The Parasite Tamer : I Steal Talents From Beast

Inner selection

Morning light cut sharp through the eastern dorm windows. Kael woke before most of the others, the hum of the Beast Evolution Nexus already active in his mind like a second heartbeat. Fenrir lay sprawled across the floor at the foot of his bunk, chest rising and falling in deep, steady breaths. The wolf’s new phoenix embers had died down to faint red veins beneath the iron scales, but the chimeric look remained, shadow-black fur streaked with flame patterns, small horns curving back from its skull, wind ripples still faintly visible when it shifted.

Kael sat up, rolling his shoulders. The inner selection started in an hour. No time to waste.

He fed Fenrir the scraps he’d saved from last night and stepped outside into the training yard attached to the dorms. A few early risers were already there, practicing with their beasts. One guy with a Earth Golem talent was slowly shaping rocks into crude armor. Another practiced Swift Strikes with a pair of twin daggers and his Wind Sparrow.

Kael ignored them. He focused on Fenrir instead.

“Time to push the threshold,” he muttered.

He pulled up the stored talents and began channeling them in careful combinations. First, a mix of Thick Hide Reinforcement and Ironscale Armor into the wolf’s existing scales. Then a thread of Gale Wing Slash to lighten its movements despite the added bulk. Finally, he trickled in the new Eternal Phoenix Rebirth, letting the regenerative fire weave through everything else.

Fenrir’s body tensed. Bones creaked louder than before. The wolf stood up, legs shaking for a moment as new muscle packed on. The horn-like protrusions lengthened slightly, gaining a sharper, flame-edged tip. Phoenix patterns brightened across its flanks, and faint regenerative warmth radiated off its fur. When the process finished, Fenrir shook itself hard, sending a small wave of heat and shadow rippling outward.

It looked like a proper monster now, still recognizably a wolf, but twisted into something chimeric and terrifying. High Mortal Rank felt close enough to taste.

Beast Evolution Nexus

Fenrir – Shadow Flame Wolf (High Mortal Rank – Early Stage)

Mutation Energy: 94%

Synergy increasing. Chimeric stability holding.

Kael grinned. “Looking good, buddy.”

A bell rang across the academy grounds, calling all advancing new students to the central inner arena. Kael joined the flow of bodies, Fenrir trotting at his side. The stares were heavier today, word of yesterday’s match had spread like wildfire. Students pointed. Instructors watched with narrowed eyes.

The inner arena was larger than the outer testing ground, with raised platforms for multiple simultaneous matches and observation towers for senior disciples. A stern female proctor with gray-streaked hair stood on the main stage.

“Inner selection rules are simple,” she announced, voice carrying without effort. “You will be paired against academy disciples or controlled beasts. Show growth, control, and combat effectiveness. Top thirty advance to full enrollment and the preliminary Beast Tower access. The rest go home or try again next cycle.”

Murmurs rose. Thirty spots for who knew how many hopefuls.

Kael’s first match came quick.

He was paired against a second-year disciple named Mira, a slim girl with short black hair and a Shadow Panther for a beast. She looked confident as they took their positions on one of the side platforms.

“Try not to embarrass yourself, scholarship trash,” Mira said, her panther circling with glowing violet eyes.

Kael just nodded. “Let’s keep it friendly.”

The signal came.

The Shadow Panther lunged with Void Claw, dark energy slicing through the air. Fenrir met it with enhanced speed, Gale Wing Slash carrying it forward. Iron scales clashed against shadow. Flame licked out, forcing the panther to twist away.

Kael didn’t wait. Parasitic Bond snapped onto the panther.

Talent copied: Void Claw (Mid Grade)

He channeled it instantly. Fenrir’s claws gained dark, tearing edges that left void trails in the air. The wolf’s next strike ripped a deep gash across the panther’s shoulder, shadow eating at the wound.

Mira’s eyes widened. “You copied it already? That’s…”

She pushed her own talent, merging with the panther for a combined Shadow Merge attack.

Kael latched onto her this time, holding the bond through the resistance.

Talent copied: Shadow Merge (Low Grade)

The feedback hit Mira hard. She gasped, stumbling as the warm, addictive rush flooded her system. Her cheeks flushed. For a split second her focus broke.

Fenrir capitalized, slamming into the panther with Horned Charge backed by phoenix fire. The combined assault was too much. The panther went down, and Mira surrendered shortly after, breathing hard and shooting Kael a glare that was half anger, half dazed confusion.

“Next,” the proctor called without emotion.

The morning passed into a string of matches.

Second opponent: a burly guy with Boulder Smash and a Stone Ape. Kael copied Boulder Smash and dumped it in. Fenrir gained heavier impact power, its horns cracking stone with ease.

Third: a girl with Lightning Lash. Copy. Channel. Fenrir’s flames gained crackling electric arcs.

Each fight added another piece. Each bond left the opponent slightly off-balance, warm and unsteady, whispering among themselves afterward.

By the time the lunch break was announced, Kael had climbed through six matches undefeated. Fenrir looked like a walking arsenal, scales, horns, flames, void claws, lightning flickers, and the constant undercurrent of phoenix rebirth keeping it fresh.

He was wiping sweat from his brow near the edge of the arena when a familiar voice cut through the noise.

“Enjoying yourself, parasite?”

Seraphina Blaze stood a short distance away, arms crossed, Ember at her side. She looked composed again, but there was a tightness around her eyes. The crimson in her hair caught the sun like actual fire.

Kael turned, smirk sliding into place. “Princess. Come to congratulate me on advancing?”

“I came to warn you,” she said, stepping closer so her voice stayed private. “The instructors are watching you now. Copying in public like that… it makes enemies. Powerful ones.”

Her gaze flicked to Fenrir, lingering on the phoenix patterns. “And stop looking at me like that. Whatever your bond did yesterday, it’s not happening again.”

Kael tilted his head. “You sure? Because you don’t look like someone who hates the aftertaste.”

Seraphina’s jaw tightened, but she didn’t deny it outright. A faint flush crept up her neck. “Arrogant bastard. Just stay away from me and my clan.”

She turned to leave, but paused. “If you keep winning like this… the real geniuses will come for you in the afternoon rounds. Don’t cry when they crush that overgrown mutt.”

Kael watched her walk away, the sway in her step just a touch less graceful than it should have been.

He scratched Fenrir behind the ears, feeling the wolf’s satisfaction through the bond.

“Enemies, huh?” he murmured. “Good. More talents to farm.”

The afternoon session loomed. Stronger opponents. Bigger risks.

But Kael’s hunger only grew sharper.

He stepped back toward the platforms, Fenrir matching his pace, flames flickering brighter.

Time to see how many more talents the academy was willing to feed him.