Three weeks. Just three weeks before the goblin attack that was supposed to happen in two months. Aeris walked to his classroom with his mind racing. Every step felt heavy as he realized how drastic a change he had caused.
"Master, you seem anxious," Umbra's voice echoed in his mind. The Shadow Wolf hid in the shadows of the academy's trees, following Aeris at a distance.
"Of course I am," Aeris whispered softly. "The altered timeline means that all the knowledge I have of the future is useless."
he entered her Taming Theory class with Professor Aldred. The professor's eyes immediately fell on him as he took a seat in the back row. Ever since yesterday, the attention from the academy had been making him uncomfortable.
"Today we will be discussing Ancient Taming Techniques," Professor Aldred began the class.
"Techniques that have been lost and are no longer practiced in the modern era."
Aeris straightened up. This might be his chance to learn more about the Soul Resonance Technique.
"One of the most mysterious techniques is Soul Resonance," the professor continued. "This technique allows the Tamer to communicate with the monster on a very deep level, even before making a formal contract."
A student raised his hand. "Professor, is this technique still available to learn?"
Professor Aldred shook his head. "No one really understands how it works. Records of this technique are very limited and mostly legends."
Aeris suppressed a smile. If even the professor who was considered one of the best tamers in the academy didn't understand it, then his advantage was still secure.
"However," the professor continued, looking at Aeris, "lately there have been indications that some of the ancient techniques may be making a comeback. Unusual spiritual energy has been detected in several locations."
After class, Aeris hurried out the door. he needed to find a way to prepare for the accelerated goblin attack. In the novels, the attack had resulted in the deaths of nearly half of the low-ranked students.
"Aeris!" Lyra chased after her down the hallway. "What's wrong with you lately? You seem... different."
"Different how?" Aeris asked, slowing his pace.
"More serious. More... stronger, perhaps?" Lyra tilted her head. "And your eyes have changed. There's a golden glint in them."
Aeris realized that his physical changes due to the contract with Umbra were becoming more and more apparent. he needed to find a plausible excuse.
"I'm just... trying to change," he replied. "Like I said yesterday, I don't want to be a burden anymore."
Lyra smiled. "I'm glad you think so. But don't push yourself too hard, okay? You're still an F-rank Tamer, remember?"
"Actually," Aeris hesitated for a moment, "my rank may have gone up."
"What?" Lyra stopped walking. "Got up? When? How?"
Before Aeris could answer, the academy's alarm sounded. A loud siren echoed throughout the area. All students stopped and looked at each other in confusion.
"Attention all students," the voice of the Head of the Academy, Director Thorne, came over the communication system. "We have detected unusual monster activity around the academy. All students are to return to their respective dorms and await further instructions."
Aeris felt his blood run cold. This was too fast. Even for the accelerated timeline.
"Master," Umbra's voice pressed in her mind. "The dark aura is growing stronger. They're very close."
"Them?" Aeris whispered.
"Not just any goblins. Something is leading them. Something powerful."
Aeris remembered a detail from the novel. The goblin attack was led by a clever Hobgoblin Shaman. But in the original timeline, the Hobgoblins had only appeared after several small waves of attacks.
"Lyra," Aeris said solemnly. "You need to get back to the dorms now."
"But you—"
"I'll be fine. Trust me."
Lyra hesitated, but eventually nodded and hurried off toward the girls' dorms. Aeris ran in the opposite direction, toward the woods behind the academy.
The system interface appeared with a red warning:
[EMERGENCY ALERT]
[GOBLIN ARMY DETECTED: 500+ UNITS]
[HOBGOBLIN SHAMAN CONFIRMED]
[ESTIMATED ARRIVAL: 30 MINUTES]
[SURVIVAL RATE: 23%]
"Twenty-three percent?" Aeris was shocked. "That low?"
[RECOMMENDATION: ACTIVATE HIDDEN ABILITIES]
[WARNING: ACTIVATION WILL REVEAL TRUE NATURE]
[CONTINUE? YES/NO]
Aeris stopped in the middle of the forest. This decision would change everything. If he activated his hidden ability, he might be able to save more lives. But he would also expose herself to greater risk.
Umbra emerged from the shadows, his eyes shining with worry. "Master, I will follow your decision no matter what."
Before Aeris could decide, a shout was heard from the direction of the academy. The attack had begun.
"Damn," he cursed. "They came sooner than expected."
Aeris ran back to the academy, Umbra running beside him. In the distance, he could see the glow of fire and black smoke rising from several buildings. The sound of screams and clashing weapons could be heard.
When they arrived at the academy grounds, the sight they saw was horrific. Goblins were running everywhere, attacking students who were still trying to evacuate. Several professors had already engaged in battle, but they were overwhelmed by the sheer number of goblins.
"Lyra!" Aeris saw his best friend trapped near the girls' dormitory, surrounded by three armed goblins.
Without thinking, Aeris ran towards them. Umbra understood immediately and used his Shadow Step ability, disappearing from sight before appearing behind one of the goblins.
Slash!
Umbra's claws easily slashed the first goblin. The other two goblins were shocked and turned to face the Shadow Wolf.
"Lyra! Run!" Aeris shouted as he continued to run closer.
Lyra, surprised to see Umbra, immediately understood. "Aeris? That monster is yours?"
"I'll explain later! Now run!"
But before Lyra could move, a thunderous voice was heard from the direction of the academy gate. A large Hobgoblin with a bone-ornamented staff appeared, followed by dozens of other goblins.
"Hobgoblin Shaman," Aeris whispered. "He's coming right up."
The Hobgoblin Shaman raised his staff and began chanting in a language he didn't understand. Suddenly, all the goblins around the academy became more aggressive and organized.
Professor Aldred, who was fighting three goblins at once, began to feel overwhelmed. Several senior students were already badly injured.
The system interface appeared again:
[CRITICAL SITUATION]
[CASUALTIES MOUNTING]
[HOBGOBLIN SHAMAN CASTING BERSERK SPELL]
[IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED]
Aeris saw the situation getting worse. Lyra was still trapped, Umbra was fighting two goblins at once, and the Hobgoblin Shaman was almost finished with his spell.
"There's no other choice," he muttered.
he reached out to the interface and pressed the YES button on the hidden ability activation option.
[HIDDEN ABILITIES ACTIVATED]
[LUCK MANIPULATION: ONLINE]
[PROBABILITY CONTROL: ACTIVE]
[TAMER ENHANCEMENT: MAXIMUM]
Suddenly, Aeris' body was filled with incredible energy. His eyes turned pure gold, and an invisible aura of power began to flow from his body.
Umbra, who sensed this change, immediately turned his head. "Master! This power..."
"Umbra, we saved everyone," Aeris said in a voice that trembled from the flowing energy.
But what Aeris didn't realize was that the activation of his hidden ability had triggered something much bigger. In the distance, red eyes watching from behind the trees flickered with interest.
"Finally," a low voice echoed. "The Anomaly has awakened."