The morning before trial week began, Shrek Academy buzzed like a hive of lightning bees. Notices were being stapled onto walls, announcements yelled over courtyard stones, and battle maniacs were seen doing one-finger pushups in full armor.
Kiyanotoka Ash, meanwhile, was trying to brush his teeth while his Sylph-Hare attempted to steal his socks.
> "H-Hey! Those go on my feet, not in your void pocket!"
The hare blinked innocently, swallowed the sock, and vanished.
> "I swear you're getting cheekier every day."
The Fire Dragon let out a low snort from its heated nest in the corner.
> "And you, stop cooking my breakfast eggs before I even crack them."
The dragon puffed smugly and curled tighter around its lava rock.
---
🧾 Trial Teams Assigned
Down in the briefing hall, Head Instructor Kaelus posted the trial teams.
Kiyanotoka scanned the parchment.
> Team 7: Kiyanotoka Ash, Fuyue Tsukari, Jin Selo... and...
He squinted.
> "You have GOT to be kidding me."
Standing beside him, Kale Drayven smirked and slapped him on the back.
> "Roomies now. Looks like fate ships us."
> "No refunds?"
> "Only pain."
Jin Selo, a red-haired loudmouth who claimed to be descended from dragons, immediately began challenging a broom to a duel. Fuyue stood quietly in the corner, pretending not to know any of them.
> "This is my team..."
> "You're welcome," Kiyanotoka muttered.
---
🧠 Strategy Session (Or Chaos?)
Later, in the prep room, the four stared at a large map showing terrain zones—forests, marshes, ruins.
Kiyanotoka tried to explain coordinated beast command tactics.
> "Fuyue, your Moon Serpent can flank from the mist zone. Kale, your Beastwolf can—"
> "—PUNCH through boulders and scream. Got it."
> "That... wasn't what I—never mind. Jin, you'll handle... support."
> "YES! I shall summon the divine fury of my ancestor, Emperor Flame Breath!"
He tripped on his own boot and faceplanted into a fruit bowl.
> "...Support it is."
---
🐾 Bonding by Chaos
Later that evening, Kiyanotoka walked alone near the moonstone gardens, needing air. The day had been absurd. His beasts had gotten into a fight over who got the bigger blanket, his teammates had nearly burned down the map room, and worst of all—
He'd laughed.
> What's happening to me?
He wasn't used to this... nonsense. The system didn't prepare him for roommates who sparred shirtless in his room or teammates who fed his Fire Dragon hot sauce to see what would happen.
(Spoiler: It belched a 15-foot flame that nearly cooked the Sylph-Hare. The hare got revenge by hiding spicy berries in Jin's pillow.)
> I'm getting... attached?
He frowned.
> Dangerous.
But deep down, he didn't mind it.
---
🌑 Night Before the Storm
That night, Kiyanotoka stood beneath the stars.
> "Flame Core... steady. Beasts... ready. Team... probably going to kill each other."
He smirked slightly.
The system pinged.
> [ SYSTEM – Final Trial Prep Mode: Active ]
Full system access temporarily limited. Must rely on instincts and command.
Objective: Win trial. Gain sync. Survive. Do not let team fail.
> No pressure then.
---
📘 End of Chapter 21
---
📊 Kiyanotoka Ash – Full Stats
👤 Name: Kiyanotoka Ash
🌐 Class: Spiritual Beast Master (Hidden Body Cultivator)
📈 Body Level: Level 2 – Flame Core Initiate
🔥 Traits:
Core Flame Pulse (Short burst every 30 seconds)
Pulse Guard (1 fatal strike negation/day – cooldown: 24h)
Iron Breath Band Training (Passive resistance growth)
Efficiency: 99%
Weakness: Prone to emotional distancing, secrecy under pressure
---
🐉 Spirit Beasts:
1. Fire Dragon (Juvenile)
Rank: S
Type: Fire
Skills:
Refined Fire Arc
Heat Surge
Mood: Playful, loyal, mildly smug
Evolution: Locked (~59%)
2. Storm Roc
Rank: A
Type: Wind/Lightning
Skills:
Wing Charge
Thunder Dive (Locked)
Mood: Alert, obedient
Evolution: Locked (~45%)
3. Sylph-Hare
Rank: B
Type: Void
Skills:
Shadow Step
Spatial Skip
Mood: Mischievous, emotionally bonded
Evolution: Locked (~66%)
---
🧬 Beast Synchronization:
Current Sync: 27%
System Bonus: Cross Command
Next Bonus: Tri-Layered Coordination (at 35%)
---
🌍 World Events:
Inter-Academy Trials: Begin tomorrow
Trial Map: Forest / Marsh / Ancient Ruins
Team 7: Kiyanotoka, Fuyue, Kale, Jin
System Limitation: Active during trial for realism test