The following morning, the academy's Beast Forest training grounds were alive with tension. Mist clung thickly to the tree trunks, sunlight barely penetrating through the dense canopy. The survivors of the Shadowed Vale exercise were already gathering—scratched, bruised, but alive.
Ethan walked among them, Flame Fox at his side, tails flicking softly. Seven tails now, faintly glowing with embers. The previous day's skirmish had left its mark, but the fox had grown far stronger, its instincts sharper. Each tail awakening had accelerated its Black Iron 4 level, now approaching the peak of the sublevel.
Instructor Raymond raised his hand, calling for attention. "Today's task is not merely survival. You will face a single high Silver bloodline beast—one of the rare Apex Hunts in the academy. Your goal is to study it, track it, and if possible, bring proof of its defeat or capture."
The words sent a wave of awe through the students. High Silver bloodline beasts were legendary even among Black Iron level hunters. They were aggressive, cunning, and capable of destroying multiple lower-level beasts without effort.
Lucas Greystone smirked beside his wolf. "Finally, a real test. No tricks, no excuses. Watch and learn, Ethan. Your Bronze fox won't survive five minutes."
Ethan merely nodded, calm as ever. He crouched beside Flame Fox. "Ready?" The fox's eyes glimmered with intelligence. The fusion bond pulsed faintly, connecting their movements even before they started.
Tracking the Apex
The dense forest made tracking difficult. Fallen leaves, snapped branches, and faint claw marks were all that marked the Silver beast's path. Most students fumbled, misjudging distances or losing the trail entirely.
Ethan activated Eye of All Things, letting his gaze scan not just the physical signs, but the aura of the beast.
[Beast Scan – Nearby]
Species: Ironfang Wolf
Bloodline: Silver (High)
Level: Black Iron 9
Potential Evolution: Platinum → Mythical
Notes: Extremely agile; intelligent; ambush predator; kills with precise bite and claw combos.
Ethan smiled faintly. "There it is."
The fox crouched, tails flicking. Its seventh tail emitted faint sparks. Ethan whispered, "Let's make this quick. Fusion, focus."
Instantly, their fusion bond deepened. Ethan felt the fox's heartbeat, muscles, reflexes—every motion synchronized with his own. Together, they moved like a single entity, invisible and precise.
The Encounter
Through the mist, the Ironfang Wolf appeared. Its silver fur shimmered faintly, eyes glowing with predatory intent. It had clearly detected the students but was assessing threats.
Most students froze, terrified. A single swipe of its claws could shred a Bronze or even low Silver beast. Lucas stepped forward, barking orders to his wolf, but Ethan and Flame Fox remained calm.
The fox darted first, tails trailing embers. The Ironfang lunged, claws extended. Ethan reacted as one with the fox, sidestepping with precision. The wolf's claws scratched the stone, leaving deep gouges, but the fox remained unharmed.
Ethan whispered, "Now."
A surge of energy flowed through the fox as Evolution Talent activated. The Black Iron 4 level accelerated. Fur shimmered, muscles tensed, and for a fraction of a second, the eighth tail flickered—brief, translucent, but undeniably present.
The Ironfang attacked again, and this time, the fox countered. Bite, swipe, dodge—a dance perfectly in sync with Ethan's commands. The fusion bond amplified their reaction time; for an observer, it was almost as if a single superhuman being controlled the movements.
Lucas watched, disbelief and anger etching his face. "Impossible… a Bronze fox…"
Ethan ignored him. His mind and fox were focused entirely on the predator ahead.
The Apex Challenge
The Ironfang Wolf lunged again, faster than before. Ethan knew a direct clash would be suicidal. Instead, he guided the fox through the trees, using terrain and shadows.
The fox leapt, its tails flaring. Sparks of embers from the seventh tail illuminated the path. As it landed, Ethan whispered, activating Evolution again. The Black Iron 4 level surged slightly higher—its muscles and reflexes perfecting.
The Ironfang snarled, realizing the prey was no ordinary Bronze beast. It circled, testing for weaknesses, but each attack was met with precise counterattacks.
[Flame Fox Status – Post-Evolution]
Bloodline: Bronze
Level: Black Iron 4 (combat-accelerated)
Tails: 7/9
Notes: Eight-tail activation glimpsed during evolution; fusion synchronization with Ethan complete; reaction speed increased by +150%.
Ethan smiled faintly. "You're doing well. Keep it controlled. No overexertion."
The fox crouched, eyes fixed. In a sudden motion, it leapt onto the Ironfang's back, claws raking. Sparks of the seventh tail erupted, stunning the wolf. The predator yelped, stumbling as Ethan felt the energy surge through the fusion bond.
Tactical Mastery
Ethan's strategy wasn't brute force—it was precision, intelligence, and the fusion-enhanced coordination between him and Flame Fox. The Ironfang Wolf was strong, but predictable. Its hunting instincts followed patterns. Ethan analyzed, predicted, and exploited every gap.
Finally, the fox executed a synchronized pounce. Its claws and bite found weak points, tails flaring, embers lighting up the forest. The Ironfang stumbled, wounded and surprised, before limping away into the shadows.
Instructor Raymond's jaw dropped. "B-rank… Bronze bloodline… controlling a high Silver Black Iron 9… that… is beyond comprehension."
The other students murmured. Lucas's face had turned red with rage and humiliation. "This… can't be real. No Bronze fox should survive against a Silver apex. It's cheating—impossible."
Ethan simply knelt beside his fox, whispering softly, "You did well. Eight tails are coming soon. Every fight brings us closer."
The fox's tails flicked, embers dancing faintly, hinting at the latent power within.
Aftermath
The forest settled into silence. Other students were exhausted, defeated, or had barely tracked the beast. Ethan, however, appeared calm, almost untouched by the struggle. Flame Fox, glowing faintly, nestled beside him.
Instructor Raymond approached slowly, carefully. "Ethan Cross… you're rewriting what it means to be a B-rank. That fox… your fusion, your evolution… this is a revelation. You must continue to train carefully. The power you wield… it is dangerous if uncontrolled."
Ethan nodded silently, understanding fully. Each evolution, each tail awakening, increased not only the fox's abilities but also his own. The fusion talent wasn't just a tool—it was the gateway to becoming untouchable.
Lucas couldn't hide his seething anger. "This isn't over, Ethan. One day, I'll crush you… your Bronze mutt won't save you forever."
Ethan didn't reply. He picked up the fox, its tail embers flickering against his chest. "Soon, Lucas… soon you'll see. Power isn't just talent or bloodline. It's understanding, evolution, and unity."
Night Reflection
That night, Ethan sat under the dormitory stars, Flame Fox curled beside him. Its seventh tail glowed faintly, embers drifting like fireflies.
Ethan activated his Eye of All Things, reviewing the fox's stats after the apex encounter:
[Flame Fox – Status Update]
Bloodline: Bronze
Level: Black Iron 4 (post-combat surge)
Tails: 7/9 (eighth tail glimpsed briefly during evolution surge)
Potential: Mythical Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox
Notes: Fusion bond perfect; combat reflexes +200%; tactical intelligence improved; evolution acceleration active.
Ethan whispered softly, stroking its fur. "Every tail, every evolution… each battle brings you closer to your true form. High Silver, Diamond, Mythical… none will be beyond our reach."
The fox's tails flicked, embers casting dancing shadows. The forest outside the academy seemed quiet, but in Ethan's mind, he already planned future strategies, future battles, and future evolutions.
He knew one thing for certain: the world thought he was weak. A B-rank orphan with a Bronze fox. But with fusion, evolution, and the Eye of All Things, the so-called weak were the ones who would eventually stand above all.
And the eighth tail… was closer than ever.
✨ End of Chapter 11 ✨