The morning sun bathed the Royal Beast Academy in golden light as Kai returned to the Diamond Valley.
Although only a single night had passed, everything felt different.
Asterion's sacrifice...
The appearance of Aurelius...
The prophecy...
And the Shadow Cult.
Kai now understood that his peaceful academy life would never truly be peaceful.
Nova jumped from his shoulder and landed on the soft grass.
"Master!"
"The spiritual energy here feels even stronger today!"
Kai smiled.
"It probably does."
The Beast Sovereign Bracelet absorbed spiritual energy from the valley every second.
Even standing still here was equivalent to cultivating for hours elsewhere.
DING!
[Host has entered the Diamond Valley.]
Daily Cultivation Bonus Activated.
Spirit +10
Experience +500
Kai stretched.
"System."
"Open the new feature."
Immediately, a golden screen appeared.
System Creation Workshop
Current Authority: Beginner
Functions Available:
Create Skills
Create Beast Techniques
Combine Existing Skills
Upgrade Existing Skills
Create Passive Abilities (Locked)
Create Bloodlines (Locked)
Create Worlds (Locked)
Kai's eyes widened.
"Create... worlds?"
The System answered calmly.
[Authority too low.]
[Please become stronger.]
Kai laughed.
"I'll pretend I didn't see that."
He tapped Create Skills.
A new window appeared.
Requirements
Skill Name:
Skill Type:
Energy Cost:
Effect:
Kai thought carefully.
"I need something useful."
Nova tilted her head.
"What are you making?"
"A movement technique isn't enough anymore."
"I need something that can save us in dangerous situations."
After several minutes of thinking, he finally typed:
Skill Name: Absolute Beast Link
Effect: Temporarily share senses, thoughts, and power with contracted beasts.
Energy Cost: Moderate.
The System remained silent for several seconds.
Then—
Skill Successfully Created!
Rank: Legendary
A glowing golden book materialized before Kai.
The knowledge instantly flowed into his mind.
Kai smiled.
"It actually worked."
Nova looked amazed.
"Master..."
"You just created a Legendary Skill!"
The little fox's tails wagged excitedly.
"Can we try it?"
Kai nodded.
"Let's."
He activated the skill.
Golden light connected him to Nova.
The next instant—
Kai suddenly saw the world through Nova's eyes.
He could hear every leaf moving.
Every insect beneath the ground.
Even the distant heartbeat of beasts several hundred meters away.
"This..."
"This is incredible."
Nova gasped.
"I can hear Master's thoughts!"
Kai smiled.
"So can I."
For a brief moment, their minds became perfectly synchronized.
The System displayed another notification.
New Skill Mastered
Absolute Beast Link
Proficiency: Beginner
Just then...
The academy bell rang loudly.
Students hurried toward the main training grounds.
Kai looked at Nova.
"Looks like class is starting."
Nova returned to his Beast Space willingly.
"I'll be cheering for you, Master!"
The Diamond Classroom was unlike any ordinary classroom.
Only a single desk stood inside.
The room itself was enormous, with training equipment lining the walls.
Principal Evelyn was already waiting.
"You've arrived."
Kai bowed respectfully.
"Good morning, Principal."
She smiled.
"From today onward..."
"I'll personally teach you."
Kai blinked.
"The principal herself?"
Evelyn nodded.
"The Diamond Class has only one student."
"It would be irresponsible to hand your education to anyone else."
She walked toward the center of the room.
"Before we begin..."
"I have a question."
Kai nodded.
"I'm listening."
She looked directly into his eyes.
"What happened in Azure Beast Forest?"
Kai became silent.
He couldn't reveal the existence of the All Encompassing System.
Nor could he expose Nova's true identity.
After thinking briefly, he answered,
"I encountered a mysterious inheritance."
Evelyn studied him for several seconds.
Finally, she smiled.
"I thought so."
She didn't ask another question.
Everyone deserved to keep some secrets.
"Very well."
She raised her hand.
A massive stone golem emerged from beneath the training grounds.
"This is a Combat Golem."
"It possesses the strength of a Level 20 beast."
"Your task..."
"Defeat it."
Kai smiled.
"I'll do my best."
The battle began.
The golem charged with incredible speed.
Kai activated Shadow Flash and dodged effortlessly.
"Nova!"
Golden light flashed.
The little fox appeared beside him.
"Ready!"
Kai activated Absolute Beast Link.
Their minds instantly synchronized.
Nova didn't even need verbal commands.
She already knew exactly what Kai intended.
The golem swung its enormous fist.
Nova jumped into the air.
Kai slid beneath it.
Their movements flowed together perfectly.
"Origin Flame!"
The golden fire struck the golem's shoulder.
It staggered.
Kai immediately followed.
"Now!"
Nova's nine tails glowed brilliantly.
"Origin Burst!"
BOOM!
The explosion sent the massive golem crashing backward.
Principal Evelyn's eyes widened.
"So..."
"That's a synchronization skill."
She had never seen a Beast Tamer coordinate so perfectly with a beast before.
Normally, commands required speech or gestures.
Kai and Nova...
Moved as one.
Within two minutes...
The Combat Golem collapsed.
The training ground fell silent.
Evelyn slowly clapped.
"Excellent."
"You've exceeded my expectations."
Just then—
A loud commotion erupted outside.
A teacher burst into the room.
"Principal!"
"We have a problem!"
Evelyn frowned.
"What happened?"
"The Beast Tower..."
"...has awakened."
Her expression changed immediately.
"The Beast Tower?"
Kai looked confused.
"What is that?"
Evelyn answered gravely.
"The Beast Tower is an ancient relic beneath the academy."
"It only awakens when someone extraordinary appears."
She looked directly at Kai.
"It hasn't awakened..."
"...for over eight hundred years."
Kai had a bad feeling.
The System confirmed it.
Special Quest Received
Conquer the Beast Tower.
Difficulty: Unknown.
Reward:
Origin Key (2/7)
Mythical Beast Egg
50,000 System Points
Kai's eyes widened.
"The second Origin Key..."
Principal Evelyn spoke seriously.
"The Tower has chosen you."
"You must enter alone."
Outside...
The ground began to shake violently.
A colossal black tower slowly rose from beneath the academy, piercing the clouds.
Ancient runes illuminated its surface.
Every student looked on in awe.
At the very top of the tower...
A pair of ancient blue eyes slowly opened.
A deep voice echoed across the academy.
"Heir of the All Encompassing One..."
"...Ascend."