Chapter 21 - Departure
Three days passed after the attack on the Imperial Beast Awakening Academy.
Although the tournament had ended abruptly, the academy officially announced the final rankings based on the completed rounds.
Kai Dragonbane stood before the giant crystal board.
His name glowed among the kingdom's finest first-year Beast Tamers.
Final Ranking
1. Lucien Ashcroft
2. Elena Frost
3. Rowan Ashford
...
7. Kai Dragonbane
The crowd no longer mocked him.
Instead, they whispered with curiosity.
"That's the fox tamer."
"The one the Divine Beast protected."
"I heard he saved dozens of students."
Kai ignored the attention.
Fame was dangerous.
Especially now.
---
Inside the Headmaster's office...
Headmaster Aldric stood beside a large window overlooking the academy.
His Mythic Sky Dragon rested outside.
"You wished to see me, Headmaster?"
Kai entered and bowed respectfully.
Aldric smiled.
"Sit."
On the desk lay a wooden box wrapped in blue silk.
"I've watched you since the Awakening Ceremony."
"You've shown courage, discipline... and compassion."
He pushed the box towards Kai.
"This belongs to you."
Kai slowly opened it.
Inside rested a silver badge engraved with a dragon and a pair of wings.
"The Frontier Pass?"
Aldric nodded.
"It grants access to the Dragonbone Frontier."
"The kingdom's greatest Beast Tamers all begin their journey there."
Kai looked surprised.
"I thought only graduates could enter."
"Normally, yes."
"But circumstances have changed."
Aldric's expression became serious.
"The Divine Temple has begun moving openly."
"You'll be safer growing stronger than hiding here."
---
The Headmaster handed Kai a sealed letter.
"Deliver this to Commander Arcturus."
"He commands the Frontier Expedition Corps."
"He owes me a favour."
Kai carefully stored the letter.
"Thank you."
As he turned to leave, Aldric spoke once more.
"Kai."
The young man stopped.
"You remind me of someone."
"The greatest Beast Tamer I ever knew."
"He always believed..."
"...that a beast was a companion."
"Never a weapon."
Kai smiled.
"I believe the same."
---
That evening...
Kai packed his belongings.
A spare uniform.
His spear.
A few books.
The Book of Infinite Beasts remained hidden within his soul.
The Crimson Flame Fox curled up inside his backpack before poking its head out.
"Adventure?"
Kai laughed.
"Adventure."
---
At dawn...
A long caravan departed from the capital.
Merchants.
Hunters.
Soldiers.
Adventurers.
All heading towards the legendary Dragonbone Frontier.
Kai joined them quietly.
As the academy disappeared beyond the hills, he looked back one last time.
"This is where everything began."
The fox nodded.
"And where legends begin... they rarely end."
---
Five days later...
The caravan reached the frontier.
Kai stood speechless.
Before him stretched an endless wilderness.
Towering cliffs formed from the fossilised bones of dragons.
Gigantic ribs arched over valleys like bridges.
Ancient skulls larger than castles lay half-buried in the earth.
Wild beasts roamed freely between them.
The air itself pulsed with ancient energy.
A weathered wooden sign stood beside the road.
WELCOME TO THE DRAGONBONE FRONTIER
ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE
The Book of Infinite Beasts appeared.
---
New Region Unlocked
Dragonbone Frontier
Danger Level: Extreme
Ancient Ruins: 127 Detected
Unknown Beasts: 3,846+
Hidden Sovereign Relics: Confirmed
---
Kai took a deep breath.
"This place..."
"...is unlike anything I've ever seen."
Suddenly, a horn echoed across the valley.
BWOOOOOO!
The caravan came to an abrupt halt.
A wounded scout galloped towards the gates on a blood-covered horse.
He shouted at the top of his lungs,
"Emergency!"
"An S-Class expedition has been wiped out!"
"The Bone Dragon has awakened!"
The massive fortress gates swung open.
Hundreds of Beast Hunters rushed out.
The frontier...
Had welcomed Kai with its first disaster.