Chapter 202: The First Lesson

Chapter 202: The First LessonThe battlefield was a complete wreck under the midnight sky. Rocks were shattered, the ground was scorched, and the air was thick with the lingering traces of an intense battle.

The faint glow of distant stars cast an eerie light on the devastation, while the moon hung high, illuminating the chaos with a cold, silvery hue.

Half-buried in a jagged rock, Eratz groaned, his body covered in scratches and bruises. His head tilted just enough to see Victoria, who stood nearby, holding a torn piece of her clothes with both hands like it was a prized artifact.

"This is incredible," Victoria said, her voice filled with genuine admiration. She examined the fabric closely, her bruised face lighting up with excitement. "You pierced my defense! Do you know how long it's been since anyone managed to do this? Not since Tamara. You're truly amazing, Eratz!"

Through the muffled groans of pain, Eratz muttered.

"Don't make me laugh, my ribs are broken."

Victoria chuckled and stepped closer, crouching next to him with a bright smile. "Oh, you'll be fine. Just walk it off."

"I can't even walk."

Victoria tilted her head playfully, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Hmm, what should I try next? Beastification? A field spell? Or maybe that spiritual mode you guys used? There's so much to explore!"

Eratz rolled his eyes or tried to, but the pain stopped him halfway.

"Oh sure, the 'it's not even my final form' speech. Why not?"

Victoria laughed, brushing some dirt off her torn clothes.

"Don't be so dramatic. This is fun! Honestly, it's been ages since I had a fight like this."

Eratz's gaze shifted to her, he wanted to ask her age, but something in him felt a potential threat and morphed his words to create another sentence.

"Why didn't you ever try to carry Crescent Moon with Mercury? You're clearly strong enough." Victoria's smile faded slightly, her tone taking on a more reflective edge.

"I told you before. I didn't want to fight anymore. I fought for fun, not responsibility. After what happened with Kallistra and Tamara... I lost my purpose. My first goal was to create a beginner-only arena, a place where rookies could experience the beauty of friendship in an agency. But after meeting people like Zara, Mercury, and now you, I feel motivated again. With all of you, I think we can go beyond anything I imagined."

Eratz was silent for a moment, her words sinking in. Finally, he nodded.

"After thinking about it, it feels like a waste. We could have had a world-class beast master fighting with us," Eratz said, his tone thoughtful. "But I respect your decision. And honestly, I see this as a good gift for us."

Victoria raised an eyebrow, curious.

"Why's that?"

He smiled faintly.

"Now we can use you to gauge our level."

Victoria laughed.

"Use me, huh? I like that confidence."

He smiled faintly.

"I want to try again. But each time, I want you to tell me what I'm lacking so I can improve it. And let's bring the others too."

Victoria's excitement was almost palpable.

"Oh, absolutely. Let's do it! I wonder if I'll have as much fun as with you... but I love it. I'll be your teacher."

Eratz's aura began to flare again, a storm of energy swirling around him. Victoria stood with one hand on her hip, her expression both amused and determined.

"First lesson, young boy," she said over the roar of his power. "You're not using your beasts efficiently."

Eratz blinked, his aura dimming slightly in confusion.

"What do you mean?"

Victoria's tone shifted into one of playful instruction.

"It's better to focus on one strong beast and use the others spontaneously depending on the situation. For example, you use a single beast, your ace, as your main beastification, and add the others as skills rather than commanding them. It allows you to use the maximum of your ace. Think about it, even a weak beast can become a monster when used correctly. Do it with each of your aces, and you'll find out your most efficient fighting style."

She gestured dramatically.

"Take your Terrakrus, for example. Such a magnificent creature. Very rare. And yet, you're only using it for Rockbound Fury. Clever, but not efficient."

Eratz's eyes narrowed.

"I'm not sure to understand... isn't that what you just said?"

Victoria's gaze sharpened, her irises gleaming amber as her aura surged outward, causing the ground around her to tremble. The air seemed to grow heavier, and a faint hum vibrated through the battlefield.

"Let me show you..." she said, her voice dropping to an ominous tone. The temperature seemed to shift, the cool night air turning warmer as her aura flared.

"The correct way..." she continued, and a gust of wind rippled through the area, scattering dust and debris. Eratz's eyes widened, beads of sweat forming on his brow as the pressure

intensified.

"Of using..." Victoria added, her stance shifting slightly as the light from her irises brightened, casting an eerie amber glow across her face. Eratz felt a shiver run through him as he recognized this particular aura.

"A Terrakrus," she finished, her aura exploding outward in a blinding flash.

Eratz was left stunned, his body tensing as he murmured in shock.

"Oh, God..."

For Eratz, the real game was about to begin, but it was just the beginning of a new cycle. Time moved steadily, bringing subtle changes and maintaining constancy in its rhythm.

Days later, the Crescent Moon Agency was buzzing with activity, though a strange tension filled the air. In the gym, Mercury was training relentlessly, lifting heavy weights with

unyielding focus.

Earphones covered her ears, blocking out the world around her, while her phone rested on the

bench nearby.

Trainees lingered at the edges of the room, casting anxious glances in her direction. Catarina and Kaida huddled together, whispering.

"What's going on with her, nya~?" Catarina asked nervously. "She's been like this all day.

Barely said a word!"

Kaida shrugged, crossing her arms.

"Something's definitely bothering her. Maybe it's Eratz. He hasn't been around much either."

Ryder walked by, shaking his head.

"Just leave her be. I said hi to her and I'm warning you, she's clearly not in the mood.

Whatever it is, give her some space."

Catarina frowned, her tail flicking anxiously.

"Wait! What if something happened between her and Eratz?! What if... what if he went out to buy milk and... made some kittens on the way?! Nya~!"

Kaida snorted.

"Impossible. Eratz is a smart man. He wouldn't do anything..."

The gym door creaked open, and all three turned to look. Eratz appeared, hesitating in the doorway. His body was covered in bandages, and his movements were stiff. Ryder, Kaida, and Catarina stared at him, then turned their gazes to Mercury, who hadn't noticed his arrival. Their confusion deepened as Victoria entered right behind him, looking as fresh as ever. She clapped her hands together cheerfully.

"That was wonderful, Eratz! See you tonight again?"

Kaida and Ryder exchanged silent looks, their expressions a mix of confusion and disbelief. Catarina's ears twitched, and her voice rose nervously.

"M-mew?!"

Eratz sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Could you at least delete the videos you took? If those leaks, it could ruin me."

Victoria waved him off dismissively.

"How will you improve your technique if you can't see what you're lacking? Besides,

watching them will definitely get you in the mood. I'm sure seeing this will awaken the fire in you."

Catarina's voice rose to a near-scream.

"NYU?!"

Victoria tilted her head innocently.

"Plus you have great stamina, Eratz. And you didn't hold back either. I could barely walk this

morning."

Eratz groaned.

"Well, I couldn't walk. Next time, I'll try that... uh... what's it called again? The... argh, the Sёarch* The nôvel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

protection thing."

As he spoke, Mercury's phone lit up on the bench, the notification cutting through the music in her earphones: You have received a message.

Mercury froze, her grip tightening on the weights. She slowly set them down, closed her eyes,

and groaned.

"I'll kill you..."

Catarina, unable to contain herself, screamed openly.

"NYAAAA!"