Chapter 24: A Lesson in Disappointment

The morning sun bathed Eronthall in golden light as Kael, Lyra, and Dax made their way through the bustling streets. Their destination was the Eronthall Training Academy, where they had enrolled in temporary classes on Beast training. The academy was a sprawling building, its courtyards filled with tamers practicing their techniques and Beasts honing their skills.

"I'm looking forward to this," Kael said optimistically. "It's always good to learn from experts."

"Let's see if they can teach me something I don't already know," Dax said with a confident grin, his hand resting on the capture gear holding his recently tamed Brimscale.

Lyra was more skeptical. "I just hope it's worth our time. We need to use every opportunity to grow stronger."

Aria, walking a few paces behind, remained silent. She had her doubts about the academy, but she decided to let the group experience it for themselves.

The Classes

Inside the academy, they were directed to a lecture hall where a seasoned tamer, an older man with graying hair and a stoic demeanor, stood at the front.

"Welcome to the Fundamentals of Beast Training," the instructor began. "Today, we'll cover the basics of commanding Beasts in battle, maintaining their energy levels, and the importance of type advantages."

The lecture started with a review of concepts the group already knew: the importance of feeding Beasts specific elemental food to enhance their Aether Cores, the need to rotate Beasts in prolonged battles to prevent exhaustion, and the general weaknesses and resistances of various types.

Kael and Lyra exchanged glances, their enthusiasm dimming.

"This is… basic," Lyra whispered, scribbling notes more out of habit than necessity.

Dax leaned back in his chair, stifling a yawn. "I could teach this stuff."

As the session continued, Aria's expression darkened. She finally stood, her calm voice carrying a sharp edge. "Excuse me, but is this all you're teaching? Where's the focus on advanced strategies? Teamwork dynamics? The nuances of environmental factors in battle?"

The instructor frowned. "This is an introductory course, miss. Advanced concepts are reserved for higher-ranked tamers."

"That's ridiculous," Aria said, her voice rising slightly. "By the time they reach higher ranks, they'll already have learned these things through experience. You're wasting their time."

The class fell silent, all eyes on her.

After the lecture, the group walked out of the academy, their spirits dampened.

"I didn't expect it to be groundbreaking, but that was disappointing," Lyra admitted.

"We could've learned more sparring in the courtyard," Dax added, his tone irritated.

Aria turned to them, her gaze firm. "This is why you need to learn from the world, not just institutions. The best lessons come from experience, not sitting in a classroom."

Kael nodded, determination sparking in his eyes. "Then we focus on fieldwork. Let's restock our supplies and prepare for what's next."

Restocking Supplies

The group visited the marketplace, a vibrant hub of activity where merchants sold everything from fresh produce to rare Aether-infused items. They split up to gather what they needed:

Kael focused on practical essentials like food, healing crystals, and camping gear.Lyra purchased books on local ecosystems and a few rare plants to study.Dax invested in upgraded capture gear, determined to strengthen his team further.Aria inspected specialized tools, occasionally offering advice on what they should prioritize.

By the time they regrouped, their packs were filled, and their wallets significantly lighter.

Registering at the City Hall

Their next stop was the City Hall, where they approached the Tamer Registration desk. A cheerful clerk greeted them.

"Welcome! Are you here to register as official tamers?"

Kael stepped forward. "That's right. We're ready to take the next step."

The clerk handed them forms to fill out, asking for details about their team compositions, experience, and goals. After completing the paperwork, they were issued Tamer Licenses, each marked with their names and an identification number.

"Congratulations!" the clerk said. "You're now official tamers. This grants you access to the following features:

Task Board: A list of guild-sanctioned tasks you can take on to earn money and gain experience.

Training Arenas: Access to advanced facilities for sparring and skill refinement.

Guild Resources: Limited access to libraries and ecosystem databases.

"You'll start as Novice-ranked tamers, but completing tasks and participating in tournaments will allow you to advance."

The Task Board

The clerk led them to the Task Board, a large digital screen displaying various missions. The tasks ranged from simple errands to dangerous assignments:

Gathering Quests: Collect rare herbs or minerals from nearby forests.Beast Quests: Capture or pacify specific wild Beasts causing disruptions.Escort Quests: Protect caravans traveling through hazardous areas.Exploration Quests: Investigate ruins or chart unknown regions.

One task caught Kael's attention:

"Subdue a wild Flametail causing havoc near the river."

"That one looks doable," he said.

Dax pointed to another: "Escort a research team to the Glacier Pass." "This one sounds more interesting."

Lyra scanned the list, her eyes settling on a research-oriented task: "Document the flora and fauna of the Crystal Caverns."

Aria observed their choices, a small smile forming. "Good. You're thinking strategically. Choose tasks that challenge you but play to your strengths. That's how you grow."

A New Chapter Begins

As they left the City Hall, licenses in hand, the group felt a renewed sense of purpose. The disappointments of the academy were behind them, replaced by the excitement of real-world opportunities.

"This is it," Kael said. "The start of something bigger."

Lyra adjusted her pack. "Let's take on a task tomorrow and see where it leads us."

Dax grinned, his competitive spirit flaring. "And let's make sure we crush it."

Aria walked beside them, her expression softening. "You have potential, all of you. But don't forget—potential is just the beginning. What matters is how you use it."

As the sun set over Eronthall, the group returned to their inn, ready to take the next step in their journey. The world of Aetheria was vast, its challenges daunting, but together, they were prepared to face whatever came next.