Grand Arcanum Academy –
The students gathered in the open training fields outside the academy. Unlike their usual lecture halls or combat arenas, this place was vast, with patches of grass, rocky terrain, and even a small artificial lake. Floating above them were mana-infused drones, likely meant to observe and record the class.
At the center of it all stood their instructor—a middle-aged man with rugged features, tanned skin, and sharp, piercing golden eyes. His presence radiated the aura of a seasoned warrior, but there was also something… primal about him.
Instructor Aldric Faelan – The Beastmaster
A beastkin of the Lion Tribe, Aldric Faelan was infamous among past students for his brutal, hands-on training methods. He didn't just teach beast taming; he lived it. The massive, black-furred dire wolf sitting beside him was proof of that.
His voice, rough and commanding, cut through the murmurs of the gathered students.
"Listen up, cubs!" Aldric barked, his arms crossed. "Today, you begin one of the most important lessons of your life—Beast Taming and Summoning. Whether you're a warrior, a mage, or some fancy noble brat who thinks they don't need a partner, you're dead wrong."
Some students chuckled, while others stiffened under his intense gaze.
Aldric smirked. "A summoned beast or tamed creature is more than just a pet. They are an extension of yourself—a lifelong companion that will fight, bleed, and grow with you. If you treat them as tools, you'll fail. If you rely on them too much, you'll fail. If you think you don't need one—" His eyes narrowed. "You'll fail."
Silence.
Alistair remained quiet, his black eyes observing the surroundings. This lesson… he had seen it before.
In the game, as Leon, the player was given a choice of different eggs, each hatching into a unique beast companion.
At the time, he had chosen a Divine Thunder Griffin—one of the strongest possible choices. But that hadn't been his decision.
Sofia had wanted it.
His heart clenched slightly at the memory. Sofia, the only person who had ever truly mattered to Ethan Kael. She had been obsessed with exploring every corner of the game, forcing him to check every beast, every egg, and every possible evolution. He had found it annoying back then. Now, that knowledge was priceless.
****
With a clap of his hands, Aldric gestured toward a large platform where dozens of eggs sat, each pulsating with mana. They came in various shapes, colors, and patterns—some large, others small, some glowing faintly, while others had wild energy leaking from them.
"Each of you will choose one egg," Aldric instructed. "These are unhatched magical beasts, their potential locked until you form a bond with them. Choose wisely, because once you make a bond, there's no turning back."
The students murmured in excitement.
" First those who were top twenty in entrance exam, step forward."
All the members of main cast and some other students rushed towards platforms.
Analysing the different eggs.
Leon, of course, walked straight toward an egg covered in golden lightning streaks—a powerful storm-type beast. Evelyn, after a moment of hesitation, chose a silver egg, no doubt something related to divine or celestial creatures.
Elaine and Morganna browsed carefully, while Dain picked up an egg that was crimson-scaled, likely something dragon-related. Kieran selected one with a faint water aura.
And Alistair?
He didn't rush.
Instead, he wandered between the eggs, scanning each one. He already knew their contents. How? Well he played the game with Sofia to many times to count. She would force him to explore every choice that can be made by re playing again and again. He had checked every single of these eggs in game. He knew which would be powerful, which would have the best combat compatibility, and which would be easiest to train.
But he wasn't going to choose them, he had already decided. His gaze on a perticularly unremarkable egg.
Near the edge of the platform, almost as if it had been forgotten, lay an egg. It was black and red, its surface rough and unpolished. Unlike the others, it didn't radiate a powerful aura. It looked… ordinary.
And yet—
Alistair's knew better to never judge a book by it's cover.
In the game, this egg had been one of the weakest choices, often overlooked by players. It wasn't flashy, it didn't hatch into something legendary immediately, and it had no noble lineage.
But it had one thing that no other beast had.
Potential.
Potential to become so strong that even legendry beasts was not his match.
He stared at it for a moment longer before reaching out and placing his palm against the shell.
He sent a pulse of mana in egg. He could sense it, Beast inside resonating with mana.
His lips curled slightly.
Interesting.
He lifted the egg.
***
As Alistair turned back, some students still waiting for there turn whispered.
"That one? Why would he pick that?"
"Does he not know? There are way better eggs over there!"
Even Aldric gave him a curious glance but didn't comment.
Leon, who had been watching, scoffed. "Hah. Seems like the 'great' Alistair Vaelthorne doesn't know how to pick a proper beast."
Alistair ignored him.
****
After an hour all students had choosen there eggs.
Aldric clapped his hands again. "Alright, now that you've made your choices, listen up! Over the next few weeks, you will care for your eggs. Feed them with your mana. Train your bond. Protect them. If you fail to properly nurture them, they won't hatch. If they do hatch but don't recognize you as worthy, they'll reject you."
A wave of tension passed through the students.
"These beasts are not your slaves. They are your partners." Aldric's voice softened slightly. "Treat them well, and they'll become stronger than you can imagine. Treat them poorly, and they'll leave you behind."
He grinned suddenly.
"And if that happens? Well… let's just say I'll be personally ensuring you regret it."
No one doubted him.
*****
As the students were dismissed, Alistair walked away, the black and red egg cradled in his arms.
This wasn't just a beast companion.
This was an investment. A gamble. A piece of the puzzle he needed to break the script of this world.
And he had a feeling…
That this egg was far more special than even he knows.
---
(To Be Continued...)