ch 45,46,47
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Chapter 45 – Bones, Foxes, and Fried Potatoes
The smell of fried potatoes drifted through the academy's inner courtyard.
Ray sat beneath an old ash tree, arms crossed, his undead birds perched on its branches. A skeletal crow picked at a dead leaf. A wolf lay near his boots, napping.
Across from him, Mira shoved a whole skewer of crispy, golden potato slices into her mouth.
"You eat like a starving fox," Ray muttered.
Mira chewed dramatically, eyes narrowed. "This is food of the gods. You undead-raising weirdo wouldn't understand."
The snowfox at her feet yipped in agreement and tried to steal a slice. She flicked its nose.
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The Master Arrives (Again)
"Good kids, good food! Smells like first love and fried oil!"
The Master—the old man in rags—slid onto the bench beside them without warning, holding a bag of fried snacks and a jug of juice. His beard was tangled, his eyes gleamed with too much energy, and he looked like he hadn't slept in days.
Ray stiffened. "...Who are you?"
The Master grinned. "Just a passing old man. You may call me 'Boss,' 'Master,' or 'Lord Hotpot.' Depends on the weather."
Mira blinked. "Lord Hotpot?"
"Yep! Used to boil demon hearts in a soup back in my day. Good times. Tasty times."
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A Whisper of Truth
"Why are you following us?" Ray asked slowly.
The Master popped a potato into his mouth. "Because your little wolves stink like ancient bone trees, your crow smells like forbidden summoning, and your aura reminds me of your father."
Ray froze.
Mira glanced between them.
"My father?" Ray's voice was quiet.
The Master smiled gently for the first time. "He was my junior disciple. Before the war. Before the gates. Before the world got torn in two."
Ray said nothing. Mira leaned forward, curiosity blazing.
"Tell me one thing," Ray said after a moment. "Is he alive?"
"I don't know," the Master said honestly. "But if he is... he's waiting."
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System Notice
> [Your F-Rank Beast Tree has produced:
– 1x Bone-Feathered Crow
– 1x Ashfur Wolf
– 1x Spineback Lizard]
[Your Undead Army now includes:
– 3 Bone Wolves
– 2 Crow Scouts
– 1 Reanimated Boar (stabled)]
> [God Points: 83]
[New Item in Shop:
– Lesser Soul Collar (binds 1 undead or beast to soul link, improves obedience)]
[Requirement Met: Unlock 'Auto Army Gate' – allows beasts and undead to freely enter battle with a thought.]
Ray blinked. "Finally."
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Final Scene
Mira stood up. "I want to meet your army properly."
Ray raised an eyebrow. "You sure? They're... not cute."
The snowfox barked in protest.
"I've seen worse," she said, smiling. "And besides—if we're friends, I should meet the ones that follow you."
Ray nodded slowly.
He summoned them.
Ten shapes emerged from the hidden space behind his shadow—howling wolves, bone-crows, and a boar with cracks of dark energy running through its ribs.
Mira's snowfox hid behind her legs.
She gave a small laugh. "Okay, maybe they're not cute. But they're yours."
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Chapter 46 – Trial Shadows and Tea Leaves
The academy bell rang.
A deep hum vibrated through the air, shaking dust from the stone walls and making every student freeze mid-step.
"Ray," Mira said, her voice low. "That's not the class bell. That's... a gate warning."
Ray turned to her. "A Tier Gate?"
"Tier One," a voice answered behind them.
They spun to find a boy standing under the archway, wearing academy robes too clean to be normal. His silver hair was tied with a black cord, and his gaze held quiet confidence.
"I'm Aeon," he said with a brief nod. "I'll be joining your class for the trial season."
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New Arrival: Aeon
Mira narrowed her eyes. "You're transferring now?"
Aeon smiled slightly. "I'm under Elder Zaruth. He asked me to observe your progress... especially yours, Ray."
Ray stiffened. "Why?"
Aeon didn't answer, but his gaze dipped to Ray's hand—where black veins pulsed faintly for just a second.
The Master appeared behind them with his usual grin and a cup of tea.
"Gate trials are starting early," he said cheerfully. "A Tier One gate has opened in the Silent Valley. You kids are going there."
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Meanwhile, in the Domain
> [Beast Tree Report:
– 1x Ember Falcon (F-Rank, fire attribute)
– 1x Dustfang Rabbit (F-Rank, scouting trait)]
[Weapon Tree Report:
– 2x Bone Knives
– 1x Blunt Iron Mace]
[New Undead Raised:
– 1x Spider-Hound Hybrid (abnormal mutation detected)]
[God Points: 97]
Seventeen's voice rang in Ray's mind.
"Recommend testing out that 'Spineback Lizard.' Its acid spit can melt armor now."
Ray smirked.
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Academy Dorm, That Night
Ray sat on his bed, brushing one of his crows. Mira lay upside-down on the floor, chewing on a dried fruit stick. Aeon sat nearby, calmly reading an old beastology scroll.
"You ever fought in a gate trial?" Ray asked suddenly.
Aeon glanced up. "Once. Tier Zero, though. Weak beasts. Good training."
Mira rolled over. "We're not going to die in this one, right?"
Ray didn't answer.
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Trial Announcement
The next morning, a white scroll unfurled across the academy sky, written in gold runes.
> Gate Trial – Tier 1 – Silent Valley
Entry Allowed: F-Rank to D-Rank Cadets
Mission: Survive and Retrieve Core Crystal
Duration: 3 days
Transport: One hour from now
The courtyard filled with noise.
Ray summoned his Bone Wolf with a silent thought. It emerged behind him, eyes glowing.
"You ready?" Mira whispered.
Ray nodded. "Always."
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Chapter 47 – Into the Silent Valley
The portal shimmered like silver water suspended in the air.
Ray took a deep breath, his crow perched on his shoulder and Bone Wolf at his side. Behind him, Mira was checking her short swords while Aeon calmly adjusted his gloves.
"All students, form your squads," a gate officer barked. "Once you step through, survival is your only job!"
They stepped in.
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The Gate Trial Begins
The world twisted. Ray stumbled forward and landed on damp soil. Mist rolled across the dark forest. Trees towered overhead, their branches thick with hanging moss.
> [Gate Area: Silent Valley – Tier 1 Threat]
Objective: Survive 3 Days – Retrieve Core Crystal
Bonus Objectives: Kill 5 Elite Beasts, Discover Hidden Altar
A low growl echoed.
Ray's undead emerged—silent shadows beside him.
3 Bone Wolves
1 Spider-Hound Hybrid
2 Dustfang Rabbits
1 Ember Falcon circling above
"Formation spread?" Mira asked.
"Let's try something different," Ray replied. He sent a mental command—his Spider-Hound darted into the mist.
Aeon raised a brow. "Scouting through undead. Efficient."
Ray nodded. "My army doesn't sleep. They can map the area while we rest."
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Beast Encounter: Venomtooth Pack
Night fell. Glowing eyes flickered in the dark.
Ray's rabbit scouts returned, shaking. Moments later, the trees rustled—then snapped.
A beast lunged.
> [Venomtooth Alpha – F Rank, Poison Attribute]
Status: Aggressive, Enraged
Ray didn't wait.
"Engage!"
His Bone Wolves surged forward.
The alpha clashed with one, crushing its ribcage—but the Ember Falcon dove, burning its fur. Mira slashed a second beast, leaping between trees like wind. Aeon calmly unleashed a silent pulse of energy, pinning one to a tree with sheer force.
Ray knelt beside his fallen Bone Wolf.
> [Use "Rise Undead"?]
– Yes
– No
"Rise."
The shattered skeleton trembled—and rebuilt itself, faster, meaner. Black flames now flickered in its eye sockets.
> [New Trait: Fury Core – Increases speed by 30%]
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Aftermath
They stood among the corpses.
Ray harvested cores, tossing one to Mira. "Keep it. We'll need power-ups before day three."
She looked at the core, then at him. "You're different here."
He just nodded.
Aeon stepped close. "That altar… I've seen it in records. If we find it, you'll get something much more valuable than a core."
Ray raised a brow. "Like what?"
Aeon simply smiled. "A piece of the truth."
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Meanwhile in the Domain
> [Weapon Tree produced: 1 Bone Bow, 5 Arrows]
[Beast Tree produced: 1 Wind Raven – Speed-Type, F Rank]
[New Domain Expansion Option Available: Fog of War]
– Costs 50 God Points
– Grants stealth to all domain beasts outside for 1 hour per day
Seventeen whispered, "Consider investing in the Fog of War before the second night. More enemies are coming."
Ray clenched the new bone bow in his hands.
"Let them come."
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