A hidden truth turns an ordinary relationship into a battle of love, betrayal and destiny. As secrets surface and loyalties are tested, one choice could change everything. Watch this emotional revenge drama filled with unexpected twists and a powerful second chance.
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00:00Just as I was about to knock the headmaster's son, Celis, out of the arena, my bonded dragon, Aera, blasted
00:06me with dragon fire.
00:07Silver-white flames punched through my breastplate and burned straight through my flesh.
00:11Aera took human form and stood before me.
00:13Her silver-white hair fell past her shoulders.
00:16Her slit-pupiled golden eyes held barely restrained anger.
00:20I'm sorry, Alaric, but you were going too far.
00:23If I hadn't stopped you, you would have hurt Celis.
00:26I looked at Celis, not a scratch on him, then down at the bloody hole in my chest.
00:30With the last of my strength, I forced out one line before I fell.
00:34Idiot. Scared you'd burn him? Then don't breathe fire. What the hell did you burn me for?
00:39And so, Aera at Beastmaster Academy's once-a-decade crown trials came to an end.
00:44I, Alaric Veo, the Academy's most gifted common-born beastmaster in a century,
00:48became the first beastmaster ever publicly betrayed by my own bonded beast.
00:55I woke to hushed voices outside my door.
00:57He's actually alive?
00:58So what?
00:59His own bonded dragon attacked him. He'll never live that down.
01:02And they called him the greatest genius in a century.
01:04Lord Celis will be the crowned beastmaster now.
01:06Of course.
01:06The headmaster's already sent invitations throughout the capital
01:09and to all the great houses for his son's victory celebration.
01:11I raised a hand. Magic pulsed from my palm, sending them flying.
01:15Groans erupted outside.
01:17I was about to go back to sleep when the door opened.
01:19Aera entered with a bowl of potion.
01:22In human form, her silver hair and golden eyes made her look like a statue carved for a temple.
01:27The Academy's noble heirs used to swoon over her.
01:30Now, all I saw was trouble on two legs.
01:33Those were junior students. It'll take them two weeks to recover from your attack.
01:38I'll need two weeks to recover from your fire, too.
01:41An elder from the Potion Tower sent this. It'll help you heal.
01:44The Potion Tower elder was Celis' uncle.
01:47He gave noble students potions to boost their magic.
01:49When it was my turn, he swapped mine for a laxative.
01:52I rolled onto my side. A flick of my finger sent the bowl flying.
01:55It shattered on the floor, spilling potion everywhere.
02:01Alaric, why are you always like this?
02:03Even when you're hurt, you're too proud to accept anyone's help.
02:07Who hurt me?
02:07She frowned.
02:08I told you I was protecting you.
02:10Your magic's too strong.
02:11If you'd hit Celis, you would have badly hurt him and been accused of maiming a classmate.
02:15I couldn't let that happen.
02:17I scoffed and set up.
02:19Everyone signed a waiver before the trials.
02:21Once you entered the arena, you fought at your own risk.
02:25Celis isn't the first noble I've beaten.
02:27He never cared if any of the others got hurt.
02:30Are you protecting me, or do you forget who your master is the second you see Celis?
02:35Alaric, have you lost your mind?
02:37Do you have to say things like that just to hurt me?
02:39Then it hit me.
02:40Right.
02:41Insulting her wasn't going to fix anything.
02:45A silver-white Solban sigil appeared in my palm.
02:48Its tether running to Eira's chest.
02:50Eira's expression faltered.
02:52I pressed two fingers together.
02:54Flames sprang to life.
02:55She dropped hard to one knee, trembling as the fire scorched her soul.
03:00Still, she clenched her teeth, refusing to break in front of me.
03:04Alaric!
03:04Eira, still have it in you to be generous with someone else's pain?
03:08Suddenly, Celis shouted from the doorway, panic in his voice.
03:12Alaric!
03:13Stop!
03:14I scoffed and sent another surge of fire through the bond.
03:18Eira finally gave out.
03:20With a stifled groan, she dropped to both knees.
03:24Celis rushed in and caught her.
03:25How could you do this to your own bonded beast?
03:27If you hate me, take it out on me!
03:30Leave Eira out of it!
03:31I nearly laughed.
03:33Eira, how sweet.
03:36For all the years Eira had been with me, she'd worn the same cold expression.
03:40I thought that was just who she was.
03:43After I brought her back to the academy, I learned she gathered cliffside herbs for Celis,
03:47and taught him the tactics and teamwork he'd honed in battle.
03:49While Celis chose a bonded beast, she hated him eyeing the others,
03:53and cowed every beast in the enclosure with her draconic aura.
03:57That left Celis no choice but to borrow her from me.
04:00I should have understood then.
04:02She wasn't cold.
04:03She just hated me.
04:04Celis went on.
04:05Alaric, I'll give you anything you want.
04:08Just stop, okay?
04:11Sure.
04:12Then, I made the flames burn hotter.
04:15Eira finally screamed.
04:17Celis gritted his teeth and came at me.
04:19He probably thought I couldn't beat him while badly wounded and without my bonded beast.
04:22But he'd forgotten.
04:23I was number one in beast mastery.
04:25And number one in raw magic.
04:29I raised my palm and met his attack.
04:31He gritted his teeth and pushed more magic into his attack.
04:34But I still drove him back, step by step.
04:36Just as I was about to send him flying,
04:39a powerful wave of beast aura tore through the doorway and forced us apart.
04:45The man who entered was Cassian Ravenclaw,
04:48headmaster of Auret Beastmaster Academy and Celis' father.
04:52Father?
04:53Alaric, he's Celis.
04:54How could you pick on someone who's injured?
04:56I leaned against the headboard, watching the two hypocrites.
05:00I had no interest in playing along.
05:05Everyone knows high-tier bonded beasts choose the partners who suit them best.
05:09You and Eira may be bonded, but you aren't truly compatible.
05:13Eira's magic is a much better match for Celis'.
05:15Alaric, perhaps you should step aside and let Eira form a new bond with Celis.
05:20There's no point holding on to something that isn't yours.
05:25Sure.
05:28Celis recovered first, unable to hide his deli.
05:31Elaric, just so we're clear.
05:33If you regret this later, I'm not giving Kaia back.
05:37I smiled and bit my fingertip.
05:40The silver-white Solbon sigil burst into play.
05:43I won't.
05:44I'd spent years adapting to Eira, yet I couldn't use even 70% of my magic.
05:49I should have replaced her long ago.
05:51I watched them, silently praying they wouldn't regret it too soon.
05:56After all, only I knew Eira was no true dragon.
06:00She was famous across the continent, only because she'd been bonded to me.
06:05Before my wounds had healed, I left Borut Academy.
06:09One question kept nagging at me.
06:11I had to return to the abyss where I'd found Eira years ago.
06:19That year, I hunted a venom-spined beast terrorizing a village.
06:27I killed it, but fell into a sealed abyss beyond the northern range.
06:32The place was strange.
06:34Ordinary beast masters couldn't enter.
06:36At my weakest, I felt a warm, powerful force guarding me.
06:41When I woke, I found Eira at the bottom of a pool.
06:44I brought her out.
06:45Together, we slew magical beasts and survived countless dangers.
06:50She became a silver dragon known across the continent.
06:55But only I knew she wasn't that powerful.
06:58I began to wonder what an ordinary dragon was doing sealed in an abyss.
07:05Until she hit me with that blast of dragon fire, and I felt the source of her power.
07:10I finally knew for certain, Eira wasn't the divine beast that had saved me.
07:15Something else was at the bottom of that abyss.
07:20I followed my memory back to the abyss.
07:26I dove in, swam to the far end, then dropped into a hidden realm.
07:31Everything was just as I remembered.
07:34I closed my eyes and searched the depths for any presence.
07:37Two waves of magic suddenly rushed toward me.
07:40My eyes snapped open.
07:41Phoenixes!
07:42Two translucent female figures appeared before me.
07:48The redhead tilted her head, studying me.
07:50You were right, sis.
07:51He really came back.
07:53Of course.
07:54We're the only bonded beast worthy of him, and he's the only beastiest worthy of us.
07:59Shame he was half blind back then.
08:00He took a lizard stealing our embers.
08:03I stared at them.
08:05Are all divine beasts this rude?
08:07They came up on either side of me.
08:08The silver-blue-haired woman took my wrist and frowned at the Bonskar's years of commanding Eira had left on
08:14my palm.
08:14The redhead all but hung from my shoulder and sniffed me.
08:18That lizard burned you?
08:20I was going to keep her as a flying mount.
08:23Now ashes seem more fitting.
08:25Then let's not waste time.
08:26Bond now.
08:27We'll storm the Academy and tear her apart first.
08:30Wait.
08:30We just met, and you want to bond?
08:33She's right.
08:33We need to bond now.
08:38I'd had enough.
08:39Before we form a bond, can you at least tell me who you are?
08:43You were poisoned and dying.
08:45My sister and I kept you safe.
08:47You even promised in your sleep to find us and repay us when you woke up.
08:52But you woke up and left with another beast.
08:55Now you say you don't even know us.
08:58Jerk.
08:58The first thing I did was look for whoever saved me.
09:01But Eira was the only one I saw.
09:03You two were only nowhere around.
09:05They both went oddly quiet.
09:07So where were you?
09:10You were about to wake up.
09:12We couldn't look a mess for our first proper meeting, so we stepped away to freshen up.
09:16We also polished our true form's armored plumage.
09:23Eira was only a silver-speaned lizard hatchling, accidentally left here by the warding array's creator.
09:28Phoenix embers from my sister and me mutated her into the so-called silver dragon.
09:31No wonder she's so weak.
09:35Her face lit up.
09:36See?
09:37We're much better.
09:39Hurry up and bind with us.
09:41Then we'll go back to the academy and get revenge.
09:43They reached to cut my finger again.
09:45Suddenly, I realized.
09:47Wait.
09:48How do you know I'm from Ava Academy?
09:51And why were you sealed here?
09:54What does this abyss have to do with the academy?
09:56The redhead finally looks serious.
09:58You have Arald's inner circle magic?
10:00But don't even know what this place is?
10:03No.
10:09Since you still don't know who we really are, I can't tell you everything yet.
10:12But I can answer your last question.
10:15Only Arald's inner circle magic can unlock the seal on this abyss.
10:18Win the crown trials and enter the Phoenix Cradle.
10:20Then you'll have all your answers.
10:24I know what you're worried about.
10:26We're not vicious beasts who hurt people.
10:28If you're still unsure, we can enter a death pact with you.
10:32A death pact bound a bonded beast to its master's will.
10:35If it defied or harmed its master, the master could kill it effortlessly at no cost.
10:40Such pacts had long been frowned upon among Beastmasters.
10:44I studied them.
10:46What do you want from me?
10:47Both phoenixes moved closer.
10:50Win.
10:51The crown trials.
10:52Let's enter the Phoenix Cradle.
10:59Turn Aura Academy upside down.
11:02Interesting.
11:03That was exactly what I intended.
11:06But Deira and Celis weren't the only reason I wanted this.
11:09There was someone else.
11:10Seraphina Reign, the previous crowned beastmaster, and the woman who changed my life.
11:14I came from nothing.
11:16At my lowest, my father owed gambling debts and was about to sell me into slavery.
11:21That was when Seraphina appeared.
11:24She paid my father's debt, hauled me from the sack, and asked.
11:27Do you want to spend your life as someone's property, or be your own man?
11:33She took me to our Red Academy, and convinced Cassian to enroll me, though only on paper.
11:39He refused to teach me magic or give me resources.
11:42So Seraphina stayed after training, every day to teach me herself.
11:47Once Cassian saw how gifted I was, he changed his tune.
11:50He admitted me to the inner circle, and taught me the Academy's core magic.
11:54That same year, Seraphina won the crown trials, and became the crowned beastmaster.
11:59A crowned beastmaster could enter the phoenix cradle.
12:02Legends said a divine beast's blessing awaited inside,
12:06granting the power to surpass mortal limits and become an ascendant.
12:09The night before Seraphina entered, she took me to the cliff.
12:14Alaric, when I come out, we'll leave the Academy.
12:17We'll go where people have no magic to protect them, and help as many as we can.
12:21But when she emerged, she was pale and silent, her eyes empty.
12:25I asked what was inside.
12:27She stared at me for a long time without a word.
12:30That night, Seraphina died in the Academy's bell tower.
12:33The Academy claimed she couldn't withstand the divine beast's blessing.
12:36It broke her mind, and she took her own life.
12:39I never believed it.
12:40Before she died, she used the last of her magic to send me one message.
12:45If I die, enter the phoenix cradle.
12:49Save them.
12:50From that day on, the crown trials were no longer about honor.
12:53I had to win.
12:57All right, let's turn the Academy upside down.
13:01Blood fell into the bonding array, and two names surfaced in my mind.
13:16For ten years, a mysterious beastmaster roamed the continent, never showing his face.
13:21He appeared at night, hooded, and bearing no noble crest.
13:24He refused every lord's reward.
13:26Wherever a beast horde struck, he appeared.
13:29Because of him, countless villages slept soundly.
13:32Children said he came riding on moonlight, so they called him the Moonshadow Rider.
13:37For ten years, Aurelia, Rhea, and I crossed wastelands, snowy ridges, swamps, and borderlands.
13:43Later, one look was enough to cut through an entire beast horde.
13:47Now, the next crown trials were five days away.
13:50It was time to go back.
13:51That night, we stayed at an inn below the Academy.
13:53I was about to blow out the candle when shouting broke out downstairs.
13:56Innkeeper, bring out your best wine and meat.
13:58Clear every room upstairs.
14:00I'm sorry, but we're full tonight.
14:02I can't ask my guests to leave.
14:05Do you know who we are?
14:08Oh, riders from Aval Academy.
14:11Forgive me, I'll speak to the guests upstairs right away.
14:14They're from Aval?
14:15Even better.
14:17Before the innkeeper could knock, I threw on my cloak and went downstairs.
14:21Several young people in Academy uniform stood around with wine jugs, laughing loudly.
14:27I heard Lord Sellis.
14:28Wants to replace Ira.
14:30Ira was at least impressive with Aldrich.
14:32Ten years with Lord Sellis, and she hasn't improved at all.
14:35Lord Sellis has already entered the Phoenix Cradle.
14:37Even Aldrich wouldn't stand a chance against him now.
14:39About Aldrich, no one's heard from him in ten years.
14:41He's probably dead somewhere.
14:42Good.
14:42When he woke up back then, I said a few things outside his door.
14:45He knocked me flat.
14:46That guy was vicious.
14:47An old friend, then.
14:53You're the ones trying to take my room.
14:55They didn't even look up.
14:57We're riders from Aval Academy.
14:59Came down to hunt magical beasts.
15:01Of course we get the best rooms.
15:05Moonshadow Rider already cleared out every beast nearby.
15:07So what are you here to hunt?
15:08The roast pig on your plates?
15:09They flew into a rage.
15:13You're asking for it!
15:14An unseen beast aura bore down on them.
15:17Alaric?
15:18Good.
15:19You remember me.
15:21If you love using those badges to scare people, you can do without them.
15:24I turned and headed upstairs.
15:25No rooms for you here.
15:26You'd better hurry back to the Academy and tell Sela something for me.
15:30Alaric Vale is back.
15:33The Crown Trials came once every ten years and always drew a crowd.
15:37But this year, Ared Academy felt especially tense.
15:41Seles looked grim.
15:43Ira stood beside him, staring me down.
15:45Once I reached the arena, Seles finally spoke.
15:48Alaric, what are you doing back here?
15:50The rules don't say you can only enter once.
15:53The Academy never expelled me either.
15:55However you look at it, I have every right to be here.
15:57Seles' face darkened with every word.
15:59I tilted my head.
16:00Seles, are you scared?
16:02He took a deep breath.
16:03You don't even have a bonded dragon.
16:05I'm not scared of you.
16:07Of course you are.
16:08This time, my bonded beast won't betray me.
16:13Seles' face went cold.
16:19Don't flatter yourself.
16:20I've entered the Phoenix Cradle.
16:22You can't beat me.
16:23His magic was far stronger than ten years ago.
16:26He's using our power.
16:29Then come out for some air.
16:30Slotting out half the sky as thunderclouds rolled in.
16:33All across the arena, bonded beasts cowered in terror.
16:36Ira alone stayed aloft, her pupils shrinking.
16:39So that's why you gave me up so easily.
16:41You'd already found yourself a new divine beast.
16:44Then I drew on Aurelia's power and met Aira head on.
16:47Storm and silver flame collided.
16:49The shockwave sent whole sections of the crowd flying.
16:55Seles' magic had grown far stronger.
16:57Ten years ago, I might not have stopped him.
16:59Too bad he was still ten years behind.
17:02I smiled and poured on more magic.
17:04She froze, then retreated without Seles' command.
17:08Seles stumbled.
17:09Realizing what she'd done, he snapped.
17:14What are you backing off for?
17:15If I keep this up, I'll die.
17:18Ha!
17:19So?
17:19That just means you're weak.
17:21You retreat in the final and still call yourself a silver dragon?
17:24His voice carried across the arena.
17:26Everyone heard him.
17:28Aira shot back coldly.
17:29With Alaric, I was the strongest on the continent.
17:33The moment I bonded with you, I became mediocre.
17:38Whose fault is that?
17:39Once she started, she couldn't stop.
17:41You entered the Phoenix Cradle.
17:43So what?
17:44You still can't beat Alaric.
17:46I must have been blind ten years ago to think you had more potential than him.
17:50The same thought hit us both.
17:52Was she out of her mind?
17:54That lizard really does bite every hand that feeds her, huh?
17:59Seles lowered his head as his aura darkened.
18:01When he looked up, an unnatural red glowed in his eyes.
18:08Aira, you're just a bonded beast.
18:10What gives you the right to judge your master?
18:12He raised a hand.
18:13A massive spectral drake swept in.
18:15It was Cassian's bonded beast, the Obsidian Drake.
18:19It wasn't much of a fighter, but its defenses were formidable.
18:22A perfect counter to Aurelia's storms.
18:25Seles caught the beast seal it sent down.
18:27The smug look returned to his face.
18:31My father's in seclusion in the Forbidden Grounds.
18:33I can command his beast now.
18:35Let's see you beat me.
18:36I raised my hand, my voice carrying across the arena.
18:40Want to make this a numbers game?
18:42Fine.
18:43Ria, come out and play.
18:45A clear phoenix cry pierced the clouds.
18:48Crimson gold fire rained through the sky.
18:51Ria's flame phoenix apparition spread its wings, burning away the thunderclouds.
18:55Ria took human form beside me, her red hair blazing and crimson gold eyes shining with excitement.
19:01Finally, my turn?
19:03She looked around eagerly before finally noticing Seles.
19:06That's my opponent?
19:07He doesn't look very fireproof.
19:09Seles froze, then screamed.
19:12Impossible.
19:13One soulbind with a divine beast is already the most a beastmacker can withstand.
19:17How the hell do you have two?
19:21I'm a genius.
19:22Those limits don't apply to me.
19:24I wasted no more time.
19:26Drawing on Ria's flames, I charged Seles.
19:28The Obsidian Drake was powerful, but it belonged to his father.
19:31There, Seles couldn't draw out its full strength.
19:34I toyed with him, taking his attacks apart one by one.
19:37I even had time to glance at rattled Aera.
19:40I caught the look on her face when Ria appeared.
19:44Only then did it finally hit her.
19:46She wasn't a divine beast.
19:48I drove Sally's back step by step until he completely lost control.
19:53Aera instinctively started to retreat.
19:55He spun around and blasted her with the Drake's power.
19:58Aera's pupils contracted.
20:00She snapped into dragon form and tried to block it.
20:03Her silver scales shattered.
20:06One wing snapped.
20:07Aera screamed, returned to human form, and dropped to one knee.
20:11Spiderweb cracks spread from her waist across her body.
20:14She stared at Seles in disbelief.
20:18Seles glared down at her, his voice cold with rage.
20:22You're dead weight.
20:23I have no use for a bonded beast like you.
20:27Aera tried to speak, but it was too late.
20:30Silver light flashed.
20:31Aera, once the greatest bonded beast on the continent, died.
20:35She betrayed me for Seles.
20:37In the end, he was the one who killed her.
20:42I seized the opening and struck.
20:44Seles' beast seal shattered.
20:46He crashed to the ground and scrambled backward.
20:48Rhea's flame stopped inches from his throat.
20:51The arena fell silent.
20:53The golden bell rang on its own.
20:55Aured Academy's barrier had recognized its new crowned beast master.
20:59How?
21:01Father gave me every resource.
21:03I entered the Phoenix Cradle and I still lost to you?
21:07A filthy commoner!
21:08Because you never learned what it means to be a beast master.
21:11Your bonded beast, bloodline, and resources are just what's built on top.
21:16You are the foundation.
21:18Your father said this to me ten years ago.
21:21Now I'll say it to you.
21:23Taking what isn't yours won't make it yours.
21:25He shook, pounding the ground as he saw it.
21:28I walked past him and left the arena.
21:31I was now the crowned beast master.
21:34The Phoenix Cradle opened deep in the mountains behind the Academy.
21:37Anyone without the crowned mark would die if they approached.
21:40I stopped at the barrier, took a breath, and stepped through.
21:47The barrier parted around me like mist.
21:49I hadn't gone far.
21:51Cassian rushed out from deeper inside.
21:53So Celes had told the truth.
21:55Cassian was in seclusion.
21:57The moment he saw me, his face twisted into a deep scowl.
22:00What are you doing here?
22:03Where's Celes?
22:04Your son lost.
22:06He's still crying in the arena.
22:08Cassian's face darkened as the obsidian Drake's spectral form rose behind him.
22:12Get out.
22:14You don't belong here.
22:15Academy rules allow the crowned beast tecker into the Phoenix Cradle.
22:19The mountain has recognized me.
22:20Who the hell are you to throw me out?
22:22You left the Academy ten years ago.
22:24You're no longer one of us.
22:26What right do you have to touch the Phoenix Cradle?
22:28I just beat your son in front of everyone.
22:31Keep blocking me, and I'll beat you too.
22:33Then I'll bury you here today.
22:35I raised a hand, both phoenixes showed.
22:38That was one of the few times I showed Cassian any respect.
22:41The obsidian Drake was a different beast in Cassian's hands.
22:44The Drake's earth aura bore down like the whole mountain.
22:49I didn't take him lightly.
22:51Storm and flame tore through the Drake's defenses together.
22:54The three forces collided, numbing my arms.
22:57Cassian fared no better.
22:58He grunted and stumbled back several steps.
23:01His face finally changed when he saw the two phoenixes behind me.
23:04Fear.
23:05Rage.
23:06Greed.
23:06You...
23:07You actually escaped.
23:09Aurelia stared at him coldly.
23:11Rhea sneered.
23:12You've kept what's ours long enough.
23:13Time to give it back.
23:15Before I could ask, Cassian turned and ran.
23:18I reacted on instinct, thrusting out a hand and sending flames after him.
23:22The flames formed a spear and pierced straight through his leg.
23:25Cassian hit the ground, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.
23:29Aleric, if you kill me, the Academy and the Nobles will never let you get away with it.
23:35Who said anything about killing you?
23:37For someone like you, death would be a mercy.
23:41Want to learn the secret of the phoenix cradle?
23:44Follow us.
23:45I followed them into the deepest part of the phoenix cradle.
23:48There was no blessing.
23:50Only a sacrificial array piercing the phoenix's hearts.
23:53Countless chains was draining their life force.
23:56Aurelia's voice turned icy.
23:58This is the truth behind the crown.
24:01Safina discovered it.
24:02So she had to die.
24:04I raised a hand.
24:05Storm and flame converged in my palm.
24:09Then we ended here.
24:10After that, there was no more phoenix cradle at Auret.
24:12Only a new headmaster.
24:13Aleric Vale.
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