Chapter 7: Starroot Academy – Entry of the Unranked

The forest gave way to open sky as Ren stepped onto a floating stone platform etched with ancient symbols. Wind swirled around him, carrying faint trails of spiritual energy. Nyx padded beside him, now in his evolved Voidfang Alpha form, twin tails flowing behind like wisps of smoke.

Above them, the sky shimmered.

A glowing ring activated beneath their feet.

> [Teleportation Protocol Engaged]

Destination: Starroot Beast Tamer Academy – Outer Gate Sector

Status: Approved Candidate – Rank: Unranked

Estimated Arrival: 00:00:07

Ren adjusted his collar and took a deep breath. "Let's see what kind of monsters this academy trains."

FLASH.

They reappeared on a skybound plaza of white stone and floating arches, suspended above clouds and mountains that pierced the heavens. Hundreds of teleport circles surrounded them, each pulsing with arrivals—beast tamers from every region of the continent.

And every one of them was stronger than Ren.

> [WARNING: Power Disparity Detected. Average Tamer Rank: D.]

[System Suggestion: Maintain Low Profile Until Trial Access Begins.]

Ren ignored the warning.

He wasn't here to hide.

Dozens of gazes locked onto him—some curious, others dismissive. They saw the unranked badge on his cloak and assumed what they always did.

Another weak outsider hoping for a miracle.

"Move, newbie."

A red-haired youth in silver armor shoved past him. A massive eagle-like beast hovered behind him, its wings pulsing with fire.

> [Beast Identified: Emberclaw Hawk – D-Rank, Flame-Fused Type]

Tamer: Riku Dawnblade

Affiliation: Noble House – Dawnblade Sect

Ren didn't react—until the hawk screeched at Nyx.

Nyx growled once, low and lethal.

Ren raised a hand. "Stand down."

Riku snorted. "You're in the wrong place, peasant. This academy isn't for people who tamed puppies in the woods."

Ren's eyes didn't leave his. "Better a wild cub than a trained parrot."

Gasps echoed around them. Several tamers turned to watch.

Riku's eyes narrowed. "What did you say?"

> [Duel Invitation Received]

Challenge Type: Beast Showcase Duel – Limited Time

Rank Restriction: OPEN (Outer Trial Exception Rule)

> Accept? Y/N

Nyx stepped forward on his own.

Ren smirked. "I guess that's a yes."

Outer Arena – Ten Minutes Later

The beast arena roared with noise. It wasn't an official battle, just an initiation clash. But word spread fast.

Unranked newcomer challenges Riku Dawnblade?

That's suicide.

Yet there Ren stood, hands in his pockets, while Nyx growled low at his side. Across from him, the Emberclaw Hawk flapped its wings, ready to rain fire on the arena.

> [Beast Bond Established – Full Sync]

[Nyx: Voidfang Alpha (E-Rank) – Bond Loyalty: 100%]

Skills: Phantom Pounce, Shadow Howl, Voidstep (Short Dash)

The signal flared.

"Begin!"

The hawk launched skyward and dived in immediately, flames coating its feathers.

"Burn him down!" Riku shouted.

> [Enemy Skill Activated: Feather Storm – AoE Flame Pierce]

Ren didn't flinch.

"Nyx. Pounce."

The wolf-beast vanished in a blur of shadows.

BOOM.

The storm hit nothing.

Nyx reappeared behind the hawk in mid-air—kicking off a runestone to strike from above with ghost-claws glowing.

SLASH!

The hawk screamed and spiraled down.

> [Critical Hit!]

[Status Effect: Wing Damage – Flight Compromised]

Riku's eyes widened. "No—keep flying!"

But Nyx didn't let up. He landed before the hawk could recover, his form a streak of blue-black shadow. Two more strikes and the creature collapsed, pinned to the stone floor.

> [Victory Achieved.]

[Challenge Duel Result: Kazuki Ren – Winner]

Public Reputation: +13

Title Gained: "The Wild Unranked"

Gasps turned to murmurs.

"Who is he?"

"That beast—was that shadow-type?"

"Where did he come from?"

Ren turned, cloak fluttering in the wind. "Let me know when the real trial begins."

And he walked off—leaving Riku humiliated in front of half the academy.

> [New Mission Unlocked!]

Starroot Trial Entrance Exam – Begins in 24 Hours

Objective: Defeat 3 Ranked Beast Tamers

Reward: Academy Badge (Official) + Inner Ring Access

Ren cracked his knuckles.

"Let's see how far this code can take us."

End of Chapter 7