The academy's training grounds were alive with activity, though the air felt heavier than usual. Whispers of the Vault Incident followed Lyn like a shadow. Every student he passed seemed to steal a glance, some wide-eyed with awe, others with thinly veiled skepticism.
"This is going to be fun," Umbra muttered, tail flicking."You mean terrifying," Lyn replied.
The Council had assigned him a personal mentor — a veteran Beast Tamer named Kaelen, known for strict discipline and a no-nonsense attitude. He arrived with a long cloak, the faint shimmer of mana swirling around his hands.
"Lyn Ashveil," Kaelen began, voice low and measured, "I hope you understand why I'm here.""To yell at me?" Lyn quipped.Kaelen's gaze was sharp. "To make sure you survive the attention you've drawn — and that your bond doesn't destroy you or the academy."
The morning session began with a series of exercises designed to test Dual Resonance: the synchronization between Tamer and beast.Other Tamers struggled with minor creatures, their mana failing to resonate fully. Lyn's heart thumped as he extended his hand toward Umbra.
"Ready?" he whispered."Always," Umbra replied.
The golden and violet threads of their mana intertwined effortlessly. The bond pulsed, sending tremors across the practice field. Students and instructors alike stopped to stare.
"Remarkable," Kaelen murmured. "A resonance this strong… I've seen only one in my lifetime."
After the exhausting drills, Lyn and Umbra retreated to the quiet gardens. Here, the academy felt normal — sunlight on cobblestones, the scent of mana-infused flowers.
A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts:
"So, you really made the vault hum, huh?"
It was Elara Wynne, a fellow first-year Tamer with emerald eyes and a mischievous grin. She had a small fox-like familiar perched on her shoulder.
"I… guess?" Lyn admitted, scratching the back of his neck."That's amazing! I knew tamers could do more than fetch herbs," she teased.
They laughed, the tension easing slightly. Lyn realized that despite the Council's scrutiny, bonds like these — friendship, camaraderie, even light teasing — made the burden lighter.
But peace was brief. Kaelen's expression darkened as he approached Lyn.
"The Council will observe your next trial," he said. "They aren't satisfied with mere demonstration. They want proof you can control the bond under pressure, in front of your peers — and potential threats."
Lyn's stomach tightened. Trials weren't just tests of skill — they were tests of resolve and perception. Failure would mean scrutiny, possibly expulsion.
"We can handle it," Umbra said, stepping forward. "We've handled worse."
Lyn nodded. He felt the weight of expectation, but also a flicker of excitement. For the first time, he sensed the thrill of a challenge that wasn't just about survival — it was about showing the world what a Tamer could truly do.
As the sun dipped behind the spires, shadows lengthened across the training grounds. From the edge of the field, faint golden eyes glimmered, watching.
"Looks like someone else is curious about us," Lyn murmured.Umbra's fur bristled. "And we're about to find out why."
The next trial, the one the Council demanded, was just beginning.