Chapter 16 - No Longer the Weakest
The entire arena fell silent.
The Ironback Gorilla remained on one knee, breathing heavily.
Its massive fists were clenched, yet it made no attempt to stand.
Victor Stone stared in disbelief.
"No..."
"Get up!"
The gorilla slowly rose to its feet.
But something had changed.
It looked at the Crimson Flame Fox—still disguised as a tiny silver fox—with neither anger nor contempt.
Only respect.
The fox returned the gaze.
"Thank you."
The gorilla blinked.
"You're... different from the others."
For a brief moment, neither beast moved.
The crowd had no idea that an entire conversation had just taken place.
---
Victor's face reddened with frustration.
"I gave you an order!"
"Attack!"
The Ironback Gorilla hesitated.
That single moment of hesitation decided the battle.
"Kai," the fox spoke through Beast Communication.
"His left side."
Kai smiled.
"I saw it too."
During the previous exchanges, the Eye of Insight had revealed tiny cracks in the gorilla's stance.
Not weaknesses in its body—
Weaknesses in its balance.
Kai lowered his centre of gravity.
"Resonance."
The Book of Infinite Beasts glowed.
Beast Resonance Activated.
Kai and the fox moved as though sharing one mind.
Victor swung his battle hammer.
Kai slipped beneath it.
The fox dashed between the gorilla's legs.
The giant instinctively shifted its weight.
Exactly as Kai had predicted.
Kai planted his spear against the arena floor and pushed with all his strength.
The gorilla lost its footing.
BOOM!
The enormous beast crashed onto its back.
Dust exploded into the air.
The referee immediately raised his hand.
"Enough!"
"The gorilla cannot continue."
"Winner..."
"Kai Dragonbane!"
---
For several seconds...
Nobody applauded.
The spectators simply stared.
Then, somewhere in the upper stands, a single clap echoed.
Clap.
Another followed.
Then another.
Within moments, the entire arena erupted into applause.
Not because Kai possessed overwhelming power.
But because everyone had witnessed something extraordinary.
A Beast Tamer who defeated a stronger opponent through intelligence, trust, and perfect teamwork.
---
Victor slowly walked toward Kai.
The arena became quiet again.
Many expected him to protest.
Instead...
Victor extended his hand.
"I underestimated you."
Kai accepted the handshake.
"So did most people."
Victor laughed.
"I won't make that mistake again."
As he left the arena, the Ironback Gorilla paused beside the little fox.
It gently lowered its head.
A silent gesture of respect.
The fox smiled.
"Train hard."
The gorilla gave a deep grunt before following its master.
---
In the VIP balcony, the academy instructors whispered among themselves.
Instructor Gareth folded his arms.
"His spear technique has improved dramatically."
Another instructor nodded.
"But that's not what worries me."
"He predicts opponents before they move."
Headmaster Aldric remained silent.
His gaze never left Kai.
"He's hiding something."
"But it isn't arrogance."
"It's caution."
---
Backstage, Lucien Ashcroft watched everything.
His fists trembled.
"Victor..."
"You lost to him?"
One of Lucien's followers swallowed nervously.
"Maybe..."
"Kai isn't as weak as we thought."
Lucien's eyes turned cold.
"No."
"He's still weaker than me."
"He just doesn't know it yet."
---
The crystal scoreboard floated above the arena.
It shimmered with golden light.
Freshman Tournament
Remaining Contestants:
- Lucien Ashcroft
- Elena Frost
- Rowan Ashford
- Kai Dragonbane
- 12 others
Kai had entered the Top 16.
The crowd no longer laughed when his name appeared.
Instead...
They waited.
What would the fox boy do next?
---
As Kai returned to the waiting area, the Book of Infinite Beasts opened.
Golden letters appeared.
Tournament Mission Updated
✔ Enter Top 20
✔ Enter Top 16
Next Objective:
Reach the Top 8.
Reward: Random Ancient Beast Skill
---
Before Kai could close the Book, another page turned by itself.
A message he had never seen before appeared in crimson letters.
Warning
An enemy has entered the academy.
Threat Level: High
Kai's expression changed.
He quietly scanned the crowded arena.
Thousands of spectators.
Hundreds of instructors.
Dozens of contestants.
From where he stood...
Anyone could be the enemy.
High above the stadium, concealed beneath the robes of a travelling merchant, the hooded assassin from the Divine Temple smiled.
Hidden inside his sleeve was a thin black needle coated with Soul-Eater Venom.
His mission was simple.
Kai Dragonbane must die before sunset.