The sun rose over Azure Sky Academy like molten gold, spilling light over the training grounds and igniting the forest canopy with glimmers of brilliance. The whispers among the students carried over the wind, growing louder with every step. The news had spread: Ethan Cross and his Bronze Flame Fox had survived an encounter with a high Silver Apex Beast. Most students had been eliminated or forced into retreat, but he and his fox had not only survived—they had dominated.
Even instructors who had trained for decades whispered in disbelief. A B-rank orphan, a Bronze bloodline fox… defeating a high Silver Black Iron 9 beast? It was impossible… yet undeniable.
Lucas Greystone's face burned with humiliation, his pride shredded. "This isn't over, Cross," he muttered, glaring daggers at Ethan. "No luck, no tricks… I'll prove your fox is nothing but a fluke."
Ethan simply smiled faintly, his eyes calm, unreadable. He knelt beside Flame Fox, feeling the pulse of the seventh tail flicker warmly against his hand. "Soon, Lucas… soon, the eighth tail will awaken," he whispered softly.
The Announcement
By midday, Instructor Raymond called the students together. His voice carried authority, cutting through the murmurs. "Today's challenge is unlike any before. Only the top performers from the Shadowed Vale and Apex Hunt are permitted to participate. You will face the Diamond-Level Trial Beast. Its bloodline is the highest the academy allows in a controlled environment—High Silver evolving towards Platinum, Black Iron 9, with untapped potential. Its intelligence rivals many Beast Masters."
A shiver went through the crowd. Diamond-Level Beasts were terrifyingly strong. Even high-ranking students and S-rank talent holders rarely had the opportunity to face one in a live trial.
Lucas's wolf growled beside him. "This is my chance, Cross. Don't think your Bronze mutt will save you here."
Ethan ignored him. He crouched beside Flame Fox, feeling the warmth radiating from its tails. The fusion bond pulsed faintly, a constant heartbeat linking their movements, senses, and instinct.
Entering the Trial Arena
The arena was a vast expanse in the heart of the Beast Forest, enclosed by reinforced crystal walls that could withstand a full-on Diamond-level assault. Thick fog hovered over the terrain, concealing trees, rocks, and uneven ground—perfect for a tactical hunt.
Instructor Raymond's voice echoed through the crystal walls. "Diamond-Level Beast is released. Observe caution. This is a survival exercise. Students who fail may be injured but cannot call for rescue unless absolutely necessary."
From the mist, a shadow moved. It was massive, dwarfing any previous foe Ethan had faced. A wolf-like creature with silver fur that shimmered almost like mercury under sunlight, claws sharp enough to carve stone, and eyes burning with intelligence.
[Beast Scan – Diamond-Level Trial]
Species: Ironfang Alpha Wolf
Bloodline: High Silver
Level: Black Iron 9
Potential Evolution: Platinum → Mythical
Notes: Extremely aggressive; tactical awareness; capable of overwhelming multiple opponents simultaneously.
The other students trembled at the sight. Even Lucas's wolf stiffened. This was a different level—brute strength, speed, intelligence, and ferocity combined. A single misstep could mean death or permanent injury.
Ethan knelt, feeling the bond with Flame Fox. "Ready?" he whispered. The fox's seven tails swayed, embers flickering faintly. The fusion bond pulsed with renewed intensity, sharpening their senses.
The First Strike
The Diamond beast lunged first, moving faster than the eye could track. Its claws struck the stone with a force that shook the arena, and a shockwave of power emanated outward.
Ethan's body reacted instantly, moving in perfect synchronization with Flame Fox. The fusion bond magnified every reflex. The fox leapt, tails trailing fire, dodging the strike by a fraction of an inch.
[Flame Fox – Status]
Bloodline: Bronze
Level: Black Iron 4
Tails: 7/9 (Eighth tail glimpsed in surge)
Combat Synchronization: 100% (Fusion active)
Ethan whispered in a low voice, "Observe… learn its patterns."
The wolf paused briefly, its amber eyes scanning. It attacked again, testing Ethan's reaction. The fox twisted midair, rolling beneath the wolf's claw, landing lightly on all fours. Sparks from its seventh tail left faint marks on the ground.
The crowd gasped. Even Lucas could not hide his shock. "No… impossible… how?"
Ethan remained calm, analyzing. With Eye of All Things, he could see the beast's stats, its next likely moves, weak points in its musculature, and potential evolution triggers. For the first time, he allowed the fox to accelerate evolution slightly, increasing reflex speed and agility.
[Flame Fox – Post Evolution Surge]
Level: Black Iron 5
Reflex Speed: +30%
Tail Energy: 7 fully active, eighth tail flickering faintly
Notes: Evolution acceleration successful; combat adaptability improved.
Tactical Advantage
Ethan's strategy relied not on brute force but on exploiting patterns, terrain, and timing. Every step, every tail flick, every dodge was calculated with precision. He guided Flame Fox like a conductor directing a symphony.
The Diamond-Level Wolf attacked relentlessly, but its strength became its weakness. It relied on overwhelming force, predictable patterns in combat. Ethan dodged, feinted, and countered.
"Now," he whispered. Fusion deepened. For a brief moment, the fox's eighth tail flared, its flame glowing white-hot. The fusion bond amplified its power. Ethan felt claws, teeth, agility—all heightened, all perfectly in sync.
The fox leapt, biting and clawing strategically. Its embers trailed in arcs, lighting the fog-filled arena. The Diamond wolf staggered, surprised by the precision and synchronization it could not anticipate.
Instructor Raymond's mouth hung open. "Extraordinary… a Bronze bloodline controlling a High Silver Black Iron 9… and moving like a single entity. This… this is unprecedented."
Lucas's wolf tried to intervene, but Ethan and Flame Fox anticipated every strike. The fusion bond allowed them to counter before the enemy even finished its movement.
First Tail Awakening
In the heat of battle, Flame Fox's eighth tail fully manifested. White-hot energy flared, illuminating the mist. The fox's body glowed faintly, reflexes reaching impossible heights. The fusion bond surged. Ethan felt strength, senses, and instinct flowing into him directly.
He moved as one with the fox, dodging, striking, and retreating in perfect rhythm. The Diamond-Level Wolf faltered, realizing this was no ordinary Bronze beast. Every attack it launched was countered or avoided, every strike it tried to land was neutralized by speed and intelligence it could not anticipate.
Ethan whispered calmly, "Focus on its weak flank."
Flame Fox obeyed instantly, shifting its attack. Embers from its eighth tail lanced the beast's flank, leaving a deep scorch. The wolf howled, retreating momentarily, confused by the precision and strategy.
The Turning Point
The other students could only watch in awe. A B-rank orphan with a Bronze fox had not only survived a High Silver Black Iron 9 but had actually forced it into retreat. The tactical intelligence, the fusion synchronization, the evolution surges—it was more than any teacher expected.
Lucas clenched his fists, anger and disbelief mixing. "This can't be… no one survives this trial!"
Ethan ignored him. He crouched, whispering softly. "Time for fusion finale."
He allowed the fusion bond to deepen further, integrating not just reflexes but elemental energy. Flames from all eight tails spiraled, encasing his body in a faint fiery aura. He could now react with superhuman precision, anticipate every move, and control elemental bursts of flame from the tails.
The Diamond wolf lunged again, but this time, it was met with a coordinated strike from Flame Fox. The impact sent it staggering, confused, and finally retreating into the mist.
Instructor Raymond's eyes widened. "Unbelievable… B-rank… Bronze bloodline… Eight-tail activation against a Diamond-Level beast… no one has ever done this."
Aftermath
By the end of the day, Ethan stood in the arena, Flame Fox curled around him, eight tails glowing faintly in the dying sunlight.
The other students were exhausted, humiliated, or defeated. Lucas's face burned with rage and shame. He approached Ethan, but this time, he dared not mock. "You… this isn't over, Cross. Your fox… your fusion… it's… it's beyond reason. I'll find a way to beat you."
Ethan's expression remained calm. "You will," he said softly. "But not today. Not until you understand the difference between talent and mastery."
Instructor Raymond approached. "Ethan Cross… Flame Fox… you are no longer merely a B-rank orphan. Your bond, evolution, and strategic mastery are extraordinary. Continue like this, and you may very well redefine what it means to be a Beast Master."
That night, Ethan sat beneath the stars, Flame Fox beside him, tails flickering faintly. Eight tails now. The ninth remained dormant, waiting for the right moment, the ultimate battle.
[Flame Fox – Status]
Bloodline: Bronze
Level: Black Iron 5 (post-combat)
Tails: 8/9
Evolution Potential: Mythical Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox
Fusion: Complete with Ethan; all abilities shared and enhanced.
Ethan whispered softly, stroking the fox's fur. "Every tail, every evolution… every battle brings us closer. Ninth tail… you'll awaken soon. And when you do… the world will know the Hidden Beast Emperor."
The fox's tails swished, embers drifting like shooting stars in the moonlight. A storm was rising—one that would shake Azure Sky Academy, the Empire, and the world beyond.
✨ End of Chapter 12 ✨