Soren woke the next morning with a tiny fox sprawled across his face like a warm, fluffy sleep mask. He tried to inhale. He inhaled fur. He tried to speak. He inhaled more fur.
He flailed.
The fox chirped indignantly and hopped off his face, landing on his chest with a soft thump.
Soren gasped for air. "You're trying to kill me."
The fox chirped again, this time sounding suspiciously like laughter.
Kael, already dressed and sharpening his spear, didn't look up. "If he wanted to kill you, he'd succeed."
Soren groaned. "That's not comforting."
"It wasn't meant to be."
Soren sat up, rubbing his eyes. "What time is it?"
"Early," Kael said. "We're training."
Soren blinked. "Training? Now? Why?"
Kael gave him a flat look. "Trials. Three days."
Soren flopped back onto the bed. "I hate this place."
The fox hopped onto his stomach and chirped insistently.
Soren sighed. "Fine. I'm up."
---
Training Field 7 — The Quiet One
Kael led him to a secluded training field behind the academy gardens. It was quieter than the others, surrounded by tall hedges and dotted with stone pillars carved with runes.
Soren blinked. "Why are we here?"
Kael shrugged. "Less people. Less distractions. Less chance of you embarrassing yourself."
Soren glared. "I don't embarrass myself."
Kael raised an eyebrow.
Soren sighed. "Okay, I embarrass myself a lot."
The fox chirped in agreement.
Kael pointed to the center of the field. "We're working on coordination today."
Soren blinked. "Coordination?"
Kael nodded. "You and your fox need to move together. Think together. Act together."
Soren looked at the fox.
The fox was currently chasing a butterfly.
Soren groaned. "We're doomed."
Kael clapped his hands. "Start with simple commands. Movement drills. Dodging. Timing."
Soren nodded nervously. "Okay. Um… fox? Come here?"
The fox ignored him.
"Fox? Buddy? Pal? Please?"
The fox continued chasing the butterfly.
Kael sighed. "Use your bond."
"My what?"
"Your bond. You have high affinity. Use it."
Soren blinked. "How?"
Kael shrugged. "Figure it out."
Soren groaned. "You're the worst teacher."
Kael smirked. "I'm not a teacher."
Soren took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
He pictured the fox.
He pictured the warmth of its fur.
The way it chirped when happy.
The way it curled up on his chest.
The way it fought for him.
He opened his eyes.
"Fox," he said softly. "Come here."
The fox froze.
Turned.
And trotted over.
Soren gasped. "It worked!"
Kael nodded. "Good. Again."
---
Movement Drills
For the next hour, Soren practiced commands.
"Left!"
The fox darted left.
"Right!"
The fox darted right.
"Jump!"
The fox leapt—straight into Soren's arms.
Soren laughed. "You're getting good at this."
The fox chirped proudly.
Kael nodded. "Better. Now dodging."
Soren blinked. "Dodging what?"
Kael picked up a small training ball.
Soren paled. "Kael. No."
Kael threw it.
Soren screamed. "FOX—MOVE!"
The fox blurred.
A soft ding echoed.
[FOX FLICKER ACTIVATED]
The ball hit the ground harmlessly.
Soren gasped. "You're amazing!"
The fox chirped smugly.
Kael threw another.
And another.
And another.
The fox dodged every one.
Soren's confidence grew.
Kael's expression softened—just a little. "Good. Very good."
Soren beamed. "We're doing it!"
Kael nodded. "Now attack drills."
Soren froze. "Attack?!"
Kael pointed at a wooden dummy. "Tell him to strike."
Soren swallowed. "Okay. Fox… hit it."
The fox sprinted forward and head‑butted the dummy.
The dummy wobbled.
Soren cheered. "Yes!"
Kael shook his head. "Harder."
Soren nodded. "Fox—again!"
The fox struck again.
Harder.
The dummy cracked.
Soren's jaw dropped. "He's getting stronger."
Kael nodded. "He's evolving."
Soren blinked. "Evolving?!"
Kael shrugged. "Slowly. But yes."
The fox chirped proudly.
---
A Sudden Visitor
Just as Soren began to feel confident, a cold breeze swept through the field.
Soren froze. "Oh no."
Kael sighed. "Not again."
Lira Frostbane stepped into the clearing, frost‑wolf at her side. Her expression was unreadable.
Soren squeaked. "H‑hi."
Lira ignored him and looked at Kael. "I heard you were training."
Kael nodded. "We are."
Lira's gaze shifted to the fox. "I want to see his progress."
Soren panicked. "Why?!"
Lira shrugged. "Because we're on the same team. If you're weak, we all fail."
Soren whimpered. "No pressure."
Lira pointed at the dummy. "Make him dodge."
Soren swallowed. "Okay. Fox—dodge!"
The fox flickered.
The frost‑wolf blinked.
Lira's eyes widened. "Fast."
Soren beamed. "He's amazing."
Lira nodded slowly. "Show me attack."
Soren hesitated. "Um… okay. Fox—hit it!"
The fox sprinted forward and slammed into the dummy.
The dummy shattered.
Lira blinked. "Impressive."
Soren gasped. "Really?!"
Lira nodded. "For an F‑minus."
Soren deflated. "Oh."
The frost‑wolf growled.
The fox growled back.
Lira smirked. "They're competitive."
Soren panicked. "Please don't let them fight!"
Kael stepped between them. "Enough. Save it for the trials."
Lira nodded. "Fine."
She turned to leave.
Then paused.
"Vale."
Soren squeaked. "Yes?"
Lira met his eyes. "Don't drag us down."
Soren whimpered. "I'll try."
Lira walked away.
Soren collapsed onto the grass. "I hate this place."
The fox hopped onto his chest and chirped.
Soren sighed. "At least you're here."
Kael smirked. "You'll be fine."
Soren glared. "Stop saying that."
---
A New Skill
A soft glow surrounded the fox.
Soren gasped. "Not again—what's happening?!"
A screen appeared.
[NEW BEAST SKILL UNLOCKED: FOX DASH (E‑Rank)]
Effect: Short burst of speed in a straight line.
Bonus: Slight increase in agility.
Note: Host's panic continues to be a reliable catalyst.
Soren stared. "You're evolving so fast…"
The fox chirped proudly.
Kael nodded. "Good. You'll need it."
Soren blinked. "Need it for what?"
Kael pointed behind him.
Soren turned.
Aldric Dawnhelm stood at the edge of the field.
Arms crossed.
Lion cub at his side.
Eyes burning with fury.
Soren squeaked. "Oh no."
Aldric stepped forward. "Vale."
Soren backed up. "Dawnhelm."
Aldric glared. "We're on the same team. I don't like it."
Soren whimpered. "Me neither."
Aldric leaned in. "Don't embarrass me."
Soren squeaked. "I'll try not to die."
Aldric smirked. "Good."
He walked away.
Soren collapsed again. "I hate this place."
The fox chirped.
Soren sighed. "Okay. Trials in two days. A terrifying noble. A frost‑wolf prodigy. A spear‑wielding roommate. And me."
He looked at the fox.
"And you."
The fox chirped confidently.
Soren groaned. "We're doomed."
The fox chirped louder.