[Outskirts of Eos Academy – Forbidden Sector]
The air was thick with spiritual residue. No students came here. No teachers dared patrol it.
But Lohan walked in without hesitation, Winter a step behind.
> "Are you sure he's here?" she asked, wary of the rustling shadows around them.
> "He was expelled five years ago. But he never left," Lohan said, stopping at a cliff's edge overlooking a cratered valley.
Below, wild mana swirled like a storm—and in its center was a man sitting on a rock, surrounded by spirit beasts that stared at Lohan with glowing eyes.
His name was Kael Vernius—a beast tamer once feared even by gods. A student Hajun had once nearly accepted as an heir... until Kael turned berserker.
---
[Flashback – Hajun's Past Life]
"Your instincts are powerful. But your mind is broken," Hajun had said then.
"So fix me."
"You're not ready."
"Then I'll tame beasts stronger than gods. And I'll break anyone who stands in my way."
---
[Back to Present]
Kael stood up, dusting off his cloak made from beast hide. His golden eyes glowed.
> "You're not Hajun."
Lohan smirked.
> "I'm his shadow."
> "Then why are you here?"
> "To recruit a monster."
Kael raised his arm—and every beast in the valley growled in unison.
> "Then prove you can control one."
One of the largest beasts lunged—an Earth Serpent with nine tails.
Winter moved to protect Lohan, but he stopped her.
> "Let me handle it."
He activated the system.
> [Skill Copy: Beast Domain Control] – 25% Synch Rate... SUCCESS.]
His hand glowed. The serpent froze mid-air, then slithered down and bowed its massive head.
Kael blinked.
> "You... copied my command?"
> "No," Lohan replied. "I perfected it."
Kael stared at him, then laughed—a loud, manic sound.
> "You just earned my interest."
> "Good. I plan to earn your loyalty next."
---
[Later – Outside the Valley]
Winter nudged Lohan.
> "You're building something, aren't you?"
He nodded.
> "A team of god-killers."
---