Chapter 25 : Unseen Deal

The energy of the underground auction hung in the air as Azhaan stepped back into the narrow corridors of the Spire's lower levels. Shade padded silently beside him, its glowing red eyes flickering with faint unease.

He couldn't shake the image of the cloaked bidder—their voice calm, their posture commanding, yet their presence unnerving. The way they had effortlessly claimed the Moonlit Ember made Azhaan feel small, insignificant even.

Kaela was leaning against the wall near the market's entrance, her arms crossed and her expression neutral. Lirian, perched on her shoulder, tilted its head as Azhaan approached.

"No luck?" Kaela asked, reading the disappointment etched across his face.

Azhaan shook his head. "They had a Moonlit Ember, but the bidding got out of hand. Someone offered one hundred gold."

Kaela frowned. "Figures. Auctions like that always favor the wealthy or the well-connected. What about the buyer? Did you notice anything unusual?"

Azhaan hesitated. "They were cloaked—tall, quiet. Something about them felt… off. Like they didn't belong, even here."

Kaela's eyes narrowed, her tone sharpening. "You think they're connected to the cloaked figures we ran into on the road?"

"I don't know," Azhaan admitted. "But if they are, why would they want a Moonlit Ember? I thought they were after me and Shade."

"Maybe they are," Kaela said, pushing off the wall. "Or maybe the Ember is part of something bigger. Either way, we'll need to keep an eye out. Come on, let's get out of here."

Back in his dormitory, Azhaan paced the small room, his thoughts racing. The Moonlit Ember had been so close, and yet it felt like it had slipped further out of reach.

Shade watched him from its usual spot near the window, its tail flicking in irritation. The bond between them hummed faintly, a mixture of curiosity and tension flowing through the connection.

"I know, Shade," Azhaan muttered, running a hand through his hair. "I'm frustrated too."

He sat down at the desk, pulling out the Shadowstone he had collected earlier. Its dark surface shimmered faintly under the lamplight, and for a moment, Azhaan let himself focus on the small victory of acquiring it.

"We'll figure this out," he said softly, turning the stone over in his hand. "One step at a time."

Shade let out a low growl, a faint pulse of reassurance flowing through the bond.

The dawn light painted the walls of the dormitory in soft hues of gold and orange as Azhaan prepared for the day ahead. His schedule included another session in the workshop wing, focusing on advanced compatibility techniques for evolution materials.

Kaela had offered to meet him beforehand, but Azhaan declined. He needed time to think, to process everything that had happened at the auction.

The walk to the workshop wing was quiet, the corridors of the Spire still waking with the early morning light. As Azhaan entered the workshop, he spotted Drix at their usual table, already chatting animatedly with another student.

"Morning, rookie," Drix said with a grin, gesturing for Azhaan to join him.

Azhaan forced a smile, sliding into the seat across from him. "Morning."

Drix tilted his head, studying him. "You look like you didn't sleep much. Rough night?"

"Something like that," Azhaan replied.

Before Drix could press further, Instructor Miren entered the room, her crystalline serpent coiled gracefully around her shoulders. The quiet hum of conversation faded as she stepped to the front of the room, her sharp gaze sweeping across the students.

"Good morning," she said, her tone firm but calm. "Today, we'll be exploring the relationship between materials and their effects on a beast's attributes. Understanding this connection is critical to ensuring a successful evolution."

She gestured to a series of small vials and crystals displayed on the front table. Each one pulsed faintly with energy, their colors shifting in the light.

"Your task is to determine which of these materials would best complement your beast's current attributes. Use your bond, your instincts, and what you've learned so far. Begin."

Azhaan turned his attention to the materials on their table. There was a faint sense of déjà vu as he began sorting through the items, trying to feel for a connection through the bond with Shade.

Drix leaned over, examining a glowing shard of crystal. "This one feels interesting. Any ideas?"

Azhaan glanced at the shard, shaking his head. "Doesn't feel right for Shade."

Drix nodded, setting the shard aside. "Fair enough. What about this?"

He held up a small vial of dark liquid, its surface swirling with faint traces of silver.

Shade growled softly, its ears flattening as the bond pulsed with a faint sense of rejection.

"Not that one either," Azhaan said quickly.

Drix raised an eyebrow. "Shade's picky, huh?"

"Not picky," Azhaan muttered. "Just… particular."

After several more minutes of sorting, Azhaan's focus sharpened on a small, jagged fragment of obsidian that pulsed faintly with shadowy energy. The bond with Shade surged faintly as his fingers brushed the fragment, a quiet but undeniable sense of connection flowing through him.

"This one," Azhaan said, holding it up.

Drix leaned closer, studying the fragment. "Looks like it has potential. Let's see what Instructor Miren thinks."

Miren made her rounds through the room, pausing at each table to inspect the students' progress. When she reached Azhaan and Drix, her gaze lingered on the obsidian fragment in Azhaan's hand.

"Shadow Obsidian," she said, her tone thoughtful. "Rare and highly effective for enhancing agility and stealth in shadow-aligned beasts. A good choice for a Shadow Stalker."

Azhaan's chest swelled with a faint sense of pride, but Miren's next words tempered it.

"However, it's not enough on its own," she continued. "Shadow Obsidian works best when paired with complementary elements to balance its energy. You'll need something like a Lunar Bloom or a Starfire Shard to stabilize the process."

Azhaan nodded, committing her words to memory.

"You're learning," Miren said, her gaze softening slightly. "Keep this up, and you might surprise us yet."

After the session, Azhaan lingered in the corridor, turning the Shadow Obsidian over in his hands. Shade walked beside him, its movements silent as always.

He was so lost in thought that he nearly collided with someone rounding the corner.

"Watch it," a sharp voice snapped.

Azhaan looked up to see a tall, broad-shouldered boy with fiery red hair and a scowl that could cut steel. Beside him stood a massive, lion-like beast with a golden mane that shimmered faintly in the light.

"You're the one with the Shadow Stalker," the boy said, his tone dripping with disdain.

Azhaan frowned. "And you are?"

"Rikan," the boy replied, his scowl deepening. "Remember the name. You'll be hearing it a lot."

Azhaan clenched his fists, but before he could respond, Rikan turned and strode away, his beast following close behind.

Shade growled softly, and Azhaan felt the bond pulse with irritation.

"Yeah," Azhaan muttered. "I don't like him either."