The envelope felt heavier than it looked.
Kael turned it over in his hands, studying the silver wax seal pressed neatly against the fold.
At its center stood the crest of New Haven Beast Academy.
Below it was another emblem.
A silver wolf surrounded by a laurel wreath.
The Royal Division.
Marcus whistled softly.
“I didn’t expect that.” Neither did Kael.
Officially, he had awakened a Common-ranked Shadow Drake.
Nothing about his results should have earned an invitation to the kingdom’s most prestigious division.
Unless…
His thoughts drifted toward the final line displayed by the Awakening Crystal.
Compatibility: Unable to Determine.
The Queen chuckled.
Humans dislike unfinished answers.
“I’ve noticed.” — “Open it!” Noah bounced excitedly around Kael.
“Hurry!” Lyra folded her arms.
“Give him a second.” “But what if it explodes?” Marcus blinked.
“…Why would it explode?” “It’s from the Academy.” Nobody knew how to respond to that.
Kael carefully broke the wax seal.
Inside rested a thick sheet of elegant white paper.
The handwriting was flawless.
— To Kael Draven, Congratulations on your successful Awakening.
Based upon today’s evaluation, you have been granted provisional admission into the Royal Division of New Haven Beast Academy.
Classes begin in three weeks.
Until then, all accepted students are required to attend Registration Day to receive: • Academy Uniform • Student Identification • Beast Compatibility Records • Dormitory Assignment (if applicable) • Training Schedule Attendance is mandatory.
Signed, Headmaster Orion Graves — Beneath the official notice rested another page.
Shorter.
Written by hand.
— Kael Draven.
I look forward to meeting the young man who confused one of the oldest Awakening Crystals in the kingdom.
Do not worry.
Curiosity is not suspicion.
— Orion Graves — Kael read the sentence twice.
Then a third time.
Marcus noticed.
“Something wrong?” Kael handed him the note.
His father frowned thoughtfully before smiling.
“I like him.” “You’ve never met him.” “I like him anyway.” — Breakfast became unusually lively.
Mostly because Noah insisted everyone should now refer to Kael as: “Royal Brother.” “No.” Lyra didn’t even hesitate.
“Academy Prince?” “No.” “Supreme Lizard?” “…Absolutely not.” Marcus nearly spat out his tea.
Elara laughed into her cup.
Noah sighed dramatically.
“You people have no imagination.” — After breakfast, Marcus stood.
“Get your coat.” Kael looked up.
“Why?” “We’re going shopping.” “I don’t need anything.” Marcus gave him the exact same look every parent perfected over decades.
“You haven’t even seen the Academy equipment list.” “…There’s a list?” Marcus handed him another sheet from the envelope.
Kael scanned it.
Then scanned it again.
Training clothes.
Combat boots.
Field backpack.
Medical supplies.
Writing materials.
Personal communicator.
Protective gloves.
Navigation compass.
Emergency flare.
Camping equipment.
“…Why does a school require survival gear?” Marcus smiled.
“Because it’s Beast Academy.” — New Haven’s central shopping district was far busier than usual.
Teenagers filled nearly every street.
Many still wore ceremonial clothing from yesterday’s Awakening.
Some proudly displayed newly developed Beast features.
Wolf ears.
Cat tails.
Feathered arms.
Small horns.
None had fully transformed.
Only subtle traits remained after Awakening Day.
Kael noticed people stealing glances toward him.
Not mocking.
Curious.
He couldn’t blame them.
News spread quickly.
Especially unusual news.
— The first shop specialized in Academy supplies.
Rows upon rows of equipment covered the walls.
Leather travel bags.
Portable water filters.
Folding tents.
Climbing ropes.
Strange metallic tools Kael couldn’t identify.
A cheerful shopkeeper greeted them.
“First-year students?” Marcus nodded.
“My son.” The woman smiled warmly.
“Congratulations.” She handed Kael a catalogue.
“Everything on the Academy list receives a student discount.” Kael raised an eyebrow.
“There are discounts?” Marcus laughed.
“Now you sound like my son.” — They spent nearly an hour choosing equipment.
Marcus refused to buy the cheapest items.
“The field is where cheap equipment becomes expensive.” Kael understood immediately.
Bad equipment cost lives.
That lesson existed on every world.
Eventually, Marcus picked up a pair of black gloves.
“Try these.” Kael slipped them on.
Flexible.
Comfortable.
Surprisingly durable.
“They’re reinforced with Beast Silk,” Marcus explained.
“They won’t stop claws.” “But they’ll protect your hands during training.” Kael nodded.
“I’ll take them.” — As they left the shop, someone called his name.
“Kael.” He turned.
Adrian Vale.
Unlike the ceremony, Adrian wore simple dark clothing instead of noble attire.
Simple…
By noble standards.
The fabric still looked expensive enough to pay for several months of groceries.
Adrian glanced toward the shopping bags.
“Preparing already?” “Apparently.” “My father says preparation begins before training.” Kael nodded.
“Mine says almost the same thing.” For a brief moment…
Neither spoke.
The silence wasn’t awkward.
Just unfamiliar.
Adrian finally sighed.
“I’ve been thinking.” “Dangerous.” “…Very.” A faint smile appeared on Adrian’s face.
“I judged you too quickly yesterday.” Kael remained silent.
“I assumed Rank determined ability.” “And now?” “The Headmaster personally invited someone with a Common Beast Soul into the Royal Division.” Adrian looked directly into Kael’s eyes.
“I don’t think Headmaster Graves makes mistakes.” Kael wasn’t entirely sure about that himself.
Still…
“I appreciate the apology.” Adrian nodded once.
Then extended his hand.
“Let’s compete fairly.” Kael looked at it.
After a moment…
He shook it.
“No excuses.” “No excuses.” From a nearby café window, Noah gasped dramatically.
“They’re becoming friends!” Lyra nearly choked on her drink.
“They shook hands, Noah.” “Exactly.” Marcus quietly whispered to Elara, “Our son made a friend.” Elara smiled proudly.
“I noticed.” Kael wished they would all stop watching.
— Later that afternoon, the family visited a tailor approved by the Academy.
Dozens of students waited inside.
Measurements were taken quickly.
Height.
Arm length.
Shoulder width.
Chest.
Legs.
The tailor scribbled everything down with practiced speed.
“Royal Division?” Kael nodded.
The tailor smiled.
“Black and silver uniform.” “Best-looking one in the Academy.” A nearby student immediately protested.
“That’s favoritism.” “It’s fashion.” “Same thing.” — As they walked home beneath the evening sky, Marcus carried most of the bags despite Kael offering several times.
“You’ll have enough to carry soon.” “What does that mean?” Marcus smiled.
“Responsibilities.” Those words lingered.
Kael glanced around the bustling streets.
Families laughed outside restaurants.
Street musicians played lively melodies.
Children chased mechanical toy birds through the parks.
The city felt…
Peaceful.
Alive.
Worth protecting.
The realization surprised him.
Because only months ago…
He had viewed this world as temporary.
As someone else’s life.
Somewhere along the way…
Without realizing it…
It had become his own.
— That night, Kael carefully unfolded the Academy acceptance letter once more.
Three weeks.
In only three weeks…
His new life would truly begin.
Inside his soul, Quetzalcoatlus gazed across endless skies.
“The fledgling leaves the nest.” D-Rex snorted.
“He leaves to conquer another territory.” Mosasaurus chuckled beneath the ancient sea.
“Or perhaps simply to grow.” The Queen watched them all in silence.
Then she looked toward Kael.
Enjoy it.
He frowned.
“What?” Peace never lasts forever.
For once…
No one argued with her.
Kael folded the letter carefully and placed it inside his desk drawer.
Outside, New Haven slept peacefully beneath the twin moons.
For tonight…
There were no mysteries.
No monsters.
No hidden enemies.
Only the quiet anticipation of a young man standing at the beginning of a journey that would change his life forever.
«End of Chapter 9»