Chapter 10: Rematch – Fire’s Pride vs Shadow’s Rise

The final gate closed with a heavy clang, and the temperature across the arena spiked several degrees.

Riku Dawnblade walked forward, his platinum crest gleaming on his shoulder, silver-white robes trailing behind him like the cloak of nobility. His Emberclaw Hawk circled overhead—larger now, wings edged with crimson flame.

He wasn't just angry.

He was upgraded.

> [Final Trial Battle – Activated]

Opponent: Riku Dawnblade (D+ Rank)

Beast: Emberclaw Hawk – Flame-Fused Variant (Enhanced)

Skills: Feather Storm | Blazing Dive | Sunflare Armor (New)

Objective: Total Victory (No Draw Accepted)

Bonus: Title Upgrade + Core Badge Promotion

Sela's voice echoed through the dome.

"This is a ranked honor match. Winner receives official Tamer Class recognition. Begin!"

Riku's smile was razor-thin. "Still standing after those weaklings? Good. Now I get to burn you down properly."

Ren cracked his knuckles, voice even. "You couldn't last two minutes last time."

Riku raised a hand. "Hawk—burn the skies."

The Emberclaw Hawk shrieked and burst into flame, launching upward and spreading its wings. Fire rained down like a meteor shower, every feather a burning blade.

> [Skill Activated: Flame Plume Rain – AoE Zone Suppression]

Danger Rating: High

Evasion Time: 2.1 seconds

"Nyx—circle left, evade low! Phantom Pounce to the third blind spot!"

The wolf-dragon beast vanished mid-run, reappearing between two falling feathers. He zigzagged under the flaming barrage, narrowly avoiding direct hits.

But Riku wasn't finished.

"Blazing Dive!"

The hawk tucked its wings and dove at Nyx like a living meteor, flame trails searing the air.

Ren's eyes narrowed.

"Voidstep! Feint right—then Shadow Howl!"

> [Stacked Command Confirmed – Execution Boost +8%]

[Skill: Shadow Howl – Effects: Fear, Disruption, Illusion Scatter]

Nyx teleported, just enough to dodge—then let out a guttural, echoing howl. Black soundwaves rippled outward, warping the space mid-flight.

The Emberclaw Hawk shuddered mid-dive and veered off-course.

CRASH!

It smashed into the arena wall, rebounding with a pained screech.

> [Enemy Status: Staggered – 3 seconds vulnerability]

[Opportunity Detected – STRIKE]

Ren raised his hand. "Now. Go full fusion."

> [Beast Link Fusion: Partial Sync – Prototype State]

Duration: 30 seconds

Bonus: Reflex +40% | Fusion Skill Available: Voidstep Fang

Ren's body shimmered with Nyx's ghost aura—his arms lined with ethereal claw shapes, eyes glowing pale violet.

He dashed forward—his movements fluid, shadow-enhanced.

Riku growled. "You want real power? Sunflare Armor!"

The hawk ignited again—flames wrapping around it like golden plating.

> [Skill: Sunflare Armor – Converts 40% damage to aura shock]

Caution: Direct melee will cause heat backlash.

Ren saw it.

And smirked.

"Then I won't strike the armor. I'll strike the light itself."

He blinked forward—just a blur in the wind.

Voidstep Fang – Spiral Slash!

He appeared directly under the hawk—and twisted, claws ripping through the underside of its glowing wings, where the armor hadn't fully formed.

BOOM!

A shockwave exploded outward as the attack connected. The Hawk screeched, fire unraveling from its wings.

It collapsed in the air, smashing into the arena floor with a dull thud.

Silence.

Then—

> [Opponent Beast: KO Confirmed]

[Match Result: Kazuki Ren – Complete Victory]

[Trial Completed!]

– Beast Codex Tier Increased

– Tamer Class: Bronze Ranked Initiate

– Title Earned: Shadow Fang of the Trial

– Award Unlocked: Core Academy Badge

– Beast Affinity Upgrade: Shadow +5%, Spirit +2%

– Public Reputation +33

Riku didn't speak.

He stared at the smoldering remains of his beast, fists trembling, lips parted in disbelief.

Ren turned without looking back.

"Train harder. Or don't challenge me again."

He left the arena, Nyx walking beside him with calm, regal pride.

Starroot Outer Gate – Candidate Hall

Sela met him at the exit platform.

She handed over a dark steel badge, etched with three beasts coiled around a radiant core.

"You're now an official part of Starroot Academy," she said. "Bronze Rank. Core Access granted. And… you'll have eyes on you from now on."

Ren raised an eyebrow. "Eyes?"

"Some will want to recruit you. Others… will want to erase you."

Ren tucked the badge into his cloak and smiled faintly. "Let them come."

> [New System Mission Available:]

Faction Invitation Incoming – Choose a Path

Option 1: Wyrmfang Combat Hall (Offensive Cultivation)

Option 2: Moonveil Codex Division (Beast Theory & Evolution)

Option 3: Rogue Path – No allegiance. Forge your own guild.

> Time Limit to Choose: 48 hours

Reward: Legacy Key Fragment

Ren stared at the choices, then at the distant, floating towers of the academy's inner sanctum.

The Trial was over.

Now… the war of factions began.

End of Chapter 10