Location: Starroot Academy – Inner Sanctum Library, Tower of Codices
The air in the sanctum was unlike any other part of the academy.
It wasn't just silent, it was ancient.
Books hovered in midair, bound by invisible threads of knowledge. Runes floated across the walls like drifting stars. The floor itself shimmered with layered wards. It was here, among forgotten knowledge and sealed truths, that Ren was summoned.
Not requested.
Summoned.
[System Notification: Priority Authority Override]
Directive: Report to Grand Scholar Elra within 30 minutes
Reason: Codex Classification Conflict Detected
Status: Undisclosed
Nyx wasn't allowed inside. He waited by the gate, growling lowly at the rune barriers. The moment Ren stepped through the golden door, a familiar voice rang out.
"You've become quite the anomaly, Kazuki Ren."
The voice was soft, melodic, but sharp.
Grand Scholar Elra stood before a Codex Tree, its branches alive with light, each limb representing a path of beast evolution. Her long robe shimmered with threads of starlight, her eyes reflecting the Codex Matrix itself.
Ren bowed, cautiously.
"You summoned me because of the Echo Trial."
Elra nodded slowly.
"That… and the fragment of the Sovereign Code sleeping inside your beast."
She waved her hand.
A glowing projection appeared, showing a burst of silver light, Nyx's evolution during the Juggarbeast fight. At the core of the energy signature was a glyph.
A forbidden one.
Ren's breath caught.
"That symbol"
Elra narrowed her gaze.
"It's the crest of the Eternal Sovereign. The last beast-tamer whose Codex broke the world balance 3,000 years ago. His code was erased from the system. Or so we thought."
[Hidden System Path Detected: Legacy of the Eternal Sovereign]
Status: Fragmented
Codex Tier: Sovereign-Class (Suppressed)
Evolution Routes: 3/13 Sealed
Beast Lineage: 1/9999 Reawakened
Ren's voice dropped.
"So you knew about it… all this time?"
Elra tilted her head.
"I knew someone like you would appear eventually. We just didn't expect it to be… a Rogue."
A Choice of Paths
Elra walked over to a sealed Codex pedestal and placed her hand upon it.
The structure hummed, then opened—revealing a second spirit beast egg, crystalline and glowing faintly red.
[Beast Egg – Codename: Emberstar Wyrmling (Unhatched)]
Element: Flame/Spirit
Rank: ???
Compatibility Rating: 86%
Suggestion: Contract Secondary Beast for Dual Sync Upgrade
Ren hesitated.
"You want me to take on a second bond already? I've barely stabilized with Nyx."
Elra's expression remained unreadable.
"The Sovereign walked with legions. If you wish to follow his path, you'll need more than one blade in your arsenal. This beast 'this egg' was left behind by a system anomaly. It resonates with your Codex."
She stepped back.
"This is not a command. But a test."
[Choice Detected: Accept or Decline Secondary Beast Contract – Emberstar Wyrmling]
Risk: Overload Potential (30%)
Reward: Dual Sync Activation + Codex Tree Expansion
Confirm?
Ren stared at the egg.
He felt heat. Rage. Fire buried inside it like a star chained in stone.
He looked at the Codex panel.
Then closed his eyes.
And said:
"Confirm Contract."
System Surge: Bond Protocol Initiated
[Beast Bond Synchronization: Phase 1]
Establishing Soul-Link…
Secondary Beast Added: Emberstar Wyrmling (Name Pending)
Bond Level: 2%
Current Status: Dormant (Requires Battle Catalyst to Awaken)
Warning: Dual Sync Unstable – Temporary Stat Drift May Occur
The moment the bond formed, fire licked up Ren's arms, brief, but hot enough to sear flesh if not for the Codex shielding him.
Then silence.
He breathed.
And the Scholar nodded.
"You have now taken your first step toward Codex Sovereignty."
She turned, walking deeper into the archives.
"But others are watching."
Meanwhile – Dusk Fortress, Hidden Surveillance Chamber
Within a dark tower far beyond Starroot, multiple robed figures watched a projection of Ren binding the new beast.
One of them 'hooded, voice distorted' spoke.
"It has begun."
Another rasped.
"The heir of the Sovereign… has chosen fire."
A third laughed.
"Then the shadows will rise again. Let the old war resume."
Later That Night – Rogue Quarters, Beast Room
Ren placed the egg beside Nyx, who stared at it warily. The ember beast within pulsed in a rhythm opposite to Nyx's calm darkness.
He could already feel it, conflict and balance, war and will.
[Codex Updated]
Codex Tier: Sovereign Fragmented
Bonded Beasts:
– Nyx (Specterfang Sovereign Cub)
– ??? (Emberstar Wyrmling)
Dual Sync Level: 2%
Beast Conflict Rating: 17%
Fusion Possibility: Not Available
Passive Traits Emerging...
Ren looked up at the moon outside.
"Two beasts. Two paths. But only one crown."
And deep within the egg
A burning eye opened.
Location: Black Zone 13 – Outer Ridge Perimeter
The wind stank of ash and mana.
Smoke drifted across the battlefield. Fires crackled in the ruins. Above, the rift howled, spitting flickers of unstable energy. Squad 07 had held the line for three hours, but the Beast Tide wasn't slowing.
It was escalating.
"West ridge, reinforced beasts incoming!" shouted Sana. "Bigger ones. Fast!"
Ren's mind raced as he read the incoming alert:
[Rift Anomaly Detected]
Class: C+ Pack Leader | Mutation Status: Active
Target: Squad 07 Position
Estimated Arrival: 00:45 seconds
Bronn stumbled back, dragging an injured Dro from the path. "We can't tank this next wave with just Nyx! We're down a front-liner!"
Ren clenched his fists.
Nyx was already exhausted. Wounded. His mane flickered with shadow-sparks from pushing past his limit.
Ren turned toward the small crimson egg, strapped tightly to his side in a rune-case. Its core throbbed, furious.
[System Alert: Secondary Beast Still Dormant]
Sync Level: 2%
Awakening Possible: Yes
Conditions:
– Tamer in Mortal Danger
– Immediate Threat to First Bond
Activation Protocol: Emergency Sync Surge
Warning: Stability Unconfirmed
Screeches echoed closer.
And then, they arrived.
Six-legged lizard-wolves, fur spiked with molten scales, eyes glowing red with corrupted flame.
[Beast Class: Blazebite Ravagers]
Quantity: 8
Threat Rating: C+
Skillset: Fireburst Claw | Lava Howl | Scorch Rush
Alpha Signature Detected: Leading Entity
Nyx stood in front of Ren, trembling.
Still ready to fight.
Still defiant.
That was enough.
Ren whispered, "You've done enough, Nyx."
Then raised his hand, directly over the Emberstar Wyrmling's egg.
And shouted:
"System Override – Dual Sync: ACTIVATE!"
Codex Surge Initiated
[Emergency Sync Protocol Triggered]
Linking Secondary Beast…
Energy Levels Spiking…
Synchronization Rate: 2% → 11% → 27%…
Warning: Beast Conflict Detected!
Compatibility: 86%
Sync Stabilization: Forcing via Sovereign Bond Core
Passive Trait Detected: Dominance Pulse (Sovereign Lineage)
Host Override Granted.
The egg cracked.
Then erupted.
A column of flame roared skyward, blasting the Ravagers back. From within the burning light, a serpentine silhouette coiled, long, sleek, draconic.
It screeched, and the sky itself shimmered.
[Secondary Beast Awakened!]
Name: Emberstar Wyrmling (Unnamed)
Rank: Tier 1 (Rare Variant)
Type: Fire / Spirit
Traits:
– Heartflame Core: Regenerates over time in battle
– Flame Sovereign Instinct (Passive – Conflict)
Skills:
– Solar Fang: Bite attack with searing burn
– Ember Halo: AoE burn barrier
– NEW: Phoenix Pulse – Instantly burns area + knockback
Sync Rate: 32%
Conflict Level: Medium
The wyrmling flared its wings 'wreathed in flame, eyes burning like miniature suns' and let out a piercing cry.
Then charged.
Battle Phase – First Dual Beast Deployment
"Nyx, right flank! Wyrmling, front line! Divide and burn!"
Nyx blurred into the shadows, his wounds already regenerating as the ember aura washed over him. He struck the left Ravager and vanished in black mist.
The Wyrmling 'unbound by fear' crashed headlong into the center of the pack, unleashing Phoenix Pulse.
[Skill Activated: Phoenix Pulse]
All enemies within 10 meters: Ignited
Damage Over Time: 8% HP/sec
Bonus: Stun Duration 2.4 seconds
The ground exploded into flames.
Two Ravagers were incinerated outright.
Sana, from above, hissed. "No way. That fire, it's fighting with the shadows!"
[System Warning: Beast Conflict Rising]
Effect: Emberstar Wyrmling rejecting fusion sync
Result: Minor instability in Tamer's Codex link
Suggestion: Establish Domination Protocol or separate the beasts
Ren's Codex trembled. His blood boiled with raw energy. It felt like a forge in his chest, and a void at his back.
He gritted his teeth.
"Balance them."
He slammed both palms together.
[System Override – Dual Sync Mode: Forced Stability Engaged]
Result: Temporary Balance
Boost: +10% Speed, +5% Power to Both Beasts
Duration: 45 seconds
And in that small window
Squad 07 surged.
Graveboy bound a Ravager in crimson chains.
Riven threw a dagger that split into three mid-air, each glowing with forbidden gold.
The Meko Twins flashed through the firestorm like dancing spirits.
Victory Achieved
[Battle Complete – All Hostiles Neutralized]
Squad Status: Wounded but Functional
Beast Sync:
– Nyx: 83%
– Emberstar: 37%
Codex Status: Dual Bond Active
Unique Trait Unlocked:
– Eclipse Core (Dormant) – Shadow + Flame Pathway
Requires Evolution Node Activation
Ren fell to one knee, breathing hard.
Both beasts stood beside him, Nyx twitching slightly, the Wyrmling breathing embers.
They glared at each other.
Not enemies.
Not yet allies.
But now linked by blood, war, and code.
Later – Temporary Base Camp
Sana tossed Ren a drink pouch and flopped beside him.
"Never thought I'd see a dual beast user in Rogue rank."
Ren drank slowly.
"I didn't either."
Riven leaned against a crate nearby.
"You'd better get control of that fire serpent fast."
"Why?" Ren asked.
Riven's amber eyes flickered.
"Because it's not just fire. It's Sovereign Flame. If it loses control"
His voice dropped.
"You'll burn yourself from the inside out."
End of Chapter 10