Aston slipped out of Foundational Hall West with the rest of the students, the fresh weight of Professor Cael's words still pressing faintly against his mind.

Gray rode lightly on his shoulders, his tiny paws kneading the cloth of Aston's robes. Mirage glided a careful arc above him, careful not to brush the crowded halls or other flying beasts.

As he rounded a corner, focused on the path ahead, a sudden voice broke his concentration.

"Whoa—sorry!"

Aston sidestepped instinctively, almost colliding with a girl hurrying from the opposite direction. Her pale green hair was tied loosely behind her, strands escaping to catch the sunlight. Her crimson robes fluttered against the gentle breeze. Riding proudly beside her was a massive armored beetle—the same one he'd glimpsed earlier during the morning rush.

The Verdant Bulwark Beetle's many legs clacked lightly on the stone, its gleaming carapace shone like living jade.

The girl gave an embarrassed laugh and adjusted the strap on her bag.

"You're… from earlier? Foundational Hall?"

Her voice was bright but not forceful. There was an honesty about it.

"Yeah. You're…?"

"Vivianne," she smiled. "Vivianne Clairmont. Looks like we're headed to the same place. What's your name?"

"Aston," he said simply. "Spirit Bond Sync class, right?"

Vivianne grinned, "Yeah. So we're gonna be classmates on this subject." She fell into step beside him, her giant beetle trailing obediently with surprising quietness.

It was a short, companionable walk toward the Eastern Beast Arena—a wide, open hall with a roof of translucent crystal that allowed sunlight to pour down in thick, warm beams. Stone rings for sparring and training dotted the grounds, and spirit beasts of all shapes and sizes lounged or trained nearby.

Students gathered around one of the larger rings, where a woman in simple silver-threaded red robes stood waiting.

She was slight, but the way she carried herself made her seem larger. Her hair was tied back in a single braid, and a strip of white cloth covered her eyes, yet she moved as if she saw more than the rest of them combined. At her side lay a large, sleepy-looking beast that resembled a cross between a fox and a scaled dragon: her Primal Drake Fox.

—

[Spirit Beast: Primal Drake Fox]

[Type: Draconic]

[Attribute: Earth/Spirit]

[Genus: Vulperdraconis]

[Rank: Amethyst Core]

[Potential: Garnet Core]

[Description: A rare spirit beast species which is a cross between a fox and a dragon, embodying both the primal energy of the ancient drakes while retaining the agility and cunning of a fox. Its scales gleam with an earthy luster, while its tail carries faint ethereal flames. Despite its size, its spirit pressure often intimidates even larger beasts.]

[Skills:]

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[Terrashift Pounce: Launches itself at targets with reinforced kinetic energy, allowing it to burrow shallowly into terrain and burst out for an ambush strike.]

[Spirit Howl: Emits a resonant cry that momentarily synchronizes allied spirit beast focus, sharpening their reaction speed and reducing internal hesitation.]

[Pulse Fang: Charges its fangs with pure spirit energy, allowing it to bite through magical barriers or lightly armored defenses.]

[Earthen Flicker: Momentarily melds with the ground, becoming intangible for a split second before reappearing at a nearby spot.]

[Drake's Breath: Releases a short-range cone of condensed spiritual flames, more effective at disrupting spirit energy constructs than causing direct physical burns.]

[Passive Skills:]

[Drakeblood Resilience: The Primal Drake Fox has higher-than-average resistance to elemental attacks and spirit energy fluctuations. It naturally heals minor spiritual fractures faster.]

[Instinctive Resonance: Slightly boosts the success rate of high-risk synchronization maneuvers with its contractor.]

[Innate Skills:]

[Primal Echo Step: When making rapid movements, the Primal Drake Fox leaves behind spiritual afterimages that can confuse enemy targeting for a brief moment.]

[Resonant Pulse Armor: When severely threatened, the spirit beast generates a thin, semi-transparent armor of condensed spirit energy around itself and its partner, reducing incoming damage.]

[Earthfox Assault: When attacking using earth-based skills, the afterimages generated by the Primal Drake Fox also release a weaker joint attack.]

[Core Skills]

[Cradle of the Old Earth: The Primal Drake Fox summons latent primal energies from beneath the earth, creating a protective domain of a 20-meter radius that amplifies the defense and spirit resonance of all allies inside. Ground-based attacks and maneuvers are enhanced while airborne or flying opponents are slightly suppressed within the domain.]

[Next skill will be unlocked at Sapphire Core.]

—

Aston was amazed at what he saw.

It takes a strong spirit professional to become a professor here…

The woman raised her hand.

Silence.

"I am Nyra Talvine," she said. Her voice was low, smooth, and firm—the kind that felt little room for argument. "Your professor for Spirit Bond Synchronization Techniques."

She tapped her staff once against the arena floor, sending a soft ripple outward.

"Today, you will learn the true meaning of connection—not control."

The gathered students leaned in, intrigued.

"Spirit beasts are not tools. They are not puppets. They are living, breathing beings—beings with emotions, instincts, and thoughts of their own."

She gestured towards Echo, her Primal Drake Fox, who rose lazily to its feet with a soft growl, scales shimmering faintly.

"When you command your spirit beast, you are not issuing orders to an empty vessel. You are communicating with a partner. That communication must be clear, resonant, and unified."

"If you issue a command that your spirit beast resists emotionally—or does not fully understand—you will see hesitation. Delays. Mistakes. And hesitation in battle… means death."

Her words, though calm, struck like hammer blows.

A few students stiffened. Others glanced uncertainly at their companions.

Aston remained silent, feeling Gray's quiet breathing against his neck. Mirage ruffled its wings slightly above.

"Each beast," Professor Nyra continued, "has its own way of thinking. Its own natural instincts. The sooner you understand your spirit companion's emotions and reactions, the sooner you can form a true bond."

She paused.

"There will be no sparring today. Today… you will observe."

Professor Nyra tapped the ground again. Echo responded instantly, rising and moving to the center of the ring.

"Now, Echo," she commanded, then glanced at the students. "Watch closely. Watch how Echo moves when given clear intention… and how she hesitates when my meaning falters."

Aston narrowed his eyes, slightly focused.

As he watched Echo's performance on the stage, he couldn't help focusing his thoughts on the bonds between him and his spirit companions.

Gray with its stubbornness. Mirage with its calm silence. Both different, yet both trusted me in their own ways. Can I say that I truly understood them?

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