Chapter 13: Rising Tensions – The Emperor's Decree
Scene One: The Mysterious Letter
The day after the unexpected encounter with the Black Nest, the atmosphere at Aflety Magic Academy was thick with tension. News of the war golem's appearance and the cryptic message from the masked figure had spread quickly, leaving the students on edge. Whispers filled the halls, and many speculated about what the Black Nest truly wanted. Was it the academy itself? Or were they after something far more significant?
Evan sat at his desk in his dormitory, the air still heavy with the aftereffects of the previous day's events. His fingers drummed anxiously against the surface of his desk as he stared out the window, watching the sun sink below the horizon. Nex rested beside him, his head raised as if sensing the unspoken tension in the room.
Suddenly, a sharp knock came at the door.
Evan blinked and stood, walking over to open it. He was greeted by a messenger, a young man in the academy's official uniform, holding a sealed envelope with a royal seal.
"This arrived for you, Lord Evan," the messenger said, bowing respectfully.
Evan took the letter, his curiosity piqued. The royal seal—it was from the Emperor himself.
"Thank you," Evan said, dismissing the messenger with a brief nod. He closed the door and returned to his desk, the weight of the letter seeming to grow heavier in his hands with each passing second.
The royal seal was unmistakable: it was the emblem of the Imperial Beast Guard—a prestigious order formed to protect the emperor's realm and its beasts. To receive anything from the emperor himself was not just a rare honor; it was a major turning point in a noble's life.
Evan's hands trembled slightly as he broke the seal. He unfolded the parchment, the ornate handwriting beginning to reveal the contents:
To Lord Evan Rochel,
It is with great pleasure that I, Emperor Virian Illustra, extend my official recognition of your abilities as a tamer, and more specifically, as the chosen heir to the Imperial Beast Guard.
Your accomplishments thus far, and the bond you share with your beast, Nex, have not gone unnoticed. As a result, you are hereby invited to join the ranks of the Imperial Beast Guard and will undergo further training to prepare you for your duties as my heir. This letter serves as both an official summons and a declaration of your future role within the empire.
The trials ahead will be difficult, and the challenges will test both your loyalty and your strength. But as the Emperor's chosen successor, you must rise to meet them.
I trust you will understand the gravity of this offer, and I look forward to your response.
May the beast within you guide your path,
Emperor Virian Illustra
Evan's eyes scanned the letter again, his heart pounding in his chest. He read it over and over, each time feeling the weight of the words sink deeper into his soul.
Heir to the Imperial Beast Guard.
It was beyond anything he could have imagined. The implications were enormous. The Beast Guard was not only an elite group of tamers; it was a political powerhouse, a group that held great influence in the Empire's courts, and its position granted immense privileges. To become the heir was a declaration that Evan would eventually take up a position of power—one that would likely define the future of both his family and the entire empire.
However, something about the letter didn't sit right with him. It felt too easy, too convenient.
The Black Nest had been watching him, and now the Emperor wanted him as his heir. It didn't add up.
"Why now?" Evan muttered aloud, his voice barely above a whisper.
Nex shifted, his head tilting slightly as if sensing Evan's unease. The Basilisk's golden eyes flickered with a deep understanding, as if aware that this invitation was not a mere formality. There was danger lurking beneath the surface.
Scene Two: Lilith's Visit
As Evan pondered the implications of the emperor's offer, there was another knock at the door. This time, it was Lilith—his fiancée, and the daughter of a powerful vampire family. She had been a constant presence in his life since arriving at Aflety Magic Academy, and despite the tension in their relationship, Evan couldn't deny that her presence had become oddly comforting.
Lilith entered the room, her usual poise and grace on full display. Her silver hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her crimson eyes shimmered with an intensity that always seemed to pull Evan's attention.
"Evan," she began softly, her voice smooth like velvet. "I heard about yesterday. Are you alright?"
Evan nodded, though he wasn't entirely sure if he was. "I'm fine. But… there's something else." He gestured to the letter on his desk. "I've just received an invitation from the emperor. He wants me to become the heir to the Imperial Beast Guard."
Lilith's expression didn't falter, though her eyes glinted with interest. "The emperor? That's quite the honor, Evan." She stepped forward, taking the letter from his desk. "But you're right to be cautious. This isn't just a simple summons. The Emperor's court is a game of political maneuvering, and every move has a hidden cost."
Evan met her gaze. There was something in her voice that seemed a little too measured, a little too calculating. She was right, of course—the court was full of intrigue, and the invitation could very well be a trap. But it also could be a chance to gain the political power he might need to confront the Black Nest.
"I don't know what to do," Evan admitted, sitting back in his chair. "I didn't come here to be a part of some political scheme. I just wanted to survive."
Lilith studied him for a long moment before speaking again. "Sometimes survival means accepting what comes our way, Evan. You might not have chosen this path, but now it's been laid out before you. The Beast Guard will provide you with the resources, the protection, and the power to stand against whatever is coming. But that path isn't without its risks."
Evan met her eyes, searching for the truth beneath her words. He couldn't tell whether she was advising him or manipulating him.
"I'll think on it," he said finally, his mind already working through the possible consequences. "But there's something I need to know, Lilith. Do you think the emperor is involved with the Black Nest?"
Lilith's eyes narrowed, a flicker of something unreadable passing through them. "I can't say for sure," she replied softly. "But I wouldn't put anything past those in power. You'll have to decide where your loyalties lie, Evan."
Scene Three: The Arrival of Rival Academies
The conversation with Lilith left Evan unsettled, but there was little time for reflection. Word had spread that rival academies from across the continent were preparing to arrive at Aflety for an upcoming inter-academy competition. The Holy Elven Empire and the Grand Academy of Dragons were sending their best students, and tensions were already rising in anticipation of the upcoming tournament.
As Evan prepared for the new challenges ahead, his thoughts drifted back to the invitation from the emperor. No matter what he chose, the path forward was certain to be fraught with danger. His loyalty to his family, to his beast, and to the people he cared for would soon be tested as never before.
The Black Nest was only the beginning.
And Evan was standing at the edge of a new battlefield.
Perfect! Here is Chapter 13 – Part 2 of Awakening in the Beast World, continuing right after the Emperor's decree and the rising tension from the approaching inter-academy tournament.
Chapter 13: Rising Tensions – The Emperor's Decree
Part 2 – The Arrival of Rivals and Hidden Fangs
Scene One: Whispers in the Wind
The day following the delivery of the Emperor's letter was filled with a peculiar energy. The wind over Aflety Academy's towers carried a scent of something new, almost like rain before a storm. Students whispered rumors in the marble hallways. Some claimed Evan was being promoted into the Beast Guard already. Others murmured about the Black Nest's next move.
In the Grand Courtyard, the flags of foreign academies began to rise one by one. Teams from rival institutions arrived in convoys—magical carriages drawn by scaled beasts, elven hoverships, even a crimson chariot pulled by twin fire lions from the Pyroclast Dominion.
Evan watched from the overlook balcony, arms crossed. Nex was coiled nearby in the shade, his tongue flicking in and out, sensing the new auras.
"You see them?" a voice said beside him.
Evan didn't have to turn to know who it was. Veyon Draxis, the prodigious dragonkin rival whose sheer confidence walked the line of arrogance.
"They've sent their best," Evan said.
Veyon smirked, the sunlight gleaming off his golden scales. "They always do. This time, though… it's different. They're not just here to win. They're here to see you."
Evan raised an eyebrow. "Me?"
"The Emperor's little letter is no longer a secret," Veyon said, flipping a silver coin between his fingers. "Word travels fast when the throne names a new heir. Especially an heir with a Divine Beast."
Evan's jaw tensed. "Let them come, then."
"Oh, they will," Veyon chuckled. "Just remember, not every rival comes with a blade drawn. Some smile before they bite."
Scene Two: The Fourth Spark
Later that evening, as torches flickered across the training fields and magical lanterns lit the air with soft glows, the academy held a welcoming assembly for the newly arrived academies. Grandmaster Gawain stood on a floating dais at the center of the main field, speaking with pride and formality as he welcomed the guests.
Evan sat among Aflety's top division, flanked by Silva Elowen and Gareth Ironfang. Cassia Belvane sat two rows behind, arms crossed, eyes narrowed with irritation. Her mood had grown more volatile since the last exam. And now, with the inter-academy tournament looming, she seemed like a match waiting for the right spark.
"Behold," Gawain announced, sweeping his arm toward the southern gate. "The Holy Elven Empire's Silvaris Academy, represented by their crown prodigy… Elandir Sylvain!"
A tall, silver-haired elf stepped forward, his emerald robes shimmering like leaves kissed with starlight. His beast—a celestial owl with six wings—perched on his shoulder, eyes glowing with eerie intellect.
Beside him walked Vaelis Nyra, the elven archmage apprentice known for her dual affinity in Ice and Space. The two exuded elegance and danger.
Then came the Grand Academy of Dragons, led by a thunderous presence: Dragan Volkar, a half-dragon with scaled arms and burning eyes. His beast was a juvenile Storm Leviathan, wrapped in lightning and mist.
And from the far west, the Crimson Pyre Institute entered with their ace—Kaine Flarenight, whose fire-kin bloodline allowed him to bond with Hellflare Phoenix. His aura was pure dominance.
The air between Aflety and the newcomers thickened instantly.
Silva leaned toward Evan, voice low. "This… is the Fourth Spark."
"The what?"
"Every generation, four figures rise from different academies—geniuses destined to clash. You, Elandir, Dragan, Kaine. The Fourth Spark of this age."
Evan glanced toward the elf, the dragonkin, and the firelord. Each one had already turned their gaze on him.
He was the fourth. The one none of them expected.
Scene Three: Lilith's Warning
After the assembly ended, Evan returned to the west garden, seeking a moment of peace. He found Lilith waiting by the moonlit fountain, her hands folded over her chest.
"You're being watched," she said without preamble.
Evan sighed. "I've felt it since this morning. Elven wind mages, right?"
She shook her head slowly. "No. These eyes… belong to someone else."
A long pause.
"The Black Nest?" Evan asked.
Lilith nodded. "They've infiltrated one of the visiting academies. I don't know which yet. But they're here, hiding among the guests. They want something. And your beast—Nex—might be it."
Evan looked down at the still fountain, his reflection faint in the water.
"I won't let them take him," he whispered.
"You'll need allies, Evan," Lilith said gently. "More than just beasts and rivals. Trust isn't a luxury in this world—it's a weapon. Choose your allies wisely."
Evan met her gaze. For a moment, he saw the girl beneath the vampire blood. Not a political pawn. Not a noble's daughter. But someone who truly cared.
"…Thank you," he said.
Scene Four: Before the Storm
Later that night, Evan sat alone in the war room, staring at the leaderboard.
Names from the rival academies were now listed beneath Aflety's rankings. The tournament was not just about winning anymore. It was about survival, alliances, and exposure.
The Emperor's letter still rested in a drawer by his bed. Unanswered.
He knew what it meant.
If he accepted, he'd become a target.
If he refused, he'd be watched.
If he stayed still, he'd be swallowed whole.
Nex let out a low growl. The Basilisk's eyes glowed faintly in the dark, sensing what was coming.
"War is coming," Evan whispered.
And the next time they fought, it wouldn't just be for glory.
It would be for everything.
Scene One: The Format Unveiled
The next morning, banners unfurled in the skies above Aflety Academy. Glowing sigils appeared in the air as Grandmaster Gawain stood atop the floating stage again, flanked by the heads of each participating academy. A crowd of thousands gathered, students and nobles alike—eyes fixed, hearts pounding.
"The inter-academy tournament," Gawain announced, his voice magically amplified, "shall be conducted in four stages. Each stage will test your teamwork, strategy, and individual might. Only the best shall rise."
The crowd murmured in anticipation as magical illusions swirled behind him, revealing the tournament structure:
The Arena Gauntlet – A multi-round combat series, randomly pairing different academies together in 3v3 matches.
The Beast Relay – A cross-terrain race through summoned environments, where Beast Tamers and their companions must synchronize perfectly.
The Labyrinth of Dominion – A rotating battlefield with traps, beasts, and moving objectives.
The Summit Duel – The top four academies send their champions into single combat. No rules. No retreat.
Gawain turned, and the crowd quieted.
"This is more than competition. This is a declaration. The academy that proves its superiority will earn rights to secret imperial techniques, rare beast cores, and an audience with the Imperial Throne itself."
The last line hit like thunder.
Evan's heart pounded. The Summit Duel—there was no mistaking it. It was designed for him and the other Fourth Sparks. And more than that…
It was bait.
Scene Two: Sparks Ignite
By afternoon, the Arena Gauntlet brackets were drawn. Floating screens displayed pairings above the plaza. Cheers erupted and groans followed as unlikely matchups filled the list.
And then:
Match 3 – Aflety Academy vs Silvaris Academy
Participants: Evan Rochel, Silva Elowen, Gareth Ironfang vs Elandir Sylvain, Vaelis Nyra, Li'an the Mooncaller
Silva gasped. "They're making us fight now?"
Cassia muttered nearby. "They're trying to set the sparks off early. Make a show out of it."
Evan's gaze lingered on Elandir's name. The elven prince had yet to speak a word to him, but his gaze had never wavered.
This wasn't just a match. It was a message.
Scene Three: The Duel Begins
The Arena Gauntlet was held in the Coliseum of Echoing Stone, a massive structure of floating platforms and shifting terrain, enchanted by the Archmages of Aflety.
As the match began, the stage shimmered and shifted into a crystalline forest filled with mana-reactive roots and ancient runes glowing from the ground.
Evan stood at the center, Nex beside him in his serpent form—still growing, still evolving, his eyes locked on the enemy ahead.
Silva gripped her spell-bow, casting Wind Runes into the air. Gareth's armored fists cracked with volcanic flame.
Across from them, Elandir floated slightly above the ground, his beast's wings spread wide, illuminating the battlefield with soft starlight. Beside him, Vaelis raised twin rings, one pulsing with Ice, the other with Space. Li'an, cloaked in shadows, whispered prayers to the moons.
A bell rang. The battle began.
Evan surged forward first.
The elves responded like a symphony—silent, elegant, deadly.
Spell after spell rained down, elemental flurries tearing through terrain. Nex slipped through the crystal forest, weaving between light and shadow, retaliating with bursts of dark water that melted even mana barriers.
But they weren't fighting just Evan.
They were fighting each other's destinies.
Scene Four: Nexus Awakened
Mid-battle, something shifted.
Evan felt it before it happened—deep within his bond with Nex. A pulse, like a second heartbeat.
Nex's scales glowed briefly, and suddenly everything slowed. The battlefield blurred. Sounds became distant echoes. For the first time, Evan felt himself step into a state beyond instinct—where his thoughts and his beast's thoughts aligned.
Spirit Resonance.
Lilith, watching from above, stood in awe. "He's already… synchronizing?"
With a roar, Nex released a new move: Ebon Spiral – Aqua Void.
A vortex of dark water and constricting pressure erupted from the earth, spiraling toward the elven trio. Vaelis shouted, casting a dimensional blink, barely escaping. Elandir's owl took the hit—and shattered into shimmering feathers.
The coliseum erupted.
Evan stood in the eye of the vortex, eyes glowing faintly with dark-blue light. Nex coiled behind him, his presence larger than before. Silent. Watching.
Elandir stood back up, brushing dust from his sleeve. His calm mask cracked for the first time.
"So… you're the Fourth Spark."
Scene Five: A Message in Shadows
The match was declared a draw, as both sides withdrew before permanent injury. But the damage was done. A new storm had begun.
Back in the locker room, Evan found a small envelope slipped inside his robe.
It had no name, no seal. But the ink inside chilled his soul:
"The summit will never be reached. The Black Nest already waits above it."
— S. C.
Evan crushed the paper in his hand.
"Shade Cardinal," he muttered.
Behind him, Nex growled.
The stage was set. The game had begun.
And the next time they fought, it wouldn't be in tournaments.
It would be in war.
[End of Chapter 13 ]