The walk home felt strangely normal.
The morning had begun with one of the most important ceremonies in every citizen’s life.
By evening…
People were already arguing over dinner.
Children chased one another through the streets.
Market stalls reopened.
Life continued.
Kael found that oddly comforting.
Perhaps because Earth had taught him something simple.
The world rarely stopped for anyone.
— The Draven family walked together through the lantern-lit streets of New Haven.
Noah walked proudly in front of everyone, carrying a small wooden stick over his shoulder like a victorious knight.
“My brother is amazing!” He announced it to nearly everyone they passed.
“My brother has a dragon!” Marcus chuckled.
“A Shadow Drake.” “Still a dragon!” “Fair enough.” Several people smiled as they walked by.
Others congratulated Kael politely.
No one mocked him.
No one laughed at his Common Rank.
Most people simply remembered what Headmaster Orion Graves had said.
Compatibility: Unable to Determine.
No one knew what that meant.
And humans naturally feared things they couldn’t explain.
— Kael quietly watched the city.
Without the pressure of the Awakening Ceremony, he noticed details he had ignored before.
Floating street lanterns drifted gently above the roads, powered by glowing Beast Crystals.
Delivery drones shaped like mechanical birds flew between buildings carrying parcels.
Steam-powered trams glided silently along polished metal rails.
Children rode hovering boards a few feet above the streets while laughing loudly.
The technology wasn’t futuristic enough to resemble Earth.
Nor was it medieval.
It was…
Its own civilization.
One that had evolved alongside Beast Souls.
“You’ve been staring all day.” Lyra bumped his shoulder.
“Hm?” “The city.” Kael nodded.
“I never realized how alive it is.” Lyra smiled.
“It gets even prettier during the Festival of First Bloom.” “There are festivals?” She stared.
“…Have you seriously forgotten every holiday because you spent all your time reading?” Kael wisely chose not to answer.
— They stopped at a bakery.
The smell alone almost made Noah faint dramatically.
“Cinnamon rolls…” His eyes sparkled.
“I think I can smell heaven.” Marcus laughed.
“I thought heaven smelled like roasted meat.” “It has different sections.” Elara covered her mouth to hide a laugh.
“I didn’t know heaven was organized.” “It has to be.” Noah nodded confidently.
“What if everyone wanted dessert at the same time?” Marcus looked at Kael.
“I don’t think I can argue with that logic.” “You can’t.” Kael found himself smiling.
Small.
Almost unnoticed.
But genuine.
The Queen watched silently.
Your face changed.
“I smiled.” I noticed.
“So?” Nothing.
It simply looks less unpleasant.
Kael almost rolled his eyes.
— The bakery owner immediately recognized Marcus.
“Captain Draven!” Marcus scratched the back of his head.
“I’m retired.” “You’ll always be Captain around here.” The elderly woman noticed Kael.
“So this is your son.” Marcus’s face brightened.
“My youngest.” “No.” Lyra crossed her arms.
“My little brother.” The woman laughed.
“I heard about today’s Awakening.” Kael expected pity.
Instead she smiled warmly.
“A Common Rank doesn’t decide what kind of man you’ll become.” Kael blinked.
“…Thank you.” She handed Noah an extra pastry.
“This one’s free.” Noah gasped.
“I’ve never been richer.” — Dinner that evening was louder than usual.
Mostly because Noah insisted on recreating everyone’s Awakening.
He climbed onto a chair.
“I am Adrian Vale!” He puffed out his chest.
“I am noble.” Marcus nearly choked on his food.
Lyra burst into laughter.
Then Noah dramatically pointed toward Kael.
“I challenge you!” Kael raised an eyebrow.
“To what?” “I don’t know.” Noah frowned.
“I forgot.” The entire table laughed.
Even Kael.
For a brief moment…
He forgot he had once been Ethan Cole.
Forgot about hidden Beast Souls.
Forgot about mysteries.
He was simply…
Home.
— Later that evening, Marcus knocked on Kael’s bedroom door.
“Still awake?” “Come in.” Marcus entered carrying two mugs.
One contained warm herbal tea.
The other…
Hot chocolate.
He handed the chocolate to Kael.
“You still prefer sweet drinks.” Kael accepted it.
“…Thanks.” For several moments, neither spoke.
Marcus eventually sat beside the window.
“So.” “So.” “You’ve had quite a day.” “I suppose.” Marcus smiled.
“You know…” “When I awakened, I cried.” Kael looked at him.
“You?” Marcus laughed quietly.
“I was terrified.” “What Beast Soul?” “The Ironhorn Bison.” Kael blinked.
“A Bison?” Marcus nodded.
“I wanted something majestic.” “A dragon?” “Exactly.” “What did you get?” “A very stubborn cow.” Kael couldn’t stop himself.
A laugh escaped.
Marcus grinned.
“There it is.” “What?” “I’ve been waiting years to hear that.” Silence settled comfortably between them.
Marcus looked out the window.
“When you’re young…” “You think Rank decides everything.” He slowly shook his head.
“It doesn’t.” “The strongest Beastifier I ever served beside…” “He awakened an Ordinary Stone Turtle.” Kael frowned.
“Ordinary Rank?” Marcus nodded.
“He lived longer than heroes.” “Why?” “Because he never underestimated anyone.” Marcus stood.
“When Academy starts…” “You’ll meet Royals.” “Legendaries.” “Geniuses.” “Don’t chase them.” Kael looked up.
“Then what should I chase?” Marcus smiled.
“Become someone yesterday’s Kael couldn’t beat.” The words lingered after Marcus left the room.
— Night settled over New Haven.
The city lights shimmered beneath the twin moons.
Kael stood beside his bedroom window.
Quiet.
Peaceful.
Inside his soul…
The volcanic continent remained silent.
The endless ocean barely rippled.
The ancient sky stretched forever.
Finally, D-Rex spoke.
“He is strong.” “Marcus?” “Yes.” Kael nodded slightly.
“He is.” The dinosaur closed its golden eyes.
“Not because of his Beast.” “Because of his heart.” For once…
The Queen didn’t disagree.
— The following morning arrived with unexpected excitement.
A royal messenger stood outside the Draven residence.
Dressed in white and gold.
Holding several sealed envelopes.
Marcus opened the door.
“Can I help you?” “The Academy admissions.” The messenger bowed politely.
“For Kael Draven.” Kael stepped forward.
The envelope bore the crest of New Haven Beast Academy.
Beneath the academy crest…
Another seal.
A silver wolf.
The Royal Division.
Marcus looked surprised.
“So soon?” “The Headmaster requested immediate delivery.” Kael accepted the envelope.
The wax seal felt unusually heavy in his hand.
Inside…
His future was waiting.
«End of Chapter 8»