The day of the final arrived, and the Beast Tamer Guild headquarters was pulsating with an energy it hadn't felt in years. The main battle arena, usually reserved for high-ranking official matches, was open to the public, and its thousands of seats were filled to capacity. The air was thick with the roar of the crowd, a sound that vibrated through the very foundation of the building.
High above the arena floor, in the reinforced glass of the VIP box, Chief Proctor Magnus sat beside other Guild executives and scouts from the city's most powerful factions. Their faces were etched with anticipation. They weren't just here to watch a student tournament; they were here to witness the birth of a potential legend. Media drones buzzed through the air, their broadcast lenses focused on the pristine, empty field, sending the live feed to screens all across Mo City.
"And now, the moment we have all been waiting for!" the announcer's voice boomed, amplified to every corner of the stadium. "The final match of the Mo City Beast Tamer Qualification Exam! Introducing our two champions!"
From a tunnel on the western side of the arena, a figure emerged, walking into the spotlight with an aggressive, confident swagger. It was Jin Kai. His expression was sharp, almost predatory, and at his side, a Volt-fang Panther moved with a liquid grace. The panther's black fur seemed to drink the light, and faint, blue sparks of bio-electricity crackled around its fangs and claws. It was a picture of raw, untamed power.
From the eastern tunnel, another figure appeared. Lin Ke walked calmly into the dazzling lights, his expression unreadable, his eyes sweeping across the arena not with awe, but with the cool assessment of a scholar observing a new specimen. On the ground beside him, trotting faithfully, was his Rock Vole. It looked tiny and unassuming on the vast battlefield, especially compared to the ferocious predator on the other side.
The two finalists met in the center of the field, the roar of the crowd reaching a deafening crescendo.
Jin Kai smirked, his eyes sizing up Lin Ke and his tiny pet with unconcealed arrogance. "I'll give you credit, bookworm," he said, his voice loud enough for the nearby microphones to pick up. "You've thought and tricked your way to the final. But this is where your little experiment ends."
He gestured to his panther, which let out a low, rumbling growl. "You see, a true predator doesn't need plans or calculations. It just needs to be faster, stronger, and more ferocious than its prey. My Panther was born with lightning in its blood. Let's see if your little rock can out-think instinct."
It was the ultimate challenge, the clash of two completely opposing philosophies. Nature versus Nurture. Instinct versus Intellect.
Lin Ke met Jin Kai's fiery gaze with a calm that seemed almost unnatural. He gave a slight nod, acknowledging his opponent's words.
"Instinct is a powerful thing," Lin Ke replied, his voice steady and clear. "But even the wildest predator has patterns. It has limits. And lightning, for all its chaos, always seeks the path of least resistance. The fastest way is not always the most effective."
He looked down at his Rock Vole, who glanced back up at him, its eyes filled with an unwavering trust that needed no words.
"May the best tamer win."
The examiner stepped forward, raising a hand to silence the thunderous applause. The tension in the arena was a palpable thing, a drawn bowstring ready to snap.
"Both sides, take your positions! The final battle for the championship..." the examiner paused for dramatic effect, his eyes darting between the two young men.
"...Begins NOW!"