Celestial Trials – Night Encounter
The moonlight spilled faint silver through the tall windows of the academy's abandoned storeroom. Kael stepped inside cautiously, his hand brushing the hilt of his blade. Why would Liora call me here of all places?
"Liora," he whispered, eyes narrowing. "Why this place?"
From the shadows, Liora appeared, her expression calm but her fingers fidgeting nervously. Beside her, a pair of glowing crimson eyes gleamed. A wolf-shaped silhouette emerged from the darkness, its body shrouded in black mist.
Kael froze. "A… Shadow Wolf?" His tone sharpened. "Why did you bring this here? If the academy finds out—"
Before he could finish, footsteps echoed from the hallway. Anand stepped in, his sharp gaze flicking from Liora to the beast. His voice was cold, cutting.
"What," Anand said slowly, "are you two doing with a devil beast?"
Kael's jaw tightened. "And how exactly do you know what this creature is?"
Anand crossed his arms. "Because I've been watching you. I knew something was off. You slip out of the academy grounds too often. Now I see why."
Kael clenched his fists. "Suspicious, huh? Maybe you're too paranoid—"
Before their argument escalated, the Shadow Wolf growled lowly. Its eyes flashed, and suddenly the world warped. The walls dissolved into mist, and in a blink, the three of them were standing in the moonlit forest outside the academy.
Kael staggered back. "Teleportation magic too?! This thing…"
Anand took a step forward, his aura flaring. "Answer me first. Why are you protecting a devil wolf?"
Liora quickly raised her voice, firm but emotional. "Because not all monsters are the same!" She stood between Anand and the wolf, her eyes unwavering. "This one is different. Can't you feel it? He hasn't attacked us once. Not all creatures deserve chains and blades."
Anand frowned, his expression conflicted. For a moment, silence reigned except for the rustling leaves. He exhaled slowly. "…You really believe that?"
"I do," Liora said firmly.
Kael added, calmer now, "We've seen him for days. If he meant harm, he would have done it already."
The wolf took a step closer to Anand, lowering its head as if seeking acknowledgment. Anand instinctively raised his hand, then pulled it back. "Stay away from me. Not yet." His eyes softened slightly. "…First let me test you."
The wolf tilted its head.
Anand studied it for a long moment before asking, "What's his name?"
Kael and Liora glanced at each other. Then Liora gave a sheepish smile. "…We don't know."
Kael scratched his head. "We were still… uh… deciding."
A long silence followed.
Anand pinched the bridge of his nose. "…Unbelievable. You two smuggle a Shadow Wolf into the academy and never once think of giving him a proper name?"
"Well, we were going to," Kael muttered, folding his arms. "We just couldn't decide on one."
"Yeah," Liora added quickly. "We tried. But Kael's suggestions were—"
"Hey, don't blame me. You're the one who said 'Moonfluff.'"
"It was better than your 'Nighty-Bitey!'"
Their voices overlapped as they started tossing out increasingly ridiculous names, one after another.
"Shadowy McShadowface."
"Wolfie the Third."
"No, no, Silver Tail Supreme."
Liora brightened suddenly. "How about Nightfang?"
Kael smirked. "Shadowtail sounds better."
Anand stared at them blankly. "…Those are ridiculous names."
"Ridiculous?!" Kael protested.
Anand sighed, muttering, "If you're serious, then call him something simple… like Peru."
Both Kael and Liora blinked, then broke into laughter.
"Peru?" Kael chuckled. "That's—actually kind of good."
Liora nodded, her smile warm. "I like it. Peru suits him."
Anand blinked in disbelief. "Wait—you're serious? That was just—"
Kael clapped him on the shoulder. "You act all cold, Anand, but deep down? You're actually kind of polite."
The Shadow Wolf—now Peru—let out a low, pleased growl, curling at Anand's feet. For the first time that night, Anand did not push him away.