The laughter gradually faded.
Professor Edwin Hale waited patiently, his hands resting behind his back.
“I see introductions are everyone’s greatest enemy.” More laughter rippled through the Royal Training Hall.
“Fortunately,” he continued, “they’re also unavoidable.” He walked slowly across the arena.
“Before we learn to trust one another in battle…” “…we should at least know each other’s names.” He gestured toward the front row.
“We’ll begin here.” — The first student stood.
A tall young man with neatly combed blond hair straightened his uniform before speaking.
“My name is Roland Ashcroft.” His voice was confident.
“My Beast Soul is Ironback Boar.” “Common Rank.” “I hope to become a city guard like my mother.” He bowed politely before sitting.
Professor Hale nodded approvingly.
“A worthy goal.” — The next student rose.
“I’m Emilia Frost.” “My Beast Soul is Snow Hare.” “Rare Rank.” “I’d like to become a healer.” Several students smiled.
Professor Hale did as well.
“The Kingdom always needs more healers.” — One by one…
Students stood.
Introduced themselves.
Shared their Beast Souls.
Shared their dreams.
Some spoke confidently.
Others barely louder than whispers.
Professor Hale listened to every single one with equal attention.
Never interrupting.
Never rushing anyone.
— “My name is Dorian.” “I want to explore the northern wilderness.” “My name is Lila.” “I’d like to study Beast Crystal engineering.” “My name is Finn.” “I just don’t want to disappoint my parents.” That last answer left the room unusually quiet.
Professor Hale simply nodded.
“Thank you for your honesty.” — As the introductions continued, Kael noticed something.
No one laughed at another student’s Beast Soul.
No one mocked someone’s dream.
Even the Legendary-ranked students listened respectfully to those with Common-ranked Beasts.
Perhaps…
Professor Hale had achieved exactly what he’d intended.
— Eventually…
The introductions reached Adrian.
He stood calmly.
“My name is Adrian Vale.” Several students immediately recognized the surname.
Small whispers spread through the hall.
“The Vale family…” “I heard they’re one of the oldest noble houses.” Adrian ignored the murmurs.
“My Beast Soul is the Silver Lion.” “Legendary Rank.” The whispers grew louder.
“I hope…” He paused briefly.
“…to become someone worthy of my family’s name.” His expression remained calm.
“But not because I inherited it.” Silence.
“I want to earn that respect myself.” He sat.
Professor Hale smiled.
“A fine distinction.” — Next came Aria.
She stood with both hands folded neatly before her.
“My name is Aria Everwood.” “My Beast Soul is Moon Owl.” “Rare Rank.” A few students murmured appreciatively.
“I enjoy studying history.” “And…” She smiled shyly.
“I hope one day to discover something that helps people better understand Beast Souls.” Professor Hale nodded.
“Curiosity has changed the world many times.” — Rex groaned quietly.
“Oh no.” Kael glanced sideways.
“Your turn.” “I know.” “I was hoping everyone would forget.” “They won’t.” “I know.” — Rex stood.
He scratched the back of his head.
“My name is Rex Calder.” He smiled awkwardly.
“My Beast Soul is Stone Bear.” “Rare Rank.” He looked around the room.
“I…” “…really like food.” The room blinked.
Professor Hale raised an eyebrow.
“And?” “And…” Rex thought desperately.
“I also like helping people.” Several students chuckled.
“So…” “I want to become a Hunter.” “So I can protect people.” “…And eat really well.” The room erupted into laughter.
Even Gareth Thorn allowed himself the faintest smile.
Professor Hale nodded seriously.
“A practical motivation.” Rex sat down, cheeks slightly red.
“I survived.” “You did,” Aria whispered.
“Barely.” — Kael’s name came next.
“Kael Draven.” He stood.
The room grew slightly quieter.
Many students remembered Registration Day.
The unusual Compatibility result.
The Headmaster’s interest.
Kael noticed the curious looks.
He ignored them.
“My Beast Soul is Shadow Drake.” “Common Rank.” A few students nodded.
Nothing unusual there.
“I hope…” He paused.
In his previous life…
He had never truly answered that question.
What did he hope for?
He looked around the hall.
At his classmates.
At the Academy.
At the future waiting ahead.
Then he answered honestly.
“I hope to become someone my family can rely on.” No grand ambition.
No dream of glory.
Just that.
Professor Hale smiled.
“A simple goal.” “Often the hardest kind.” Kael sat.
Rex leaned over.
“…That was much better than mine.” “It wasn’t a competition.” “It definitely was.” — The introductions continued until every student had spoken.
Some dreams were ambitious.
To become Royal Knights.
To discover ancient ruins.
To lead expeditions into unexplored lands.
Others were wonderfully ordinary.
To teach children.
To open a workshop.
To make their parents proud.
Professor Hale waited until the final student sat down.
Then he looked around the hall.
“What did you learn?” Silence.
Finally, a student raised her hand.
“That everyone has different goals.” “Correct.” Another spoke.
“That Rank doesn’t decide what people want.” “Also correct.” Professor Hale nodded approvingly.
— He began walking slowly around the arena.
“One day…” “Some of you will become famous.” “Some of you won’t.” He looked toward Roland.
“The city guard protects thousands every year.” Toward Emilia.
“A healer may save more lives than a warrior.” Toward Aria.
“A scholar can change history.” Toward Rex.
“A Hunter keeps roads safe.” Toward Adrian.
“A leader carries responsibility.” Finally…
His gaze briefly rested on Kael.
“And a dependable son…” “…can become someone’s greatest hero.” Kael felt those words settle quietly within him.
— Professor Hale clapped once.
“Excellent.” “Now that you’ve introduced yourselves…” He smiled mischievously.
“…it’s time for your second assignment.” Several students groaned again.
“I promise this one involves less speaking.” A collective sigh of relief echoed through the room.
He pointed toward a large cabinet built into the arena wall.
The doors slowly opened.
Inside…
Hundreds of wooden practice weapons rested on carefully organized racks.
Swords.
Spears.
Axes.
Shields.
Even bows.
Rex’s eyes lit up.
Professor Hale smiled.
“Choose one.” “Not because you’re already skilled with it.” “But because you’re curious.” “Your first combat lesson…” “…begins now.” «End of Chapter 19»