Kael read the note for the third time.
I know your beasts don’t come from Greenriver.
Seven words.
That was all.
No signature.
No symbol.
No demand.
Somehow, that made it worse.
“Kael?” Finn’s voice barely registered.
Kael folded the paper.
“Nothing.” “That is absolutely not your nothing face.” Too many people surrounded them.
Students moved between the waiting areas.
Families filled the spectator stands.
Academy attendants walked through the corridors, calling names and carrying match reports.
Kael slipped the note into his pocket.
“We’ll talk later.” Finn’s expression changed.
He understood.
“Alright.” Something touched Kael’s leg.
Nyx.
The Xenomorph’s posture had changed.
Its elongated head slowly swept across the corridor.
Searching.
Through their Soul Pact came a simple question.
Threat?
Kael hesitated.
Then— Unknown.
Watch.
Nyx immediately disappeared.
Not literally.
Its exoskeleton shifted until it blended against the arena wall.
Kael felt another presence.
Rexia.
The pale hatchling wasn’t searching the crowd.
She was staring directly at his pocket.
Kael frowned.
Rexia stepped closer.
Her snout moved toward the note.
“No.” She tried again.
Kael caught her snout.
“Definitely no.” Golden eyes narrowed.
Then came something unexpected.
Paper.
Threat?
Kael stared.
She had connected his reaction to the object.
“You really do notice everything.” Rexia waited.
Kael sent the same command.
Unknown.
Watch.
Her head turned toward the crowd.
The change was immediate.
She began studying faces.
Movement.
Hands.
Entrances.
Kael suddenly felt slightly sorry for whoever had sent the note.
They now had two monsters looking for them.
Unfortunately, neither knew what they were looking for.
A bell sounded.
“Next match!” Kael exhaled.
The exhibition wasn’t going to stop because someone had discovered part of his secret.
For now, he needed to act normally.
That became significantly harder once Finn finally saw the message.
They found an empty preparation room ten minutes later.
Finn read the note.
Once.
Twice.
No joke followed.
“Lucian?” “Maybe.” “You already suspected him.” “That doesn’t make him guilty.” Finn looked through the narrow window toward the arena.
“We could ask.” “And if he didn’t send it?” Finn became quiet.
“We tell him someone is suspicious of me.” “And if he did?” “We tell him it worked.” Finn grimaced.
“I hate when you’re sensible.” “Thanks.” “Wasn’t a compliment.” Kael took the note back.
“For now, we watch.” Finn nodded.
Then an attendant opened the door.
“Finn Arlow?” Finn’s face changed.
“That’s me.” “You’re next.” Finn looked toward Kael.
“Tell my family I fought bravely.” “You’re going twenty meters away.” “Tell them.” Thunder followed Finn toward the arena.
Kael joined the viewing section.
Finn’s opponent had two beasts.
A Stonehorn Ram stood at the front.
A Razorwing Sparrow circled overhead.
Finn entered with Thunder alone.
The bell rang.
The Ram charged.
Finn planted his spear.
Kael leaned forward.
“Don’t—” BOOM.
Finn went flying.
He rolled three times.
The crowd gasped.
Kael covered his face.
“How?” Finn stood.
“I’m fine!” The Ram turned.
Thunder moved.
That was when Kael understood.
Finn hadn’t simply been hit.
He had redirected the Ram.
Just badly.
Thunder attacked the exposed side.
Lightning flashed.
The Ram stumbled.
The Razorwing Sparrow dived.
Finn ducked.
Or slipped.
Kael genuinely couldn’t tell.
The Sparrow missed.
Thunder launched upward and struck it with a burst of electricity.
Minutes later, Finn’s spear rested against his opponent’s chest while Thunder stood over the stunned Ram.
“Winner—Finn Arlow!” Finn raised both hands.
Later, he returned grinning.
“Did you see that?” “You fell down.” “Tactical crouching.” “You rolled three meters.” “Advanced tactical crouching.” “Your shoulder hit the ground first.” “Part of the technique.” Thunder walked beside him proudly.
Kael shook his head.
“Congratulations.” “Thank you.” Finn’s grin widened.
“I knew you’d recognize greatness.” The next match erased the humor.
Lucian entered.
His Bloodsteel Mantis followed.
Only one beast.
His opponent brought two.
Kael watched closely.
The bell rang.
Lucian didn’t rush.
He waited.
His opponent’s first beast attacked.
“Three steps right.” The Mantis moved.
“Low.” Blade swept.
“Return.” Perfect.
No hesitation.
No wasted movement.
Lucian fought personally too.
His sword intercepted an attack while the Mantis covered his flank.
Everything was efficient.
Then Lucian deliberately stepped into a vulnerable position.
Kael frowned.
The enemy beast attacked.
The Bloodsteel Mantis immediately abandoned its superior position to intercept.
It took a strike across its armored side.
Lucian countered.
His sword stopped against his opponent’s throat.
Match over.
The crowd erupted.
Kael remained silent.
Finn noticed.
“He won.” “I know.” “But?” Kael watched the Mantis.
It stood beside Lucian.
Waiting.
No anger.
No complaint.
No pride.
Only obedience.
“Nothing.” The bracket changed.
Kael’s name appeared.
Then his opponent.
Selene Marr — Rank 6.
Finn whistled.
“That’s bad.” Kael read her beasts.
Mistwing Crane.
Thornback Lynx.
He knew both species.
Mistwing Cranes controlled wind and produced dense mist.
Thornback Lynxes possessed exceptional vibration sensing.
Kael looked toward Nyx.
Stealth against a creature capable of sensing movement.
Not ideal.
Rexia stepped forward.
Fight.
“Not yet.” Offense.
“I need to try something.” More offense.
Kael crouched.
“If I need you, I’ll call.” Rexia stared.
Then reluctantly sat.
Kael entered with Nyx.
Selene was already waiting.
She was taller than Kael, carrying a curved staff.
“Only one?” “Only one.” She glanced toward Nyx.
“Your choice.” The bell rang.
Mist exploded across the arena.
Kael lost sight of everything.
“Nyx.” Their bond answered.
Nyx moved.
Immediately— A growl.
The Thornback Lynx attacked.
Nyx dodged.
Kael understood.
Vibrations.
The Lynx didn’t need sight.
Wind screamed overhead.
Kael moved.
A compressed blast struck the ground where he’d been standing.
Mistwing Crane.
He couldn’t see it.
Nyx attempted to circle.
The Lynx intercepted.
Again.
Nyx camouflaged.
Didn’t matter.
Movement gave it away.
Kael tightened his grip on the spear.
Selene had prepared for him.
Good.
That meant he needed another answer.
Kael struck the ground.
The Lynx turned toward the vibration.
Nyx moved.
For several seconds, it worked.
Then Selene adapted.
“Crane.
Downburst.” Wind slammed into the arena.
Kael nearly fell.
Nyx was exposed.
The Lynx attacked.
Its shoulder struck Nyx’s side.
CRACK.
Kael felt the impact through their bond.
Nyx flew through the mist.
Pain.
Not severe.
But enough.
Kael immediately thought of the crowd.
Acid blood.
Withdraw.
Nyx’s refusal came instantly.
Fight.
Withdraw.
Anger.
Kael strengthened the command.
Pack.
Danger.
Withdraw.
Nyx froze.
Then obeyed.
Its presence retreated through their bond.
The crowd murmured.
Selene emerged through the mist.
Her staff raised.
“You can surrender.” Kael stood alone.
Two enemy beasts.
One Beast Master.
He raised his spear.
“I’m still here.” Selene smiled.
“Good answer.” She attacked.
Kael barely blocked.
Staff struck spear.
The Crane attacked from above.
Kael rolled.
The Lynx came from his blind side.
He twisted.
Claws missed his chest by centimeters.
Rowan’s training kept him alive.
Nothing more.
Kael couldn’t win like this.
Another presence touched his mind.
Rexia.
No demand.
No tantrum.
She wasn’t shouting through the bond.
She was simply…
waiting.
Kael understood.
Earlier, Rexia wanted to enter because she wanted to fight.
Now?
Pack needs me.
Kael smiled.
“Alright.” Selene frowned.
“What?” Kael reached through the second contract.
Rexia.
Come.
The connection opened.
White-gray scales appeared through the mist.
Rexia stepped beside him.
The audience became quiet.
Selene blinked.
“That’s your second beast?” Rexia’s head slowly turned.
Offense exploded through the bond.
“Don’t.” Insult.
“Still don’t.” Selene almost laughed.
Then Rexia growled.
She stopped laughing.
Kael touched Rexia’s back.
He didn’t tell her where to move.
Didn’t tell her what to attack.
One objective.
Break.
Rexia looked around.
Mist.
Wind.
Lynx.
Crane.
Selene.
Kael felt her thinking.
Then she ran.
Not toward Selene.
Not toward the Lynx.
She began circling.
Selene frowned.
“Crane.” Wind attacked.
Rexia changed direction.
Again.
Another gust.
Rexia kicked loose sand into the air.
The wind caught it.
Mist shifted.
A thin opening appeared.
Rexia stopped.
Kael stared.
She was testing the airflow.
Another movement.
Another gust.
Another opening.
“You’re learning.” Rexia’s satisfaction answered.
The Lynx charged.
Rexia moved.
It tracked her.
She stopped.
Completely.
The Lynx hesitated.
Rexia’s scales changed.
White-gray became duller.
Closer to the surrounding mist.
Not invisible.
But harder to see.
The Crane beat its wings.
WHOOSH.
Rexia moved at that exact moment.
The Lynx turned the wrong direction.
Kael’s eyes widened.
She had figured it out.
Wind hitting the arena created vibrations.
Rexia was hiding her movements inside them.
Kael struck the ground with his spear.
CLANG.
The Lynx spun toward him.
Rexia moved.
Kael struck again.
CLANG.
Rexia moved closer to the Crane.
Selene realized too late.
“Up!” The Crane climbed.
Rexia ran toward the arena barrier.
Jumped.
Her hind legs struck the wall.
She launched upward.
The Crane screamed.
Rexia’s long forearms caught one leg.
Both fell.
They hit the ground.
Rexia pinned the Crane.
Her jaws opened.
Hold!
Rexia froze.
Kael’s heartbeat hammered.
She wanted to bite.
He felt it.
But she didn’t.
She held.
“Good.” The mist began thinning.
A familiar presence touched Kael.
Nyx.
Ready.
Kael hesitated.
Then smiled.
Hunt.
Nyx returned.
Selene’s expression changed.
Now she understood.
Nyx moved toward the Lynx.
Rexia controlled the Crane.
Kael faced Selene.
Anchor.
Break.
Hunt.
For the first time outside training…
It worked.
The Lynx couldn’t focus on Rexia anymore.
Nyx pressured it.
The Crane couldn’t restore the mist.
Rexia held it down.
Selene attacked Kael personally.
Her staff struck hard.
Kael blocked.
She was good.
Better than him in several areas.
One strike hit his shoulder.
Pain exploded.
He retreated.
She followed.
Kael waited.
Another strike.
Block.
Turn.
Their weapons locked.
Selene glanced sideways.
Toward the Crane.
One second.
Enough.
Kael stepped inside her reach.
Twisted.
His spear hooked the staff.
He turned his hips.
Her weapon fell.
Kael’s spear stopped against her chest.
Silence.
Selene looked down.
Then toward her beasts.
Finally, she smiled.
“I surrender.” The arena erupted.
Kael lowered his weapon.
“Release.” Rexia immediately stepped away from the Crane.
Kael stared at her.
She had obeyed.
No extra bite.
No “bonus.” Nothing.
Rexia approached.
Waiting.
Kael crouched.
Placed his hand against her head.
“Good.” Pride slammed through their bond.
Not arrogance.
Something warmer.
She had done what Kael asked.
And he was pleased.
That mattered to her.
Nyx approached.
Rexia turned.
Nyx lightly tapped her shoulder with its tail.
Kael felt the message.
Good hunt.
Rexia became still.
Then: Better next time.
Nyx’s answer came instantly.
Competition.
Kael sighed.
“Please don’t.” Both ignored him.
From the spectator section, Damian watched.
His Thunder Griffon shifted excitedly beside him.
Damian smiled.
“Good.” Across the arena, Lucian watched too.
But he wasn’t smiling at Kael’s victory.
His attention remained on Rexia.
The camouflage.
The intelligence.
The adaptation.
Another impossible beast.
Whatever source Kael possessed…
Lucian wanted to understand it.
Kael returned to the preparation area.
Finn practically tackled him.
“That was incredible!” “Thanks.” “And Rexia!” Rexia raised her head.
“She actually listened!” Rexia growled.
Finn backed away.
“I meant that respectfully.” Kael reached for his equipment bag.
Stopped.
Something rested on top of his spare shirt.
Paper.
His stomach tightened.
He picked it up.
Another note.
Finn saw his expression.
“Again?” Kael opened it.
Two impossible beasts in less than a month.
How many more can you obtain?
The noise of the exhibition seemed to fade.
Finn read over his shoulder.
“Kael…” “I know.” This was worse.
The first message could have meant anything.
This one couldn’t.
Someone understood that Nyx and Rexia weren’t isolated accidents.
They suspected a repeatable source.
Kael folded the note carefully.
Think.
What did they actually know?
Two unknown beasts.
Both obtained quickly.
No known breeder.
No known wild population.
That was it.
They didn’t know about the Tree.
The leaves.
The Pocket Worlds.
They certainly didn’t know his contracts might be unlimited.
“Kael?” Finn looked worried.
Kael placed the note into his pocket.
“We don’t panic.” Finn nodded slowly.
“We don’t?” “No.” “What do we do?” “Exactly what we were already doing.” Watch.
Learn.
Give nothing away.
A bell rang.
The quarterfinal bracket changed.
Names appeared.
Kael looked up.
Then stopped.
KAEL ASHBORNE — RANK 3 VS LUCIAN VEYR — RANK 2 Finn slowly turned.
“Well.” Across the arena, Lucian was already watching.
Their eyes met.
Lucian smiled faintly.
Then raised one hand in acknowledgment.
Kael studied him.
Had he sent the notes?
Maybe.
Maybe not.
It didn’t matter for the next match.
Kael raised his own hand.
Nyx stood on one side.
Rexia on the other.
Soon…
He would finally learn exactly how dangerous Lucian Veyr really was.
Much later, when Kael briefly entered the Infinite World Tree, the third bud reacted.
Three red points appeared.
One settled over Nyx.
Another over Rexia.
The third…
Over Kael.
Click.
Click-click.
Kael stared toward the unopened leaf.
The feeling beyond it had changed.
Not hostility.
Not hunger.
Assessment.
The unseen hunter had been watching.
Watching Nyx mature.
Watching Rexia hatch.
Watching Kael struggle to lead both.
Then— The third bud moved.
Barely.
Its outer layer separated by the width of a fingernail.
Kael immediately frowned.
“Not yet.” Silence.
The bud stopped opening.
Kael stared.
Had it…
Listened?
Click-click-click.
The strange sound echoed through the Tree.
Kael couldn’t explain why.
But he had the uncomfortable impression that whatever waited on the other side…
found his answer amusing.