Kael discovered that Nyx had grown again when the creature tried to climb onto his shoulder.
“Absolutely not.” Nyx stopped with two claws hooked over his shirt.
Kael stared at it.
Nyx stared back.
Or at least Kael assumed it did.
The lack of visible eyes made these arguments considerably stranger.
“You weigh almost as much as Lily now.” A faint wave of displeasure crossed their Soul Pact.
“That’s not an insult.” More displeasure.
Kael sighed.
“Fine.
Try.” Nyx climbed.
Kael lasted three seconds.
“Down.” Nyx dropped gracefully onto the floor.
Kael rubbed his shoulder.
Several days had passed since the academy letters arrived, and Nyx’s explosive growth had finally begun slowing.
It was now roughly the size of a large wolf, although its long tail made it appear larger.
Its body remained lean.
Black exoskeletal plates covered powerful limbs, while the gray-black ridges inherited from the Stoneback Direwolf protected its shoulders, spine and parts of its elongated skull.
Kael had also discovered something else.
The more Nyx ate and exercised, the faster it developed.
Hunting seemed particularly effective.
That was going to become expensive.
His bedroom door opened.
Rowan leaned against the frame.
“Ready?” “Almost.” His father’s attention moved toward Nyx.
“Remember what we discussed.” Kael nodded.
Everyone at the academy would see Nyx.
Questions were inevitable.
The official story was simple.
Nyx was an unknown species awakened alongside Kael’s unusual Beast Space and had undergone a natural metamorphosis shortly afterward.
Nothing more.
Nobody needed to know about the Infinite World Tree.
The Pocket World.
The Facehugger.
The Stoneback host.
And especially not the possibility that Kael might possess more than ten contracts.
“Unknown species,” Kael said.
“Exactly.” Rowan looked toward Nyx.
“Try keeping the mysterious unknown species from melting anyone.” Kael smiled.
“I’ll do my best.” A familiar shout came from outside.
“KAEL!” Rowan sighed.
“He used the gate today.” “Academy changes people.” They went downstairs.
Finn stood in the courtyard beside Thunder.
The White Lightning Tiger cub had grown too.
More importantly…
He was wearing a black collar decorated with golden embroidery.
Kael stared.
Finn noticed.
“Nice, right?” “Why does it have gold embroidery?” “Presentation.” “He’s a tiger.” Finn looked genuinely confused.
“Exactly.
Standards.” Thunder sat proudly.
Kael glanced toward Nyx.
“Don’t get ideas.” Nyx approached the tiger.
Thunder sniffed.
Nyx sniffed back.
Neither growled.
Finn slowly covered his mouth.
Kael looked at him.
“What?” “They’re becoming friends.” Nyx suddenly snatched a strip of monster jerky hanging from Thunder’s collar pouch.
Thunder growled.
Nyx disappeared behind Kael.
Finn sighed.
“Never mind.” Greenriver Beast Academy stood on the eastern edge of town.
Kael had seen it countless times from outside.
Walking through its gates as a student felt different.
The academy wasn’t enormous compared with the famous institutions Kael had read about, but to someone raised in Greenriver, it was impressive.
Several combat arenas occupied the eastern grounds.
Beyond them stood beast-training fields, classrooms, a medical building, evolution laboratories and dormitories.
Farther back stretched a fenced woodland used for wilderness exercises.
But Kael barely noticed the buildings.
Beasts were everywhere.
Flame Hounds walked beside students.
Wind Falcons perched on shoulders.
A Rock Bear slept beside a fountain.
Three Vine Serpents were wrapped around their Beast Master’s arms.
Nyx stopped.
Kael felt the change immediately.
Interest.
Predatory interest.
“No.” Nyx turned toward him.
Not prey.
Disappointment.
“All of them.” Even greater disappointment.
Finn laughed.
“First day and you’re already ruining its fun.” “Would you prefer it ate someone’s bird?” Finn looked toward a nearby Wind Falcon.
“…Fair.” They continued.
Whispers followed.
“What is that?” “Does it have eyes?” “Look at its head.” “Are those stone plates?” Nyx ignored them.
Then one student approached too quickly.
“Hey, can I touch—” Nyx moved.
No roar.
No dramatic display.
It simply appeared between Kael and the student.
Head lowered.
Tail raised.
The boy stopped.
Kael touched Nyx’s back.
“Safe.” Nyx relaxed.
The student decided he no longer wanted to touch anything.
Finn watched him leave.
“You know, I think Nyx is improving your social life.” “How?” “Nobody annoying will come near you.” Before Kael could respond, Thunder growled.
Not at Nyx.
Something above them.
A large shadow crossed the courtyard.
A griffon descended.
Dark silver feathers reflected the morning light while violet electricity danced across its wings.
Damian Cross landed beside it.
The Thunder Griffon had grown significantly since Awakening Day.
Damian noticed Kael.
Then Nyx.
He stopped.
“It changed.” Kael raised an eyebrow.
“You noticed?” Damian looked at him.
“It had eight limbs three days ago.” Finn leaned closer.
“That’s difficult to forget.” Kael ignored him.
“Metamorphosis.” Damian studied Nyx.
“Interesting.” No accusation.
No disbelief.
Just interest.
His Griffon stepped closer.
Nyx lowered itself.
Kael felt excitement.
Not hostility.
Challenge.
The Griffon responded similarly.
Damian smiled faintly.
“Looks like they remember each other.” “Apparently.” A bell rang.
Students began moving toward the central arena.
Damian followed.
Finn watched him.
“I still can’t decide whether I like him.” “You don’t need to.” “But he’s our rival.” “Our?” “Don’t ruin this.” The opening ceremony was held outdoors.
Nearly two hundred newly awakened students filled the arena.
Kael noticed another unusual beast near the front.
A mantis.
Nearly human-sized.
Dark red metallic armor covered its body, while two enormous blade-like forelimbs rested against its chest.
Beside it stood a pale young man with neatly combed black hair.
Lucian Veyr.
Kael knew the name.
Everyone in Greenriver did.
The Veyr family controlled several monster-material businesses throughout the region.
Lucian noticed Nyx.
His eyes remained on it several seconds too long.
Then he smiled politely.
Kael didn’t like the smile.
An older woman stepped onto the central platform.
Scars crossed one side of her face.
No ceremonial robes.
No long speech.
“You awakened a Beast Space.” Her voice carried throughout the arena.
“That does not make you a Beast Master.” Silence.
“It makes you someone capable of becoming one.” Several students shifted.
“You will train your beasts.” “You will train yourselves.” “You will learn biology, wilderness survival, evolution theory, combat and responsibility.” Her gaze swept across them.
“Some of you will fail.” Nobody moved now.
“Better you fail here than discover your weakness with a monster’s teeth around your throat.” Finn whispered, “I like her.” Kael almost smiled.
The instructor raised one hand.
“What is the greatest weapon of a Beast Master?” Someone shouted: “Beasts!” “No.” “Contracts!” “No.” “Bloodline!” “No.” “Spiritual energy!” “No.” She waited.
“Coordination.” Kael’s expression changed.
“Ten powerful beasts fighting independently are ten separate threats.” She pointed toward the students.
“A Beast Master fighting as one with weaker companions is an army.” Nyx’s tail touched Kael’s leg.
He smiled faintly.
The assessments began immediately afterward.
Finn went before Kael.
Thunder performed exceptionally well.
His lightning scorched three targets.
His acceleration earned several approving comments.
Finn’s personal assessment was less graceful.
He nearly dropped his spear once.
Tripped once.
Then somehow turned the stumble into a successful dodge.
Kael couldn’t tell whether it had been intentional.
Judging by Finn’s expression, neither could Finn.
But synchronization changed everything.
Thunder moved before Finn finished pointing.
Finn instinctively adjusted whenever Thunder changed direction.
Messy.
Unpolished.
But natural.
When Finn finished, he returned grinning.
“Natural talent.” “You fell over twice.” “Natural talent with room for growth.” Damian went later.
Kael watched closely.
The difference was obvious.
Damian wasn’t simply someone with a powerful family and rare beast.
He was good.
His weapon resembled a short spear with a broad sword-like blade.
He moved beside the Thunder Griffon rather than behind it.
When the Griffon forced targets sideways, Damian was already waiting.
When Damian attacked high, the Griffon attacked low.
Precise.
Disciplined.
Dangerous.
Kael smiled.
Something worth chasing.
Lucian was next.
His Bloodsteel Mantis was frightening.
Every command received an immediate response.
“Left.” Movement.
“Strike.” The target split.
“Return.” The Mantis stood beside him.
Perfect obedience.
Lucian earned an excellent score.
Yet something bothered Kael.
The Mantis never looked at Lucian unless receiving instructions.
No curiosity.
No reassurance.
Nothing resembling what existed between Finn and Thunder.
It obeyed.
That was all.
Then— “Kael Ashborne.” Finn slapped his shoulder.
“Try not to embarrass us.” “Us?” “Friendship means shared reputation.” Kael entered the arena.
Nyx followed.
The first tests were simple.
Strength.
Good.
Not exceptional.
Damian’s Griffon had scored higher.
Straight-line speed.
Excellent.
Reaction speed.
Even better.
Then came stealth.
Nyx entered the obstacle field.
And vanished.
Ten seconds passed.
Twenty.
One instructor frowned.
“Where is your beast?” Kael felt Nyx perfectly.
Above them.
“Nyx.” Something dropped from the ceiling beam behind him.
The instructor jumped.
Finn’s laughter echoed from the stands.
Kael pretended not to hear.
His personal assessment followed.
Kael did well.
Better than many students.
Rowan’s training mattered.
But Damian was clearly ahead.
Kael’s footwork still needed improvement.
His recovery after missed thrusts was slow.
Twice the instructor exploited openings Rowan had repeatedly warned him about.
Kael memorized both mistakes.
Then came synchronization.
Three mechanical training beasts entered the arena.
“Begin!” Kael moved forward.
Nyx disappeared.
The first machine charged.
Kael blocked.
Metal jaws struck his padded spear.
He redirected rather than stopping the force.
The machine passed him.
Nyx struck from behind.
Its tail swept the mechanical legs.
Kael attacked the joint.
The machine collapsed.
Second.
Kael felt Nyx moving before he saw it.
Left.
He ducked.
Nyx passed above him.
The machine turned toward Nyx.
Kael struck its exposed side.
Third.
No commands.
No shouting.
Only intent.
Kael pressured.
Nyx hunted.
The final machine swung.
Kael dodged.
Nyx wasn’t fast enough.
A metal claw grazed its shoulder.
A tiny cut opened.
Kael’s eyes widened.
One drop fell.
He lunged.
A discarded reinforced shield lay nearby.
Kael caught the drop against it and immediately threw the shield aside.
HISSSSS.
Smoke rose.
The arena became silent.
A hole formed through the shield.
Finn’s voice came from the stands.
“You forgot the blood thing, didn’t you?” “Finn.” “Right.
Quiet.” The instructors stared at Nyx.
Kael rubbed his forehead.
That could have gone better.
The final rankings appeared an hour later.
First.
Damian Cross.
Second.
Lucian Veyr.
Third.
Kael Ashborne.
Kael stared at the board.
Third.
He wasn’t disappointed.
If anything…
He felt excited.
There was room above him.
Finn appeared beside him.
“Where am I?” He searched.
“Twenty-three!” He raised both arms.
“Top quarter!” “Congratulations.” “I would have ranked higher without the spear.” “The Beast Master assessment includes the Beast Master.” “A flawed system.” Someone approached.
Damian.
Finn immediately straightened.
Damian ignored him.
“Spar with me.” Kael blinked.
“Now?” “Not today.” Damian glanced toward Nyx.
Then his Griffon.
“When they’re both stronger.” Kael understood.
A smile appeared.
“You’re assuming you’ll still be ahead.” Damian smiled back.
“I’m counting on you trying.” He walked away.
Finn stared.
“That was disappointingly respectful.” Kael laughed.
Across the arena, Lucian watched.
Not Kael.
Nyx.
More specifically…
The half-dissolved shield.
Lucian turned toward a man wearing the Veyr family insignia.
“Find out where Ashborne acquired that beast.” The man nodded.
Lucian looked back toward Nyx.
Unknown species.
Unknown abilities.
Unknown origin.
Lucian disliked unknown things.
That night, Kael entered the Infinite World Tree.
Nyx appeared beside him.
The second leaf had opened farther.
Rain fell inside the incomplete world.
Kael approached.
Vegetation shifted.
Something breathed beyond the trees.
Heavy.
Slow.
Close.
Kael stopped.
The leaves parted.
An eye appeared.
Massive.
Reptilian.
Yellow-green.
It stared directly at him.
Kael forgot to breathe.
Intelligence existed there.
Not human intelligence.
Predatory intelligence.
Nyx lowered itself beside him.
Its tail rose.
The creature beyond the leaf released a low growl.
Nyx answered with a hiss.
Neither attacked.
They simply watched each other.
Then the image disappeared.
The second leaf closed.
Kael waited.
Nothing.
No egg.
No explanation.
Yet somehow he understood.
Not ready.
Whatever condition controlled the second world hadn’t been fulfilled.
Kael placed one hand against Nyx’s armored head.
“That’s fine.” Nyx relaxed.
Kael looked toward the closed prehistoric leaf.
“We aren’t in a hurry.” For several seconds, nothing happened.
Then somewhere beyond the leaf…
Something enormous answered with a low, ancient growl.
Kael smiled.
Tomorrow, he had academy training.
Nyx still had countless abilities to master.
Damian was ahead of him.
Lucian was watching him.
And his journey as a Beast Master had barely begun.
The next egg could wait.