Soren had never seen the academy so tense. Students whispered in tight clusters, instructors stood straighter than usual, and even the beasts seemed to sense something was different. The air felt heavier, charged with expectation.
Commander Arcturus didn't walk so much as arrive. Every step he took radiated authority, confidence, and the kind of quiet power that made even the bravest students instinctively straighten their backs.
Soren did not straighten his back.
Soren tried to hide behind Kael.
Kael shoved him forward. "Stop that."
"I can't," Soren whispered. "He looks like he eats fear for breakfast."
"He probably does."
"That doesn't help!"
The fox perched on Soren's shoulder, tail swishing, chirping with excitement. It had no sense of danger. None. Zero. Negative.
Commander Arcturus surveyed the courtyard with golden eyes that seemed to pierce through every student, every beast, every secret. When his gaze swept over Soren, Soren felt his soul attempt to evacuate his body.
Arcturus paused.
Soren froze.
The fox chirped.
Arcturus's eyes narrowed slightly.
Then he moved on.
Soren collapsed internally.
Kael sighed. "You're dramatic."
"I'm alive. That's dramatic enough."
The Commander Speaks
Instructor Seraphine stepped forward, phoenix perched on her arm. "Commander Arcturus will be overseeing the Beast‑Tamer Trials. His evaluations will determine which students advance to the Inner Division."
The courtyard erupted in whispers.
"The Inner Division?!"
"That's impossible!"
"Only the strongest get in!"
Soren felt faint. "Kael. KAEL. I'm not Inner Division material. I'm barely Outer Division material. I'm barely alive material."
Kael shrugged. "Then improve."
"I hate this place."
The fox chirped sympathetically.
Commander Arcturus raised a hand, and the courtyard fell silent instantly.
"Beast‑tamers," he said, voice deep and steady, "are the backbone of this kingdom. Your beasts are not tools. They are partners. Extensions of your will. Reflections of your heart."
Soren swallowed.
Arcturus continued, "The Trials will test not only strength, but trust. Instinct. Adaptability. And above all—bond."
The fox chirped proudly.
Soren whispered, "Please don't draw attention to us."
The fox chirped louder.
Arcturus's gaze flicked toward them again.
Soren squeaked.
A Sudden Summons
After the speech, students dispersed—some excited, some terrified, some already planning strategies. Soren tried to slip away unnoticed.
He failed.
"Vale."
Soren froze.
Commander Arcturus stood behind him.
Soren squeaked. "Y‑yes?"
Kael stepped forward protectively. "Commander."
Arcturus nodded at Kael, then looked back at Soren. "Walk with me."
Soren's soul left his body. "Why?"
Arcturus didn't answer. He simply turned and walked away.
Kael shoved Soren. "Go."
"I don't want to!"
"Go."
Soren whimpered and followed.
The fox trotted beside him, tail high, as if escorting royalty.
A Conversation Soren Was Not Prepared For
Arcturus led him to a quiet garden behind the main hall. Flowers glowed faintly, enchanted lanterns floated above the path, and a small pond reflected the sky like a mirror.
Soren stood awkwardly. "Um… Commander? Did I do something wrong? If I did, I'm sorry. I'm always sorry. I can be sorry in advance if that helps."
Arcturus stared at him.
Soren shrank.
Finally, Arcturus spoke. "Your duel."
Soren winced. "I'm sorry."
"You won."
Soren blinked. "I… did?"
Arcturus nodded. "And your fox displayed unusual behavior."
The fox chirped proudly.
Arcturus crouched, studying the fox. "Its aura is… strange."
Soren panicked. "Strange bad? Strange illegal? Strange 'I'm going to jail'?"
Arcturus ignored him. "What is your bond level?"
Soren blinked. "Bond… level?"
A ding echoed.
A screen appeared.
[BEAST BOND LEVEL: 3]
Status: Strong
Potential: Growing
Arcturus raised an eyebrow. "Level three already?"
Soren blinked. "Is that… high?"
"For a beast of its rank? Extremely."
The fox puffed up proudly.
Arcturus stood. "Your fox is evolving faster than expected. That is not normal."
Soren panicked. "I didn't do anything! I swear! I fed him mushrooms! That's it!"
Arcturus stared. "Mushrooms?"
Soren nodded frantically. "Starshrooms! They glow! They taste terrible! I think they're slightly poisonous!"
Arcturus sighed. "Vale."
"Yes?"
"Stop feeding your fox random things."
Soren wilted. "Okay."
The fox chirped indignantly.
Arcturus continued, "Your bond is strong. But strength without control is dangerous."
Soren swallowed. "Dangerous how?"
Arcturus's eyes sharpened. "If your fox evolves too quickly, it may become unstable."
Soren froze. "Unstable?!"
Arcturus nodded. "Evolution requires balance. Emotion. Trust. If rushed, it can harm both beast and tamer."
Soren grabbed the fox protectively. "No. No harming. No instability. No exploding foxes."
Arcturus blinked. "Exploding?"
"I don't know! I'm panicking!"
Arcturus sighed. "Calm yourself."
"I can't!"
"Try."
"I can't!"
The fox patted Soren's cheek with a tiny paw.
Soren inhaled.
Exhaled.
"Okay. Trying."
Arcturus nodded. "Good."
He turned to leave.
Soren blinked. "Wait! Why did you call me here?"
Arcturus paused. "Because I wanted to see your fox."
Soren blinked. "Just… see him?"
Arcturus nodded. "Yes."
Soren stared. "That's it?"
Arcturus nodded again. "For now."
And he walked away.
Soren collapsed onto a bench. "I hate this place."
The fox hopped into his lap and chirped.
Soren sighed. "Okay. Maybe not hate. But definitely fear."
The fox chirped proudly.
A New Warning
As Soren stood to leave, a soft glow surrounded the fox.
Soren panicked. "Not again—please don't evolve—please don't explode—"
A screen appeared.
[EVOLUTION WARNING]
Tiny Fox is nearing evolution threshold.
Stability: Low
Bond Required: Level 4
Catalyst Required: ???
Time Remaining: Unknown
Soren stared.
Then screamed internally.
Kael found him five minutes later, curled in a bush.
Kael sighed. "What happened now?"
Soren held up the screen with trembling hands.
Kael read it.
Paused.
Then said, "You're doomed."
Soren groaned. "I know."
The fox chirped confidently.
Soren whispered, "We're doomed."
The fox chirped louder.