Raine Evernight Valthorn walked through the grand halls of the Royal Academy, his steps echoing against the stone floors. He had just emerged victorious from the Final Trial, and while the crowd's cheers still rang in his ears, a quiet unease settled in his chest. The exhilaration of victory had been brief, quickly replaced by the heavy realization that he had crossed a line he couldn't uncross. The truth was now out there—his 6-star beast, an entity of unimaginable power, had been revealed to the world.
He had made his choice. The beast was his, but the cost of revealing it was high. As he moved through the academy, he could sense the shift in the air. The whispers had already begun. His peers, faculty members, and even the Royal family's advisors would be scrutinizing every action, every decision, and every word he spoke from this point forward.
Raine had expected this. The beast he had summoned was not merely a powerful creature—it was a living legend, a being that had been lost to history. If the kingdom's factions learned of its existence, there would be no end to the pursuit. They would come for him, for the beast, for the power it represented. He had exposed himself, not just as a student, but as a potential threat to the fragile balance of the kingdom.
The weight of the consequences pressed down on him, but Raine had never been one to back down from a challenge. He would make sure that this victory, hard-earned and costly, would not be his undoing.
Back in the dormitory, Raine sat on his bed, staring at the palm of his hand. The strange, faint glow from his 6-star beast's essence lingered in his mind. The bond between them had deepened, but so had the sense of danger. He could no longer remain in the shadows; his actions would have far-reaching consequences.
A knock on the door broke his thoughts.
"Raine," came the voice of his close friend, Elira, a fellow student from the Beast Taming Tower. She stepped inside, her expression serious yet warm. "I saw the match. That creature you summoned... what in the world was it?"
Raine didn't answer immediately. He knew the questions would come. Everyone would want to know about the beast, its power, its origin. The very creature he had kept hidden for so long was now the talk of the entire academy. The pressure was mounting, but he had to be careful. One wrong move, one slip of the tongue, and everything could unravel.
"It's not something I can explain fully," Raine said, his voice calm but laced with a quiet intensity. "Not yet, at least. I... I have my reasons for keeping it hidden."
Elira tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "You don't think they'll come for you, do you? I mean, that creature... it's unlike anything anyone's seen before. Some of the professors were already talking about it after the trial."
Raine didn't respond immediately. He knew that word would spread quickly, and with it, the inevitable attention of powerful people. But he couldn't afford to reveal too much. His success in the trial had been monumental, yes—but now he had to plan his next move carefully.
"They will," he finally said, his voice low, almost to himself. "And I'll be ready for them."
In the days that followed, the academy's atmosphere shifted. Students were abuzz with the news of Raine's victory, but whispers about the mysterious 6-star beast only grew louder. It didn't take long for rumors to circulate—some believed it was the return of an ancient legendary beast, while others speculated that Raine had made a dangerous pact with a creature beyond human comprehension.
Raine remained in the background, participating in his classes and keeping his head down, but he was fully aware that the game had changed. The Royal Academy was no longer a safe haven. His success in the Final Trial had drawn eyes from every corner of the kingdom, and Raine knew that those eyes wouldn't soon look away.
The Royal Family had already made their interest known. A messenger arrived at the academy one morning, carrying a letter sealed with the royal crest. It was addressed to Raine directly. The letter spoke of his remarkable victory, but also hinted at the expectations that came with it.
The letter was clear in its message: Raine was to attend a private audience with the Royal Family.
Raine stood in front of the grand palace, his heart beating faster than usual. He had always known this day might come, but now that it was here, he couldn't shake the feeling that the path ahead was fraught with danger. His 6-star beast, the creature that had secured his victory, would be the topic of conversation. How could he explain it? Would they see him as a prodigy—or a threat?
The palace's towering gates opened before him, and he was escorted inside. The hallways were vast, the walls lined with opulent tapestries and golden fixtures. At the end of the hall stood a pair of double doors, guarded by two royal soldiers. They opened without a word as Raine approached.
Inside, the Royal Family sat waiting: King Theobald IV, a stern but fair ruler; Queen Elyssia, graceful and commanding; and Princess Maris, the youngest of the royal children, with a sharp intellect and an air of curiosity about her.
King Theobald's gaze was steady as Raine entered. "Raine Evernight Valthorn," he began, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "Your victory in the Final Trial was nothing short of extraordinary. The academy has spoken of your potential, and I must say, I am impressed."
Raine bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Your Majesty. It was an honor to participate."
"But," the king continued, his eyes narrowing slightly, "there is a matter we must address. Your bond with that creature you summoned—tell me, where did you find it?"
Raine knew this question would come. The creature's existence was not something that could be easily explained, but he had to tread carefully. "It is... a creature I have been bound to for some time," he said, carefully choosing his words. "Its origin is not something I can fully disclose. But I assure you, I have control over it."
The king studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "I see. And what do you intend to do with it, Raine?"
"I will continue to bond with it," Raine said, his voice steady. "It is a companion, one I trust. But I will not use it recklessly."
Queen Elyssia's gaze softened as she spoke. "We understand the potential that creature holds, Raine. And we understand the potential you hold as well. But remember this: such power attracts those who seek to control it. You are not the only one who recognizes the value of that beast."
Raine's stomach tightened. "I am prepared for that, Your Majesty."
The queen's expression turned serious. "You may think you are, but you are not alone in this world. The factions that seek power will come for you, and they will come for that creature. Be cautious, Raine. The game you are playing has higher stakes than you realize."
As Raine left the palace, the weight of the royal meeting lingered in his mind. He had earned the respect of the Royal Family, but their words had been a warning. The path ahead would not be easy, and he would have to make even more difficult decisions as the future unfolded before him.
The game had only just begun.
To be continued…