The morning fog still clung to the Azure Sky Academy when Ethan Cross strode into the training grounds. The whispers from the previous day's Trial of the Ancients still echoed through the hallways. Every student, from S-rank elites to the timid C-rank beginners, now regarded him with a mixture of awe, envy, and fear.
"B-rank… controlling a Mythical Nine-Tailed Celestial… and survived Platinum trials…" one student muttered.
"Is that even possible? How can a Bronze fox surpass Platinum-level beasts?" another whispered.
Lucas Greystone's expression had darkened into a mask of rage and frustration. His wolf padded beside him, muscles tensed and claws clicking on the stone floor. "He won't always be this lucky," Lucas muttered to his closest allies. "I'll force him to face his limits. I'll make him regret daring to rise above his rank."
Ethan ignored the chatter. He had no interest in arguing with those who could not see beyond superficial ranks. His Eye of All Things had already assessed the academy, the beasts, and the students. Every detail of potential battle outcomes was laid out before him in crystalline clarity.
Flame Fox padded silently beside him, tails flicking in anticipation. The fox had grown stronger after the Trial of the Ancients. The faint glow of the ninth tail burned more brightly than before, a signal of the hidden Mythical potential awakening.
The Announcement
Instructor Raymond's voice rang out, cutting through the morning chatter. "Students! The results of the Trial of the Ancients have been reviewed by the SSS observers. Some of you performed well. Others… have room for improvement. However, a special program will begin for those who demonstrated exceptional talent."
Heads turned. Everyone knew this program wasn't for ordinary students. Even some S-rank prodigies glanced nervously at one another.
Raymond continued, "The Elite Beast Master Program will select only ten students from each year. These students will undergo intensive training, receive high-tier beasts for practice, and even spar with ancient clan masters. Their goal: prepare them for real-world combat missions and rise above ordinary limits."
A silence fell across the courtyard. Ethan's heart didn't race, but his mind analyzed probabilities. The program was an opportunity—resources, beasts, and combat experience far beyond what the academy normally allowed.
He heard Lucas gritting his teeth behind him. "He's going to take the slot. That B-rank trash will join the elite? This is ridiculous!"
Ethan glanced back briefly. "Trash isn't a rank. It's just what they call what they don't understand."
Selection
Over the next day, students from every rank were evaluated. SSS observers scrutinized their combat skills, beast synchronization, intelligence, and strategic thinking.
Ethan stepped forward with Flame Fox, performing movements so fluid that even the most experienced observers had to pause. Every tail strike, dodge, and feint was executed with perfect precision, every move complemented by the fox's own Mythical instincts.
[Assessment Results – Ethan Cross]
Bond Synchronization: 99.9%
Combat Adaptation: Platinum 4-equivalent
Strategy & Reflex: Top 1% of year
Mythical Potential: Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox fully activated
The chief observer, an elder from the Shadow Tiger Clan, frowned and spoke quietly to another: "If he continues at this rate, he could surpass all the current S-rank elites in less than a year. And his fusion ability… that is unheard of."
Finally, the announcement came. Ten names were read aloud. Every student on the list had performed exceptionally—but the first name drew gasps and disbelief.
"Ethan Cross!"
Ethan bowed slightly, as customary. The murmurs of envy and awe followed him. Lucas's face was as red as his wolf's fur. "Impossible!" he shouted. "He's Bronze-bloodline! B-rank! He doesn't belong here!"
Ethan's lips curved in a faint smile, though his mind was already calculating the upcoming challenges.
First Day of Elite Training
The Elite Beast Master Program began immediately. Students were sent to specialized training zones tailored for high-level combat and growth. The zones were massive arenas, forests, and caves, where Platinum and even low Mythical-level beasts roamed freely.
Instructor Raymond addressed the group. "Here, your rank matters little. Your bond, strategy, and ability to adapt will decide your survival and growth. You will train, spar, and compete against each other… and your beasts will grow alongside you."
Ethan stepped into the first zone, Flame Fox padding quietly behind him. His Eye of All Things scanned the environment instantly:
Forest zone: dense trees, natural ambush points, elemental traps from high-level beasts
Beasts detected: Silver Wolf pack (High Silver, Level Black Iron 5), Ember Hawk (High Silver, Level Black Iron 4), Venom Lizard (High Silver, Level Black Iron 3)
Ethan exhaled, then crouched, letting fusion instinctively guide him. The fox's tails flickered, each tail forming a defensive barrier and offensive arcs simultaneously.
A Silver Wolf pack leapt from the trees, claws aimed. Most students froze. Flame Fox leapt forward, nine tails spinning, intercepting each wolf with precise strikes and burns, forcing them back.
One wolf attempted a rear strike. Ethan's body moved in perfect sync, the fox fused partially into him. He felt every movement, every instinct, every strike, as if the wolf's attack was his own. The strike deflected harmlessly, and the wolf crashed into a tree.
Other students watched in awe. Even S-rank peers who had previously mocked him were speechless. Lucas gritted his teeth. "How… how can he control Platinum-level beasts like they're toys?"
Rivalry Sparks
During the next sparring session, Lucas challenged Ethan directly. The two were led into a neutral combat arena, beasts side by side.
"Cross," Lucas sneered, "let's see if your fox can actually survive against real S-rank talent!"
Flame Fox growled, tails flicking. Ethan smirked faintly. "It won't just survive—it will dominate."
The duel began. Lucas's wolf, enhanced with silver steel plates, charged aggressively. Ethan and Flame Fox moved as one. Every dodge, every tail strike, every counterattack flowed naturally.
The fox's tails swirled, creating arcs of flame that forced the wolf to stumble. Then, Ethan activated Evolution Talent subtly, accelerating the fox's reaction speed, attack strength, and defensive capabilities.
Lucas's face twisted in anger. "Impossible! A B-rank… Bronze fox… beating my wolf at Platinum 6?"
The observers watched silently, taking notes. Some even began recording.
Finally, the fight ended with Lucas's wolf cornered and forced into submission. Lucas fell to his knees, panting, his pride shattered. "This… this isn't over, Cross… B-rank or not… I will surpass you!"
Ethan did not reply. He crouched, letting the fox relax, tails glowing faintly. "Every step… every evolution… we grow together. That's all that matters."
The Bond Deepens
After the duel, Ethan sat in the forest zone, Flame Fox curled beside him. The fox's tails flickered with faint embers, each tail representing a hidden growth stage.
He whispered softly, "Nine-Tails… the world is waking up. Every Platinum-level beast we face, every S-rank rival, will only make us stronger. Our bond… our fusion… will define the true Hidden Beast Emperor."
The fox tilted its head, eyes bright, as if understanding every word.
[Status Check – Flame Fox]
Bloodline: Bronze → Evolved to Mythical
Level: Platinum 7
Fusion Mastery: 85% synchronization
Nine-Tail Potential: 6 tails active, 3 latent
Combat Power: Exceeds S-rank Platinum-class masters
Ethan smiled faintly. The fox had grown exponentially, far beyond what any student, or even most S-rank masters, could anticipate.
New Alliances
Over the next week, the Elite Beast Master Program forced students into collaborative missions and joint hunts. Ethan's presence quickly attracted attention. Some students, previously skeptical, began approaching him to learn, ally, or simply witness his power.
One of them, a quiet Silver-rank girl with a High Silver Bloodline Hawk, approached Ethan. "Your fox… it's amazing. Can I… learn from you?"
Ethan studied her briefly, reading her Beast Master Talent with Eye of All Things. Strong potential, but lacks experience.
"Stay close in training. Observe… but do not rely solely on me," Ethan said. "A master is forged by their own trials, not by shadowing another."
She nodded, respect and determination in her eyes.
Meanwhile, Lucas seethed in the shadows, plotting ways to exploit any weakness. "This isn't over," he muttered. "If I can't surpass him through strength, I will find another way. I will break him… and his so-called Mythical fox."
Ethan, oblivious to Lucas's schemes for now, focused only on growth, bond, and strategy. Every step, every fusion, every evolution brought him closer to the Hidden Beast Emperor destiny.
The academy was changing. Students whispered. Teachers watched. And the ancient SSS observers were quietly noting a B-rank orphan defying every law of power and bloodline.
In the shadows of the forest, Flame Fox's ninth tail flickered once more. Its glow brightened, as if anticipating the coming storms.
And Ethan knew… the real challenges were only just beginning.
✨ End of Chapter 15 ✨