CHAPTER 64: FALTERED BEAST2

Lyra and Salaris headed to the female dormitory to meditate withher roommates’ laughter were a warm backdrop in their courtyard.

Her bunk were lined up with journals as usual with rune that glowed softly under an orb as she sketched her shadow pulse rune which was designed to enhance Salaris’s agility under stress.

She tested it, Salaris’s talons sliced through a shadow-wreathed spar, her bond were deepened with each strike.

Her ambition to innovate were mirrored by Kelvin’s drive to mend the Crest and her resolve was a quiet pulse.

Kelvin and Darius trained in the male dormitory’s courtyard, a quite big space for drill and soulstone bets. Their room were cluttered with gear and scorched leather which was a chaotic haven.

Darius sparred with Rhoam, his soulstone blasts synchronized with Rhoam’s charges, his control were sharper and his grades climbed higher.

Kelvin worked with Xerion on a flame barrier while seeking precision, his movements fluid despite the weight of Veyra’s struggle.

Xerion’s fire responded with a shimmering wall that were held firm which drew nods from nearby tamers.

After the drill while in the room, Kelvin shared his plan to help Veyra, his voice was steady but tense. "She is shaken, and it is spreading.

I am meeting with Master Salome later to learn empathy techniques, but the Crest session tonight is critical."

Darius leaned back and tossed a soulstone. "We got your back, man. Rhoam and I will keep the group hyped and Veyra will definitely come around." Their resolve was solidified which was a shared mission to restore the Crest’s unity.

After the discussion they went for lunch in the dinning room and there, a third year tamer asked for to join Kelvin and Darius in the table which they agreed to.

The third year tamer praised and thanked them for the work of mentorship which they started in the School and pleaded to join them which Kelvin agreed to.

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After the lunch they went for Master Veyne’s soulstream seminar, a chamber where glowing runes cast an ozone-scented haze.

Master Veyne lectured on emotional resonance, urging tamers to align their feelings with their beasts’.

Kelvin’s resonance pulse with Xerion flared, a vibrant flame that rippled through the room which earned him Veyne’s nod.

"Your focus is growing, Kelvin," she said with a warm note. His soulstream grades were top-tier, but Veyra’s doubt lingered in his mind, a challenge to apply resonance to mentorship.

Lyra’s shadow pulse was flawless, a silent current that earned Veyne’s praise. "You are a beacon, Lyra," she said, urging her to mentor others.

Darius’s pulse were steadied, Rhoam’s earth-shaking energy syncing better, his grades improving. "You are finding balance, Darius," Veyne noted with her approval a spark.

After class, Kelvin met Master Salome in a secluded grove, Sylis lounged nearby with her emerald eyes tracking them.

Salome guided Kelvin through a stress meditation, instructing him to sense Xerion’s instincts under a simulated pulse from Sylis’s aura.

Kelvin closed his eyes and felt Xerion’s fire as it flared with defiance, then soften into loyalty which was a current that he rode rather than fought. "You’re learning to listen," Salome said with a soft voice.

"Use this with Veyra and let her feel Sereth’s trust, not her fear." Kelvin’s bond surged with a quiet milestone that prepared him for the Crest session.

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The evening brought the Tide’s Crest to the Obsidian Yard, the air was thick with soulstream energy and tension. Veyra stood apart, Sereth’s scales were dim while Riven and Lia whispered, their skepticism were sharp.

Kelvin stepped forward, his gauntlet glowed and he maintained a firm voice. "We are here to grow together. Veyra, let’s start with you so show us Sereth’s shadow pulse."

Veyra hesitated, her breath was uneven, but Kelvin nodded and maintained a steady eye contact with Veyra. She reached for her bond, Sereth’s scales is flickering, but the pulse collapsed which sparked murmurs.

Riven’s voice cut through. "She’s holding us back, Kelvin." The rift widened, Kelvin’s patience was tested, but Xerion’s fire pulsed and urged him to be calm.

Kelvin moved close to Veyra, with a low voice he echoed Salome’s teachings. "Close your eyes, feel Sereth’s heartbeat. Let her trust guide you, no pressure." He guided her through Salome’s meditation, his gauntlet’s warmth was a reassurance.

Lyra stepped in, her shadow runes cloaking Veyra and Sereth, calming their bond, while Darius rallied the group, his soulstone blasts and Rhoam’s charge inspired cheers. "We are a team, not a mob!" Darius boomed and silenced Riven.

Veyra’s breath was steadied, Sereth’s scales glowed faintly as a shadow pulse which was formed, controlled and steadied.

The group fell silent, then cheered, Riven’s skepticism was softened. Veyra’s eyes lightened as she said. "I felt her trust... thank you, Kelvin."

The Crest’s unity mended, Kelvin’s bond with Xerion surging, his synchronizing ratio reached 70%, a triumph born of empathy.

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In the male dormitory, Kelvin and Darius lay down in their room, the air were thick with soulstone dust. Kelvin shared his relief and his voice was steadied.

"Veyra is back, and the Crest is stronger. Salome’s meditation worked." Darius grinned, tossing a soulstone he said. "You are a natural, man. Let’s keep the Crest tight." Their bonds were strengthened through shared purpose.

In the female dorm, Lyra sat on her bunk with her journal open while refining her shadow pulse rune. Her roommates’ laughter warmed the air as she tested the rune with Salaris, her bond was deepened.

The day came to an end with Kelvin lying awake, Xerion’s fire was a steady warmth in his soul. He traced his gauntlet and felt his bond at 70% synchronization, a testament to his growth.

Veyra’s smile, Master Salome’s guidance, and the Crest’s cheers lingered which was a constellation of victories that forged his resolve.

Master Kaelus’s cryptic observation during the session made him to say, "You are ready for more, Kelvin".

The Sanctum was a crucible of challenge and making, but Kelvin’s mission, mending the Tide’s Crest, refining his bond, and forging empathy was his own, a fiery forge that would carry him, Lyra and Darius forward with their bonds burning brighter with each shared triumph.