The sun was just starting to rise over the jagged peaks surrounding the Azure Cloud Beast Sect. The sky was painted with warm streaks of gold and orange, and the air smelled fresh—like morning dew mixed with the faint, earthy scent of the mountain forest.
Win adjusted his worn-out shirt, which somehow had transformed into a simple brown tunic after he woke up in this world. Beside him, Tams, his Tamaraw Spirit Beast, flicked his short, earth-brown tail and let out a soft, approving grunt.
"So… this is my life now," Win muttered in English, still not used to the fact that the locals could somehow understand him. "A jeepney driver one day… beast tamer the next."
Tams tilted his head. Driver? Is that a kind of warrior? the beast's deep voice echoed in Win's mind.
Win chuckled. "Something like that, buddy. But instead of fighting monsters, I fought traffic." He sighed, then patted Tams's neck. "Alright, let's see what this sect business is about."
---
Arrival at the Sect Gates
The path wound upward through pine-like trees and moss-covered stones until it opened to a massive gate carved from black rock. Two armored guards, each accompanied by a Second Order Wolfhound, blocked the entrance.
"State your name and purpose," one guard barked.
Win hesitated. Back home, he'd introduce himself with a grin and maybe a joke. But here? He decided to try the same approach. "Name's Win. And, uh… I'm here to join your Beast Taming Sect. Got my own beast and everything."
The guards exchanged a skeptical look. One leaned closer to inspect Tams. "A Tamaraw Spirit Beast… First Order. Hmph. Rare to see one bonded to a new initiate."
Win opened his mouth to thank him, but the guard wasn't done. "Let's see if you last a week."
Before Win could ask what that meant, the gates creaked open.
---
The Courtyard of Beasts
Inside, the sect was bustling with activity. Young men and women trained with their beasts—some commanding hawks to dive at wooden targets, others wrestling with bear cubs bigger than Win's jeepney wheels.
Everywhere he looked, he saw signs of hierarchy: disciples wearing colored sashes—white for new initiates, green for juniors, blue for advanced, and red for elite.
Win was quickly approached by a stern-faced woman with long black hair tied into a tight braid. A green sash rested over her shoulder.
"You're the new recruit?" she asked.
"That's me," Win said with a casual smile. "And this is Tams."
She looked unimpressed. "Follow me. The Sect Leader wants to meet you before assigning your quarters."
---
Meeting Sect Leader Luo Henshui
They passed through several stone corridors until they reached a wide hall lined with golden beast statues. At the far end sat a tall man with sharp features and calm, piercing eyes. This was Sect Leader Luo Henshui.
Win stepped forward, awkwardly bowing like he'd seen in TV dramas.
"Win, from… a faraway land," Luo Henshui said, as if testing the words. "You possess a special bond with beasts. That Tamaraw beside you is not native to these mountains."
"Yeah, I noticed," Win replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm kinda new here. Totally new, actually."
The sect leader studied him for a moment. "Your cultivation is nonexistent, yet you managed to form a beast pact. That is unusual. Perhaps you have potential… or perhaps you are merely lucky."
Win wasn't sure if that was a compliment or an insult.
"You will be placed in the Outer Disciples' Quarters," Luo Henshui continued. "Train hard, or you will be expelled."
---
Trouble in the Training Yard
After receiving his uniform—a simple white sash—Win was led to the training yard, where other new recruits were practicing. He had barely taken two steps when a tall boy with a hooked nose and smug expression blocked his path.
"Well, well, the new 'beast tamer' with a water buffalo," the boy sneered. His own beast, a muscular Wild Boar, snorted beside him. "Name's Jian Hui. Remember it, because you'll be hearing it a lot."
Win gave him a calm smile. "Nice to meet you, Jian Hui. This is Tams. And he's not a water buffalo—he's a Tamaraw."
The boy smirked. "Looks weak. I bet my boar could toss him into the latrine pit."
Tams pawed the ground, a low rumble in his throat. Win placed a hand on his beast's neck. "Careful, Tams. Not worth it."
"Oh? Afraid to fight?" Jian Hui taunted.
Win sighed. "No, I'm just smart enough not to waste energy on idiots."
Gasps erupted around them. Jian Hui's face turned red. "You'll regret that."
---
First Clash
It happened too fast. Jian Hui snapped an order, and the Wild Boar charged. Win felt a rush of adrenaline—the same feeling he got when a jeepney passenger tried to run off without paying.
"Tams, sidestep!" Win called instinctively.
The Tamaraw moved like a blur, avoiding the boar's charge and slamming his shoulder into its flank. The boar squealed, stumbling to the side.
Win grinned. "Nice move, buddy!"
But Jian Hui wasn't done. "Headbutt! Now!"
The boar lunged again, tusks aiming for Tams's side. This time, Win reacted without thinking—stepping forward, clapping his hands, and shouting, "Ground Stomp!"
Tams obeyed instantly, slamming his hooves into the dirt. A ripple of earth burst outward, knocking the boar off balance. The crowd gasped.
Jian Hui pulled his beast back, glaring. "This isn't over."
"Anytime," Win replied with a smirk.
---
Quiet After the Storm
Later, Win sat by the beast stables, rubbing Tams's head. "You did great today."
Tams snorted. It was nothing. That boar was slow.
Win chuckled. "Yeah, but I think we just made our first enemy."
He looked toward the mountains beyond the sect walls. Somewhere out there were answers—about why he was here, how to get stronger, and maybe… if he could ever go home.
But for now, he had a Tamaraw, a sash, and a whole new world ahead of him.
"Alright, buddy," Win said, standing. "Let's show them what a jeepney driver can really do."