CHAPTER 47: QUEST FOR SUPREMACY 1

In the library Kelvin leaned back in his chair as he reviewed a scroll on soulstream loyalty from Master Veyne’s collection and said.

"We are champions now but that just means that the Sanctum expects more and we can’t slack, not in lectures and not in drills."

Lyra looked up from the book that she was studying on primal courage and said, "You’re right. The Crucible tested our heart, but our synergy is still rough.

This book that I am reading suggests that we can strengthen our Convergences by channeling our beasts’ loyalty into a unified pulse."

Darius asked, "Loyalty pulse? Rhoam is loyal as the beast’s comes and mostly good at smashing stuff."

Rhoam growled softly, nudging Darius’s leg with a plated shoulder, and he chuckled. "Alright, big guy, I will focus. But seriously, Kelvin, do you think the Inner Sanctum is gonna throw another trial at us this soon? We are basically their top tamers now."

Kelvin’s eyes flicked to the relics as he said. "Top tamers or not, they don’t pause. The Sanctum is about proving that we are worthy every day in mind, body and bond."

Before Lyra could respond, there was a sharp knock on the window and a raven swooped in and dropped a scroll onto the table.

The seal pulsed with a deep amber light, and the air grew heavy, making Salaris chirp sharply and Rhoam’s plates shifted as he rose.

Kelvin broke the seal, his pulse quickening as he read aloud, his voice steady despite the weight of the words.

Kelvin, Lyra and Darius. The Inner Sanctum summons you to the Ember of Duty at dawn tomorrow. Face a gauntlet of trials within the Sanctum’s Solar Forge, where your bonds will be tested against the forces of duty and sacrifice. Success will anoint you as guardians of the Inner Sanctum.

Lyra asked. "The Solar Forge? That is a sacred arena, where the soulstream burns brightest and it is tied to duty itself. These trials will demand for everything, our strength, our heart and our will."

Darius leaned forward and asked. "Duty and sacrifice? That sounds heavy. Rhoam’s ready, though."

Kelvin’s jaw tightened as Xerion’s growl vibrated deep in his soul. "This is. Not just about fighting but it is about what we are willing to give."

Salaris glided down with her talons clicking against the table, and Lyra nodded, with a firm voice she said. "Let’s start with texts on duty resonance and sacrifice runes. Then a drill to test our synergy under pressure but there won’t be a margin for error."

After their discussion Kelvin went on to read a book on duty resonance, its pages are detailed on how to channel a beast’s steadfast instincts into unyielding Convergences.

His gauntlet pulsed and amplified his focus as he linked the concepts to Xerion’s fiery loyalty. Lyra’s scroll explored sacrifice runes, her amulet glowed as she sketched patterns to bolster Salaris’s resilience under stress.

Darius studied soulstone catalysts, his relics shined as he connected their explosive potential to Rhoam’s unwavering devotion. The relics on the table seemed to pulse in synchronization as if it attuned to the challenge ahead.

In the morning, they headed to Master Sylva’s lecture hall, she lectured on beast duty, the art of aligning a tamer’s purpose with their beast’s instincts. "Duty is the fire that forges your bond," she said. "Without it, your Convergence will falter under sacrifice."

Kelvin took detailed notes, linking Sylva’s words to Xerion’s unyielding resolve, his gauntlet shined as he visualized channeling it in battle.

Lyra’s diagrams mapped Salaris’s instincts, her amulet glowed as she worked while her focus remained unshaken by the looming trial.

Darius’s discipline sharpened as he took detailed notes, Rhoam’s steady presence anchored him as he connected the lecture to their synergy.

The lecture ended with a practical: sensing a beast’s sense of duty through the soulstream under simulated stress. Kelvin dove into his bond, feeling Xerion’s fire that was fierce, loyal and steadfast.

Lyra’s bond with Salaris was a steady shadow and her duty was flawless. Darius’s connection to Rhoam’s strength wavered briefly, but the panther’s nudge guided him to success, earning a rare nod from Sylva.

---

As they left the lecture hall, the trio headed toward the Obsidian Yard for a drill, but there was a commotion near the training grounds, which drew their attention.

A crowd of students had gathered. Kelvin pushed through, Lyra and Darius close behind, and saw a familiar scene unfolding.

A senior tamer named Varek, known for his arrogance, was bullying a younger student, a girl named Sharon.

Varek’s beast was a Level 6 Storm drake-a serpentine creature with scales that crackled with lightning and wings like storm clouds that loomed over Sharon’s beast, a Level 2 Mist wisp, a delicate, fox-like creature with ethereal fur that shimmered like fog which trembled under the drake’s shadow.

Varek’s voice was a sneer, loud enough for the crowd to hear. "You think your little wisp belongs here, Sharon? This yard is for tamers with real beasts, not misty pets."

The Storm drake hissed, its lightning sparked, sending the Mistwisp skittering back, its eyes were wide with fear.

Sharon’s face was pale, but she stood her ground although her voice was shaking. "The Sanctum doesn’t care about levels. My wisp and I are training just like you."

Varek laughed, his drake’s wings flared, sending a gust that nearly knocked Sharon over. "Training? You are a joke. Step aside, or my drake will scatter your wisp like smoke."

The crowd murmured, some jeered while others shifted uncomfortably, but none intervened.

Kelvin’s blood boiled, his gauntlet flared as Xerion’s growl surged in his soul, echoing his stand against varek. He stepped forward, his voice cutting through the tension. "Enough, Varek. The Sanctum is about bonds, not bullying. Leave her alone."

Varek turned, his sneer widened as he sized up Kelvin. "You again, Kelvin? Sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong. Your End-Tyrant might scare others, but my Storm drake is no pushover, so back off."

Kelvin’s eyes narrowed as Xerion stepped into view, his obsidian wings flared. "I’m not backing off, Sharon has a right to train. If you want to prove something, face me, not a first-year."

Lyra and Darius flanked Kelvin, Salaris glided above with her talons sharp, and Rhoam’s plates glowed as he growled.

Varek’s confidence faltered, his drake shifted uneasily, but he spat, "You are soft, Kelvin. My drake is a Level 6 apex beast and it will fry you."

Kelvin’s gauntlet blazed, his bond with Xerion surged as he roared. "Try it."

The crowd parted, forming a loose circle as Varek signaled his drake. The Storm drake lunged, its lightning crackled, but Kelvin and Xerion moved as one, their Convergence was a spiral of flame and soul light.