The Hidden Path

Raine could feel the weight of the book pressing against his hands as if the knowledge within was already starting to imprint itself into his very being. His heart raced as his mind tried to piece together everything he'd just uncovered. The librarian's cryptic words echoed in his mind, warning him that the knowledge he had accessed might change everything. And deep down, Raine knew it was true.

He carefully placed the book back on the desk, his fingers trembling slightly. "How… how do I find it?" he asked, his voice betraying the anxious uncertainty that had begun to take root in his chest.

The librarian's gaze darkened, and for the first time, Raine saw a flicker of something—perhaps fear, or maybe resignation—in the librarian's ancient eyes. "That, young tamer, is the question of a lifetime," he replied solemnly. "But you must understand, even if you find it, the consequences will not be as simple as you might believe. This beast… the 7-star creature, it is not just a creature. It is a force of nature itself."

Raine's brow furrowed. "What do you mean by that? If it's as powerful as the book says, why was it sealed away?"

The librarian sighed heavily, his gaze drifting toward the far corner of the library as though seeking an answer from some distant memory. "There are forces—old forces—that govern the balance of magic in this world. The 7-star creature is said to be able to tip that balance, to give its tamer unimaginable power. But no one has ever successfully tamed it. Those who tried were consumed by it, lost to the very magic they sought to control."

Raine felt a chill run through him at the librarian's words. The concept of being consumed by the beast's power wasn't one he could ignore. But he couldn't deny the burning desire in his chest—the hunger to learn more, to claim the power that was promised to him.

He looked the librarian directly in the eye. "I can handle it. I've tamed beasts before. I'm stronger than anyone thinks."

The librarian didn't reply immediately. His gaze seemed to pierce through Raine, searching, perhaps measuring his resolve. Finally, he spoke.

"Very well. But understand this, Raine Evernight Valthorn," the librarian said, his voice low and heavy with a sense of finality, "the path you are on is one that will change the world. You must decide if you're ready to bear that responsibility."

Raine stood silent for a moment, his heart thundering in his chest. He was no longer the frightened boy who had first arrived at the academy, unsure of his place in the world. He had grown stronger, more cunning. He had learned to wield power—and now, he had the chance to wield even more. But could he truly control it? Could anyone?

"Thank you," Raine said, his voice firm. He turned and made his way out of the library, but not before the librarian's final words followed him.

"Remember, Raine," the librarian's voice was a whisper on the wind. "There are no true masters of power. Only those who think they control it… and those who are consumed by it."

Raine pushed the words from his mind as he stepped back into the corridor. He had other matters to attend to—matters that could no longer be delayed.

The days that followed felt like a blur. Raine's studies in the Beast Taming Tower became more intense, his dedication unwavering. His professors began to notice his growing strength, not just in terms of magic, but in his ability to bond with beasts, something that was still rare even in his tower. But Raine knew that his real goal wasn't just to be recognized—it was to secure a future for himself, a future where he could wield power on his own terms.

Still, there was something that nagged at him—something he couldn't shake off. The 7-star creature haunted his thoughts. Every time he closed his eyes, he could feel the pull of its power, calling to him from the depths of his dreams. And though he tried to ignore it, the more he thought about it, the more certain he became: finding it was his destiny.

But it wasn't the only beast that intrigued him.

On a particularly quiet evening, as Raine made his way back to his dormitory, he passed the Beast Taming Arena, where several students were practicing. Most were using lower-tier beasts—4 and 5 stars at best—but one figure caught his eye. It was a beast unlike any other he had seen. It was large, its form sleek and elegant, with scales that shimmered in the moonlight. Its wings were large and dark, resembling a cross between a dragon and a serpent. The beast's aura radiated power, an almost oppressive energy that made Raine stop in his tracks.

A 5-star creature? he thought, but then his eyes narrowed. No. This was something else.

The beast was being controlled by a student, but there was something about their interaction that didn't sit right with Raine. The way the beast responded to its tamer was different from the usual obedient creatures he had encountered. It was as if the beast itself was just barely restrained, as though it held the potential to be far greater.

"Is that…?" Raine muttered under his breath.

He knew that this beast had the potential to evolve into something much more powerful, possibly even a 7-star creature. But the danger of such a creature was too great for anyone to handle lightly. Yet Raine couldn't tear his eyes away from it. This was the opportunity he had been waiting for, wasn't it?

As he walked away from the arena, Raine's mind raced. This creature could be the key to his ultimate goal. But there was a danger in getting too close, a danger that could cost him everything.

That night, Raine lay awake in his bed, the image of the 5-star beast seared into his mind. It was a trump card, an asset he couldn't afford to ignore, but it had to remain hidden. He couldn't let anyone else know about it, at least not yet. He had to study it, to learn everything he could about its potential.

There was no turning back now. The pieces were falling into place.

To be continued…