This Beast-Tamer is a Little Strange

After their win over Obsidian Moon Valley, Dark Moon naturally advanced to the top 16. Again the confirmed top 15 had a rest day while the 15 teams eliminated in the top 30 round competed to determine the single team allowed back in to form the top 16.

Coincidentally, the team that won this hard fought position was assigned to Dark Moon, putting a stop to their tournament journey as Dark Moon confirmed their entry into the top 8 in only 2 fights—the entire round being finished in only 5 minutes.

But now things would only get harder from here…

The first day of the Top 8 arrived beneath a sky too cheerful for the bloodbath to come.

No one was surprised by which teams made it. Of course, the five Top 5 schools were present: First Celestial Academy, Dark Moon College, Supernova College, Frozen Sun College, and Starfire College.

Plus 3 colleges that are not in the historical Top 5. Unlike last year, Starlight College and Nebula Taming Academy had fallen short and lost in the top 16, but Lunaris Vale had made the top 8 again, meaning Kain and the others will see some familiar faces.

In place of the other two schools were Ironmarch Military School in the Northern Province and Thornspire Academy—schools usually ranked just outside the elite tier, now clawing their way in after dominant performances in the Top 16. Thornspire, in particular, gained attention for their brutal suppression of favourite to enter the top 8 this year.

All eight schools would now face one another in a round-robin format to get a conclusive ranking. No more knockout brackets. No room for accidents.

Dark Moon's first opponent?

Supernova.

There was a long pause when the match-up was announced. A national stage, the first round, and already there was a match between two top 5 colleges—not to mention for those in the know, they would know that there is some tension between the second years at Supernova and Dark Moon.

This was destined to be a bloody match.

Literally.

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Dark Moon College Strategy Room –Celestial Hotel Conference Room Floor 2

"So," Professor Nara began, arms folded as she addressed the room. "I'm sure you've all seen the draw by now. We're facing Supernova first."

Dwayne groaned audibly. "Bad luck… Can't we get, like, Starfire, first? At least they're normal. Not full of a bunch of bloodthirsty sadists."

Nobody said anything, having already gone to Nationals before and being more calm in front of this matchup. Yes, the bloodthirsty, almost militaristic survival-of-the-fittest atmosphere at Supernova was a little…intense. But whether they faced them first or last didn't matter. They would need to defeat them eventually anyways.

Serena didn't say anything. She was calmly flipping through a profile on the table, likely Supernova's most recent match data.

Kain leaned back in his seat, eyes half-lidded. "I'm assuming I'm going again."

"You are," The instructor leading this match debriefing session, Professor Nara, confirmed. "The opening 1v1 will arguably set the tone for the following matches, and it is also the most unpredictable since it is harder to predict which student will be competing on their behalf. You're our safest bet."

Kain nodded once. No protest. No smugness either. It was expected.

"Supernova's nominated rep hasn't been confirmed yet," another professor said. "But our analysts think it'll be Nikolai Sanguine again."

Kairos frowned. "Didn't Kain already beat him last year?"

"Which is exactly why he might not go again, and why Kain being able to adapt to so many different situations will be helpful. Selecting Nikolai comes with too much risk for them. But if he does…" Nara tapped the console, bringing up a grainy image. "Here's what we know."

Nikolai's confirmed contracts were listed: the Crimson Wraith (blood/dark), the Serpent of Arteris(blood/poison), and the Blood Flame Hound (blood/fire)—the last of which had caused Kain immense soul-level agony last year.

"Same three?" Dwayne asked.

"No. He's confirmed to have a fourth now. Possibly a new core contract. We've seen hints of another aura signature during training recordings."

"Great," Kain muttered dryly.

Nara continued, "His Gift, you already know and experienced firsthand—he can transfer any physical injury he sustains to a target within his line of sight. Doesn't work through illusions or obscured vision. We've upgraded your defensive equipment accordingly. It won't completely eliminate his ability to use the gift on you, but it should make it a little harder for him to transfer injuries."

Serena finally looked up. "Do we know the fourth contract's attribute?"

"Unconfirmed," Nara said. "But rumours say it's an infernal variant—obtained with assistance from the noble Blackheart Family. Given the unpredictability and danger of infernal species... Watch yourself."

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Supernova College Strategy Room—Celestial Hotel Conference Room Floor 3

The tension in the room was muted—but real.

The debriefing chamber was colder than most, lined with dark stone and projection mirrors. Professors sat in a semi-circle while the candidates for the 1v1 stood on a central platform, awaiting the final decision.

The lead strategist, a wiry woman with pinched lips and a noble crest pinned to her robes, glanced between them. "We've reviewed the footage from last year. Kain Newman is stronger than before. Faster. His golem has evolved again, and the mental contract—whatever it is—remains a mystery. It would be best if we nominated someone else."

"I'll go," said a student near the front, hand raised. "My Phantom Elk can ignore mental interference. And its regenerative ability should—"

"No," Nikolai said flatly.

Everyone turned.

He was leaning against the wall, red hair falling messily over one eye, a dangerous scowl on his face.

"You lost last year," one professor said. "And you're not guaranteed to win now. We need points."

"I said NO," Nikolai repeated, voice louder. "He's mine."

There was a pause. Then, as one of the commoner-born professors stood to speak, Nikolai cut them off without looking. "Unless you outrank me socially, I suggest you keep your input to logistical matters."

Tension spiked.

But the woman behind the desk—Lady Vaelis, herself of high noble descent—sighed and gave a subtle nod.

"You will fight," she said. "But lose again, and you forfeit any further rights to first-match nominations this year."

"I won't lose," Nikolai said, rolling his shoulders. "Not again. Last year, I hadn't yet had my fourth contract. This year… I will destroy him."

A few students stiffened at the thought of his new contract

He smiled darkly. "And it's a lovely little thing. Don't worry—it doesn't leave much behind when it eats. So the tournament organizers won't even have to waste time cleaning up the stage between matches."

The professors exchanged uneasy glances, but said nothing.

Nikolai's gaze returned to the center screen in the room, which was now playing Kain's most recent battle on mute.

His eyes narrowed.

"Let him have the applause for now."

He turned away, blood-red eyes gleaming like twin wounds.

"I'm going to repay last year's humiliation in blood."