BEAST CODE: System of the Eternal Sovereign ‎

Three Days Later – Starroot Academy, Inner Recovery Wing

Ren sat upright for the first time since the emergency encounter.

Bandages wrapped across his ribs, his left arm was still stiff, and his mind throbbed from the strain of the forced Codex unlock. But despite the bruises, his eyes were clear.

And sharper.

Across the room, Nyx lay stretched out on a moonlit rune-slab, breathing steadily. His fur shimmered with black-and-silver streaks, and faint glyphs pulsed beneath his skin.

[Beast Status: Recovering – Vital Sync: 72%]

Trait Growth Detected: "Specter Prowl" (Unlocked at next evolution)

Bond Stability: Unshaken

Soullink Tier: Intermediate (Rank 2)

Ren exhaled slowly. "So we lived."

A soft chime echoed in the air.

[System Notice: Class Advancement Challenge Pending]

Due to your accelerated performance and emergency event survival, Starroot Academy mandates an immediate Class Evaluation.

Challenge: Bronze Rank Combat Exam

Opponent: Instructor-Ranked Beast Tamer

Setting: Controlled Arena

Time: 4 Hours

Refusal = Delayed Promotion + Penalty Access Lock

"…They don't want to wait, huh."

He pushed himself to his feet.

Time to fight again.

Starroot Arena – Inner Sector Dome

The training hall was shaped like a coliseum made of floating plates and glowing lines. Arcane monitors hovered in the air, broadcasting the duel across the academy.

Waiting at the far side was a tall woman with red hair braided down her back. Her robes were half-military, half-monk. She radiated calm strength.

[Opponent Identified: Instructor Zhen of the Fourth Ring]

Rank: C

Beast: Jadefang Wyrm (Serpent / Spirit)

Combat Style: Precision Binding + Aura Flow Redirection

"I read your report," she said calmly. "Void-type, fusion-link, soul-layer compatibility. You're quite the anomaly."

Ren stepped forward, calm.

"You going easy on me because I'm new?"

Zhen smiled. "No. Because you're dangerous."

She clapped once.

A serpent coiled into view—translucent jade scales glinting with inner light. Its eyes were like gemstones, and its tail glowed with runes.

[Beast: Jadefang Wyrm – Rank: C]

Skills: Aura Bind, Wyrm Spiral, Serene Coil

Passive: Mind Dampening – -10% Skill Execution Accuracy

[System Alert: Type Disadvantage]

Suggestion: Maintain distance. Avoid prolonged engagement. Use illusions and strike from blind angles.

Ren tapped his temple. "Nyx, stay fluid. No set pattern."

Nyx responded with a low snarl, tails flickering like dark fire.

Zhen made the first move.

"Serene Coil!"

The wyrm shot forward in a hypnotic spiral, glowing runes forming rings in the air. The arena distorted—vision blurred at the edges.

[WARNING: Mind Dampening Field Activated]

Effect: Decreased Perception & Delay in Command Input

Ren narrowed his eyes.

"Not good."

Nyx hesitated for half a breath—then blinked into a zig-zag pattern, using Voidstep to appear just outside the spiral.

Zhen didn't flinch.

"Wyrm Spiral—disrupt the ground!"

The beast slammed its tail—arcs of aura spread across the tiles, cracking the floor and forcing Nyx to leap.

Ren took a risk.

"Shadow Veil—double layer."

[Skill Activated: Shadow Veil – Advanced Clone Mode]

Success Rate: 93%

Three Nyxes appeared across the arena, each identical, each moving in different directions.

The instructor's eyes narrowed. "All illusions die the same."

She closed her eyes.

"Bind."

The wyrm's mouth opened—and jade chains shot from between its fangs.

The first two clones vanished instantly.

But the third, the real Nyx, dropped straight down and slashed upward, catching the wyrm under its glowing eye.

SLASH!

[Direct Hit – Wyrm Staggered – Scale Fracture]

[Opponent Defense Dropped: -12%]

[Time Advantage: 5 seconds]

Ren didn't waste it.

"Phantom Pounce! Redirect at joint! Break its anchor!"

Nyx surged forward, kicking off the shattered tiles and leapt with jaws wide—biting into the soft point beneath the wyrm's head where the binding runes pulsed.

CRACK!

The jade serpent hissed and coiled defensively, backing away.

Zhen raised a hand. "That's enough."

The field dissolved.

The duel was over.

[Evaluation Complete]

Combat Rank Increase: Bronze Rank → Intermediate Tier

Skill Proficiency: Above Average

Reward: System Upgrade Core + Faction Observer Invitation

New Title: Rogue Fang – Tamer Outside Bounds

System Note: You are now visible to the hidden factions of Starroot.

Later – Nightfall Over Starroot

Ren stood atop the cliff garden overlooking the Beast Dome.

He reached into his inventory and pulled out the System Upgrade Core, letting it pulse in his hand.

[Use Core to unlock Codex Tier II?]

Includes: – Fusion Tree Preview

– Trait Branching (Beast Mutation Options)

– Locked Slot Unlock: 2nd Contract Candidate

→ Y/N?

Before he could answer, a voice spoke behind him.

"You survived the Cerberant. And you passed Instructor Zhen's challenge."

Ren turned slowly.

It was the masked figure again. Closer this time. Standing in plain view under the moonlight.

This time, though…

There were two of them.

Twin masked figures. One taller. One smaller. Both cloaked in gray-blue armor trimmed in black.

"You're not a pawn of this system," said the taller one. "But you've inherited something… older."

The smaller one extended a hand.

[System Alert: Legacy Beacon Detected – Offer Pending]

Accept Initiation into: The Outer Sovereigns – Beastlords Beyond Realms

Condition: Complete the upcoming Beast Trial – "Echoes of the Voidgate"

Ren's fingers twitched over the Upgrade Core.

Beneath him, Nyx let out a soft, questioning growl.

"I guess we're not done evolving."

He turned toward the masked pair and smirked.

"Fine. Show me your trial."

End of Chapter 13