This Beast-Tamer is a Little Strange

Vice Chancellor Darrow's fixed his steely gray eyes fixed on Kain and Serena.

"Your recent influx of Black Missions was not a coincidence," Vice Chancellor Darrow began, his voice deep and deliberate. "You've both been under evaluation for membership into an organization that has existed since the founding of the Celestial Empire. Its existence is known to only a small number of the top beast-tamers and government officials."

Kain's brows furrowed slightly while Serena maintained her composed demeanor, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of intrigue. Even as a member of a founding family, she's heard of no such organization.

"This organization is known as the Eclipse Order," Darrow continued, his tone weighty with significance. "It is the Empire's most elite force, operating outside the boundaries of conventional law and governance. Members of the Order complete missions critical to the survival and prosperity of the Empire—missions that often take them across borders and into enemy territories. Some of these missions are covert intelligence-gathering operations, while others... require more direct intervention. Compared to the missions you would have completed recently, the difficulty level would have increased several times over."

Kain remained silent, though he couldn't deny the stir of curiosity—and apprehension—building in his chest.

"The Eclipse has operated for centuries," Darrow continued. "Most of the Empire's 9-star geniuses have risen through its ranks. It is the nurturing ground for the Empire's strongest talents, refining unpolished gems, into legends. Captain Ezra, who recently graduated, joined towards the latter half of his second year—in fact, the resources he obtained from joining probably played the largest role in how he was able to join the College's representative lineup at the nationals in only his second year. The crown prince and current captain of First Celestial Academy, Cassian Lysander, was also recruited in his second year."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Likely seeing their calm faces, not realizing the difficulty in successfully being recruited, he elaborated. After all, they were recruited in their second-year as well, perhaps in their minds everyone was.

"It is highly unusual for second-year students to be inducted. Most recruits enter after they've already graduated, and a single third or fourth year recruit may not be seen each year. Cassian Lysander and your captain were the only exceptions in recent decades... along with you."

"However, all of those recruited so early have extraordinary abilities that warrant their early inclusion. While you've yet to reach the level of raw power typically required, your respective skills make you uniquely suited for various missions, and your contributions have already set you apart."

He turned to Serena. "Serena Storm, your independent awakening and the legendary gift inherited from your founding ancestor make you an anomaly even among the Empire's finest. Few in the Empire's history have managed to accomplish what you have. You are a rare talent."

Then his attention shifted to Kain, and for a moment, Darrow's neutral facade wavered, replaced by something akin to curiosity and suspicion. "And you, Kain. Are quite unique..." He paused, his gaze sharpening. "Spiritual creatures like yours haven't been seen since potentially the founding of the Empire."

Kain met his gaze, his face betraying nothing, though internally his mind was not nearly so calm. The Vice Chancellor, and obviously several other higher-ups who reviews his profile for admittance, clearly had suspicions about his affinity. Thankfully though, it seems that they had no intention of exposing his affinity outright to others.

"Not to mention, your name had already been proposed the previous year—although for a different department," Darrow continued. "Developing a new evolutionary form suitable for mass distribution is impressive enough. But the exclusive evolutionary forms you created for the Ashenclaw girl's Salamander and your own Vespirae Queen demonstrate your potential as an evolutionary planner of the highest calibre."

Kain couldn't help but note that while the Vice Chancellor had mentioned the Salamander and Queen, he made no mention of Bea evolving. Meaning that they likely didn't have too much information about her, or really even sense changes in her. 'That's good…'

He'd gotten used to Bea being his secret weapon unknown to others.

"Originally," Darrow said, "you were slated to join Eclipse's research division in a couple more years due to the talent you revealed in evolutionary planning. However, your field performance has far exceeded expectations, prompting us to accelerate your recruitment and allow you into the combat division—which also has the priority in resource distribution."

After explaining, Darrow fell silent, maybe for the added suspense, to add gravity to his words, or potentially to give them time to digest all of the information—not that any of it was really needed.

"And what happens now?" Serena asked, likely impatient at the prolonged silence.

"Ahem…You've both passed your initial screening," Darrow replied. "From this moment on, you are provisional members of the Eclipse. Over the next year, you will undergo further evaluation and training. Your development will be prioritized—resources, techniques, and even mentorship opportunities with some of the Empire's strongest. In return, you will be expected to serve the Empire with absolute loyalty, even putting your life on the line."

'Well with it all laid out like that, there was no reason to refuse…' Kain had already made his decision after seeing the big cake drawn out by the Vice Chancellor.

Serena spoke. "What are we expected to accomplish during the provisional period?"

Darrow nodded, pleased with the question. "As provisional members, you are not yet full members, but you will be given more sensitive missions than you're used to. Your ability to complete these tasks while maintaining the Eclipse's secrecy will determine if you are granted full membership. However, unlike when you were secretly being assessed, you now will have access to some of the resources of Eclipse."

"And if we fail?" Kain asked, his tone casual, though his golden eyes glinted with curiosity.

"Failure is not tolerated lightly in the Eclipse," Darrow said, his gaze hardening. "But we do not throw away talent carelessly. If you fail due to circumstances beyond your control, you will likely be reassigned to roles more suited to your abilities. However, failure due to negligence or betrayal..." His voice trailed off ominously, the unspoken consequences clear.

Both nodded their heads in understanding that they would probably be hunted down should they choose to give up or betray their assigned mission.

"Good," Darrow said. "Now, one final piece of advice. As members of the Eclipse, you will often find yourselves operating in moral gray areas. Decisions made in the field will not always align with your personal ethics. Remember, the Empire's survival is paramount. You must be prepared to make sacrifices, including sacrificing your humanity if necessary."

'That's ominous…' Kain's jaw tightened, though he gave no outward sign of discomfort.

Likely already sensing that they both had the intention of joining—not that they had a choice— Darrow quickly finished his explanation. "This meeting is concluded. Take the next month to prepare yourselves. An orientation for the latest recruits will occur in one month at a secret location, we will arrange for your travel at that time."

As Kain and Serena stood to leave, Darrow added one final remark, his tone almost casual. "Oh, and Kain. Even in Eclipse, it is best to keep the identity of your affinity as concealed as possible. It's... unique. And such uniqueness often draws attention—both the kind you want and the kind you don't."

Kain nodded, his expression betraying nothing.

--------------------------

Not much changed in the month that they were told to prepare for the orientation, an orientation they both felt probably wouldn't be too simple.

When they told Gabriel that they may once again have to leave for a while, he immediately protested. He even insisted on forming a contract immediately before they left so that he was no longer bound to the confines of Kain's laboratory and could leave with them.

After all, Ferrin had been back twice, and there had so far been no issues in him, or his contract Nyx.

However, after explaining that even if he left the laboratory, he wouldn't be able to join them to prevent him from making any rash decisions, he calmed down—although his displeasure was still evident.

Kain made a note to ask Bridge to drop by more frequently in their absence so that the young boy wouldn't be too lonely.

Before they knew it, the date of their orientation arrived.

They weren't given a specific date, only told that it would be in around "a month," and so they had already prepared themselves and stocked their space rings long in advance, making sure to always be wearing them.

Good thing to, since one night Kain was suddenly woken from his sleep by a dark figure standing over his bed. However, before he screamed or lashed out, his eyes adjusted to the dark to recognize the figure grabbing him—Vice Chancellor Darrow.

Pulled from his room to the hallway, he already saw Serena standing there awake and dressed in combat gear.

'Damn it…' Kain thought looking down at his sleep attire that would offer him no protection.

Unfortunately, Darrow didn't seem to care in the slightest about his predicament and promptly dragged them both to the college's teleportation array and shoved them both mercilessly in…without any time for them to prepare or equip themselves in preparation for what may be on the other side.