---
The **Stormclaw Jaguar** circled Kael, lightning crackling between its claws. The System's analysis burned in his vision:
#### **[BEAST: STORMCLAW JAGUAR]**
| **TIER:** Advanced | **THREAT:** High |
|------------------|------------------|
| **STR:** 45 | **AGI:** 50 |
| **END:** 40 | **PER:** 25 |
| **ABILITIES:** |
| • [LIGHTNING CLAWS] (Tier 2) |
| • [PREDATOR'S LUNGE] (Tier 1) |
Kael wiped blood from his lip. His own stats glared back:
#### **[USER: KAEL VANCE]**
| **LEVEL:** 6 |
**XP:** 180/300 |
**SANITY:** 60/100 |
|--------------|----------------|---------------------|
| **STR:** 19
| **AGI:** 15
| **END:** 11 |
| **PER:** 5
| **WP:** 107
| **MARKED:** (1h left)|
*"I need an edge."*
He triggered **Wrath-Surge: STR (19 → 29)** and lunged.
The jaguar **reacted faster**, swiping. Kael barely dodged, but its claws grazed his chest.
> **DAMAGE TAKEN: -20 HP (END 11 → 0.8x mitigation).**
> **SANITY DRAIN: -5 (55/100).**
He gritted his teeth. *"Dead Calm—now!"*
> **[NEW SKILL UNLOCKED: DEAD CALM (COST: 100 WP)]**
> **• EFFECT: +50% ACTION EFFICIENCY (1 USE).**
> **• SANITY COST: 0.**
Time **slowed.** His dagger **flashed**, striking towards the jaguars throat but as he thought he had won lightning flickered around the beast it became a blur his low stats could not follow.
Duck the system screamed into his ears
He sucked at the last moment the tree behind him was turned into splinters by the force of the blow.
He tried to slash again but missed again the beast attacked but this time the attack connects and he is sent flying he slams against a tree and the wind is knocked out of him and the skill dead calm is forcefully deactivated he tries to get up only to be hit by the beast once again.
A plan begins to formulate in his head as the beast rushed towards his front he drops low and sprung towards the beat activate dead calm he screams inside and a the beast went for the head for the first time he saw the beasts moves clearly he took advantage he slid under the beast and using the jaguars momentum slice it from throat to belly.
The beast **collapsed**, lightning fading from its claws.
> **XP GAINED: +80 (ADVANCED-TIER). LEVEL UP! (6 → 7).**
> **LOOT FOUND: [ACADEMY ADMISSIONS LETTER].**
---
### **The Caravan**
At the Blackmire Post, Kael joined a group of Academy hopefuls. The System tagged them instantly:
#### **[HUMAN: DARIUS KANE]**
| **GRADE:** B-Rank | **AFFINITY:** Earth |
|------------------|---------------------|
| **STR:** 28 | **AGI:** 12 |
| **END:** 22 | **PER:** 8 |
| **ABILITIES:** |
| • [STONE SKIN] (Tier 1) |
| • [SEISMIC STOMP] (Tier 2) |
#### **[HUMAN: LIRA VEX]**
| **GRADE:** B-Rank | **AFFINITY:** Shadow |
|------------------|----------------------|
| **STR:** 14 | **AGI:** 30 |
| **END:** 16 | **PER:** 18 |
| **ABILITIES:** |
| • [PHANTOM STEP] (Tier 2) |
| • [BLINDING SHROUD] (Tier 1) |
Darius eyed Kael's scars. **"You fight beasts for fun, Marked?"**
Lira smirked. **"Or just bad at running?"**
Kael ignored them, but the System warned:
> **WARNING: ACADEMY INITIATION TRIAL IN 48H.**
> **ESTIMATED PASS REQUIREMENT:**
> **• COMBAT GRADE: C-Rank (Minimum).**
> **• CURRENT USER GRADE: D-Rank (Borderline).**
He clenched his fists. *"I'll show them."*
The journey was uneventful and as they got to the gates of the capital they were captivated by the beauty of the city
As they neared the academy they were in awe of the designs which were even more magnificent than the rumors they heard they were not allowed to enter but were shown to the place the entrance trials will take place
As the trials were about to start the three of them decided it was best to stick together as they saw others also forming teams
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