The room still echoed with the aftermath of Kael's battle against the construct. Smoke lingered in the air, and faint sparks of energy danced around him. Every eye in the hall was fixed on Kael, every whisper carried astonishment. His fight had become the talk of the Academy, a spectacle no one could ignore.
Ren Thalor stepped forward, his green eyes narrowing into sharp slits. "You are a threat," he said, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "Do you even understand the trouble you've unleashed? The chaos you've brought upon this place?"
Kael's silver eyes met Ren's without hesitation. "I do not care about your warnings," he said firmly. "I will do what must be done."
A teasing curve formed on Ren's lips. "Then let's see how far this game can really go," he said, challenging Kael, testing the limits of what he could do.
The instructors signaled the start of the next round of tests. These were unlike the previous ones—they were dynamic, life-like situations designed to test the bond between a Beast Tamer and their fusion partner. Adaptability, teamwork, strategy—it was all under scrutiny.
Kael's fused creature hovered by his side, feathers shimmering silver and brimming with restless energy. Focusing his mind, Kael synced with its heartbeat. Instantly, thought, instinct, and movement became one. The fused creature mirrored him perfectly, a seamless extension of his will.
Suddenly, a shadowy form erupted from the floor. Its eyes glowed like burning coals, claws scraping the stone as it lunged. Without thinking, Kael moved—and the fused creature mirrored him instinctively, reacting as if it could read his mind. Light and shadow collided violently, echoing like thunder. The room became a storm of energy, a test of their coordination.
Every movement was critical. One wrong step could destabilize the fusion, triggering catastrophic feedback. Kael's heart pounded with each strike, and the special mark on his wrist rotated like it was alive, responding to the surge of energy coursing through him.
From the observation deck, the Academy Council watched in tense silence. Students whispered among themselves, utterly captivated. No one had ever seen such harmony between a Beast Tamer and their fusion partner—Kael's dual sigil resonance was unprecedented, awe-inspiring.
Ren Thalor moved closer to the arena's edge, arms crossed. "Impressive," he said, eyes studying Kael with keen focus. "But power alone is meaningless. Precision and control—that is what defines a true master."
Kael said nothing. His actions spoke louder than words.
The shadow creature shifted relentlessly, testing Kael's limits. Wings sliced through illusions, feathers clashed against energy constructs. Time seemed to slow, each heartbeat stretching into awareness. The creature strained against his control, but Kael held firm, mastering its chaotic energy with sheer will.
A whisper reached him in his mind: Focus. We can do this together.
Kael gritted his teeth, channeling his storm. He and the fused creature became a single force—every strike, every motion, every pulse of energy a testament to their unity. One by one, the shadow illusions shattered, leaving a stunned silence in the hall.
Even Ren's green eyes widened—not from disbelief, but recognition. "You are not a mistake," he murmured. "You are something entirely… different."
The fused creature hovered beside Kael, wings folded, breathing heavy, yet its energy steadying. Its pulse synchronized with his, alive and aware.
Kael felt the weight of his achievement. He had not merely survived or won—he had mastered something the world had never seen. The dual sigil fusion was alive, conscious, and commanding respect. It was not just a power; it was a force.
Yet one thought remained in Kael's mind: This is only the beginning.
The Academy had noticed him. Rivals, allies, dangers—all would come. To survive what lay ahead, Kael would need every ounce of strength, cunning, and willpower he possessed.
✅ End of Chapter 3