Fan Yumei woke before dawn, as usual.
The sky outside was still soaked in navy‑blue darkness when she stepped out into the back dome house of her family home. Worn‑down but well‑maintained training stones surrounded the open space. The early air was crisp, and the stillness reminded her she hadn't been slacking—not even on rest days.
Weights strapped tightly around her calves, thighs, and arms, she rolled her shoulders once before crouching into a runner's stance.
"Let's go."
Behind her, Lufei pawed the mossy ground—her antlers glowing faintly with emerald light in anticipation. Weights secured across her limbs and chest, the elegant deer stood steady and ready. Maxius yawned once, flaring both wings—his second one still invisible but stirring the wind slightly as he stretched. Weighted anklets dangled from his talons, and even his tail bore a small coil.
Mystic floated down from the rooftop, her four glowing fins humming softly. Golden lightning flickered lazily along her translucent form. Weighted bands, specially tailored, were fastened to her midsection and fins. She let out a soft voooh of acknowledgment.
Fan Yumei launched forward, her strides purposeful and clean despite the drag of her gear. Lufei sprinted beside her with quiet grace. Maxius launched into tight flight loops overhead, his form blurred with effort. Mystic drifted alongside them in a zigzag path, weaving around the old tree at the far edge and back.
Ten laps. No talking. No slacking. No complaints.
By the time a sliver of sunlight touched the edges of the mountains, all four of them had finished. Their breath came in steady bursts. Their muscles burned, but none of them slowed until the last lap was done.
Yumei unclipped the weights and rolled her neck.
"Next week, fifteen laps."
Maxius immediately flopped over like he'd been slain. Mystic rotated belly‑up dramatically. Lufei blinked once and nudged Yumei's shoulder supportively.
After cooldown stretches and feeding her beasts—Mystic got two spicy salted fish today, which she zapped lightly in thanks—Yumei bathed, dressed, secured her Oni9X and Federation license ring, and stopped by Snack Road.
The food stalls were just setting up, but she snagged two hot buns, a seasoned rice box, and a meat stick. One of the vendors handed her an extra egg pancake roll for luck, and she thanked them with a nod before heading toward the school.
⸻
At the academy, the main entrance gates shimmered faintly as she stepped through. The door recognized her school‑issued ring automatically.
Inside, she spotted Jin Minhe at his desk—naturally asleep again. Arms folded. Head angled just enough not to fall off.
Yumei placed two breakfast boxes on his desk.
"Food delivery. Conditional."
He opened one eye. "I was awake."
"Sure," she said. "Fully conscious while drooling."
"I was visualizing battle formations."
"Good. Visualize chewing while you're at it."
Jin cracked open the first box. His Glutton Panda appeared from under his desk, already sniffing the second one. Yumei didn't bother stopping it.
As they ate, Yumei pulled out her tablet and reviewed tactical logs—prior sparring matches, beast formations, and duels. Maxius perched behind her. Lufei lay nearby. Mystic floated just above the desk, thrilling at each dramatic clip.
Mr. Huo entered with his boots thudding.
"Good morning, Class A6. Today is the first Class Battle rotation."
He paused for effect.
"These are Federation‑standard three‑round student matches: one‑on‑one duels by star rank."
A digital display hovered behind him.
⸻
🏅Class Battle Structure
——
• Classes: A–F
• Levels: 1–7
• Students per Class: 35
• Match Setup:
• Matches are between students of equal star rank only
• Fighters are matched from different classes (A–F)
• Example: A2 vs C2, B5 vs F5, etc.
• Rounds:
• Round 1 – Hand-to-hand combat only
• Round 2 – Qi use only (no weapons)
• Round 3 – Weapons allowed (no beasts)
⸻
✅ SELECTION CRITERIA:
——-
• Top 6 students per division are selected as winners based on:
• Total points
• Win/loss record
• Round performance
• Each of those 6 winners will move into a 42-student Battle Royale (6 from each of the 7 divisions)
⸻
🔥 FINAL PHASES:
——-
1. Battle Royale (42 Students):
• Format: Free-for-all until 7 students remain standing
• No star rank separation
• Survivors become Final 7
2. Elite/Special Advancement Phase (Division 8):
• 7 Survivors from above will each face 1 Elite student
• 1v1 duels – submission/tap out wins or Rendered unconscious.
———
"These students are not categorized by star rank. Their training path is different more brutal. But this is still your chance to earn recognition and rewards."
"The Beast Battles, however, will be handled differently. Mr.Huo changed the display to the next one .
———
🧾 Official Beast Battle structure:
———
🔹 Eligible Participants:
——-
• All registered Beastmasters, Beast Healers, Beast Tamers
• Any student with a bonded soul beast, magical beast, or mythical beast
• Applies regardless of class rank or division
• Participation is mandatory for qualifying students
———
🔹 Match Format: Two Rounds
———
• Round 1: Beast and master fight as a coordinated unit
• Round 2: Beast fights under mental command only
— Master may give orders but cannot enter combat physically
— Telepathic, soul bond gestural, hand 🤚gestures, sound 🔈commands, or rune-based command allowed
——-
🔹 Matchups:
——
• Determined by random draw
• No separation by class letter or star rank
• Any students with large Ariel sky beast will have their beast battle segment as they are to large to enter the arenas so all those battles take place at the sky battle stadium where you will flying sky beast up there to battle them.
• No upper limit to number of matches per beast team
——-
🔹 Victory Conditions:
——-
• Based on reflex synergy, tactical instinct, beast reaction time, and qi communication fidelity
• Raw power alone will not win battles
• Points awarded for flawless command execution, intuitive bonding, and combat recovery use
——
🔹 Additional Notes:
——
• Energy snacks, qi supplements, and minor healing tonics are authorized between matches
• Beasts may be summoned in multiple matches—strategic stamina planning is advised
• Federation observers will be tracking bond resonance scores and sync latency
——
Some students paled.
Mr. Huo gestured once, and the screen switched to a new display:
"Attention—settle down. The Committee has released the official reward structure for the Battle Day rankings."
The room quieted.
On the wall behind him, the Arena Combat Interface updated with two glowing tabs:
——-
🎖️ Federation Class Battle Day
Final Rewards Breakdown
——-
"These rewards apply to both the Solo Combat and Beast Battles categories."
He cleared his throat and began reading aloud.
⸻
🏆 Solo Combat Category
——
🥇 1st Place
• 3,000 Federation Coins
• RX-002 VR Training Pod Set Voucher (City Research Center)
• +120 School Credits
• +80 Personal Resource Points
—-
🥈 2nd Place
• 1,200 Federation Coins
• +90 School Credits
• +50 Personal Resource Points
⸻
🐾 Beast Battles Category
——-
🥇 1st Place – Master & Beast Team
• 3,000 Federation Coins
• RX-002 VR Training Pod Set Voucher
• +130 School Credits
• +100 Personal Resource Points
• +1 Favor Credit with the Federation Guild Beast Division
——
🥈 2nd Place
• 1,200 Federation Coins
• +95 School Credits
• +60 Personal Resource Points
⸻
A buzz of murmurs passed through the class. Fan Yumei exchanged a glance with Jin Minhe, who was now chewing thoughtfully.
"First and second place prizes are locked in," the instructor continued, "even if you lose to the Elite and Special Advancement students."
Gasps followed. Several heads whipped around. Jin blinked once and licked his fingers clean of bun crumbs.
"However, victory against any Elite or Special Advancement student will earn you additional, undisclosed rewards—to be revealed at that time."
He let the weight of that sink in.
This caught a lot of students attention. A low, stunned murmur rippled through the crowd.
Yumei narrowed her eyes, filing rewards away. She didn't train for prizes, but if one was on the table… she wouldn't turn it down either. She need more resources to grow anyway.
"Prepare and report to the arena."
⸻
In the gear stations, Yumei suited up in her light combat uniform. No weapons yet. No qi channels activated. Maxius rested on her left; Lufei sat patiently at her right. Mystic hovered outside by the window her with her fins half-folded, golden lightning idly sparking as she hummed.
Fan Yumei then left to the arena with her team, waiting where her class was standing.
A Federation staffer with a crisp badge and data pad walked to the center. "Class A6, form a line. Number distribution will begin now. Your bracket codes are attached to these. You are responsible for checking when your group is called."
The students shuffled forward, some jittery with nerves, others bouncing with excitement. Yumei remained still a moment longer, her eyes scanning the gathered crowd. Not just their class, but others too. She spotted students from Class A5, a few from B6, and even a smirking girl in crimson gear with the unmistakable insignia of S-Class on her shoulder strap.
The air wasn't just tense—it was loaded. Pressure curled like mist around everyone's limbs.
Jin Minhe leaned slightly toward her as they stepped forward in line. "Got any snacks?"
"Not for you," Yumei said coolly. "You just ate breakfast."
Jin Minhe pouted but let it go.
The line moved quickly. Yumei received her tag—A6–011—and stepped to the side. Jin's was A6–012. Both tucked their tags into the slot along their armor collars where the drones would scan for matchup activation.
Nearby, Lufei stretched out her legs in deliberate poise. Maxius flared his wings once—phantom shimmer brushing the nearby air—and Mystic floating in the sky. She gave a soft fwum of her tail, her lightning curling like lazy sparks in sun-glow.
Jin's Glutton Panda scratched its belly, then sneezed out a spark of qi smoke.
"Great," Jin muttered, dabbing its nose. "She's nervous."
"She better not be," Yumei said without turning. "Because we don't get warm-ups today."
A loud chime rang overhead.
Outside, the arena grounds were lit with layered domes. Eight rings, each mapped for a separate star-level division. A massive projection showed the brackets for all Class Battle rounds.
⸻
🏆Current Match Divisions upcoming battles:
——————————————————————
[ Ring | Star Rank | Fighters Tags ]
——————————————————————
C1 | ★1 | Yu Shuren (A1–009) vs Lin Kei (F1–025)
[A1–009 vs F1–025]
C2 | ★2 | Hao Jinzhi (A2–012) vs Feng Wuren (C2–030)
[A2–012 vs C2–030]
C3 | ★3 | Tian Lu (A3–027) vs Bao Keng (D3–005)
[A3–027 vs D3–005]
C4 | ★4 | Min Xiulan (B4–006) vs Tora Zhen (E4–031)
[B4–006 vs E4–031]
C5 | ★5 | Ru Fang (F5–022) vs He Zilin (B5–017)
[F5–022 vs B5–017]
C6 | ★6 | Fan Yumei (A6–011) vs Liang Chenwu (D6–018)
[A6–011 vs D6–018]
C7 | ★7 | Quan Mei (E7–013) vs Lian Tao (C7–021)
[E7–013 vs C7–021]
C8 | ★★★| ????? vs ??????
[???? vs ????]
⸻
Jin Minhe nudged her as he passed, his tag flickering: A6–012.
"My opponent's is a Mage and Beast tamer. Should be interesting. I hope win your Rounds." Fan yumei speaks causally feeding lufei and Maxius qi beast treats.
"Your confident in winning?" He asked.
"Does glass break? " she smiled.
"Bet Lunch?"
"Your treat if I win."
"Deal."
⸻
{Ring 6 – Fan Yumei (A6–011) vs Liang Chenwu (D6–018) Contestants please Report to battle stage in 2 minutes or it is confirmed as a forfeit!}
———
Hearing her name being called for battle, Fan Yumei high-fived Jin Minhe and headed toward Ring 6, excited , focused, and ready to give this her all.