The first rays of dawn touched the training grounds of Azure Sky Academy, casting long, golden streaks across the stone paths. The students returned from the Beast Forest yesterday, some battered, some exhausted, and some shocked at the results. It was time for the Ranking Evaluation—the first official recognition of talent after real combat. The academy's arena awaited, a circular expanse of reinforced stone, surrounded by tiers of observation stands. The air was thick with anticipation; families, scholars, and a few senior Beast Masters had been invited to witness the results.
Ethan crossed the cobblestone paths calmly, the bronze fox trotting at his side. The little beast had grown visibly in confidence, fur glinting in the morning light. A faint wisp of golden flame lingered at the tip of its tail—a subtle yet unmistakable mark of the first tail's awakening.
Students whispered as he passed.
"B-rank orphan… he survived the forest?""I saw him dodge the Forest Stalker Wolves. And he did it without a Silver or Gold-bloodline beast.""Maybe he's hiding something…"
Lucas Greystone, standing on the elevated platform with his Steel-Armored Wolf, glared at Ethan with a cold, venomous glare. The wolf growled softly, its claws scratching the stone.
"Cross," Lucas sneered, loud enough for all to hear, "don't think surviving the Bronze-level beasts means anything. You'll crumble under real power soon enough."
Ethan didn't respond. He only adjusted the fox's crystal collar slightly, a small gesture that reminded the little beast of its connection to him.
Arena Assembly
Instructor Raymond stepped forward, his robe swaying with the morning breeze. His eyes scanned the assembled students, lingering briefly on Ethan.
"Today," he began, voice echoing across the arena, "we rank each of you based on your performance in the first forest hunt. Criteria include: survival, tactical strategy, beast evolution potential, and synchronization with your beast. Your rankings will determine your placement for the academy's mid-year exercises and, eventually, future opportunities."
The crowd buzzed with excitement. Ranking day was not just a measure of ability—it was a declaration of status.
One by one, the students were called. As higher-ranking students were announced, applause erupted. Silver and Gold-bloodline beasts dominated the top tier, but many had failed simple maneuvers or had been careless in the forest.
When Lucas' name was called, a roar of approval greeted him. S-rank Beast Master—exactly as expected. His wolf glared at Ethan, a silent challenge that said: "Next time, I will crush you."
Finally, the evaluator's gaze fell on Ethan. The murmurs turned into laughter.
"B-rank orphan," one student whispered, "he'll barely scrape into the middle."
Ethan's Ranking
Instructor Raymond gestured. "Ethan Cross. Performance in the forest was… unusual." His voice carried across the arena.
The crowd tensed. A pause stretched.
"Beast Synchronization: Exceptional. Strategic Observation: Above Average. Beast Evolution Potential: Unknown but promising. Survival: Completed successfully against multiple low- and mid-tier predators."
Gasps rippled through the stands.
"Rank Assignment: A-rank Beast Master Talent."
The words seemed to hang in the air. Students stared in disbelief. A B-rank talent had been elevated to A-rank purely because of performance and tactical skill?
Lucas' jaw tightened. "Impossible… that fox…"
Ethan's expression remained calm, though inside he noted, First forest test complete. First tail active. Potential growth still untapped.
The fox, crouched at his side, flicked its tail lazily, flames shimmering faintly—a secret the crowd could not detect.
Tactical Genius Revealed
After the formal rankings, students were led into Arena Combat Exercises, a series of survival and hunting simulations designed to stress-test synchronization and strategy. Ethan paired with his fox again, this time against other students in small team scenarios.
The arena simulated varying terrains: shallow rivers, rocky hills, dense vegetation. Creatures of Bronze and Black Iron levels were released sporadically, forcing students to adapt.
Lucas, paired with two Silver-bloodline beasts, charged aggressively. His strategy relied on brute force, overwhelming opponents. His wolf tore through minor threats with ease, but Ethan anticipated every movement. Using minimal space, he guided the fox to flank and redirect wild creatures into Lucas' path. The fox's tail flicked once more, releasing a brief flame that startled a mid-tier Black Iron 3 beast. Lucas cursed as his wolf narrowly avoided a bite.
Other students watched in awe. How can a Bronze fox manipulate the environment and control the battlefield like that?
Ethan remained calm, observing patterns, reading the creatures' instincts. His Eye of All Things Talent allowed him to detect hidden details:
Creature stamina, attack patterns, and evolution potential
Environmental weaknesses like fragile rocks or unstable trees
Probability of escape or success for each maneuver
He directed the fox subtly, allowing it to engage only when necessary. The fox, moving like an extension of his own body, displayed agility, precision, and first hints of elemental control with its flaming tail.
By the end of the simulation, teams led by Ethan had cleared objectives faster than any others. His "weak" B-rank talent and Bronze fox had outperformed several Silver and Gold-bloodline teams.
The Hidden Evolution – Tail Two Flicker
Later, during a one-on-one sparring exercise against another student with a Bronze-Wolf (Black Iron 2), Ethan decided to push the fox further.
"Focus. Tail two—ignite!" he whispered. The fox's tail swished, and another faint wisp of golden flame appeared, slightly larger and more defined than before. The wolf hesitated, sensing an unusual aura.
The fox lunged, striking precisely at the wolf's flank. The wolf staggered, unable to predict the sudden heat and speed.
Instructor Raymond, observing from above, raised an eyebrow. "Interesting… the beast is evolving faster than expected. Its synchronization with the master seems to accelerate natural growth. Fascinating."
Ethan, aware of his Evolution Talent, decided against full activation. He knew that rushing the bloodline evolution too early could destabilize the fox. Patience is key.
Rivalries Deepen
By the end of the day, word had spread: Ethan Cross and his Bronze-bloodline fox were no longer just curiosities—they were a force to be watched.
Lucas approached him, the wolf at his side, teeth bared. "Cross… don't think this forest nonsense proves anything. Next challenge, next combat… my wolf will tear your mutt apart."
Ethan smirked faintly, undisturbed. "Then we'll see who's ready. Today was just the beginning."
Behind Lucas, other students exchanged anxious glances. The orphan and his fox had turned the rankings upside down. The top-tier students who relied purely on bloodline and level began to reconsider their approach. Strategy, intelligence, and hidden talent were now part of the equation.
Even some instructors whispered among themselves. If this continues, the boy might surpass expectations far beyond B-rank. His hidden abilities… remarkable.
Evening in the Dormitory
That night, Ethan returned to his dormitory, fox curled up beside him. He examined the small creature, tail flicking gently, faint embers dancing along the tip.
"First forest hunt… complete," Ethan murmured. "You've awakened your first tail… second tail flicker in combat. We're moving forward."
The fox purred softly, pressing against his chest. Ethan's hand rested on its head. He could feel its heartbeat, its potential, its latent power slowly stirring.
Three Mythical Talents, he thought:
Eye of All Things – knows every detail of beasts, from bloodline to evolution path.
Evolution – can accelerate the fox's bloodline to Mythical when necessary.
Fusion – can merge with the fox to gain abilities, but patience is key.
All still hidden from the world.
Ethan looked out the window, the moon casting pale light over the academy grounds. One day, the world will know… the orphan with a Bronze fox can rise beyond their expectations. Nine tails will awaken, and then… the Beast Emperor will emerge.
Even now, shadows stirred in the corners of the forest. Other, higher beings sensed a shift in the balance of power. Whispers of legends carried through the trees, faint yet ominous:
"A master and his beast… Bronze today, Mythical tomorrow… the future trembles."
Ethan's lips curved in a faint smile. "Let them watch. Let them mock. One day… they'll kneel."
✨ End of Chapter 4 ✨