The Luminaris training arena buzzed with anticipation, its coliseum-like stands packed with students, teachers, and even a few city guards off duty. The morning sun glinted off the rune-etched walls, casting a golden glow over the sandy floor where battles were waged under the System's watchful eye. Zane Aldric stood at the arena's edge, his B-rank Ice Spear gripped tightly, Skoll pacing beside him. The Adolescent Fenrir's icy fur rippled, his *Glacial Howl* ability humming with untapped power. At level 5, with his newly upgraded *Mythic Beast Tamer* class and *Wild Synergy* Talent, Zane felt the weight of every eye on him. The SSS-rank label was a crown and a target, and today, Rhea Solis and Dren Varkus aimed to knock it off his head.
Last night's cryptic System warning—*[ANOMALY DETECTED. UNKNOWN ENTITY OBSERVING]*—still gnawed at him, but Zane pushed it aside. The arena was no place for distractions. Rhea, the S-rank Dragon Rider, and Dren, the A-rank Storm Lancer, had challenged him to a public spar, a System-regulated match with no deaths but plenty of pain. The stands roared as Rhea strode in, her ruby-scaled baby dragon perched on her shoulder, its wings flickering with embers. Dren followed, his A-rank Lightning Spear crackling with electric arcs, a gift from his father, the level 199 Iron Sovereign. This wasn't just a fight—it was a statement. Zane, the upstart with a god-tier class, was about to face the nobles' wrath.
Mira and Toren stood behind him, their level 5 gear gleaming after the Crimson Hollow haul. Mira's alchemy satchel bristled with new vials, her *Catalyst Surge* Talent ready to amplify them. Toren's rune shield glowed, his *Iron Bastion* Talent a fortress for the team. Zane glanced at his status panel, the System's blue window flaring in his vision:
---
**[Status Panel]**
**Zane Aldric**
- **Class**: Mythic Beast Tamer (SSS-rank)
- **Level**: 5
- **Skills**: Beast Command (Reaction speed and precision +30%), Tamer's Insight (Weakness detection +15%), Wild Call (Boosts beast morale, attack speed +10% for 30 seconds, 1-minute cooldown)
- **Talents**: Frostfang Pact (Ice damage +15%, cold resistance +15%), Wild Synergy (Beast ability potency +10% with allies)
- **Beast**: Skoll (Adolescent Fenrir, Level 5)
- **Abilities**: Ice Bite (Freeze chance +45%), Frost Aura (Enemy speed reduction +18%), Glacial Howl (Stuns enemies in a 10-meter radius, 11-second duration, 10-second cooldown)
- **Evolution Progress**: 11/50 kills, 7/100 mana crystals
- **Equipment**: Ice Spear (B-rank, +20 attack, +10% ice damage), Amulet of the Wild (B-rank, +10% beast ability potency, +5% mana regeneration)
**Mira Veyne**
- **Class**: Alchemist (B-rank)
- **Level**: 5
- **Skills**: Potion Craft (Recipes: Acid Bomb, Flame Vial, Light Salve, Healing Salve), Explosive Toss (Accuracy +20%), Quick Brew (Crafting time -15%)
- **Talent**: Catalyst Surge (Potion potency +20%, crafting time -10%)
- **Equipment**: Alchemy Satchel (C-rank, +10 storage)
**Toren Kade**
- **Class**: Shield Warden (A-rank)
- **Level**: 5
- **Skills**: Shield Bash (Knockback distance +15%), Fortified Stance (Stability +25%), Rallying Stand (Ally defense +10% for 20 seconds, 1-minute cooldown)
- **Talent**: Iron Bastion (Defense +25%, damage reduction +15%)
- **Equipment**: Rune Shield (B-rank, +20 defense, +10% physical resistance)
---
Zane dismissed the panel, his gamer's mind racing. Skoll's *Glacial Howl* could stun Rhea's dragon and Dren's spearwork, giving his team an edge. *Wild Synergy* would boost Skoll's abilities with Mira and Toren nearby, and the Amulet of the Wild amplified that further. Rhea's *Draconic Bond* Talent likely enhanced her dragon's fire and mobility, while Dren's *Thunderstrike* Talent would make his spear hits explosive. This was a 3v2—Zane's team against Rhea and Dren—but the nobles' higher ranks and gear balanced the odds.
The arena's System voice boomed: *[TEAM MATCH: ZANE ALDRIC, MIRA VEYNE, TOREN KADE VS. RHEA SOLIS, DREN VARKUS. RULES: NO FATAL BLOWS. VICTORY BY SURRENDER OR KNOCKOUT. BEGIN!]*
The crowd roared. Rhea's dragon, Ember, took flight, its wings sparking flames. Dren spun his spear, lightning crackling along its shaft. Zane grinned, adrenaline surging like a new game loading. "Toren, tank Dren! Mira, hit Ember with Light Salve to blind it! Skoll, with me!" He activated *Beast Command*, syncing with Skoll's instincts, the Fenrir's eyes blazing as they charged.
Toren met Dren head-on, his *Shield Bash* clanging against the Lightning Spear. Sparks flew, but Toren's *Iron Bastion* absorbed the *Thunderstrike* shockwave, his *Fortified Stance* keeping him rooted. Rhea's dragon dove, spitting a fireball at Mira, who rolled aside, tossing a *Light Salve*. The vial burst, a blinding flash forcing Ember to veer off, screeching. Zane used *Tamer's Insight*, a glow highlighting the dragon's wings as a weak point. "Skoll, *Ice Bite*, wings!"
Skoll leaped, his fangs snapping at Ember's wing, ice spreading. The dragon shrieked, its flight faltering, but Rhea's *Draconic Bond* glowed, stabilizing Ember's movements. She drew a short sword, its blade wreathed in flames, and charged Zane. "You're out of your league, Aldric!" she spat, slashing.
Zane parried with his Ice Spear, the clash sparking ice and fire. Skoll's *Frost Aura* slowed Rhea's swing, giving Zane room to dodge. He activated *Wild Call*, Skoll's attack speed surging, and the Fenrir lunged, his *Ice Bite* grazing Rhea's arm, freezing her sleeve. She hissed, retreating as Ember swooped, claws aimed at Zane.
Mira's *Catalyst Surge* kicked in, her Acid Bomb exploding on Ember's scales, weakening them. Toren shouted, "Zane, combo now!" He activated *Rallying Stand*, a blue aura boosting everyone's defense. Zane saw the opening and yelled, "Skoll, *Glacial Howl*!"
Skoll's howl erupted, a bone-chilling wave stunning Rhea and Ember for 11 seconds. Dren resisted, his *Thunderstrike* flaring, but Toren's shield held. Zane thrust his Ice Spear into Ember's weakened wing, the *Wild Synergy* Talent amplifying the damage. The dragon crashed, whimpering. Rhea screamed, "No!" and rushed to her beast, conceding the round.
Dren fought on, his spear a blur of lightning, but Mira's Healing Salve kept Toren standing, and Skoll's *Frost Aura* slowed Dren's strikes. Zane flanked, his spear finding Dren's shoulder—a non-lethal hit but enough to stagger him. The System chimed: *[MATCH ENDED. VICTORY: ZANE'S TEAM. REWARDS: 500 SYSTEM FAVOR, C-RANK MANA CRYSTAL. LEVEL UP: ZANE, LEVEL 6. SKOLL, LEVEL 6. MIRA, LEVEL 6. TOREN, LEVEL 6.]*
The crowd erupted, chanting Zane's name. Rhea glared, cradling Ember, while Dren's storm-gray eyes burned with humiliated fury. Zane's panel updated:
---
**[Status Panel]**
**Zane Aldric**
- **Class**: Mythic Beast Tamer (SSS-rank)
- **Level**: 6
- **Skills**: Beast Command (+35% reaction speed), Tamer's Insight (Weakness detection +20%), Wild Call (Attack speed +12%), Frost Lance (New: Projects ice spear attack, 15-meter range, 8-second cooldown)
- **Talents**: Frostfang Pact (Ice damage +15%, cold resistance +15%), Wild Synergy (Beast ability potency +10%)
- **Beast**: Skoll (Adolescent Fenrir, Level 6)
- **Abilities**: Ice Bite (Freeze chance +50%), Frost Aura (Enemy speed reduction +20%), Glacial Howl (Stun duration +1.5 seconds)
- **Evolution Progress**: 12/50 kills, 8/100 mana crystals
- **Equipment**: Ice Spear (B-rank, +20 attack, +10% ice damage), Amulet of the Wild (B-rank, +10% beast ability potency, +5% mana regeneration)
**Mira Veyne**
- **Class**: Alchemist (B-rank)
- **Level**: 6
- **Skills**: Potion Craft (New recipe: Frost Tincture), Explosive Toss (Accuracy +25%), Quick Brew (Crafting time -20%), Salve Burst (New: AOE healing, 10-meter radius, 20-second cooldown)
- **Talent**: Catalyst Surge (Potion potency +20%, crafting time -10%)
**Toren Kade**
- **Class**: Shield Warden (A-rank)
- **Level**: 6
- **Skills**: Shield Bash (Knockback distance +20%), Fortified Stance (Stability +30%), Rallying Stand (Ally defense +12%), Iron Wall (New: Reflects 10% melee damage, 15-second duration, 1-minute cooldown)
- **Talent**: Iron Bastion (Defense +25%, damage reduction +15%)
---
Zane panted, Skoll nuzzling his leg, tail wagging. The C-rank mana crystal joined his stash: *[9/100 MANA CRYSTALS]*. The 500 System Favor was a mystery—maybe a currency for upgrades or quests. He'd figure it out. For now, the crowd's cheers were fuel, his victory a middle finger to the nobles who'd underestimated him.
Rhea approached, her dragon limping behind her. "This isn't over, Aldric," she said, her voice low. "The Luminaris Trials will crush you."
Zane smirked, leaning on his spear. "Bring it, princess."
Dren said nothing, his glare promising a rematch. The crowd parted as Lia, the S-rank Shadow Dancer, appeared, her violet eyes unreadable. "Nice show," she said, her *Phantom Step* Talent making her movements a blur. "But you're drawing too much attention. The wrong kind." She vanished before Zane could reply, her words echoing her warning from the tavern.
Mira nudged him. "She's gotta stop doing that. It's creepy."
Toren laughed, slinging his shield over his back. "You just made enemies of the top dogs, Zane. Hope you're ready for the fallout."
Zane scratched Skoll's ears, the Fenrir's *Frost Aura* cooling his hand. "Let them come. We're just warming up."
---
That evening, Zane sat in the *Iron Fang* tavern, the mana crystal glowing on the table. Mira and Toren toasted their victory, but Zane's mind was elsewhere. The System's anomaly warning, Lia's cryptic hints, the nobles' vendetta—it was a puzzle, and he was missing pieces. The Luminaris Trials were months away, a brutal test to qualify for Aetherion Academy. He needed to grind, push Skoll's evolution, maybe tame a second beast at level 20. Jörmungandr was calling.
The System pinged, unprompted: *[NEW QUEST: INVESTIGATE THE ANOMALY. LOCATE THE OBSERVER'S MARK IN LUMINARIS. REWARD: UNKNOWN.]* A map marker appeared in his vision, pointing to the city's underbelly—a slum district crawling with rogue adventurers and black-market dealers.
Zane's eyes narrowed. The System was guiding him, but to what? He glanced at Skoll, the Fenrir's eyes glowing with quiet ferocity. "Looks like we've got a new hunt," he murmured.
From the tavern's shadows, a figure watched—cloaked, motionless, their presence unnoticed by even Lia's sharp senses. A faint rune glowed on their glove, pulsing in sync with the city's lights, as if the world itself was whispering their names.