Chapter 23 : The Weight of Expectations

The light in the dormitory had softened into the golden hue of late afternoon by the time Azhaan sat down at the small desk. The schedule for the day stared back at him, and the next session loomed over him like a mountain.

Beast Evolution Basics – Workshop Wing.

He rubbed his temples, still feeling the aches from the morning's combat class. Shade lay near the window, its body stretched out as it rested, but its glowing red eyes remained alert, occasionally flicking toward him as if sensing his unease.

"Evolution basics," Azhaan muttered. "Sounds straightforward enough."

The words felt hollow, even to himself. Beast evolution wasn't just about gathering materials and performing rituals—it was an art, one that determined a beast's growth and potential. If he got it wrong, he'd not only stall Shade's progress but might also lose the fragile respect he was starting to earn.

A faint knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts.

Kaela stepped in without waiting for an invitation, as she usually did. She leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed and her silver hair catching the fading light. "Still alive, I see."

"Barely," Azhaan replied, gesturing toward the schedule. "Next up is evolution class. Any chance you've got tips for someone who's about to make a fool of himself?"

Kaela smirked. "Relax. No one's expecting you to master it on day one. Just pay attention, and for the love of Aetheris, don't try to improvise. Trust the process."

Azhaan gave a mock salute. "Yes, ma'am."

Kaela's smile faded slightly, and she straightened. "Seriously, Azhaan. This class matters. Evolution isn't just about making your beast stronger—it's about understanding them. Every choice you make will shape them, and once you start down a path, there's no turning back."

Azhaan nodded, her words sinking in.

"I'll be around later," she said, turning toward the door. "Let me know how it goes."

The workshop wing was a stark contrast to the bustling combat arena. Instead of the hum of chatter and clashing blades, the air here was filled with the quiet buzz of concentration. Rows of tables were set with intricate tools, glowing jars of preserved herbs, and shimmering vials of liquid mana.

Azhaan hesitated at the doorway, unsure of where to sit. Most of the other students had already paired off or found seats, their beasts resting beside them.

"You lost?"

The voice came from a boy about Azhaan's age, his hair dark and messy, with an easy grin that didn't quite reach his sharp blue eyes. A small, squirrel-like beast with lightning sparking across its fur perched on his shoulder.

"I'm new," Azhaan said simply.

"Figured," the boy replied, gesturing to an empty seat beside him. "Name's Drix. And this troublemaker here is Spark."

Azhaan sat down, offering a small smile. "I'm Azhaan. And that's Shade."

Drix glanced at the Shadow Stalker, his eyebrows raising slightly. "That's… impressive. You're either really lucky or really cursed."

"Jury's still out on that," Azhaan muttered.

Before they could say more, the instructor entered—a middle-aged woman with short-cropped hair and an aura of calm authority. Her beast, a shimmering serpent with crystalline scales, coiled around her shoulders.

"Welcome to Beast Evolution Basics," she began, her voice steady but firm. "I am Instructor Miren, and I will warn you now—this is not a class for shortcuts or guesswork. Evolution is precise, demanding, and unforgiving. Get it wrong, and you risk stunting your beast's growth—or worse."

Azhaan swallowed hard.

Miren gestured to the front table, where several glowing orbs and materials had been laid out. "Today's lesson will focus on identifying key evolution materials and understanding compatibility. Every beast is unique, and their evolution requires materials that align with their attributes, temperament, and bond with their tamer."

She picked up a small, glittering shard of crystal. "Take this, for example. A Lunar Shard, commonly used to enhance beasts with light or celestial affinities. If you were to use this on a fire-aligned beast, the results would be… catastrophic."

A ripple of nervous laughter spread through the room, but Azhaan felt a bead of sweat form on his brow.

"Your first task," Miren continued, "is to identify which of the materials on your table are compatible with your beast. Use your bond, your instincts, and your knowledge. Begin."

Azhaan glanced at the assortment of items on the table in front of him. There were glowing leaves, fragments of crystal, and small vials of liquid mana, each pulsing faintly with energy.

Shade sat beside him, watching silently as he hesitated.

"Alright," Azhaan muttered. "Let's figure this out."

He reached for a small, dark stone that seemed to shimmer like the surface of a still lake. The moment his fingers brushed it, a faint pulse surged through his bond with Shade.

"That's a good sign," Drix said, glancing over. "What's that one?"

"Not sure," Azhaan admitted, holding it up.

Miren's voice rang out across the room. "For those struggling, remember to focus on your bond. A beast will respond instinctively to materials that align with their essence. Pay attention to their cues."

Shade's red eyes locked onto the stone, its tail flicking slightly. The bond between them pulsed again, firmer this time, and Azhaan felt a faint sense of curiosity from the beast.

"This one feels… right," he murmured.

"Then trust it," Drix said. "That's half the battle."

Azhaan placed the stone to the side and reached for a shimmering vial of liquid mana. Shade growled softly, its ears flattening.

"Not that one," Azhaan said, pulling his hand back.

By the time Miren called for them to stop, Azhaan had separated the materials into two piles—those that Shade had responded to and those it hadn't.

Miren made her way through the room, stopping at each table to inspect the students' progress. When she reached Azhaan, she studied his selections with a critical eye.

"Interesting," she said after a moment. "You've chosen well, but there's room for improvement. This stone," she said, pointing to the shimmering dark stone, "is a Shadowstone—a rare material with high compatibility for shadow-aligned beasts like yours. However, it works best when paired with complementary elements, such as the Moonlit Ember."

Azhaan nodded, absorbing her words.

"You have potential," Miren said, her gaze sharp. "But potential means nothing without effort. Continue refining your instincts, and you may yet surprise us."

Azhaan exhaled as she moved on, feeling a strange mix of relief and determination.

Back in his dormitory, Azhaan sat by the window, turning the Shadowstone over in his hands. Shade lay curled at his feet, its breathing steady.

"We've got a long way to go," Azhaan said softly. "But we'll figure it out."

Shade let out a soft growl, the bond between them pulsing faintly in agreement.

Outside, the lights of Skyreach Spire flickered like stars, a reminder of the challenges that lay ahead.