Chapter 30– The Hidden Treasure of Beast Taming

Chapter – The Path of the Tamer

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Morning Grind

The morning sun had barely begun its ascent when Alden Blackwood was already on the academy's training grounds, his body drenched in sweat. The crisp morning air carried the distant sounds of swords clashing, the rhythmic pounding of feet against the dirt, and the hushed murmurs of early risers honing their skills.

For Alden, this was routine. A necessity.

His days began with rigorous training—a brutal combination of sword drills, dagger forms, weighted runs, and mana control exercises. The academy provided some of the finest facilities, but it was his discipline that pushed him beyond the limits of most students.

This morning, he focused on his dagger arts, a 3-star technique he had picked up. The sleek blade danced in his grip as he performed fluid slashes, quick stabs, and deceptive feints, his movements becoming sharper with every repetition.

From the bracelet on his wrist, his katana, Kurenai, hummed with amusement.

[You're improving. But your movements with the dagger still lack confidence.]

Alden exhaled, feeling the familiar ache in his arms. "That's because I'm used to longer blades. Short-range combat still feels unnatural."

[Then adapt.] Kurenai's voice carried a hint of expectation. You can't always rely on a sword.

Alden didn't argue. He simply pushed forward, repeating the technique again and again until his arms burned.

When he finally stopped, his body was heavy with exhaustion, but his movements had improved.

One step closer.

Shaking off the fatigue, he finished his routine with weighted push-ups, his breath steady despite the strain. By the time most students were just waking up, he had already trained for hours.

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Reflections & Revelations

Back in his dormitory, Alden stood before the mirror, a towel draped over his shoulders as he dried his damp black hair, which had grown longer over the past weeks. It was now loosely tied in a messy ponytail, a practical change to keep it out of his face during combat.

His reflection had changed.

His stats had increased, and the difference showed in his leaner, more defined muscles, the sharpness of his jawline, the intensity of his golden eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses.

He smirked, adjusting them slightly.

"Alright, let's talk about Beast Taming."

He leaned against his desk, crossing his arms.

"Most people wouldn't give this elective a second thought. It's niche. Rarely picked. In the original game, practically no one even played that route."

He chuckled, his golden eyes glinting with amusement.

"But here's the thing—the devs hid something. A little Easter egg in the Beast Taming course that went completely unnoticed."

He paused, letting the gravity of his words settle.

"The Nine-Tailed Fox Egg."

Even saying it out loud sent a thrill through him.

"Yeah. You heard me. A freaking Nine-Tailed Fox. An incredibly rare beast with terrifying potential. In the game, it was hidden deep within the Beast Taming Reserve, but since no one played the route, it was never found. Not even the protagonist knew about it."

Alden exhaled.

"But me? I know exactly where it is."

The realization sent a surge of excitement through his veins. Unlike in the game, there were no balance restrictions here—if he managed to obtain the egg, nurture it, and raise it properly, it could become an unstoppable force.

Of course, it wouldn't be easy.

In the game's files, it was listed as an impossible-to-find event, and even if a player managed to stumble across it, contracting it required an absurdly high amount of willpower and mana control.

But Alden wasn't just any player.

He had one advantage no one else had.

Knowledge.

A glance at the time snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Alright, enough monologuing. Time for class."

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Beast Taming Class – The Start of the Hunt

The Beast Taming Hall was located in the eastern wing of the academy, surrounded by vast open fields and dense forested training areas. Unlike other combat-focused courses, Beast Taming required direct interaction with magical creatures, making the environment feel wilder than the rest of the academy.

When Alden arrived, he took in the varied expressions of his classmates. Some students were eager, excited by the idea of forming bonds with powerful creatures. Others were hesitant, likely uncertain about their ability to control beasts.

At the front of the class stood Professor Garrick Faelan, a rugged man with wild silver hair and striking blue eyes. His aura alone was imposing—he was a Beastmaster of renown, someone who had once tamed an S-rank Fenrir Wolf and lived to tell the tale.

The moment the professor spoke, the class fell silent.

"Welcome to Beast Taming," he announced, his deep voice carrying through the open space. "Here, you will learn the art of forging bonds with magical creatures. Some of you may believe this class is simply about controlling beasts, but let me make something clear—this is not a game."

He gestured to the row of magical creatures behind him, each one restrained within reinforced cages—elemental wolves, shadow panthers, and sky eagles, their eyes gleaming with instinctual wariness.

"Beasts are not mere tools. They are proud beings with their own instincts, emotions, and intelligence. To form a contract with one, you must possess a strong will and a deep connection."

Professor Faelan's eyes swept across the gathered students.

"If you think this is an easy path, you're free to leave now."

A moment of silence followed. No one moved.

Alden, however, wasn't even listening.

His mind was elsewhere.

The Nine-Tailed Fox Egg.

According to his knowledge, it was hidden deep within the Beast Taming Reserve, an expansive forest used for training students. The egg wasn't randomly placed—it was buried in a forgotten shrine, guarded by barriers and hidden triggers that had to be manually disabled.

And the worst part?

There was only one in existence.

If someone else found it first—if someone else claimed it before him—it would be gone forever.

Alden clenched his fist, his heart pounding with a mixture of determination and anticipation.

"I can't afford to waste time. I need to get to that egg before someone else does."

His grip on reality was sharper than ever.

This wasn't about following the game's script anymore.

This was about rewriting fate.

And if the world thought he would simply play along, they were about to learn a painful lesson.

It was time to claim his second real cheat.