“Dual Spirits: Rising Beyond the Ranks”

The air outside the Spiritforge Hall wa crisp, but Kayn could hardly feel it. The roaring chaos of the Ascesion Ceremony was behind him, but it echoes still filled his mind. Students whispered in hushed tones as they passed, their gazes flickering between curiosity and fear. "Dual Spirits?That's insane!"

"A Mythical Rank too. He'll attract the attention of the academy's professor for sure." "Or worse… people who'd want to control him."Kayn gritted his teeth and quickened his pace, ignoring the weight of their stares. He'd known awakening two spirits would be significant, but the sheer shock and tension it had caused were more than he'd anticipated. Suddenly, headmaster started float in air and exuding overwhelming pressure to control the chaos. Silence, everyone disperse to their dormitory and wait for further instructions, after said that in cold voice the pressure disappeared and headmaster was not seen in the sky. Crowd started to decreasing fearing headmaster will come again.

The academy's sprawling dormitories stood at the edge of the campus, their stone walls adorned with glowing runes meant to suppress rogue spirit energy. Kayn's room was small and plain, its single window overlooking the shadowy expanse of the Ebonwood Forest.

Closing the door behind him, Kayn leaned against it, exhaling sharply. His body still felt heavy, his veins burning with the remnants of the awakening ceremony."You seem troubled, boy," a deep voice rumbled in his mind.

Kayn froze. The voice wasn't his own. It was low, commanding, and unmistakably ancient."Who—" Kayn started."Your doubt irritates me," the voice interrupted. "I am the Shadow Dragon you awakened. Have you forgotten so quickly?"Before Kayn could reply, another voice joined in, sharper and more playful.

"And I'm your Abyss Shadow Wolf. Call me what you like, but don't look pathetic and helpless towards those stares.Kayn's head spun as he realized both spirits were communicating directly with him."Why are you… talking to me now?" he asked, his voice unsteady.

The wolf chuckled. "Did you think awakening us was the end of it? No, little master, it's just the beginning. We're bound to you now—whether you like it or not." The dragon's voice followed, more solemn. "You wield immense power, but you are far from ready to control it. If you wish to survive, you must grow stronger—and quickly."

Kayn frowned. "Grow stronger? How? I barely understand what's happening."

The Shadow Dragon growled softly, its presence pressing on Kayn's mind. "Your kind is amusing. You awaken great power, yet remain clueless about its price.""What price?" Kayn demanded.

The Abyss Shadow Wolf answered this time, its tone unusually serious. "Every spirit born from the abyss demands balance. If you don't prove your worth, the abyss will consume you—and us along with it." Kayn's blood ran cold. He'd heard stories of awakeners losing control of their spirits, their bodies consumed by the very power they sought to wield. His father had been one of them."So, what do I do?"

The dragon's voice softened, though its authority remained. "Learn. Train. Fight. Your journey begins now. But beware—others will see your power and seek to use or destroy you. Tread carefully."

The next day, Velaris buzzed with renewed energy as classes resumed. Kayn entered the Combat Training Arena, a vast space designed for sparring and spirit practice. The towering walls were enchanted to absorb spirit energy, allowing students to unleash their abilities without fear of destruction.

As he stepped onto the training grounds, a sharp voice cut through the air. "Well, if it isn't the star of the ceremony." Kayn turned to see Darius Lorne, the top-ranked student at Velaris. Tall, with sharp features and a confident smirk, Darius exuded arrogance. Behind him loomed a Crimson Flame Lion, its fiery mane crackling with energy.

"What do you want, Darius?" Kayn asked, keeping his voice steady. Darius crossed his arms. "Just curious how someone like you managed to awaken dual spirits. Luck, perhaps?" Kayn clenched his fists. "I don't owe you an explanation."

Darius's smirk widened. "You're right. Actions speak louder than words. How about a sparring match? Unless you're afraid to show off those legendary spirits of yours."

The surrounding students perked up, their excitement palpable. A duel between Kayn and Darius was bound to be a spectacle.

Kayn hesitated. He hadn't had a chance to test his spirits' power yet, and the Shadow Dragon's warning echoed in his mind. Still, he couldn't back down—not in front of so many eyes.

"Fine," Kayn said, stepping onto the sparring field.Darius grinned, summoning his Crimson Flame Lion to his side. Its fiery presence made the air shimmer with heat. Kayn closed his eyes and reached inward, feeling the pull of his spirits.

The Abyss Shadow Wolf materialized first, its sleek form bristling with energy. The crowd gasped, but Kayn wasn't done. Shadows swirled around him, and moments later, the Shadow Dragon appeared, its massive wings spreading as it let out a low growl.

The arena fell silent.Darius's smirk faltered for the briefest moment, but he quickly recovered. "Impressive. Let's see if they can fight." Darius wasted no time. The Crimson Flame Lion roared, sending a wave of fire surging toward Kayn. The Abyss Shadow Wolf darted forward, its movements so quick that it seemed to vanish and reappear. It sliced through the flames, dispersing them with ease.

Kayn felt a rush of confidence as the wolf countered with a shadowy claw attack, forcing the lion to retreat. But Darius wasn't done. With a flick of his wrist, he commanded the lion to summon a wall of fire, cutting off the wolf's advance.

The Shadow Dragon growled. "Let me handle this." Kayn nodded, unsure of what the dragon had planned. It opened its jaws, releasing a pulse of shadow energy that consumed the flames entirely. The crowd gasped as the battlefield was plunged into darkness, the dragon's glowing golden eyes the only source of light.

Darius hesitated, clearly unnerved. "What is this…?" The Abyss Shadow Wolf lunged from the shadows, striking the Crimson Flame Lion with precision. At the same time, the Shadow Dragon loomed behind Darius, its presence overwhelming. Before it could attack, the Headmaster's voice rang out. "Enough!"

The darkness lifted, revealing Darius kneeling beside his injured spirit. Kayn stood tall, both of his spirits hovering protectively by his side. Headmaster Ardyn strode forward, his phoenix spirit glowing with authority. "A fine display of power from both of you. But this is a school, not a battlefield. Remember that."

Darius glared at Kayn but said nothing, retreating with his spirit in tow. The crowd began to disperse, leaving Kayn alone with his thoughts.The Shadow Dragon's voice rumbled in his mind. "You've taken your first step. But be warned—this was a mere skirmish. Greater challenges await."

Kayn exhaled, feeling both exhilarated and exhausted. The road ahead would be long and treacherous, but for the first time, he felt ready to face it.