Dominion of The Beast Masters

The tournament at Genova Academy concluded without any further trouble. The final match, Kian vs. Lila, was the highlight of the event, a fierce and thrilling battle that ended with Kian narrowly emerging as the victor.

Both siblings solidified their status as the academy's superstars. To everyone at Genova, they were now seen as the future Eratz, carrying the academy's reputation to new heights.

The director wasted no time capitalizing on their fame. Private courses were arranged for Kian and Lila, designed to hone their talents even further.

Gifts were sent to their parents as tokens of appreciation and loyalty, and the entire academy buzzed with excitement about their prospects.

The director spoke of their potential with great pride, ensuring their names would echo beyond the academy's walls.

Plans were already in motion for them to compete in the next Grushia Tournament. The director even hinted at a grand event that would boost the academy's popularity a hundredfold, though the specifics remained a closely guarded mystery.

Only Rowan abstained from the celebrations. He treated Kian and Lila the same as always, refusing to participate in what he considered a hollow spectacle, the same kind of fanfare that once tarnished the academy's reputation.

Meanwhile, Kenny's life took a darker turn. After his humiliating defeat against Kian, the academy's ridicule became unbearable.

Students mocked him openly, calling him a failure and a living piece of trash. He stopped showing himself in public, retreating into a despair that consumed him.

His training suffered as his confidence shattered. Fear of doing something wrong paralyzed him. New students, driven by ambition, began to surpass him, leaving Kenny, a second-year, in the dust. Each day felt heavier than the last as his bright future dimmed further.

He knew that time was running out. No second-year student without a contract had ever been scouted by an agency. He was painfully aware that his future as a pro beast master was slipping through his fingers, and with it, any shred of hope he had left.

As Kenny roamed aimlessly through the academy's grounds, he found himself face-to-face with Lisa.

She stood tall and composed, while he felt small and insignificant. For a moment, they simply observed each other, the silence between them louder than any words.

Then Lisa turned and walked away, ignoring him completely.

Desperation gnawed at Kenny, twisting his insides like a vice. He stumbled forward, his voice breaking in raw anguish as he screamed her name.

"Lisa! Please!"

She didn't stop, her stride steady and indifferent, as if he were invisible.

The despair inside him erupted, spilling out in a torrent of rage and grief.

"You're acting like none of it mattered! Like it's not your fault! You ruined everything!" he choked, his voice cracking and desperate. "You're the reason everything fell apart!"

Still, Lisa didn't respond, her back to him as she continued walking. Explore stories at M V L

Kenny's words tumbled out in a bitter torrent.

"You were my ally! You were there when it all fell apart! You're the one who tried to cheat, you're the one who stayed silent, and now you just act like you don't care! Like it's all fine! You ruined everything, and now you walk around like none of it even matters!"

Lisa finally stopped. For a moment, she stood still, her gaze fixed ahead. Slowly, a small smile curled her lips. Clara and a few other friends approached her, their voices tinged with concern.

"Lisa, is everything okay?" Clara asked, casting a wary glance at Kenny.

Lisa shook her head, her expression calm and reassuring.

"It's nothing. Maybe just an annoying noise. Let's go. I don't want to be late for the afternoon."

Clara's worry faded, replaced by a cheerful smile.

"Alright! We're still on for the party, right?"

Lisa nodded.

"Of course. Let's go."

As the group left, their laughter filling the air, Kenny stood frozen, dumbfounded, and utterly lost. He looked around, seeing how everything at the academy had changed.

Eratz, who was reduced to spending his days quietly in the library, had become a legend. Crystal had completely vanished; rumors swirled that she was dating a top beast master now.

Julian, also a second-year now, had started training with first-years to make up for lost time, yet he still found ways to socialize and enjoy himself.

Kenny, meanwhile, felt like the world was moving on without him. Each step he took felt heavier, and the familiar halls seemed foreign. He pulled out his phone, staring at the messages from his parents.

After Gabriel's public accusations, they had made their position clear: they wouldn't take him back once he finished his academic course.

"You'd better start being serious," wasthe last message read.

Kenny's hands trembled as he gripped the phone. The world seemed to stop spinning. He felt the weight of his despair pressing down on him. Without realizing it, his aimless wandering brought him to Rowan's office.

Far away in Grushia, Mercury walked through the bustling streets. Her face was partially hidden beneath a cap and a mask, her eyes scanning the area. She moved with purpose, heading toward a small café.

When she arrived, she stopped suddenly, freezing in place. Her breath hitched as her gaze locked onto someone sitting at a table. For a long moment, she remained immobile, her body tense.

The man seated at the table had striking blue hair combed back neatly. His features, youthful for someone in his forties, had a sharp, almost sculpted quality.

Despite his calm posture, there was something unsettling about him, an air of little menace beneath the tailored suit and faintly amused expression.

Finally, Mercury stepped forward, her footsteps paced. She stopped in front of the table, her eyes sharp and unwavering, locking onto his.

The man sitting there laughed, a low, amused chuckle that seemed to cut through the air. The corners of his lips curled into a faint smile as he leaned back in his chair, clasping his hands together as if welcoming an old friend.

"What a rare sight," he said, his voice filled with mockery. "Disguised like this? Is that really you?"

Mercury's expression remained cold.

"I didn't come here for small talk," she said, her tone sharp and clipped.

The man's grin widened, his tone playful yet pointed.

"Careful how you talk, girl. Especially to your father."