Chapter 11 - The Mirror Forest Trial
The second day of the Freshman Ranking Tournament dawned beneath a sky of dark grey clouds.
More than three hundred first-year students assembled before the academy's eastern gate.
Beyond the gate stood an ancient forest surrounded by shimmering silver mist.
The Mirror Forest.
It was not an ordinary forest.
According to legend, every Beast Tamer who entered would eventually face not only wild beasts...
But also themselves.
Headmaster Aldric stood before the students.
"Listen carefully."
"The trial lasts twenty-four hours."
"Each participant will receive an Academy Token."
He held up a crystal medallion.
"If your life is in danger, crush this token."
"You will be teleported outside immediately."
"However..."
"Doing so ends your trial."
Several students nodded nervously.
"The objective is simple."
"Collect as many Beast Cores as possible by defeating beasts inside the forest."
"The top twenty scorers will advance to the final elimination rounds."
A magical portal slowly opened.
Dense white mist poured from within.
"Enter."
---
Kai stepped through the portal.
Cold air brushed against his face.
The world around him changed instantly.
Towering crystal trees stretched toward the sky.
The leaves reflected countless images like mirrors.
When Kai looked at one nearby leaf...
He saw himself as a child, smiling beside his parents.
His chest tightened.
The image vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
"So that's why it's called the Mirror Forest..."
The little silver fox gently nudged his leg.
"I'm fine."
At least...
That's what he wanted to believe.
---
The Book of Infinite Beasts appeared before him.
Its golden pages shimmered.
---
Trial Mission
Collect 20 Beast Cores
Optional Mission:
Find the Hidden Mirror Shrine
Reward:
Ancient Beast Skill Fragment
---
Kai smiled.
"A hidden shrine?"
The Book never gave impossible missions.
Somewhere inside this forest...
A forgotten secret was waiting.
---
Hours passed.
Kai and the fox moved silently through the forest.
Whenever they encountered a Common beast, they fought with precision.
The fox never used its true flames.
Instead, it relied on speed and perfect timing.
By noon...
Kai had already collected eight Beast Cores.
---
Suddenly...
The fox froze.
Its ears twitched.
Its newly awakened Ancient Instinct had sensed something.
"Kyu."
Kai immediately hid behind a crystal tree.
Voices echoed nearby.
"...Spread out."
"Don't let him escape."
Kai peered through the bushes.
Three students from Class B surrounded a frightened first-year boy.
The boy had clearly been injured.
One of the Class B students sneered.
"Hand over your Beast Cores."
"We'll make it quick."
The injured student shook his head.
"I earned them."
The largest boy punched him to the ground.
"You should've stayed weak."
Kai's eyes narrowed.
His fingers tightened around his spear.
The Book suddenly appeared.
---
Emergency Side Mission
Protect an innocent student.
Reward:
+500 Authority Points
---
Kai sighed.
"I guess I don't have a choice."
He stepped into the clearing.
"Three against one?"
"Seems unfair."
The bullies turned.
One laughed.
"Oh?"
"It's the fox boy."
Another smirked.
"Perfect."
"We'll take your Beast Cores too."
Kai calmly planted his spear in the ground.
"You still have time."
"Walk away."
The tallest student burst into laughter.
"Or what?"
"Will your little fox scare us?"
Kai smiled faintly.
"No."
"It'll embarrass you."
---
The three Beast Tamers summoned their companions.
A Rock Lizard.
A Forest Wolf.
A Thorn Boar.
All Common Grade.
The fox stepped forward.
Its tail swayed gently.
The first beast charged.
Kai whispered,
"Left."
The fox moved before the attack landed.
It slipped beneath the wolf, tapped its front leg, and sent it tumbling.
"Behind."
The fox spun around.
The Rock Lizard's tail smashed into the Thorn Boar instead of its target.
The two beasts crashed into one another.
Confusion spread through the battlefield.
The students shouted conflicting orders.
Their teamwork collapsed.
Kai didn't attack.
He simply directed the fox.
"Dodge."
"Counter."
"Step."
Every movement was precise.
Within a minute...
All three beasts lay unconscious.
The clearing fell silent.
The three bullies stared in disbelief.
"We..."
"We lost?"
Kai picked up his spear.
"You relied on stronger beasts."
"But you never learned to fight with them."
He helped the injured student to his feet.
"Can you walk?"
The boy nodded gratefully.
"My name is Ethan."
"I'm... I'm from Class E."
Kai smiled.
"I'm Kai."
"You should head back toward the safe zone."
Ethan looked at the silver fox.
"Everyone says your beast is weak."
He smiled.
"They've never actually watched it fight."
---
As Ethan disappeared into the forest, the Book glowed.
---
Side Mission Complete
Reward Received
Authority Level Increased
New Function Unlocked:
Beast Communication
Current Level: Beginner
---
Kai blinked.
"Communicate... directly?"
Before he could test the new ability...
A soft voice echoed in his mind.
"Kai..."
He froze.
The voice came again.
"Thank you..."
Kai slowly looked at the fox.
Its mouth hadn't moved.
Yet he understood every word.
The fox tilted its head.
"Can you hear me now?"
Kai smiled broadly.
"Yes..."
"I finally can."
The fox wagged its tail happily.
"Then let's find the Hidden Mirror Shrine."
At that exact moment, deep within the forest, an ancient stone mirror cracked down the middle.
A pulse of golden light spread through the trees.
Somewhere in the shadows...
An old guardian opened its eyes for the first time in a thousand years.
"The Heir..."
"...has entered the shrine."