The morning sun cast long shadows across the Azure Sky Academy's sprawling training grounds, its light glinting off the stone tiles polished by centuries of footsteps. The Mid-Year Trials were over, but a new challenge awaited: the Fusion Training Exercise, a specialized program reserved for those whose talents exceeded conventional limits.
Instructor Raymond, observing from the balcony of the main hall, addressed the gathered students. "Today's exercise is optional for most, but for certain students whose talents show extraordinary growth… it is mandatory. Fusion training is not just about combining your mind with your beast—it is about unlocking abilities that no ordinary Beast Master can achieve. Be warned: those who fail may suffer temporary psychological strain, or worse, lose synchronization with their beasts entirely."
A murmur rippled through the crowd. Only the top echelon of students were allowed to attempt this. And yet, word had spread: Ethan Cross had requested to participate.
Lucas Greystone, standing beside his Steel-Armored Wolf, sneered. "Cross, do you really think you can handle Fusion? That Bronze fox of yours is nothing more than a weak pet. Fusion is for the elite, the SSS-rank masters. You'll end up… broken."
Ethan didn't respond. He crouched beside the fox, its bronze fur shining faintly in the morning light. Two tails flickered subtly—an indication of growth and latent power—but neither tail yet revealed its full potential.
Preparation for Fusion
Fusion was a rare skill, even for elite Beast Masters. By combining one's consciousness with a beast, a master could wield the creature's abilities, instincts, and senses as extensions of themselves. However, such a union demanded perfect trust and synchronization. For most, even attempting it with a high-level Silver or Gold beast could prove fatal.
Ethan knelt in the center of the training ground, placing his hands on the fox. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. The fox, sensing the gravity of the moment, pressed its small body against his chest.
Eye of All Things activated instantly. Within his mind, a detailed spectrum of the fox's capabilities appeared:
Species: Flame Fox
Bloodline: Bronze (hidden: Mythical Nine-Tails)
Level: Black Iron 2
Current Abilities: Agility, flame tail burst, heightened senses
Hidden Abilities: Evolution potential to Silver and beyond, latent tail powers 3–9, partial fusion synchronization ready
Ethan smiled faintly. He didn't need to rush. The fox had already survived trials against beasts far beyond its supposed level. Its latent evolution was stable. Now it was time to test Fusion.
Initiating Fusion
He whispered softly, "Today, we'll see what it means to truly fight as one. Stay with me."
The fox's eyes glimmered with understanding. Slowly, a soft golden aura enveloped it, swirling around the two tails. Ethan felt a faint vibration in his chest, a rhythmic heartbeat that matched the fox's.
He extended his Fusion Talent. Slowly, carefully, their auras began to intertwine. For a brief moment, it felt like nothing had changed. Then—
A surge of energy erupted. Ethan's vision sharpened, every detail of the surrounding arena magnified. He could sense every student, every beast, every crack in the stone tiles beneath them.
This… is the fox's perception.
Muscles moved instinctively, reflexes responding to threats before they were visible. Ethan had not physically moved, but he could feel as if he had dodged an attack, countered a strike, and leapt over obstacles simultaneously. The fox's agility, flame burst, and enhanced senses were now part of him.
A faint glow outlined Ethan's body, tracing the movements of the fox within him. He could feel its heartbeat, its muscle tension, and even its instinctual thought processes.
First Fusion Combat
Instructor Raymond raised a hand. "Prepare for combat simulation. Only partial Fusion is allowed initially. Overexertion may lead to feedback damage."
At that moment, a wild Black Iron 5 Beast—a wolf-like predator with metallic claws—was released into the arena. Its eyes gleamed with predatory intent.
Ethan's heart didn't race. Through the fusion, he could feel the fox's every nerve and muscle. Instantly, he calculated the best path of approach, dodge, and counter.
The beast lunged. Its claws aimed for the fox's head, but Ethan, now fused, reacted as one. He rolled aside instinctively, flames from the fox's tail igniting a brief barrier that staggered the predator.
Beast Level: Black Iron 5
Bloodline: Silver
Weakness: Overreliance on brute strength, slow lateral movement
Ethan exploited this instantly. Using the fox's enhanced agility and flame control, he launched a series of feints and bursts. Each strike and dodge flowed seamlessly, as if both master and beast were one mind, one body.
Within moments, the predator was subdued—not killed, but incapacitated. Ethan felt the fox's relief, its gratitude, its trust. The fusion had succeeded.
Instructor Raymond's eyes widened. "Remarkable… The synchronization is unprecedented. Even a Bronze-bloodline beast has amplified this B-rank master's combat potential exponentially. This… is true Fusion in practice."
Tail Evolution Trigger
As the fusion stabilized, Ethan noticed a subtle sensation in the fox. One of its tail wisps began to grow stronger, glowing brighter. Tail three.
The fox's body shivered, flames swirling around the tail as its Bronze bloodline began the accelerated evolution. Using his Evolution Talent, Ethan guided it subtly, pushing the latent power forward without forcing it. The Bronze-bloodline flame fox surged, and the faint wisp of the third tail became clearly visible, a signal of growth and new abilities.
He could feel it: new elemental control, enhanced speed, and a sharper intellect emerging within the fox. Just like I predicted. One step at a time.
The fusion enhanced everything: the fox's evolution, his reflexes, his perception. For the first time, he understood the potential of combining Eye of All Things, Evolution, and Fusion.
Peer Reactions
Students and spectators had been watching from the stands, mouths agape.
"That… That Bronze fox… It's controlling him!"
"Impossible. It's like he's moving with nine lives or something!"
Even Lucas' face paled. "No… no way… That's… cheating!"
Ethan, still fused, didn't respond. He moved back, letting the fusion recede partially. The fox landed gracefully beside him, panting lightly but unharmed.
Instructor Raymond nodded. "Cross… your abilities are beyond conventional measurement. You now possess three rare skills in tandem, each amplifying the other. But remember: full Fusion carries risks. Overuse may cause irreversible strain."
Ethan smiled faintly. "I understand. But this… is the start. Only the start."
Dormitory Reflections
That night, Ethan sat beneath the moonlight in the quiet dormitory courtyard. The fox rested against him, its three tails now faintly glowing. The third tail's wisp pulsed gently, signaling its new elemental control.
He whispered softly, "Today, we've felt the power of fusion. But we've only scratched the surface. Soon… tail four, tail five. Each evolution will bring us closer to the Nine-Tails."
The fox yawned, tail swishing twice as if in silent agreement. Ethan's lips curved into a faint smile. The path ahead would be long, but today's trial had proven one thing: even an orphan with a Bronze-bloodline fox could command powers no S-rank heir could hope to match.
And one day… when all tails were awakened, when fusion was perfected, when evolution reached its peak… the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox would not just be a beast. It would be a god.
Ethan closed his eyes, letting the moonlight wash over him. The world would soon know his name.
✨ End of Chapter 6 (~2,000 words) ✨