Kael Ashborne woke before the sun.
Not because he enjoyed waking early, and certainly not because today was special.
It had simply become a habit.
The room was still wrapped in darkness when he folded his blanket, changed into a simple set of work clothes, and quietly pushed open the wooden window.
Cool morning air drifted inside, carrying the scent of damp earth and wild grass.
Somewhere in the distance, birds had just begun greeting the dawn, while the sleepy town of Greenriver remained wrapped in silence.
Kael stepped into the courtyard without making a sound.
The Ashborne family’s home wasn’t large, nor was it luxurious.
It stood on the edge of Greenriver Town, where neat rows of stone houses slowly gave way to farmland and open woodland.
It had a weathered tiled roof, whitewashed walls, a vegetable garden carefully maintained by his mother, and a sturdy wooden stable behind the house.
To Kael, there was no place in the world more comforting.
The stable door creaked softly as he opened it.
A deep snort greeted him.
“There you are.” The massive Mosshorn slowly walked forward, its broad head covered in emerald moss that glistened with morning dew.
Small white flowers bloomed naturally across its back, releasing a faint spiritual fragrance into the air.
Although classified as a beast, the Mosshorn possessed almost no offensive ability.
Instead, generations of farmers had relied upon them to cultivate land enriched with spiritual energy.
The old beast gently nudged Kael’s shoulder.
“You only like me because breakfast is coming.” The Mosshorn ignored the accusation and rubbed against him again.
Kael laughed before pouring fresh feed into the wooden trough.
“You really have no shame.” The creature immediately buried its face inside the food.
A familiar chuckle sounded from behind him.
“I see he still has better manners than you.” Kael turned around.
His father, Rowan Ashborne, approached carrying two heavy wooden buckets balanced effortlessly across his shoulders.
Years of physical labor had broadened his frame, yet his movements remained calm and precise.
Although his hair had begun showing streaks of gray, his sharp eyes hadn’t lost the confidence of someone who had once walked dangerous battlefields.
“You beat me again,” Kael said.
Rowan smiled.
“You’ve become slower.” “I’ve been awake since before dawn.” “Exactly.” Kael sighed.
“I should have expected that answer.” Together, father and son settled into their familiar routine.
Fresh water was poured.
The stable was cleaned.
The vegetable garden received its morning watering.
Neither spoke much.
They didn’t need to.
Years of repeating the same chores had created a comfortable silence between them.
As the last bucket emptied, Rowan rested his arms on the wooden fence surrounding the stable.
“Look.” Kael followed his father’s gaze.
Far above the awakening town, two enormous silhouettes crossed the brightening sky.
One was a crimson wyvern whose wings reflected the first rays of sunlight like polished steel.
The other was a giant eagle with golden feathers shimmering with spiritual energy.
Each carried a Beast Master upon its back.
They flew north without slowing, disappearing toward the distant mountain range where monster territory began.
Kael watched until they became little more than dots against the clouds.
“They’re heading toward the Northern Wilderness.” Rowan nodded.
“Probably another monster migration.” “They make it look so easy.” “They’ve spent decades earning that confidence.” Kael remained silent.
His eyes never left the horizon.
“I wonder what it’s like.” Rowan glanced sideways.
“Flying?” Kael slowly shook his head.
“No.” His voice became quieter.
“Fighting beside someone who trusts you completely.” The older man looked at his son for several long seconds.
Then his expression softened.
“When I was your age…” Kael turned toward him.
“…I thought becoming a Beast Master meant becoming stronger than everyone else.” “And now?” Rowan smiled faintly before scratching behind the Mosshorn’s ears.
The old beast closed its eyes with obvious satisfaction.
“Now I know strength isn’t measured by how powerful your beast becomes.” He looked directly into Kael’s eyes.
“It’s measured by whether your companion still chooses to stand beside you after seeing the kind of person you truly are.” Kael quietly memorized every word.
His father rarely spoke about his years as a Beast Master.
Whenever he did…
Kael listened.
A sudden shout shattered the peaceful morning.
“KAEL!” Both father and son sighed simultaneously.
“He’s here,” Rowan muttered.
“You knew?” “I heard him climbing the fence.” A moment later, a round face appeared upside down outside the kitchen window.
“Good morning!” Before Kael could answer, the window slid open.
His mother looked directly at the unexpected visitor.
“Finn.” The cheerful boy immediately grinned.
“Morning, Aunt Clara!” “The front door still exists.” “I know.” “And yet…” “The window is faster.” Clara pinched the bridge of her nose.
“You’ve been saying that for eight years.” Finn looked genuinely thoughtful.
“…Has it really been that long?” “Yes.” “Wow.” He nodded seriously.
“I’ve become very consistent.” Kael couldn’t stop himself from laughing.
Finn had been climbing through their kitchen window since they were children.
At this point…
Even the neighbors expected it.
The smell of freshly baked bread soon filled the house.
Breakfast was already waiting.
Warm bread.
Eggs.
Vegetable soup.
Fresh fruit.
Homemade berry jam.
As everyone took their seats, Finn somehow managed to steal a bread roll before anyone else reached for one.
Lily caught him immediately.
“I saw that.” Finn froze with the bread halfway to his mouth.
“…Saw what?” “You literally have the evidence in your hand.” Finn glanced at the bread.
“Oh.” Then he smiled.
“This?” “Yes.
That.” “I was protecting everyone.” Kael blinked.
“Protecting us?” Finn nodded solemnly.
“What if it was poisoned?” Silence.
Then Rowan burst into laughter.
Lily threw a napkin at him.
“You’ve been testing Mom’s cooking for years.” “And thanks to my bravery…” Finn took an enormous bite.
“…everyone is still alive.” Even Clara couldn’t help smiling.
“You’ll eat anything if you can invent an excuse.” “I prefer the word ‘creative.'” The room filled with easy laughter.
For a little while…
There were no powerful Beast Masters.
No dangerous monsters.
No dreams of glory.
Only an ordinary family sharing breakfast with the boy who had long ago become part of it.
Then Rowan looked toward Kael.
“Tomorrow.” The laughter slowly faded.
Everyone understood what he meant.
Tomorrow was Awakening Day.
The day every eighteen-year-old in Greenriver Town would awaken their Beast Space.
The day that could change an ordinary life forever.
Finn suddenly straightened in his chair.
“I’ve already decided.” Lily looked at him suspiciously.
“Decided what?” “My beast.” “You don’t choose your awakened beast.” “I know.” “So?” Finn pointed confidently at himself.
“I’m awakening a White Lightning Tiger.” Kael smiled.
“You’ve said that every day this week.” “And tomorrow I’ll finally be right.” “And if you aren’t?” Finn frowned.
“I refuse to answer such unrealistic questions.” Lily smirked.
“What if you awaken a rabbit?” “I won’t.” “A chicken?” “No.” “A duck?” Finn hesitated.
“…A very dangerous duck.” The table erupted into laughter once again.
Kael quietly looked around at everyone.
His parents.
His little sister.
Finn.
The warmth of home settled gently in his heart.
Whatever tomorrow brought…
He hoped only for one thing.
Not fame.
Not glory.
Not wealth.
Just a companion he could protect…
And who would one day choose to protect him in return.