Today was Chansu Aotoge's 15th birthday and The day he would take his spirit animal test, next period. "Hey Chansu, You ready? I can't wait to find out my spirit. I bet it'll be a giant lion, or a great ape like DBZ." "Tobias you fool, this isn't a manga, be realistic. You'll probably be a tiny lil fish. Wahahah" "Really-_-." Tobias was Chansu's best friend since birth Though, Chansu sees him as more of a sidekick. They were born on the same day, right next to each other. Tobias cried so much, Chansu told him to shut up in Baby Language. They've been Best friends ever since. The bell rang, declaring that class was over. Chansu and Tobias got up and got their stuff together. "This is it. We end up in different schools bro." "Well duh fool, cuz I aint gonna be a fish. Hah" "oh lord, let's go haha." They laughed and walked to their next destination. The Observatory. The biggest building the school. They poured in along with all the other 15 year olds. They sat down before a row of Animal Arts Masters. The principal walked before the students and began to speak. "GOOD EVENING. YOU HAVE ALL REACHED YOUR 15TH BIRTHDAYS DURING THIS FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR. NOW ON THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL BEFORE SUMMER VACATION, YOUR NEXT SCHOOL WILL BE DETERMINED. AT THAT SCHOOL YOU WILL LEARN THE ARTS OF YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL ANCESTOR. YOU WILL DEVOTE YOUR LIVES TO TRAINING, CULTIVATION AND THE ULTIMATE DUTY OF FIGHTING IN THE GREAT WAR OF SHADOWS TO PROTECT JAPAN. The shadows are returning this year to prepare for Japan's downfall. But we wont let them succeed. There are 12 Spirit Animals schools.

"The Great toad Sage Gama. A master of the Short Blade as well as Water Techniques, a very Sticky whip-like tongue, and nature energy. Over time as you master The Toad arts you'll be able to activate traits of the Toad. Webbed feet, for better traction and walking on water, the eyes of a toad to see through illusions, impervious to mind altering abilities/attacks. Eventually you can Manifest a giant toad, like so." the Toad Arts master stood up and concentrated letting out a large and long battle cry. His fingers and toes became webbed, his pupils changed, he opened his mouth as his tongue grew longer then rolled back in and a giant energy like toad started to appeared until it solidified. A giant Toad with an eyepatch, Beer canteen and a short blade on his back. "I'm Gamayasu, any of you tadpoles old enough to drink?" The students "awed" and "oh'ed" at the giant toad, who put his hands together and shot stream of water at the kids and laughed as they were drenched. "Thank you master Toad" The Toad art master reverted to normal, and sat as Gamayasu disappeared.

"Next we have The Great desert walker, Doku a Scorpion. Scorpion arts warriors specialize in various venoms and poisons, having all their weapons and or hands and feet coated in poison. Over time with training you'll be able to develop your own natural venom within your body, manifest a Scorpion tail to utilize it through, harden your skin to into an almost armor like substance able to withstand even the hottest of temperatures." The Scorpion Arts stood up and concentrated and let out a long cry as well. He skin hardened, Spikes began protruding from his shoulders, knees, and elbows, he grew a long spiked tail, and pincers grew out of his wrists, as he clamped and opened them threateningly. Then a giant scorpion manifested behind him with spikes all along its body. "I am Dokubari, my poison could melt through the likes of you lot in seconds." The scorpion art master sat as his partner disappeared.

"Next is the Wolf arts. The King of the wild, Kiba the great white wolf. With the keenest sense of smell in existence, stronger as a team, fearlesss, and courageous. Upon discovering the wolf as your spirit your senses will heighten in general. Even outside of battle your smell, hearing, and speed will increase. As you go into wolf form, you'll grow fur that can withstand all conditions, stronger legs, paws, increased speed and the ability to communicate with others through roars, resonating with each others hearts thus feeling each others hearts and intentions. Wolf user can summon both wolves and dogs. Todays wolf master is none other than Japan's current head of the Wolf Arts style. Master Okami. Although young he was a prodigy who rose through the world of animal arts at an alarming speed. By the time he was a teacher at the age of 20, he was equal to Holy beast students. He entered the great animal arts tournament at the age of 22 and went toe-to-toe with a Genbu arts fighter. Though his opponent was formidable he was able to get through his defenses, sustaining heavy injuries however taking out the Genbu fighter as he fell. This display of raw strength and skill, was enough for the previous wolf arts head to appoint him as the next head." The master stood up as they all "ahhh'd" and "Oooh'd" his presence alone was overwhelming. He simply closed his eyes and opened them, instantly entering wolf form. Fur all over, claws, larger teeth, and a tail. He then breathed and a regular sized wolf appeared. "Thats it?" Tobias whispered to chansu. Then Master Okami let out an intense roar, as the whole place shook, all the kids stumbling, even the other masters minus five, were a bit unnerved by his power. A dark aura arose, the whole place began to rumble and then, a giant three headed dog as tall as the ceiling manifested. Everybody but the 4 holy beasts and the shark master were taken aback by his power and manifestation. "This is how i got my position as Top Wolf Arts fighter in the country." He sat down as the dogs disappeared. "Well that was a very nerve wracking display of power. The three headed demon dog disappeared.

"Next is the Neko arts. Supposedly having descended from an ancient two tailed cat demon, Nekomamura. Specializing in Speed and agility. With paws, retractable claws and a tail for quick whiplike strikes or to grapple with. Japan's most powerful neko Arts teacher." A beautiful woman, with long flowing blonde hair, a crop top and a skirt stood up. All the boys oo'ed and aahh'ed over her immense beauty. She gathered her energy with no battlecry but instead of a series of movements and gesture ending in a sexy pose. She now had a tail, cat ears, cat fangs whiskers, and cat pupils. All the boy's eyes turned to hearts accept Chansu. "Forget great ape, I wanna go to her school." Tobias said in a daze. "So you wanna be a girly cat boy and say Nya 24/7." "um...uh no, I wanna go cuz it'll make me more agile and quick ha ha hah" Tobias laughed nervously. The female teacher snapped her finger, and as everyone watched, seconds later cats flooded the gym. "what the?" Tobias said. "I can not only materialize a spirit cat, but call any nearby cats to battle." Then she gave out an intense "Nya", as a giant flaming two-headed cat materialized behind, then all the other cats transformed into bigger more ferocious versions. Then they all shrunk back to normal as the spirit seemed to merge with the Neko-Sensei. As her clothes all erupted in flames, fire now covering her where her clothes were. Then she swung her hand like a claw covered in fire, and a spirit claw covered in fire swung as well. She let out a series of swipes and kicks, all backed by spirit paws/claws and ended by breathing fire. "Sadly i cant return back to normal, as my clothes were burned in exchange for more raw speed and power and fire ability. Nyaa, I hope all you cute little kittens enjoyed my Display." She sat back down, still in her transformed state

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

"Next we have the Lizard Arts. The master of poison and disguise, Ibis. With scaled skin, you'll become invulnerable to any kind of ailments, and elements and most damage. the Lizard can traverse any surface, walls, ceilings, heal injuries and are masters of Acid." The Lizard arts master stood up and let out a concentrated battle cry, as his skin started to scale, his five fingers turn into three, he feet broke through his shoes. He walked over to Neko-sensei. "If you will, madam. She sliced across his chest with her claws" NYAAHH!!!" "wahaha. Now fire please." She breathed fire at him, to no avail. He then walked over to a wall, and walked right up it like nothing. He then disappeared. "Where'd he go" "Oh I'm still here. I simply camouflaged." he reappered. "I can turn completely invisible" He then jumped down and spit on the ground, which melted in an instant. "Acid saliva of the highest potency." Then finally he concentrated as an Ibis salamander materialized behind him. It opened it's mouth, letting a cloud of poison gas. "As a lizard arts fighter, you contain the abilities of all reptiles and can summon any reptile. Except dinosaurs and dragons, gators, crocs and snakes." He sat down as his salamander disappeared.

"Next we have the shark arts. Arguably-" "I'll take it from here" The Shark Arts master Rudely Interrupted. He stood. He was no taller than 5'8, with a bad attitude. With snake-Like pupils. He wore straps attached to his legs with what looked like fangs at the ends. "We shark Arts fighters are the fiercest, Most powerful and bloodthirsty of all the schools." He yelled out looking arrogantly at the 4 Holy Art members. "we fight for the sake fighting, to fill our never ending thirst for blood. We fight to spill it, with a series of slashes, slices, cuts, deep. I AM AZUSA WANIJIMA, CURRENT FANG KING(head of the art like the wolf arts master) OF THE SHARK ARTS, THE MOST VICIOUS AND POWERFUL OF THE ANIMAL ARTS. YOU THERE!!!" he said pointing at Tobias. "Who M-me?" "Yes you, my demonstration requires a volunteer." Tobias trembled in fear "Now now Azusa calm down." "QUIET. These kids will face great adversity, and greater enemies than anything they can imagine." " I'll do it" Chansu stood up "Ahh I like your spirit. Chansu stepped forward. "Dont move, if you dont wanna die. I'll attempt to restrain myself. THE SHARK ARTS SPECIALIZE IN FAST, CLOSE UP BLOOD SPILLING ATTACKS. WE OFTEN HAVE SOME SORT OF CHAIN, OR ROPE WITH SOMETHING ATTACHED TO PULL OUR ENEMIES IN AND RIP THEM TO SHREDS, as do sharks in the water rip their prey to shreds." He kicked his leg at Chansu sending two chains at him, but he caught them. "Like so." He then pulled, bringing Chansu towards him, then released the straps allowing Chansu to stop himself. "However that's not all we have. Very few can awaken the power of our great Ancestor. The FANG. Now try not to move young one, or you WILL DIE." As he stood there the entire area shook, as the air pressure increased greatly he then kicked his foot a large shark appearing behind him, as he Launched a giant blast of wind and from it a blade of water that traveled towards Chansu tearing through the very ground under it. "AZUSA!!!" The principal yelled as some of the other masters got ready to intercept it but then something unexpected happened. A Giant Winged Sea Serpent appeared behind Chansu, and he kicked his leg also launching a dark Blood red Fang though much weaker, to everyone's surprise. The wolf arts master, as well as the 4 holy Arts users all opened their eyes wide. As the two Fangs Collided Azusa's flew right through Chansus but dissipated before hittting him as it was never meant to touch him anyway. "Whoooaaaa" all the kids began to cheer. "Well well, looks like we knows what school hes going to. Whats your name kid." "Chansu Aotoge." "Soo your the one I came looking for. A woman from the Wanijima Clan married a man from the Aotoge clan long ago. Thus passing down the bloodthirsty nature of the Wanijima to the Aotoge as well. yet none of you ever produced a Shark Arts student, until now. Your instincts are great. I'll be expecting many great things from you." Azusa sat back with the master as chansu went back to the other students. "DUUUUDDEEE THAT WAS AWESOME HOW'D YOU DO THAT!!!" "No idea. It just happened." Heh guess it was you who became a fish wahaha." "quiet or i'll eat you." "ooo scary."

"That kid, at 15 years old. But yet, not of Nobility and it wasnt even one of our Holy Arts but a regular Art." The Byakko user said. "Such an advanced technique. Even we couldnt use any advanced holy Arts til at 18." The Genbu user said. "Could he be?" The Suzaku user questioned. The Seiryu user closed his eyes back remaining silent.

"Next is the two Demi-Arts schools. They're called Demi-Arts because their based off two mythical godlike creatures. First is The Pegasus Arts." The Pegasus Master stood up. I am Tobu Uma. The Pegasus arts are graceful, yet deadly. Harnessing the power of Galaxies. We can fly, and throw punches and kicks with the strength of meteors and the speed of light." He let out a cry, and wings spread from his back, sparkling like space. He threw a flurry of fists, what seemed like a million in an instant. He threw what looked like dust, that exploded as it flew through the air. "Explosive Stardust" Finally he concentrated and space appeared behind him, with a pegasus emerging. The pegasus then merged with him, forming armor and wings, with a pegasus head helmet. "And finally Pegasus Armor."

Tobu sat down and the next master stood up.

"Next We have the Qilin Arts school. The Qilin is a creature said to appear signifying the rise or departure of a god, or royalty. It is supposedly a giraffe that has ascended to near godhood for reasons unknown" the Qilin master stood up, and concentrated. He grew a tail and antlers as well as giraffe like markings. He punched and his fist stretched way across the room. Then he retracted it. He put his hands out behind him, and electricity began to crackle between his antlers, as he fired a blast of electricity from his hands. He then started to. Crackle with electricity along his entire body. Then behind him. A Qilin appeared. A giraffe like creature covered in electricity with clouds at its feet. It stomped its feet and electricity spread all across the floor. The creature disappeared