The little three-tailed fox yelped in delight at its new name. The concept of a name was completely foreign to it, its parents did not have names, nor would it have been given one if it stayed with them. It did not know the significance of a name, but it marvelled in having something to call itself all the same.

Ivis. The mere act of thinking of its new name sent shivers of excitement and happiness coursing throughout its body.

From the sidelines, Sett had a small smile on his face. It was such a small and innocent act, yet the meaning behind it felt immense. The way that Adriel had looked upon the fox when he uttered its new name was beyond heartfelt. Despite just having met only a few hours ago, there was an imitate trust that few could hope to establish even over the course of many years.

In Sett’s eyes, the fox, Ivis, was truly lucky to have found such a caring person.

“Ivis.” Elise, the receptionist, muttered as she wrote down the name on one of the papers. “If I am not wrong, it means dreamer in the angelic language. A fitting name for one as young as it.”

“Oh, I was not aware that Miss Elise had taken an interest in the rather useless and archaic language of my forefathers.” Adriel sounded genuinely surprised at Elise’s words. “And yes, it is indeed the meaning behind its name.”

“Surely, you jest, master Adriel.” Elise lightly chuckled behind her hand. “Although the angels have long since left earth behind, the ruins that they left behind and the knowledge that lay within them still remains.”

“A rare view, but one that could pay off greatly if you succeed.”

The two of them continued to exchange pleasantries while slowly filling out the form. The list of things that the bureaucratic side of the Tamer’s guild required was immense, but it was a necessity to ensure that a dangerous beast was not released onto the streets of the cities.

“All the information seems to be in order, master Adriel. “With a flourish, Elise gathered all the documents and gave them to an aide, who disappeared into one of the many chambers of the Tamer’s guild. “next is the examination, do you wish for me to call upon Elder Garret?”

“Yes, please. I called ahead and ensured that he was free.”

An examination. Apparently, it was not enough to have all your information in order to be allowed to bring a beast around other people, you also had to demonstrate that you understood the beast intimately.

Soon, a door in the centre of the Tamer’s Guild reception area was opened and a man, who looked to be somewhere around his fifties, walked out with a spring to his step. He wore a flourishing robe, which seemed to be made from the most exquisite silk and carried himself with utmost grace.

Following immediately after the middle-aged man walked an enormous beast. Outwardly, it largely resembled a tiger, with the sole difference being its size, colour, and the sparks of lightning that would ark on its body.

The power that radiated from the beast's body was exceptional and those nearby immediately cleared a path for the man and beast. Yet, despite the beastly and quite frightening appearance of the animal, it did not make one think of an unruly monster. Rather, the way it carried itself made one think of an enlightened scholar. The disconnect was immense.

Many of those that saw the two figures appear on the floor of the Tamer’s Guild looked upon him with respect and some even bowed before him.

“Isn’t that Elder Garret? How come he showed himself today?”

“Elder Garret? Gods know that I want to become his apprentice. Perhaps, I am fated to become under his tutelage today!”

“Hah. Take a look in the mirror before you think such thoughts. Elder Garret is at the pinnacle of the fourth tier and his tamed beasts that he has reared are not far inferior. For him to even glance at anyone beneath the third tier could be considered an incomparable honour.”

Hushed whispers immediately sounded from all over the room from both tamers and ordinary ascendants alike. One person appearing in their midst had immediately brought the Tamer’s Guild to a complete standstill.

Sett felt his vision fade from the words that were spoken by some of the people. A fourth-tier pinnacle ascendant? That was much stronger than the strongest fighter in the crusader order, namely the Grandmaster. What was even more incredible, was the fact that there seemed to be many more at the same stage in the Tamer’s Guild.

Furthermore, the elder before them was not even named the leader of the guild. Could it be that there existed an existence that was even more powerful than him in this place?

Yet, the person that was the target of the many conversations did not seem to pay the many people’s whisper nor Sett’s collapsing worldview any heed. He simply swept his sight across the broad hall and zeroed in on a seemingly ordinary youth.

Disregarding the many questioning looks, the elder immediately walked in the youth’s direction.

“Adriel, you rascal!” The elder immediately embraced the youth with a wide grinned smiled, making many people shudder in sheer jealousy. “If only you had told me that you were visiting earlier, I would have welcomed you myself!”

The tiger-like monster also followed its master’s lead and nudged the youngster affectionately with its head, inadvertently causing Ivis to shudder in fear.

“I would have done so if I could, but I only just returned from my expedition.”

Adriel ruefully shook his head. He had only just returned from the icy north a few hours ago and had not even changed from his warm clothes, how could he have given more notice.

“Oh.” The eyes of the elder shone in interest. “I take it the expedition was a success since you came here.”

“Indeed. I have been quite lucky in my ventures this time.”

Adriel, too, replied with a gleam in his eye.

“Well. Bring it out then!”

“This… it might be hard to show it off out here.”

Adriel lightly tugged at his clothes, allowing the elder to see Ivis hiding within it.

“Ah…” The elder seemed surprised at the small creature hiding on Adriel’s body. “Yes, indeed. There are far too many eyes out here. Let us proceed to the exam hall.”

The elder spoke with a serious voice and departed immediately for the exit. Adriel followed immediately after him.

Soon, they left the enormous reception hall and entered the slightly more intimate halls of the Tamer’s Guild.

Sett had no doubt that the halls were magnificent, but sadly Ivis had not paid much attention to the intricate details of the guild and thus did not remember them in detail.

“I trust that you did not tell anyone besides me of your expedition and little new friend?”

While they walked, Elder Garret began to question Adriel.

“You are the only one that I have shown Ivis to. Elise, one of the guild’s secretaries, has processed the information I gave to her, but she should be trustworthy. Although I doubt she understands its significance, I also know that she will not let the information leak.”

Adriel replied calmly, it was clearly not his first rodeo.

“Good.” The elder sighed in relief. “Although your new friend might be weak at the moment, its potential for the future is great. Many people would outright try to steal him from you, even blatantly ignoring the power that is behind your family and the Tamer’s Guild’s protection. Remember, humans are greedy creatures, ascendants, even more so.”

“I understand.”

Adriel nodded his head seriously. His eyes held a gleam of anger that was clearly directed at those that would dare to try and steal Ivis from him.

The two of them walked for a time, afraid to mention the matter in case anyone were to hear them. After a considerable time, they finally arrived before a set of doors.

‘Private Examination Hall 57.’

Another gigantic set of doors blocked their path. With a flick of his hand, Elder Garret brought forth a small metallic token which slotted perfectly within the door's frame.

The doors opened with a heavy groaning and the two of them entered followed by the tiger. Soon, after entering, the doors closed and shone with a slightly blue light.

“Good. The doors have been sealed and we can speak freely.” Elder Garret stretched ever so slightly. “Tell me, is my conjecture really true?”

Adriel brought the small fox out from within the inside of his coat and held his small frame in his hand. Feeling the attention on it, it immediately shrunk back in slight fright. The elder that stood before him was the worst. The eyes that shone with excitement and which scanned every single fibre of its body. Especially the three tails became a target of the elder’s incensed stare.

“Indeed.” Adriel lightly stroked Ivis, hoping to soothe its anxiety. “I found Ivis having just been abandoned by his parents in the cold north of Canada. If I had not found him, I believe he would not be alive at this point.”

Adriel retold the tale of how he had found Ivis with great detail, not daring to spare any detail before the inquisitive elder.

“Magnificent. To think that you would find a creature with ancient blood coursing through its veins on earth. You are truly lucky, Adriel.” The elder stroked his beard. There was a slight bit of envy in his voice, but he mostly seemed happy for Adriel. “The bloodline of the nine-tailed fox. Although the presence of the bloodline is rather indistinct, it is still present, nonetheless. To think that I would actually see the day.”

The elder became lost in his thoughts. He was clearly emotional about this moment. If it could bring out such great emotions in a tamer like the elder, the significance of the discovery of Ivis was evident.

“Elder Garret. Should we not proceed with the examination? Others might become confused and suspicious of our actions.”

“Ah, yes. You are right, Adriel.”

The elder dusted some non-existent dust from his robes.

“System. Prepare for a class 0 examination.”

“Understood, Elder Garret. Preparing for class 0 examination. Please wait.”

A half mechanic and half organic voice responded to the order of the Elder. Immediately, the room that had formerly been devoid of anything changed greatly.

“I know that you aware of the rules of the examination, but the rules dictate that I have to speak of them.”

“I do not mind.”

“The class 0 examination was created specifically with infant beasts in mind. Given that they cannot channel essence nor fight at this stage in their life, it is only natural that we test them in other ways. The test is simple and requires no input from either the tamer or the beast. It is simply meant to determine the element and nature of the beast.”

As the elder talked he brought them to an apparatus that was slightly bigger than either of them in height. Seemingly, this was the thing that would determine the element of Ivis. It was clearly built way too big for the fox but considering the enormous sizes of some of the other beasts its size was not strange.

“The human part of the test, however, is more stringent. You will have to demonstrate adequate knowledge in rearing your beast in becoming a tamed beast. In addition, it will also test your knowledge in general regarding the beast’s species. Should you fail in your test, the guild will have to forcibly remove your beast from your possession.”

The words that the elder spoke was incredibly serious. Any single mistake could force the guild to remove Ivis from Adriel’s person. Something that no party wanted to happen. Despite the seriousness, Adriel did not seem anxious at all.

“Did you study the nature of the fox before coming here, Adriel?”

The elder asked with slight anxiousness in his voice. While he clearly believed in the youngster before him, he still could not help but voice his question.

“There is no need to worry, Elder Garret. I received guidance from Elder Shannet in the time before my expedition.”

The worry on the elder’s face immediately disappeared.

“Hah! You went under tutelage from that old elusive lady? All she has on her mind is foxes. If she cannot teach you about them, no one can!”

“Elder Garret. The class 0 examination has been prepared. Please proceed.”

The strange mechanic voice sounded once again.

“You heard the system spirit, Adriel. Let us begin!”

Adriel nodded and reached forward to place Ivis on the large pad inside the apparatus.

At the prospect of being separated from the person who had saved his life, Ivis became anxious.

“Shh… easy there, Ivis.” Adriel stroked the fur once again, calming down the fox. “Bear with it, it will only be for a little while, okay?”

Though Ivis did not like the idea, it instinctively knew that it had no choice in the matter. In the end, it could only complain while it slowly laid down on the pad.

Slowly, the machine lit up with many different lights and it felt its head becoming hazy before descending into sleep.