Leon took a step forward, his eyes locked on the three versions of himself.
Each one stood motionless, waiting.
The Beastlord—the warrior draped in mythical beast armor—gripped a massive battle-axe. His aura was suffocating, his muscles rippling with sheer strength.
The Beast Sovereign—a figure that flickered between man and beast—stood with an air of absolute confidence, as if the world itself bent to his will.
But the first one, the Master of Beasts and Shadows, was different. Unlike the others, he didn't carry a weapon, nor did his presence radiate overwhelming force. Instead, the shadows around him pulsed, as if they were alive.
Ding!
⟪ Your first opponent has been chosen: The Master of Beasts and Shadows. ⟫
⟪ Victory will unlock deeper control over tamed creatures and the forces of darkness. ⟫
Leon narrowed his eyes.
The fight had begun.
A Battle of Control
Before Leon could react, darkness surged forward.
The shadowy figure raised a single hand, and from the darkness, beasts emerged.
**A Phantom Stalker, a Void Serpent, a Dusk Panther—**each one radiating power, each one a formidable creature that even experienced tamers would struggle against.
Leon's heart pounded. This was his own power, used against him.
But he wasn't the same person from before.
"Nyx, Specter, Fenrir—attack!"
With a roar, Leon's own beasts materialized.
Nyx, his Midnight Raven, flapped its wings, releasing a tide of shadow-infused feathers that clashed with the incoming creatures.
Specter, his Phantom Stalker, flickered in and out of existence, phasing through the battlefield before tearing into the enemy Stalker.
Fenrir, his newly merged Divine Beast, let out a growl, its presence alone sending tremors through the trial realm.
Boom!
The battle exploded into chaos.
Leon focused, his mind racing. He wasn't just fighting—the trial was testing his ability to command.
The shadowy version of himself remained motionless, merely watching.
Leon clenched his fists.
"You're testing me, huh?" he muttered.
If this was a battle of control—then he would win on his terms.
With a deep breath, he extended his will.
Ding!
⟪ Beast Synchronization Activated! ⟫
Suddenly—he felt it.
A deep connection to his beasts, stronger than ever before.
Nyx's sight became his own.
Specter's movements felt like an extension of his body.
Fenrir's power surged through him like fire.
Leon grinned. This was it.
"Fenrir—Crimson Howl!"
The massive wolf raised its head—and howled.
The trial realm trembled.
The wave of shadow beasts disintegrated, torn apart by the sheer force of Fenrir's divine energy.
The shadowy figure finally moved.
But it was too late.
Leon's form flickered.
In the blink of an eye—he was behind his opponent.
"Checkmate."
Leon struck.
Boom!
The Master of Beasts and Shadows shattered like glass.
Ding!
⟪ You have defeated the first opponent! ⟫
⟪ Progress: 1/3 ⟫
⟪ Your bond with your beasts has strengthened. Synchronization has improved. ⟫
Leon exhaled, his body still tense from the fight.
Two more remained.
He looked up.
The Beastlord was already stepping forward, his massive battle-axe gleaming under the golden sky.
The next battle was about to begin.
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