As the challenge officially began, the crowd's murmurs of excitement swelled to a crescendo. Both contestants stood atop their respective platforms, overlooking the marble arena below, where their spirit beasts, Mira and the Flame Wolf, prepared to battle.

The family steward overseeing the match, Wei Longshan, stood in the center of the arena. He was a robust man in his forties with broad shoulders, a fierce beard, and the intimidating presence of a battlefield veteran. His authoritative voice carried across the gathered spectators as he laid out the rules:

“Both parties will use only one contracted beast. No lethal moves allowed. Do you have any objections?”

Neither Wei Yun nor Wei Hao voiced any dissent, and the steward nodded in approval.

Per family regulations, both contestants handed over their wagered items to Wei Longshan for safekeeping. The Healing Spring and the Wind Ribbon were carefully secured, ensuring no one could back out after the battle began.

The marble arena, marked with scars from countless battles over the past century, bore witness to yet another test of strength. It was sturdy, resilient, and designed to withstand the intense clashes of powerful spirit beasts without putting the surrounding estate at risk.

Around the ring, the spectators, mostly first-rank Beastmasters with a few second-rank elites scattered among them, buzzed with speculation. Betting tables had been set up by some savvy second-rankers who acted as bookies, facilitating wagers on the outcome.

Initially, the odds against Wei Yun were steep: 1 to 5. Most doubted his tiger Mira could triumph against Wei Hao’s Flame Wolf, a beast of comparable rank but higher perceived reliability. Adding to the skepticism was the widespread assumption that Mira’s quality was low. Only a few knew that Mira was, in fact, an high-quality spirit beast, her full potential carefully hidden.

As Wei Yun quietly placed all his remaining spirit cores on himself, the odds shifted slightly. But the real shock came when Wei Tianyu, a towering presence in the family and the clear favorite for the upcoming academy assessment, arrived on the scene.

Casually chewing on a blade of grass, Wei Tianyu strolled over to the betting table and tossed a bag of several dozen spirit cores onto the table.

“Put it all on Wei Yun,” he said lazily, his voice filled with nonchalant confidence.

The crowd gasped. Wei Tianyu's endorsement turned heads, casting doubt over the initial assumptions about Wei Yun’s chances. Many began questioning what Wei Tianyu had noticed that they hadn't.

The odds adjusted to 1 to 4, but by then, bets were closed. The stakes were set, and the tension in the air was palpable.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as Wei Longshan raised his arm and brought it down decisively. “Begin!”

At Wei Hao’s command, the Flame Wolf confidently jumped into the arena, its fiery eyes glowing with battle lust. Meanwhile, Wei Yun knelt calmly beside Mira, his movements deliberate as he unfastened her iron weights.

The sound of the weights hitting the ground was subtle, but the effect was immediate. Mira stretched her legs and flexed her paws, feeling a newfound lightness in her body. She moved onto the battlefield with a swiftness that caught everyone off guard.

Wei Tianyu, standing amidst the crowd, smirked knowingly. “So it was the weights,” he murmured.

Wei Hao, however, felt his confidence waver. The speed Mira displayed was far beyond what he had anticipated. Still, he had no choice but to press on.

The two beasts stood about ten meters apart, glaring fiercely at one another. Mira let out a powerful roar that resonated through the arena. Her sharp fangs glinted in the sunlight as she crouched low, her tail lashing with anticipation.

Her roar wasn’t just for show. Her “Intimidation” trait activated, striking fear into the Flame Wolf’s heart. It hesitated, its gaze faltering for a split second as its body instinctively retreated a step.

Wei Hao grit his teeth. “Flame Wolf, Fireball!”

The Flame Wolf growled in response, opening its maw as a bright orange fireball began forming within. It grew rapidly, swirling with concentrated heat before launching toward Mira like a meteor.

“Mira, dodge!” Wei Yun’s command came swiftly, and Mira sprang into action.

With her recent training and unburdened by the weights, Mira’s speed was a blur. She leapt gracefully into the air, avoiding the fireball with ease. The projectile hit the ground, erupting in a fiery explosion and leaving a scorched black mark on the marble.

Wei Hao refused to relent. “Flame Wolf, Fire Charge!”

The Flame Wolf’s body erupted in flames as it dashed forward, its fiery coat enhancing its speed and destructive power.

“Mira, Tailwind!” Wei Yun countered.

Mira’s body shimmered with light green energy as wind-elemental power enveloped her. Her speed surged even further, and she dodged the Flame Wolf’s charge with graceful ease, leaving her opponent barreling past her.

Wei Yun seized the opportunity. “Mira, Bite!”

Mira turned sharply, her movements as fluid as the wind she wielded. She shot forward with astonishing speed, closing the distance in the blink of an eye. Her jaws opened wide, revealing rows of razor-sharp fangs.

Crunch!

Mira’s fangs sank into the Flame Wolf’s side, causing it to yelp in pain as it struggled to break free.

Wei Hao’s expression twisted with frustration. He shouted frantically, “Flame Wolf, shake her off!”

The Flame Wolf thrashed about, its body aflame, but Mira held firm, her grip unyielding.

The spectators were on edge. Mira’s dominance was undeniable, and many began whispering about her hidden strength. Even those who had bet against Wei Yun couldn’t help but admire the synergy between him and his spirit beast.

“He was holding back,” someone muttered. “This tiger is no ordinary beast.”

Wei Tianyu, leaning casually against a pillar, chuckled softly. “This is just the beginning,” he mused, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

As the battle raged on, it became increasingly clear that Mira wasn’t just keeping up with the Flame Wolf, she was overwhelming it. Wei Hao’s confidence began to crack, his commands growing more frantic as he realized the true gap in power between their beasts.

The tides of the battle had turned, and Wei Yun’s calm, calculated approach was winning the day.