the nobles began whispering about the strength of commoners this year.
As more matches played out, Aren observed everything. He studied their techniques, how they commanded their beasts, the synergy they shared. His analytical gaze was unnoticed by many, but not by Lyra Stormcloud, who watched from the shadows, arms folded.
When Lyra's name was called, she stepped into the arena with a quiet grace. Her opponent was Mira Talven, who brought out a Flame Elk—its horns blazing with fire.
Lyra's bird, the storm-shadowed Tempest Wing, drifted above her silently. The moment the battle began, Mira's elk charged.
But Lyra whispered, "Thunder Veil."
Her bird screeched and summoned a sudden storm. Thunder cracked, and a veil of shadowy electricity cloaked the field. The elk lost sight of its target.
Lyra's fingers twitched, and lightning struck.
The battle ended almost too quickly. Mira's beast fell, twitching but unharmed. The judges signaled the winner.
"Lyra Stormcloud wins."
The air around the arena thickened with tension. People now whispered about her strange affinity. Shadow and lightning? That was rare.
Finally, Aren's name appeared: Aren Valen vs. Jed Rikkan.
Whispers rippled through the stands. Most of the students didn't know much about Aren yet. They had seen him quiet, respectful, and unassuming. Some thought he was weak. Some assumed he only got in because of his family.
But his teammates—Liora, Lyra, Aric, and Dorian—watched carefully. They knew there was more to him.
Jed summoned a Rockfang Boar, a creature built like a tank with stone-like tusks and immense strength.
Aren calmly stepped forward, and Sharu dropped from his shoulder, landing with a soft thud.
A few students chuckled.
"That's his beast? It's so tiny."
"Looks like a housecat."
Jed smirked. "Don't blink. This'll be quick."
"Begin!"
Jed's boar charged.
Aren didn't move. Sharu's blue eyes gleamed. At the last moment, Sharu's fur shimmered, and a blast of purified light burst outward—Cleansing Pulse. The boar stumbled, its forward momentum thrown off.
Aren whispered, "Dash."
Sharu flickered, moving faster than most could track. He reappeared above the boar's head and slammed his tail down—Spirit Impact—directly onto its skull.
The boar groaned and fell unconscious.
Gasps filled the air.
"Did that… beast just knock out a Rockfang with one hit?"
"What was that glow?"
"Was it Light affinity? No—it felt different."
Even the judges leaned forward.
"Winner: Aren Valen!"
Silence. Then whispers.
Liora narrowed her eyes. Aric raised an eyebrow. Dorian crossed his arms. Lyra gave a tiny smile.
Back in the waiting area, Sharu returned to Aren's shoulder, yawning again as if nothing had happened.
The tournament continued, but one thing was clear: Aren's name had entered the spotlight.
And far above, in the viewing gallery, a hooded elder turned to another robed figure and whispered, "That silver beast… we must report this."
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