The next day, whispers spread like wildfire through Luminis City.

The tale of a mysterious hero who had saved the adventurers in the mines was on everyone's lips, growing more exaggerated with each retelling.

By midday, the rumors had stretched beyond the city walls, reaching neighboring kingdoms and domains.

The rumours were so good that it began to spark a renew rise of hope among the people.

Raven and Pandra were walking together through the academy courtyard when a group of students nearby chattered excitedly about the rumored hero.

"Did you hear? They say he slaughtered an entire pack of mutated wolves single-handedly!"

"I heard he fought the demon king's army that attacked King Godfrey's kingdom days ago!"

Pandra nudged Raven with a playful grin. "What do you think, Raven? The possibility of a new hero. We haven't had one in generations."

Raven scoffed, crossing her arms. "It's probably just a rumor. The Demon King's forces are too powerful. No one can stand against them yet."

Just then, her eyes locked onto me.

I had been walking alongside Nia, who was animatedly explaining something about beast taming techniques.

Raven stiffened. Her grip on her books tightened.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I sighted her, and I could practically feel the surprise radiating off her.

We haven't seen each other since last night.

"Archer!" she called, her voice sharp.

I turned, feigning casual surprise. "Oh, hi Raven. How are you?"

She marched over, an irritated expression on her face. "I didn't see you last night," she said, her tone accusatory. "Where the hell were you? I was literally waiting for you at the library."

She meant the Red dragon's library.

I shrugged. "Oh, yeah. I totally forgot. I was with the adventurers' club. I spent the night at Loki and Borin's dorm. Sorry about that."

Her gaze flicked to Nia, scrutinizing her.

Nia was petite, at least two years younger than me, with an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance.

Raven lifted her chin slightly. "I'm Princess Eris."

Nia barely spared her a glance. "Yeah, I know who you are," she said, voice laced with disinterest.

Then, without hesitation, she grabbed my arm and tugged me away. "Come on, Archer. We're going to be late."

Raven's eyes widened slightly. She was taken aback by Nia's blatant dismissal.

I could practically see the irritation flaring in her. She didn't like Nia—not one bit.

Interesting.

"Where are you two going?" Raven demanded.

"Beast taming," I answered.

Without another word, Raven shoved her books into Pandra's hands. "I'm coming with you."

Nia's nose wrinkled. "No, you're not."

Raven ignored her, seizing my other arm with a grip that said try and stop me.

"Well, Archer's my best friend," she declared, her voice sweet but laced with challenge. "Wherever he goes, I go."

Nia glared. Raven smirked.

And me?

I just stood there, thoroughly amused—and slightly confused.

What the hell has gotten into Raven?

* * * *

I found myself standing between two girls who clearly despised each other as we entered the Beast Taming Grounds.

It was a specialized section of the academy where students could bond with and tame magical creatures.

The area was enclosed by towering stone walls etched with ancient runes, and the air hummed with wild, untamed energy.

The instructor, a stern-faced woman with dark hair, approached Nia with a warm smile. "Nia, it's been a while. How are you doing?"

Nia's confident expression faltered. Her fingers clenched briefly before she spoke in a quiet, strained voice. "Kuro is dead. He died during our adventurer mission."

The instructor's smile faded, replaced by sympathy. "I'm sorry to hear that. Kuro was a loyal companion." She placed a comforting hand on Nia's shoulder. "But you know the rules of this place. You can always find a new beast to bond with."

Nia nodded, though her jaw was tight. The instructor stepped back and raised her hands, chanting under her breath. The air shimmered, and a swirling portal of blue energy materialized before us.

"Beyond this portal are the untamed beasts of the wild sector," the instructor explained. "Some are docile, others... less so. You must find one compatible with your spirit."

Then she glanced at me and Raven. "Are you two accompanying Nia?"

Nia crossed her arms. "Archer is my friend. As for her—" She shot Raven a dismissive look. "—I can't say the same."

Raven's eyes flashed with irritation. "Well, I'm Archer's friend too," she shot back, stepping closer to me as if to stake her claim. "If he's going, then so am I."

The instructor sighed, clearly used to student drama.

She handed each of us a small, glowing stone. "These are teleportation stones. If you encounter a beast too dangerous to handle, activate it, and you'll be brought back here immediately." She paused, her tone turning serious. "Remember—these stones only work within the taming grounds. Outside this barrier, they're useless."

Nia snatched hers without a word and strode toward the portal. Raven huffed but followed, her grip tightening on her stone.

I hesitated for only a second before stepping through after them.

The instructor's voice echoed behind us. "Good luck."

And then, the portal swallowed us whole.

We arrived in a forest that didn't feel entirely real. The trees stretched impossibly high in the sky.

The air buzzed gently with magic. Every breath I took felt like it hummed against my skin.

"This is a dimension created by the Arch Wizard," Nia explained beside me, her voice soft. "It's a pocket realm made especially for beast tamers. The beasts here aren't native to our world, but they can still be bonded and summoned once tamed."

She stepped closer, slipping her arm around mine as she smiled faintly.

"I was here a year ago," she said. "It's where I met and tamed Kuro."

Behind us, Raven narrowed her eyes slightly. "A year ago?" she said. "You're a second-year student?"

Nia turned her head slightly and nodded with a mocking pride. "That's right. I'm your upperclassman."

Then she returned her full attention to me, ignoring Raven completely.

"If you want," she said sweetly, "you can tame a beast too. The bond won't be as deep without preparation, but it's still possible."

I looked around the forest—at the glowing mushrooms growing at the base of trees, at the soft mist rising from the undergrowth.

Magic pulsed through everything.

"I'd like that," I said, nodding slowly. "But didn't the teacher say this place was dangerous?"

Nia smiled and gave a small laugh.

"Most beasts are dangerous, sure," she replied, "but some are passive. Curious. That's why it's called taming—you have to gain their trust. Or dominate them if they're too wild."

She gripped my arm tighter. "Don't worry. I'll guide you. I know this forest like the back of my hand."

Before I could say anything else, she began leading me deeper into the trees, our arms locked together like we'd done this many times before.

I glanced over my shoulder and saw Raven walking after us, arms folded tightly across her chest, her expression unreadable.

She said nothing, but her presence was silent and cold.

We hadn't gone far when the trees parted into a mossy clearing. The air grew heavier—thicker with magical energy.

Then we saw it.

Curled between two massive, glowing stones was a beast unlike any I had seen before.

It stood as tall as a horse, but with a feline build, sleek and muscled. Midnight-blue fur shimmered with silver streaks that pulsed like moonlight.

Its long tail ended in a feathery tuft that twitched with a mind of its own. Two short, antler-like horns curled from its head, and its sharp violet eyes locked onto us immediately.

"That's a Lunalynx," Nia whispered in awe, her breath catching. "They're rare and incredibly hard to tame. They're perfect for a bond. Fast, graceful, intelligent... and loyal, once claimed."

The beast let out a low growl, rising to its feet, its claws extending as it crouched.

Nia slowly stepped forward, lifting her hand and kneeling in the moss. Her voice was low like a lullaby as she began to speak.

"The key," she said over her shoulder as if teaching me, "is to open yourself fully. To let the beast see who you are."

The Lunalynx growled louder, baring its teeth, and suddenly lunged at her. In a flash, it tackled her to the ground, claws digging into the earth just inches from her throat.

"Nia!" I shouted, eyeing the teleportation stone clipped to her belt. "Use it! Get out of here!"

But she didn't do it.

"No," she said, voice shaking but firm. "I won't run. Not this time."

She stared straight into the Lunalynx's eyes, her own wide and wet with memory.

"I had a beast," she said softly. "His name was Kuro. He was a black fang panther. Proud and Fierce. He always protected me."

The beast's growls quieted just slightly.

"He died yesterday… saving my life. He was more than a companion—he was my family. My only family."

The Lunalynx stopped growling altogether, watching her, breathing heavily.

"I know you don't know me… and I know you're afraid. So am I," she whispered. "But I don't want to be alone again. Please… join me. Let me protect you. And maybe… one day, you'll protect me too."

A long silence passed between them.

Then the Lunalynx's body relaxed. It lowered its head slowly and leaned forward. Nia didn't move.

The beast gave a quiet chuff, then stepped closer—and licked her gently across the cheek with a warm, rough tongue.

Nia let out a shaky breath, her hands trembling as she reached up and slowly wrapped her arms around its neck.

"I'll take care of you," she whispered. "I promise."

I stood there frozen, watching the moment unfold, my heart still thudding from the tension just moments before.

She had done it.

She'd tamed the Lunalynx.

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