CHAPTER 89: CHAPTER 89: ELARIS, SPIRIT FOX

The loud sound of the horn echoed once more, stronger than before, and it made a few birds fly away from the trees above. A voice followed after, calling loudly, "All Dravenharts children, please prepare. The second trial will begin shortly!"

Some footsteps approached the resting area, and Millie gently nudged Axelius on the shoulder, whispering at first, "Young master... it’s time to wake up."

But Axelius didn’t even move, still snoring lightly with his head resting against Ellory’s.

Then the voice got a little louder, "Young lord, please—wake up. The second trial is starting now."

Axelius blinked a few times and slowly sat up straight, rubbing his eyes. He looked around, confused. "Huh? Did I win again?"

Ellory also stirred beside him, rubbing her eyes, then blinked at how close they were and quickly sat up straight, her cheeks turning a little red. "Brother, you snore too loud," she whispered,

Axelius yawned and stretched both arms. "That was the best nap I ever had during a trial," he said, ignoring the stares.

One of the official’s nearby politely explained, "Apologies, Young Lord, but you are not allowed to join the second trial due to your beast not appearing during the first test. This next one is a beast-versus-beast trial."

Axelius raised an eyebrow. "So I’m disqualified from this round? Bummer."

Then some of the noble children nearby, especially those who didn’t like him, started whispering loudly on purpose.

"Hah! Of course he’s disqualified. What a shame to the Dravenhart name."

"He couldn’t even summon a beast. Maybe he doesn’t have one at all."

Owen, still invisible, floated beside him and muttered, "Wow, they’re really loud for people who’ll probably cry when they lose."

Soon, the field was cleared and the first part of the second trial began.

The trial was split by age group again, and now it was time for the 6–9-year-olds to show their beast companions in battle. Pairs of children stepped forward, each summoning their beasts—some were small wolves, others had horned lizards, even birds with shining feathers. The battles were controlled and fair, showing how well the child and beast connected.

After a few matches, murmurs began to rise again as the final pair of the round stepped up.

It was Ellory and a boy dressed in silver and blue. He stepped forward proudly, tossing his hand out as a glowing orb appeared, and from it, a large red-furred beast with sharp claws and tusks landed on the field with a heavy stomp.

Ellory then stepped forward calmly and lifted her hand. A soft light pulsed around her, not too bright, but with a strange, elegant glow. A circle of blue and silver formed at her feet.

Then, a small creature appeared.

It looked like a fox, but smaller and more graceful. Its fur was smooth and deep black like shadows, but above its forehead was a white fur bulge and below it a glowing, bright purple gem embedded in the forehead, pulsing with magic. Around its neck was a fluffy white collar made of soft fur, and its tail had tips of white too. Thin blue rune lines ran across its body like tattoos, glowing softly.

The crowd gasped.

"Is that...?"

"No way..."

"That’s a Spirit Beast, isn’t it?"

The elders in the back slightly in surprise. One of the staff whispered, "That’s not a normal beast. That’s a spirit-type companion. They only form bonds with very few chosen children... and always during the Awakening."

Someone from the noble seats asked, "What’s it called?"

Another answered quietly, "That’s a Spirit Fox—’Elaris.’ It’s said to appear only once every 50 or 80 years."

Even Elder Cassiel, still talking with the Grand Duke earlier, tilted his head to listen. "Ahh... so she really did hatch a spirit egg. Impressive."

Ellory raised her hand gently. "Elaris, don’t hold back."

The moment Ellory’s spirit fox stepped forward, the entire atmosphere changed.

Its glowing forehead, the shining blue runes on its black fur, and the calm in its purple eyes—everything about it was magical. The noble boy’s beast charged in first, claws sharp and fangs bared, trying to scare the little fox.

But Elaris didn’t move at first.

Then, just before the red beast reached her, her runes flashed once, and in the blink of an eye, she was already behind it.

The crowd gasped again.

"She’s fast!"

"Was that teleportation?!"

"No... speed magic!"

The boy shouted in frustration, giving new orders to his beast, but nothing worked.

Elaris was too fast, too smart, and most of all—too calm. With one blast of purple energy from her forehead, the boy’s beast was sent sliding across the field, knocked out cold.

"Match over!" one of the elders announced.

Ellory stood there with a hand on her chest and bowed slightly as the crowd clapped. Her fox leaped into her arms like a cat and curled up quietly.

The noble boy stared at the ground in disbelief.

"She beat me with one attack..."

Everyone stood up also Axelius stood up from his seat and clapped, "Whoa"

Owen even clapping more, "That’s my little sis! whoa!" Axelius hearing it frowned and Owen look at axelius "What? I decided that she’s my lil’sis from now on... You’re amazing Ellory! Brother Owen is here!" he clapped even more.

Ellory saw them and smiled brightly, giving a thumbs-up before walking off the field with her beast in her arms.

Ellory came running back to them, her little fox spirit still curled happily in her arms, and the moment she arrived, the Grand Duke smiled with pride and patted her head gently while the Duchess nodded with grace, saying how proud she was of Ellory’s performance.

Cedric and Cyruz, though not always very expressive, both congratulated her as well—Cyruz gave her a soft smile and said "Well done,Sis! You nailed it!"

After thanking them with a sweet "Thank you, everyone!" Ellory skipped over and sat beside Axelius, who was lounging on the seat with his arms crossed. The moment she sat down, Owen the invisible slime suddenly bounced onto her head, gently patting it like he was proud.

"You did a great job, lLil’sis Ellory!" Owen declared happily.

Ellory giggled with a bright face and said, "Thank you, Brother Owen."

Owen’s whole body suddenly wobbled and flattened like melted jelly, sliding down the side of her head. "S-she called me brother..." he mumbled in a dramatic tone, almost like he was about to faint from happiness.

Axelius looked at him with narrowed eyes, then flicked him lightly off her head, watching him fly to the side like a water balloon. "Stop acting like that in front of her. Have some shame, slime."