The Eternal Sketch

Ryo barely had time to revel in his victory before Callus raised a hand, silencing the murmurs of the gathered students. "You have taken your first steps into the world of Ink Masters," he declared, his voice echoing through the chamber. "But one successful battle does not make you a true Inkborn. Tomorrow, you will face the Trials. Only those who pass will earn the right to remain in the Atelier."

The announcement sent a ripple of tension through the students. Ryo felt a surge of determination tighten in his chest. He had come too far to fail now.

Elara pulled him aside as the others began dispersing. "The Trials aren't just about fighting," she warned. "They test your control, your endurance, and most of all, your connection to your ink creations. Some students never make it past their first trial."

Ryo exhaled, steadying himself. "Then I'll just have to make sure I do."

The next morning, the students gathered in an open courtyard, where the sun cast long shadows across the ancient stone. Callus stood before them, a row of judges behind him. "The Trials of the Inkborn are divided into three challenges," he explained. "The first will test your control. The second, your creativity. And the final trial… your ability to survive."

Survive? Ryo didn't like the sound of that.

The first challenge was announced: Ink Synchronization. Each student had to summon their ink creature and maintain a seamless connection with it while navigating an intricate maze filled with shifting illusions. It was meant to test their ability to remain in sync with their creations under pressure.

Ryo watched as students stepped up one by one, some moving effortlessly while others struggled. When his turn came, he inhaled deeply and summoned his wolf. The moment their bond connected, he stepped into the maze.

Illusions flickered around him—walls that weren't real, paths that twisted in unnatural ways. The wolf growled, sensing the deception. Ryo followed his instincts, letting his connection guide him. Step by step, they made it through, and when they finally emerged, Callus gave a curt nod of approval.

The second trial, the Test of Creativity, was far more open-ended. Each student was given a blank parchment and a single instruction: Create something unique.

Ryo hesitated. He had always been a storyteller, weaving narratives through his manga. He thought back to his past life—his love for characters that resonated with readers. With a deep breath, he let his ink flow, sketching a towering, armored guardian with a blade of shifting ink, its form elegant yet imposing.

As the ink shimmered, the guardian took a step forward, its blade gleaming under the sun. The judges murmured among themselves.

"Interesting," Callus said. "But will it endure the final trial?"

The last test was the Trial of Endurance. It was as ominous as it sounded. The students were led into a vast arena where summoned creatures would have to fight against relentless ink-born adversaries conjured by the judges themselves.

Ryo's heart pounded as his wolf took its place beside him. Across the battlefield, an enormous inky beast formed—a monstrous serpent with glowing red eyes. The battle began.

The serpent lunged, faster than Ryo expected. "Dodge!" he commanded, and his wolf barely avoided the strike. He needed to think, and fast. This wasn't just about raw power—it was about strategy.

"Circle it," he ordered, directing his wolf to move swiftly around the serpent's massive coils. He sketched in the air, reinforcing the wolf's claws with jagged ink spikes. "Strike now!"

With a powerful leap, the wolf slashed at the serpent's side, causing it to recoil. The crowd murmured in surprise. But the serpent wasn't done. It twisted, its tail whipping toward Ryo himself.

His instincts screamed—move!

Before he could react, his wolf intercepted, taking the hit and skidding across the arena floor. Ryo clenched his fists. The pain of the impact rippled through their bond. He had to end this quickly.

With a final command, he directed his wolf to leap onto the serpent's head and tear through its core. The moment fangs met ink, the serpent let out a screech and disintegrated into black mist.

Silence followed.

Then, Callus spoke. "Ryo Takeda… you have passed."

A wave of relief crashed over him. He had done it. He had survived the Trials of the Inkborn.

As the other students received their judgments—some passing, some leaving in quiet disappointment—Elara approached him with a smirk. "Looks like you're here to stay."

Ryo exhaled, his heart still pounding. He had made it this far. But he knew this was only the beginning of his journey as an Inkborn.

And whatever lay ahead, he would be ready.