Morning came with bright sunlight streaming through Ethan's window. He woke to find Shadow already awake, sitting on the windowsill and watching birds fly past outside. Through their bond, he felt her predatory interest in the small creatures.
"No hunting the local wildlife," Ethan said, stretching. "We're trying to make a good impression, remember?"
Shadow sent back feelings of mild disappointment but acceptance.
Ethan checked his system notifications.
[Daily Login Reward - Day 2]
[Reward: 5 Evolution Points]
[Current EP Balance: 120 EP]
[Beast Status Update:]
[Shadow: Mortal Beast Rank 2 (Progress: 23%)]
Twenty-three percent in one night. At this rate, Shadow would reach Rank 3 in just over two more days. The thought made Ethan grin.
He went through his morning routine—washing up with cold water from the basin, getting dressed in his academy robes, and having a simple breakfast of rice porridge and pickled vegetables. Not the lavish meals the main family disciples enjoyed, but it was enough.
Shadow got premium beast food from Ethan's dimensional storage—not the system shop version, just the standard academy rations. Even so, she ate with enthusiasm, her three eyes half-closing in satisfaction.
"Ready to face the academy?" Ethan asked.
Shadow's response through the bond was confident. She wasn't afraid of a bunch of human children and their pets.
"That's the spirit."
---
Azure Sky Beast Academy's main campus was built like a traditional cultivation sect—elegant buildings with curved roofs, stone pathways winding between gardens, and training grounds scattered throughout. Students in azure and white robes hurried to their morning classes.
As Ethan walked through the main gate with Shadow at his side, he immediately noticed the stares.
"Is that Chen Xuan?"
"He actually contracted a beast?"
"I heard it's just a Rank 2 Shadow Cat. Still trash if you ask me."
"Better than nothing, I suppose."
The whispers followed him like a shadow of their own. Some students looked curious, others skeptical, and a few—particularly those who'd always mocked him—seemed almost disappointed that he'd succeeded.
Ethan kept his head high and his expression neutral. Let them talk. Actions would speak louder than words.
His first class was Beast Taming Theory, taught by Instructor Li in the eastern lecture hall. Ethan arrived early and took a seat near the back. Shadow curled up at his feet, drawing more stares from students as they filed in.
Liu Yue entered and immediately spotted him. She smiled and made her way over, her Frost Sparrow chirping a greeting to Shadow.
"Good morning," she said, taking the seat beside him. "How's your cat doing?"
"Fully healed," Ethan replied. "The medical hall had good supplies."
"I heard you used some kind of rare healing pill. People are talking about it."
Of course they were. In a place like this, gossip spread faster than wildfire.
"My mother left me a few things," Ethan said, which was becoming his standard explanation.
Liu Yue nodded understandingly. "Well, I'm glad Shadow is better. She's beautiful, by the way. Those three eyes are striking."
Shadow preened at the compliment, and Ethan felt amusement through their bond. His beast had a bit of an ego.
More students arrived, including Zhang Hao and his group. Zhang Hao's eyes narrowed when he saw Ethan, and he deliberately chose a seat on the opposite side of the room. He still looked shaken from the viper incident, though he was clearly trying to hide it behind his usual arrogance.
Instructor Li entered precisely on time—a thin, scholarly man with spectacles and a contracted Wisdom Owl perched on his shoulder.
"Settle down, everyone," he said, his voice cutting through the chatter. "Today we'll be discussing beast evolution patterns and how to identify species with high growth potential."
He pulled out a projection crystal and activated it. An image appeared in the air—a simple diagram showing different evolutionary paths for common beasts.
"As you all know, not all beasts are created equal. A common field mouse will never become a dragon, no matter how much you train it. However, beasts with special bloodlines, unique traits, or rare mutations can evolve beyond their base forms."
He gestured to the diagram. "Take the Fire Fox, for example. A normal Fire Fox caps at around Rank 15 and never evolves further. But a Fire Fox with even trace amounts of divine bloodline can evolve into a Six-Tailed Flame Fox at Rank 20, and potentially into a Nine-Tailed Inferno Fox at Rank 40."
Ethan leaned forward, interested despite himself. This was exactly the kind of information he needed.
"The key is recognizing potential early," Instructor Li continued. "A beast with dormant bloodlines will show subtle signs—unusual coloring, extra features like additional eyes or tails, higher than average intelligence, or affinity for specific elements."
He looked around the classroom. "Who here has contracted a beast with special traits?"
Several hands went up, including Zhang Hao's.
"Zhang Hao, tell us about your beast."
Zhang Hao stood proudly. "My primary contract is a Crimson Flame Tiger, Rank 18. It has trace amounts of ancient tiger bloodline, about 0.5%. When it reaches Rank 25, it should evolve into a Blazing Tiger King."
"Excellent," Instructor Li said. "Ancient bloodlines are valuable. Anyone else?"
A few more students shared their beasts' special traits. Most were minor—slightly higher elemental affinity, or fractional percentages of diluted bloodlines.
Then Instructor Li's gaze fell on Ethan.
"Chen Xuan. I heard you recently contracted a Three-Eyed Shadow Cat. Those are quite rare. Would you share with the class?"
Every head turned toward Ethan. He felt the weight of their attention, the mixture of curiosity and doubt.
He stood up. "My contracted beast is named Shadow. She's a Three-Eyed Shadow Cat, currently at Mortal Beast Rank 2."
"And does she have any special traits?"
Ethan hesitated. Should he mention the draconic bloodline? Head Instructor Feng had noticed it, so it wasn't exactly a secret. But revealing too much could attract unwanted attention.
Then again, hiding it wouldn't help Shadow grow stronger.
"She has trace amounts of draconic bloodline," Ethan said. "Shadow Dragon lineage, approximately 0.3%."
The classroom erupted in whispers.
"Draconic bloodline?"
"Even 0.3% is incredible!"
"No way, he must be lying!"
Instructor Li raised his hand for silence. "Interesting. Draconic bloodlines, even heavily diluted ones, are extremely valuable. May I examine your beast?"
"Of course, Instructor."
Ethan walked to the front of the class, Shadow padding beside him. Instructor Li knelt down, and his Wisdom Owl hooted softly, its eyes glowing with analytical light as it studied Shadow.
After a moment, Instructor Li nodded. "Confirmed. There is indeed draconic essence in this beast's bloodline. Very faint, but present." He looked up at Ethan with new respect. "You've contracted a beast with exceptional potential, Chen Xuan. With proper training and resources, a Shadow Cat with draconic blood could evolve into something truly remarkable."
"What kind of evolution paths does she have, Instructor?" Ethan asked.
"That's difficult to say without specialized equipment, but typically Shadow Cats with dragon blood follow a darkness or void-based evolutionary path. She might become a Void Shadow Panther at Rank 10, possibly a Night Terror Dragon-Cat at Rank 25, and if the bloodline is awakened further..." He paused. "Well, the theoretical ceiling is quite high. There are records of draconic cats reaching quasi-dragon status at Rank 50."
Rank 50. The peak of the Mortal Beast realm, right before breakthrough to Spirit Beast. And that was just the beginning.
Through their bond, Ethan felt Shadow's pride and determination. She wanted to reach those heights.
"Thank you, Instructor," Ethan said, returning to his seat.
The whispers continued, but they had a different tone now. Respect mixed with envy. Even Zhang Hao looked frustrated—his 0.5% ancient tiger bloodline was good, but draconic bloodlines were on another level entirely.
Instructor Li continued the lecture, but Ethan's mind was already racing ahead. If Shadow's evolution paths were that impressive at just 0.3% bloodline purity, what would happen if he used Bloodline Awakening Drops to increase it?
At 1% purity, she might evolve faster or unlock better forms. At 5%? 10%?
The system shop had those drops available for 100 EP each, with a maximum of 10 drops per bloodline rank. That meant he could theoretically increase Shadow's bloodline by 1% total in the Mortal Beast realm.
From 0.3% to 1.3%. That would be a massive improvement.
But it would cost 1,000 EP total. He currently had 120 EP.
Earning more Evolution Points became an even higher priority.
---
After class, Ethan headed to the training grounds. Morning classes were theory, but afternoon sessions were all practical combat training. This was where students learned to fight alongside their beasts, developing coordination and combat techniques.
The training ground was a large open area with multiple combat circles marked in white stone. Students were already pairing up, preparing to spar.
Instructor Wang stood at the center, his Thunder Wolf beside him. When he saw Ethan approach, his expression became stern.
"Chen Xuan. You and I need to talk."
Ethan nodded. "Yes, Instructor."
"Your reckless behavior in the Whispering Woods could have gotten you killed. However, Head Instructor Feng has assigned you to my personal training regimen. That means for the next month, you'll be training with me for an additional two hours every day after regular classes."
Several nearby students looked over with interest. Personal training from an instructor was rare and usually only given to top students.
"I understand, Instructor," Ethan said.
"Good. But first, you need to demonstrate your current level. I want to see how you and your beast fight together." Instructor Wang gestured to one of the combat circles. "Zhang Hao, you're up. Spar with Chen Xuan."
Zhang Hao's head snapped up from where he'd been talking with his friends. A slow smile spread across his face. "With pleasure, Instructor."
This was it. The classic face-slapping moment. The arrogant young master versus the former trash.
Ethan and Zhang Hao walked to opposite sides of the combat circle. Shadow followed Ethan, while Zhang Hao summoned his primary contract—a Crimson Flame Tiger.
The tiger was massive, easily twice Shadow's size, with blazing red fur and flames flickering along its spine. Mortal Beast Rank 18, according to what Zhang Hao had said earlier.
The difference in power was obvious. Shadow was only Rank 2.
Students gathered around the circle, eager to watch.
"Standard sparring rules," Instructor Wang announced. "Fight until one side yields or I call the match. Serious injuries are forbidden. Killing techniques are forbidden. Begin!"
Zhang Hao's smile was predatory. "I'll try not to hurt your little cat too badly, Chen Xuan. Wouldn't want you to lose your only contract so soon after getting it."
"We'll see," Ethan replied calmly.
Zhang Hao attacked first. "Tiger, Flame Charge!"
The Crimson Flame Tiger roared and charged forward, flames erupting around its body. It was fast, covering the distance in seconds.
But Shadow was faster.
"Shadow Step," Ethan commanded.
Shadow vanished into darkness just as the tiger's flaming claws swiped through where she'd been. The tiger stumbled, confused, and Shadow reappeared behind it.
"Triple-Eye Perception," Ethan said. "Find the weak spot."
Shadow's three eyes glowed with purple light, analyzing the tiger's stance and movements. Through their bond, Ethan saw what she saw—the tiger's left hind leg favoring its weight slightly, a minor injury from a previous training session.
"There. Strike low."
Shadow was a Rank 2 beast fighting a Rank 18. Direct confrontation would be suicide. But she was smaller, faster, and smarter.
She darted in, her claws finding the tiger's left hind leg. Not a deep cut—just enough to sting and throw off the tiger's balance.
The tiger roared in pain and surprise, spinning to snap at Shadow, but she was already gone, melting back into shadows.
"Stop playing games!" Zhang Hao snarled. "Tiger, Flame Wave!"
The Crimson Flame Tiger released a blast of fire in all directions, filling the combat circle with heat and light. It was an area attack, meant to force Shadow out of hiding.
Shadow reappeared, singed but not seriously hurt. The difference in rank meant that a direct hit from that attack would have been devastating, but Shadow's speed had let her avoid the worst of it.
"Again," Ethan said calmly. "Hit and run. Don't engage directly."
For the next several minutes, the fight continued in the same pattern. Zhang Hao's tiger was powerful and had devastating attacks, but Shadow was too fast to pin down. Every time the tiger committed to an attack, Shadow would dodge and land a small counterattack before retreating.
It was like watching a wolf try to catch a shadow.
The gathered students murmured in surprise. Chen Xuan's Rank 2 beast was holding its own against a Rank 18 tiger?
Zhang Hao's face was turning red with frustration. "Hold still, you coward!"
"Shadow, keep moving," Ethan instructed, ignoring the insult.
But he could feel through the bond that Shadow was getting tired. Her spiritual energy was running low, and the constant use of Shadow Step was draining her reserves. Meanwhile, the tiger still had plenty of stamina.
They couldn't win a battle of attrition.
"One more move," Ethan told Shadow. "Save your energy."
Shadow acknowledged, circling the tiger warily.
Zhang Hao sensed weakness. "Finish it! Flame Meteor Strike!"
The tiger gathered fire around its claws and leaped high into the air, preparing to come down with a devastating overhead smash. It was the tiger's most powerful technique, and if it connected, Shadow would be seriously hurt despite the sparring restrictions.
But it also left the tiger completely committed to the attack with no way to dodge.
"Now!" Ethan commanded. "Shadow Step behind it and strike at full power!"
Shadow vanished one final time. The tiger came crashing down, its flaming claws hitting empty ground and creating a small crater.
Shadow reappeared behind the tiger mid-air, all her remaining spiritual energy focused into her claws. Her three eyes blazed with purple light as she struck at the back of the tiger's neck—not hard enough to seriously injure, but enough to make contact and prove the hit.
If this had been a real battle, that strike would have severed the tiger's spine.
The tiger landed awkwardly, and Shadow immediately backed away, panting heavily.
Silence fell over the training ground.
Then Instructor Wang's voice rang out. "Match! Winner: Chen Xuan and Shadow!"