Chapter 3 – A Fox’s Trick

  The golden light of the forest had long faded.

  Night had settled over the Golden Forest, replacing the warm glow of afternoon with deep shadows and the distant sounds of creatures stirring in the dark. The wind rustled through the tall trees, carrying with it the faint scent of earth and blood.

  Kael leaned against the rough bark of a tree, breathing slowly as he tried to steady himself. His arms burned, his clothes were torn, and dried blood clung to his skin.

  Across from him, the small fox sat quietly.

  Ash.

  Even though the beast was only F-rank, its eyes were sharp and intelligent. The fox’s fur was a mix of dark orange and black, slightly matted from the brutal fight that had taken place only minutes earlier.

  For a while, neither of them moved.

  Both had nearly died.

  Kael exhaled slowly and pushed himself upright. His body protested immediately, but he ignored the pain. Pain meant he was alive.

  The fox tilted its head, watching him carefully.

  “Relax,” Kael muttered. “If I wanted you dead, I would’ve chosen the other option.”

  Ash flicked its tail once, almost as if it understood.

  As Kael took a few steps toward the edge of the forest, the system stirred again in his mind.

  A calm message appeared before his eyes.

  New function unlocked: Beast Storage.

  Kael blinked.

  “Beast storage?”

  Another message followed.

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Beast Tamers may store contracted beasts within a private system space. Stored beasts will recover stamina and remain safe from outside harm.

  Kael raised an eyebrow.

  “So you’re telling me I don’t have to walk back to the castle with a fox following me.”

  Ash stared up at him.

  He crouched slightly and looked the fox in the eyes.

  “You’re going to have to trust me again.”

  The system pulsed.

  Kael focused on Ash and quietly spoke.

  “Store.”

  The fox suddenly dissolved into particles of faint golden light, disappearing instantly.

  A moment later, Kael felt a strange sensation in his mind—like a small presence resting quietly somewhere deep within his consciousness.

  Ash was still there.

  Just… stored.

  Kael smirked slightly.

  “That’s convenient.”

  With that problem solved, Kael finally began the long walk back to the castle.

  By the time he reached the castle gates, the moon had risen high in the sky.

  Most of the castle had gone quiet. Torches burned along the stone walls, casting flickering light across the courtyard. Guards stood watch but paid little attention to the prince returning from the forest.

  Kael kept his head down and walked straight through the gates.

  No questions.

  No conversation.

  Just the way he preferred it.

  The exhaustion finally hit him once he reached his room.

  His muscles screamed with fatigue, and every step felt heavier than the last. He kicked off his boots, dropped his cloak on the floor, and collapsed onto his bed without even bothering to change.

  His last thought before sleep took him was simple.

  Tomorrow begins the academy.

  Darkness followed.

  Morning came too quickly.

  Sunlight pushed through the tall windows of Kael’s chamber, cutting across the floor and creeping slowly toward his bed.

  Kael groaned and rolled onto his side.

  Every muscle in his body hurt.

  “Great,” he muttered. “First beast and I already feel like I got hit by a carriage.”

  He sat up slowly and rubbed the back of his neck.

  Then the system activated again.

  A quiet notification appeared in his mind.

  Beast Status Updated.

  Kael blinked awake immediately.

  “Oh?”

  He focused, opening Ash’s status.

  Information filled his mind.

  Ash

  Rank: F

  Type: Fox Beast

  Ability: Illusion Trick

  Kael leaned forward with interest.

  “Illusion?”

  The system explained further.

  Illusion Trick: Ash can create a short visual illusion to confuse enemies. Cooldown: Three hours.

  Kael let out a low whistle.

  “That’s… actually useful.”

  He hadn’t expected much from an F-rank beast. Most hunters considered creatures at that level barely more dangerous than wild animals.

  But illusions?

  That meant deception.

  Confusion.

  Tactical advantage.

  Kael smiled slightly.

  “Looks like you’re not completely useless after all.”

  He raised his hand.

  “Release.”

  A soft glow appeared in the air beside him, and Ash reappeared on the floor of the room.

  The fox stretched immediately, shaking its fur as if it had just woken from a comfortable nap.

  Then it looked up at Kael.

  The fox’s eyes glinted mischievously.

  Suddenly—

  Ash vanished.

  Kael blinked.

  “What—”

  A second later, three identical foxes appeared in different spots around the room.

  Each one stared at him with the same smug expression.

  Kael stared at them for a long moment.

  Then he slowly clapped once.

  “Not bad.”

  The illusions faded, leaving the real Ash sitting proudly near the bed.

  The fox flicked its tail like it had just performed an incredible trick.

  Kael chuckled quietly.

  “Alright. I’ll admit it.”

  He stood up and stretched his sore arms.

  “You might actually be useful.”

  Ash jumped lightly onto the edge of the bed, clearly pleased.

  Kael walked toward the window and looked out at the massive academy towers visible beyond the castle walls.

  Today would be the first day at the Royal Academy.

  Nobles.

  Rivals.

  Future generals.

  Future enemies.

  And among them—

  The hated prince with a Beast Tamer class.

  Kael smirked slightly.

  None of them had any idea what was coming.

  Behind him, Ash curled its tail around itself and sat quietly.

  The rise of the Wild Command had only just begun.