Absolute Beast Dominion

Brant heard about Leo's situation.

"Most of the time, it's indeed a problem with one's soul. But from my viewpoint, I would say it's not," Brant explained.

"The delay in your mouse beast's growth that you're seeing is because it might very well be the first of its kind to walk down that path of growth."

"Frostwisk Mouse, right? From what I can tell, their maximum growth potential is Low 2-star, while yours is already reaching Peak 2-star. I am sure it must be your talent at play."

According to Brant, whenever a variant beast was born, it walked down a completely new evolutionary path. And since the world didn't have any previous record of such creatures, their rate of progress was slower in comparison to other beasts whose type had once walked on the planet.

And another piece of good news: Brant said that such beasts—also known as progenitor beasts—were the strongest of their kind and had greater potential to gain raw strength compared to other beasts of the same rank.

This was due to these variants finding their own way, and in the process, stumbling upon many obstacles that granted them experience. Since they also stayed in the same star rank for a longer duration of time, their bodies naturally started to develop beneficial traits.

Damn... doesn't that mean my every beast might turn out to be a progenitor beast? Leo wondered.

Currently, Shyra, Howl, and Zelut were variants in his team, meaning he needed to pay extra attention to them.

He thanked Brant and went ahead to watch an ongoing spar between Thalvyr and Rhaegar in an arena inside the academy.

Clang!

The eagleman dived from the sky and clashed with Thalvyr, who easily offset the force behind the descending spear with a simple swipe of his own spear.

From the fight, it was clear that Thalvyr was superior in every aspect. Technique, attack power, defence, and even ranged attacks. Unlike the flame-based ranged attack that Thalvyr released when Rhaegar took to the skies, Rhaegar didn't have any elemental affinity to do the same.

But the eagleman was using his aerial advantage to the best of his ability. And even if Thalvyr wasn't exerting himself much, it was clear that having Rhaegar on the team was the right decision.

After that, Ronan and Aaron expressed interest in a 2v1 against Thalvyr.

After Leo gave them permission, the match began.

And the match ended.

They didn't even last a whole minute against Thalvyr without their beasts. Not only was Thalvyr physically strong, but his experience and technique were more refined than theirs. Refined in the sense that he had honed his skills to make himself better. Otherwise, since Aaron and Ronan belonged to noble backgrounds, their technique was indeed superior, just in its preliminary stages.

Name: Thalvyr

Race: Lizardman ~ Dragonnewt (82% -> 84%) - Flame oriented

Soul Rank: Rare

Bond: Slave - Type: Equipment bonded

Status: Low 4-star

Talent: [Draconic Genesis] - 4 stars

The duo wanted a rematch, but the sun was already setting. So they settled it for another day.

The last one was Aeila's [Spirit Link] connection.

The top 10 students tried it, and their minds were blown away.

Because it wasn't just a simple communication link; it even linked their senses. Meaning, even with their eyes closed, they could tell the exact position of the person behind them or at a distance.

"No wonder we didn't even last a proper hour when attacking your territory..." Lyra said, and the others agreed.

After that, they departed for their respective territories, though Tavian accompanied Leo to have the array engraved into the golem's body to make it functional even when Leo cut off the mana supply.

Tavian was a bit shocked to see the size of the golem.

"How will you even take this thing to the competition?" he asked.

"Don't worry about that. I have my means."

"Yeah, but what I mean to say is, I don't think my array will be permanent on this body. One attack on it, a slight deformation on the engraved surface, and the structure collapses. These mana absorption arrays are very delicate."

"Well, do it anyway. We will see what happens there. If not that, Aeila can even use a bow. Not to mention, her main job is to establish a communication channel; she is not a frontline fighter."

Tavian nodded. That made sense. With that, he got to work.

And in no time, the next day arrived, and the 15 confirmed people, along with Miho, were observing an arena full of men and women eager to fill the 10 remaining slots.

At that time, Leo stepped up to address the crowd. The professors and other academy staff only stood on the sidelines. Due to the rules, they weren't supposed to interfere much, and only the top 10 students were to decide things.

"Alright, for combat talent students, those ranked between 11th and 20th and those that have been personally sought after by us for their unique abilities, stay; the rest—leave."

Leo was direct, which was expected due to the time constraint.

But there was some disagreement.

"What? Even if my rank is not high, I can guarantee I'm better suited with my overall abilities!"

Leo immediately turned towards him.

"Yeah? Then I give you 2 hours to increase your rank and get under 20. If you can't do that, then don't waste our time."

"W-what? Just 2 hours? A-and I didn't say I fight better... I am just overall better in grand—"

"Scram. Those seats are reserved for life-talents. You, as a combat specialist, need to be capable in a fight."

Leo immediately dismissed the man, and so did the others who tried to prove their usefulness.

And while Leo was using words, Ronan lost his temper with a man and threw him out personally after the man tried explaining how his and his beast's massages could rejuvenate even the dead and that he should be taken in to relieve stress after battles.

And it was the least of the absurd abilities people were talking about.

Even with their direct, strict approach, it took them nearly an hour to clear the arena of useless people.

At that time, Lily noticed a particular man in bandages trying his best to remain hidden in the crowd.

"That bastard..."

It was Nord Birel, the guy who had used a soul-damaging dagger to hurt Miho previously.

"You!" She pointed at him.

"Come here."

Saying that, she turned towards the top 10 students.

"Who approved him to be a possible candidate?"

Marco flinched and reluctantly raised his hand.

"H-he-cough, he says his attack directly damages the souls temporarily and inhibits healing... I thought it would be useful in the competition..." Marco was a bit scared of Lily.

Hearing Marco, many others also became interested. Soul experts were indeed rare.

But there was no way Leo, Kaelion, or Lily were going to allow him.

"Get out," Leo said.

"P-please hear me out! I-I have changed! And my attacks now even work on people up to High 3-stars! Please take me in! My father has great hopes for me!" Nord pleaded, trying his best to avoid eye contact with Lily.

The torture was still fresh in his head.

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