The rest of the class was a blur of low-effort instruction and recycled slides about beast compatibility and basic meditation techniques. Nothing new. Nothing useful. I absorbed what I could, but most of it felt like filler—something to occupy our time while pretending to be educational.
Maxius dozed lightly on the backrest of my chair, one eye twitching every now and then as if sensing the lack of threat. Lufei, ever graceful, sat in quiet meditation, her antlers faintly glowing in rhythm with her breath.
Two hours passed in a haze of half-formed concepts and irrelevant bonding tips. Then—finally—a soft chime echoed across the campus, a distinct melodic tone that signaled the end of the period.
"Dismissed," the instructor said, rubbing his temples like even he needed a nap.
Immediately, the classroom erupted into motion. Students stood, chairs scraped, bags zipped in haste. The laughter from earlier hadn't returned, but the atmosphere was now tinged with avoidance. They didn't know what to make of me anymore—and that suited me just fine.
I stayed seated until the room cleared.
Maxius hopped off the backrest and hovered beside me while Lufei stretched before stepping into my shadow, waiting.
I pulled out my Oni9x phone and tapped open the student scheduling interface. My name and profile picture were already updated in the class roster.
"Next up…" I muttered, scrolling. "Intro to Elemental Calling. East Wing."
I blinked. That was at the far side of the Academy campus.
Great. I was on the North end. Of course.
"Come on," I sighed, sliding my notebook into the satchel. "Let's move."
—
The Academy grounds were sprawling—ornamental trees lining curved walkways, glowing crystal lights embedded in the stone paths, and wide fountains spraying mana-infused mist to refresh beasts during transit. Students milled around, some riding flying beasts or mounted on sleek-legged earth hounds.
I jogged lightly, Maxius gliding ahead while Lufei kept pace behind me, hooves soft on the stone.
We passed several instructor pavilions, smaller domed libraries, and finally entered the East Sector, where the Elemental Studies buildings stood like clusters of polished white towers.
I found the right building—Elemental Studies Tower 2B—and slipped inside just as a few other students were entering.
The classroom was cooler here, likely warded for fire or lightning practice. Rows of desk platforms formed a spiral around a central pit where beasts could be summoned and tested.
I took a spot near the middle and sat quietly.
Books out. Notes open.
Study. Learn. Prepare.
Even before the teacher arrived, I was already halfway through a section on elemental resonance compatibility—the concept that some magical beasts and even soul beast naturally aligned better with elemental channeling through inherited bloodlines or awakened potential.
Maxius, for example, had slight wind and shadow affinity. Lufei was closer to earth and spirit. Mystic… was still a mystery, but I had a theory.
The classroom filled up gradually. Unlike the last one, this room buzzed with focused energy. Most students here seemed older—around 10 to 12 years old—and already had beasts capable of minor elemental channeling.
When the instructor walked in—a tall, stern woman with hair made of literal living flame—she scanned the room and immediately fixed her eyes on me.
"You're the new one," she said bluntly.
"Yes, Ma'am," I said, standing immediately.
"Name. Awakening. Profession. Rank. Beast roster."
I straightened. Fan Yumei | Dual Core | Triple Profession | Six-Star Rank]
Professions: Beastmaster, Beast Healer, Rune Master
Class License: Federation Certified – A+
Contracted beasts: Emerald Spirit Deer, Phantom Eagle. Mythical variant pending classification."
The murmurs started before I even finished. Someone dropped a pencil. The teacher raised a single flaming eyebrow.
"Verified?"
I raised my hand and projected the license ring, the holo-screen appearing crisp and official once again.
The teacher grunted in approval.
"Take your seat, Fan Yumei. Welcome to Elemental Foundations. If you live up to that title, you'll do fine. If not… the pit doesn't show mercy."
I nodded once, then sat.
The next hour was a focused breakdown of elemental symbols, resonance tuning, and the limitations of beast-assisted channeling. I took pages of notes, adding thoughts in the margins about Lufei's reaction to certain energies and Maxius's disdain for anything non-aerial.
Lufei fell asleep mid-lecture with her head on my boot. Maxius was already bored and trying to nap with one eye open.
—
Another chime.
Another class dismissed.
I moved fast this time, weaving through crowds as I checked the schedule again.
"Next… Rune Theory. South Tower, Room C3."
I made it in under five minutes, found a spot near the rear corner, and resumed my routine: notebook out, textbook opened, beasts in quiet standby. Lufei had taken to napping between lessons now, her leafy fur curling like moss under sunlight. Maxius circled the room once before returning to roost above the qi lamp.
This class was smaller. More theoretical. Only ten students. The instructor, an older woman with eyes of cracked crystal, was already scribbling rune diagrams on the board when I arrived.
"You," she said, not even turning.
"Yes, Ma'am," I answered, already knowing what was coming.
"Fan Yumei. Six-Star Initiate. Beastmaster, Healer, Rune Master. Two soul beasts. Mythical contact under evaluation."
I blinked.
She turned and offered a faint smile.
"You've already made waves, child. Let's see if your mind is as sharp as your beasts."
I bowed slightly and sat down.
The next hour was the best yet. The woman didn't waste time on trivialities. She drilled us on rune logic, link sequences, and why forcing incompatible runes into a beast's qi field could lead to soul fractures.
I asked two questions. She answered both with raised eyebrows and a smirk.
"Someone's been studying the old texts," she muttered. "Impressive."
—
At the final chime of the day, the Academy grounds seemed to exhale as students poured into common areas or ran off to beast stables, training domes, or dormitories.
I stayed seated until the room emptied.
I stretched lightly, my back sore from sitting so rigid all day.
Maxius landed on my shoulder.
Lufei headbutted my knee gently.
"Day one, complete," I said softly.
I had claimed this life. This body. This name.
The girl who had lived here before, whose soul had fought to hold on… had finally let go.
When I opened my eyes again, the halls of the Academy glowed a little brighter.
And I would earn every breath of it.