The Transformation Arts Departnt of the Marshall Academy was unlike any other.
While most paths drew students from scattered families or minor factions, the Transformation Arts classes were dominated by the Transformation Arts Faction itself.
This was no coincidence.
It was all related to the prophecy that had spread across the continent. It said that the Academy would one day beco the leading authority of the Arcane Paths, shaping the future of magic itself.
The elders of the Transformation Faction feared that if they did not send their best, their younger generation would be outpaced by rival Paths.
And so, they dispatched their elite youths. They were great shapeshifters, beast-blooded prodigies, and rare talents whose bodies and souls were attuned to change.
Indeed, among the first-year students, several carried beast‑blood from another realm.
This blood was not ordinary, it was infused with mystical beast essence, granting them heightened affinity for Transformation Arts.
Their transformation carried fewer negative effects, and of course, they would be even better if they transford to the beast or creature they were attuned with.
Aside from that, before they were sent to the Academy, they should have learned their Faction's three foundational Spells first. After all, the Elders learned that the Academy teaches a different foundation Spells.
Apparently, the three foundational spells taught by the Academy were a bit too classic for them.
One of them was Morph Initiation, a spell that allowed the caster to shift minor aspects of their body, hair color, eye shape, or muscle tension. It taught control over the smallest changes.
The other was Essence Stabilization. It was a spell that anchored the caster's soul during transformation, preventing collapse or loss of identity. It was the safeguard against reckless shapeshifting.
Finally, there was the Adaptive Skin, a defensive spell that altered the caster's skin to resist heat, cold, or minor impacts. It was the first step toward survival transformations.
They were definitely a solid foundation if viewed by beginners, but the Faction's youths weren't too weak. So their foundation was a lot more focused on helping them obtain a solid transformation.
There was a Beast Resonance Spell. It awakened the beast‑blood within, allowing the caster to channel animal instincts for heightened reflexes. Of course, it could also work for those without beast-blood but on a weaker effect.
It was followed by Primal Shift. It was a spell that temporarily altered bone and muscle structure, granting bursts of strength or agility.
Lastly, the Totem Echo. It was close to the Beast Arts, but this was a helpful spiritual spell that linked the caster to ancestral beast totems, granting guidance and stabilizing their transformations.
After the students from the faction learned all of these, their foundation beca even more solid and stable.
Together, these six spells ford the bedrock of their training, three from the Academy, three from the Faction.
***
On a brisk morning, Professor Paterson stood before a class of thirty students.
He was a master of Transformation Arts, known for his ability to assu hybrid forms that blended man and beast seamlessly.
The thirty students sat in disciplined rows as they waited for the Professor's teachings.
Among them, three stood out. They were not only faction prodigies but also disciple candidates of Vale.
Amaya sat with her back straight. Her bloodline carried the essence of a realm's shadow‑lynx. Her transformations were known to be swift, as if her body rembered instincts older than her soul.
Beside her, Vin leaned forward. His heritage was stranger. His basic transformation allowed him to have avian wings and serpent scales, showing how hybrid he was…
Apparently, his beast blood was a result of the alchemy of two primal essences being combined.
At the far end sat Brannic. He was broad-shouldered and unlike any other first-year student. He looked more like a fourth or fifth-year student instead.
Nonetheless, his beast‑blood was known to be related to a demonic bear or creature of a similar size or aggressiveness.
Professor Paterson's gaze swept across the room.
"Your lessons within these halls have built your foundation. But Transformation Arts cannot be mastered by theory alone. To truly understand your bodies, your blood, and your limits, you must face those who walk further along the path."
The students straightened, anticipation appearing in their eyes.
The professor then continued.
"In three days, instead of attending this class, you will leave the Academy grounds. You will fight against the disciples of Sreas the Immortal Asura, three of them."
The words struck the class like a thunderclap.
Everyone could not hide their shock.
Sreas. They knew about Immortal Asura, since he was a figure of legend. Their gender was unknown and their origins shrouded in mystery.
What was known, however, was sothing that many Transformation Arts Experts envied.
Apparently, Sreas had given their blood to dozens of disciples, shaping them into warriors whose transformations were said to rival the beasts of other realms.
They had learned that those disciples had trained under the Asura's shadow, becoming living embodints of change and ferocity.
And now, three of them had agreed to spar with the Academy's students.
Paterson smiled after seeing their reaction. "Do not mistake this for a friendly exchange. The disciples of Sreas will not coddle you. They will test you, break you, and force you to rebuild yourselves. Their guidance will be harsh, but it will be invaluable. If you endure, you will rise stronger than you imagined."
The chamber buzzed with whispers.
So students looked pale, others clenched their fists with excitent.
Still, Amaya's silver eyes glead with determination.
Vin and Brannic were also looking forward to this exchange.
Paterson raised his hand, silencing the murmurs. "You should be honored. Few are ever given the chance to learn from the Asura's disciples. Whatever guidance they give, it will be worth more than years of study. Prepare yourselves. Soon, you will step into the arena."
***
The arena was vast, carved from black stone and reinforced with runic wards and various formation arrays.
Soon, the thirty students filed in. Excitent and fear mingled in their hearts, but none dared to be scared now...
Then, at the far end, three figures awaited them.
They were the disciples of Sreas.
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