Kairo kept his expression calm, even as his brain screamed.
That voice... that pet... that screen.This shouldn't be happening.It never happened in the novel.
"Master, would you like to engage analysis mode?"
The small, hovering mote of light blinked in rhythm with the voice. To everyone else, it looked like a floating spark — a gimmick pet meant for educational use in elementary training simulators.
But to Kairo, it was a ticking anomaly.
"What are your combat protocols?" he asked mentally.
"Current combat level: 0. Combat protocols unlocked upon active scan and field data. As a Glitchborn entity, my growth depends on external parameters — data, exposure, combat, code strain."
"In simpler terms?"
"Feed me experience, and I evolve faster than anything in the system."
Kairo's lips curved into a slow, stunned smile.
No one around him noticed. They were too busy analyzing their own draws — some students cheering over rare beasts, others whining at their bad luck.
He forced himself to focus. This was Petverse Academy, a prestigious training school in the capital city of New Solace, and the BeastLink Ceremony was still in session.
[Welcome, Kairo Veylan. Your first pet has been soul-linked.][Beast: Mote (Glitchborn Seed)][Type: Digital / Unknown][Rarity: ??? Star | Evolution Potential: Infinite][Ten Thrones Protocol Status: Active]
[Level: 1] | Next Unlock at: Level 10]
That was the real bombshell.
The Ten Thrones Protocol — that hadn't existed in the novel. The protagonist there had unlocked maybe five of the ten pets, struggling each time.
But this… this was different.
"Hey, Data Boy!"
Kairo blinked, pulled from his thoughts.
A student strutted over, tall and smug, dragging behind him a sleek, fiery-red wolf with lava-like fur. The heat it radiated made nearby students step back.
"Nice draw. Did your sparkly nightlight come with a fire extinguisher?"
It was Rovik Trell, son of a corporate guild leader and perennial ego addict.
"You get a Common, or was that your decorative lamp?"
Kairo stared at him flatly. "Still projecting insecurities, Rovik?"
That hit home. The taller boy scowled.
"Tch. Fine. Let's settle it. Friendly duel. First-years only. You and your... whatever that is," he sneered at Mote, "against me and Blazehound."
The crowd perked up. A duel this early?
Kairo glanced at Mote. "You ready?"
"Always."
[Friendly Duel: Initiated]
Kairo Veylan (Mote) vs. Rovik Trell (Blazehound)Arena: Digital Projection – Beginner Field
The students stepped back as the arena materialized: a solid-light grid forming into a rocky canyon with low platforms and scorched terrain. The dueling arena was a simulation but damage — and pain — still felt real to the pets.
Blazehound leapt into the ring, snarling with flame curling around its fangs.
Mote floated in slowly, silently. A tiny speck of data in a world of titans.
"You sure about this, Common-boy?" Rovik called. "Your pet doesn't even have a skill!"
Kairo didn't respond. Internally, he triggered the scan.
"Analyze enemy."
[Blazehound – Level 2 – Fire Type – Rarity: 3 Star]Abilities: Ember Fang, Heat Pulse, Howl of FlameWeaknesses: Water, Data Corruption, Precision AttacksCombat Patterns: Aggressive, Predictable Arc Lunges
"Mote, use Scan Sync. Mirror its attack pattern and simulate a corruption spike at lunge impact."
"Confirmed. Initiating Predictive Sync. Engaging Corruption Byte."
Blazehound lunged, jaws wide — but Mote split into five pixelated copies, each scattering like static.
The wolf bit air.
Then froze.
[Status Effect Applied: Code Spike – Neural Lag]
Mote reformed directly under its head and pulsed.
[Skill: Corruption Byte (Unlocked)][Effect: Bypasses armor. Overloads neural response. Critical hit.]
The red wolf yelped, dropped, and twitched.
The crowd gasped.
Rovik stared.
"What the hell?!"
Mote floated back to Kairo's shoulder, humming gently.
[Victory: Kairo Veylan][Level Up: Mote – Level 2][Next Unlock: 8 Levels Remaining]
Kairo turned to Rovik and smiled faintly.
"Thanks for the XP."