Draco stood before the heavy oak door, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves.
Zephyr perched calmly on his shoulder, the tiny hummingbird's presence providing a surprising amount of comfort.
Pushing open the door, Draco stepped into a classroom that was noticeably different from the basic lecture halls he was accustomed to.
The space was larger yet filled with less students, with moveable desks arranged in a loose semicircle rather than rigid rows.
Large windows provided ample natural light, while beast-related charts and diagrams covered the walls.
The air held a faint scent of various animals.
Twenty pairs of eyes immediately turned toward him as conversations died down.
Their contracted beasts were visible throughout the room – a variety of creatures ranging from small familiars to more impressive beasts.
The instructor looked up from her desk at the front of the classroom.
She was a tall woman in her thirties with short brown hair and simple clothing.
"Ah, you must be our new student," she said, rising from her chair with a welcoming smile.
"Class, we have a new addition today."
She gestured for Draco to step forward, and he complied reluctantly, acutely aware of the scrutiny from his new classmates.
"Everyone, I'd like you to meet Draco Von Ashblade, son of Marquis Lucas Von Ashblade and heir to one of our kingdom's most distinguished noble houses," the instructor announced with courtesy.
"He's recently awakened as a B-rank Beastmaster and will be joining our class."
A ripple of whispered conversations spread through the classroom.
Some students looked impressed by his noble lineage, while others seemed skeptical – undoubtedly having heard the rumors about his previous lack of talent.
A few stared openly at Zephyr, clearly wondering how such a tiny creature could be useful in serious combat.
"Please, find a seat wherever you're comfortable," the instructor continued.
"I'll make sure you receive all the materials you need to catch up with our current curriculum."
Draco scanned the available seating options, noting that most students seemed to have established social groups and preferred seating arrangements.
His eyes landed on an empty desk near the middle of the room, positioned next to a girl with shoulder-length auburn hair who sat with a straight posture.
As he approached, he noticed her contracted beast.
A beautiful Golden Retriever with lustrous fur. The dog looked up as Draco drew near, its intelligent brown eyes studying him with unusual intensity.
"Mind if I sit here?" Draco asked quietly, not wanting to disturb the instructor who had begun organizing materials for the day's lesson.
The girl looked up, revealing bright green eyes and a face marked by an expression of frank appraisal.
She glanced briefly at Zephyr, then back to Draco's face with surprising directness.
"Go ahead," she said simply. "I'm Lyra Brightwind, and this is Aurelius."
She gestured to her Golden Retriever, who had relaxed visibly and was now wagging his tail gently.
"Draco," he replied, settling into the adjacent seat. "And this is Zephyr."
What struck him immediately was the lack of judgment in her expression. Unlike most people he encountered, Lyra seemed to be evaluating him based on present impressions rather than preconceived notions about his past or family reputation.
"Mr. Von Ashblade," the instructor called, drawing his attention back to the front of the classroom.
"Please plan to stay after class today. I need to provide you with the study materials and resources covering what you've missed so far this semester, as well as outline our upcoming curriculum."
"Of course, instructor," Draco replied with a respectful nod.
"It's instructor Hartwell," she corrected with a friendly smile. "And now that we have everyone settled…"
Professor Hartwell moved to the center of the classroom.
"Alright everyone, today's lesson will take us outside," she announced, her voice carrying easily through the silent room.
"Today is a combat assessment lesson. We need to evaluate how effectively you can coordinate with your beasts in real scenarios."
A murmur of excitement and nervous energy rippled through the students.
Combat assessments were always challenging, requiring not just individual skill but
good teamwork between human and beast partners.
"This assessment will test multiple aspects of your partnership," Professor Hartwell continued, beginning to pace slowly in front of the class.
"Communication, tactical coordination, adaptability, and trust. You'll face various scenarios designed to challenge both your combat abilities and your bond with your contracted beasts."
She paused, scanning the faces of her students to ensure she had their full attention.
"Some of you may be wondering about the practical applications of these skills. Remember that many of you will eventually work as professional hunters, dungeon clearers, or beast researchers. The ability to function as a cohesive unit with your beast partner could literally mean the difference between life and death in dangerous situations."
Draco felt a mixture of anticipation and concern. While he had been training with Zephyr for only a few days, he was curious to see how their developing partnership would perform under pressure.
The tiny hummingbird's abilities were still largely untested in combat scenarios.
"We'll be using the academy's outdoor training facility," Professor Hartwell explained.
"The course includes various obstacles, simulated environments, and controlled magical constructs that will serve as your opponents. Safety measures are in place, but I expect everyone to take this seriously."
She looked directly at Draco for a moment. "Mr. Von Ashblade, while you're new to our program, you'll be participating in today's assessment. Consider it both an evaluation and a learning experience."
Lyra leaned slightly toward him, speaking in a low voice that wouldn't disturb the ongoing explanation.
"Don't worry about the assessment, Aurelius can sense that you and your hummingbird have a genuine bond. That's more important than fancy techniques when it comes to real coordination."
Her straightforward reassurance caught him off guard, but he found it genuinely comforting.
There was something refreshing about her direct communication style, no hidden meanings or social games, just her honest observation and support.
Professor Hartwell concluded her explanation and began directing students to gather their equipment and prepare for the outdoor portion of class, setting the stage for Draco's first real test as an awakened beastmaster.