The limousine moved like a quiet shadow through the illuminated roads of Crescent Ward.
Streetlights slid across polished black glass, reflections bending along the smooth metal as the city's late-night traffic thinned into something almost dignified. Inside, the cabin was warm, softly lit, insulated from the noise and chaos outside.
The driver reached forward and tapped a control.
The divider window slid down.
"Ms. Yufell," he said respectfully. "Back to the academy?"
Jeanne Yufell sat with one leg crossed over the other, posture relaxed but alert. Her brown hair was tied loosely tonight, a few strands slipping free to brush against the deep red fabric of her coat. She stared out the window for half a heartbeat longer before answering.
"No," she said. "Take me to the Beast Materials Market."
The driver nodded without question.
"Understood."
The window slid back up. The route adjusted. The limousine veered smoothly, changing direction as if it had been waiting for the command.
Jeanne leaned back slightly, fingers resting against the clasp of her storage pouch.
Inside it—five bags.
No.
Three, now.
Three bags of something that should not exist.
---
The Beast Materials Market loomed like a fortress of glass and steel, its scale impossible to miss even from several streets away. Entire city blocks were swallowed by its presence—layered floors, glowing signage, constant movement.
At its center rose the largest structure of them all.
RYAN FAMILY MARKET
The limousine pulled to a stop at the private entrance. The driver exited first, opening the door for her.
Jeanne stepped out.
The moment she crossed the threshold, the receptionist looked up—and froze for exactly the amount of time professionalism allowed.
"Headmistress Jeanne," the woman said immediately, standing straighter. "Welcome back. Would you like to meet with Head Landon?"
"Yes," Jeanne replied without hesitation.
"Of course. He's available."
As Jeanne moved toward the elevator, the receptionist was already making the call, voice low and respectful.
"Director Ryan? Headmistress Yufell is here to see you."
The elevator doors slid open.
Jeanne stepped inside.
The doors closed.
And the ascent began.
---
Landon Ryan's office occupied an entire upper sector.
Glass walls. Floating displays. Subtle mana fields reinforcing every surface. The air itself felt curated—filtered, regulated, controlled.
The doors opened.
"Jeanne!" Landon Ryan said warmly, rising from behind his desk. "How wonderful to see the Headmistress of our city's most prestigious academy."
He was tall, impeccably dressed, silver threading his hair at the temples. His smile was practiced—but not false. A man who genuinely enjoyed being powerful.
She didn't return the pleasantries.
"Landon," she said, walking forward. "I'll be direct."
That wiped the practiced edge off his smile.
"By all means."
Jeanne reached into her pouch and withdrew several glittering fragments.
Emerald green.
Sparkling.
Perfect.
Landon's eyes flicked downward instantly.
"Emeralds?" he asked.
"No," Jeanne corrected calmly. "Gemeralds."
That caught his interest.
She set the fragments on his desk.
"They accelerate Beast growth. Responsiveness. Mana integration. I want them analyzed."
Landon's fingers hovered just above the fragments.
"…Interesting," he murmured. "Any known additives? Enhancers?"
"That's what I want to know," Jeanne said. "Including observed effects on live Beasts."
He looked up, eyes sharp now.
"Of course."
---
They descended.
Past authorized levels.
Past restricted floors.
Past places that smelled faintly of antiseptic and blood.
The basement levels of the Ryan Family Market were less a treatment center and more a proving ground. Reinforced containment chambers lined the corridors—thick glass, mana seals, warning glyphs.
Inside them, Beasts paced.
Some snarled.
Some watched.
All of them hated humans.
"These were all captured beyond city boundaries," Landon explained casually as they walked. "Hostile entities. Failed integrations. Threat-level assets."
Jeanne didn't comment.
They entered a central lab.
Scientists straightened instantly.
Landon gestured. "Begin testing."
One of the Gemerald bags was opened.
Fragments were poured gently into a reinforced bowl.
A litter of young pups—barely past infancy—were guided forward. Their handlers hesitated, then offered the fragments.
The pups sniffed.
Paused.
Then eagerly consumed them.
Instruments spiked.
Mana density surged.
"…That's a lot of mana," one scientist muttered. "But it's stable."
Another nodded. "No foreign toxins. No chemical accelerants."
The remaining four bags were separated—three moved to analyzers, one reserved.
Landon frowned slightly.
"Interesting," he said. "Normally mana-dense materials resist direct absorption."
He turned.
"Bring in the Flame Dog."
A Rottweiler-shaped Beast padded forward, flames licking subtly along its shoulders. Its eyes locked onto the fragment in the scientist's hand.
The scientist tossed it casually.
The fragment vanished mid-air.
Not burned.
Not crushed.
Absorbed.
Mana dispersed through the Beast's body like ink in water.
"…It recognized it," Landon murmured.
Jeanne folded her arms. "Recognized it as what?"
"As a treat," a scientist replied slowly. "Not a resource. Not fuel."
Jeanne nodded once.
"My Mantis consumed it as dust," she said. "Like sauce."
Landon raised an eyebrow.
"Crush some."
A Stone Ape Beast was summoned—broad, dense, intelligent eyes glowing faintly. It crushed the fragments into dust between its palms and inhaled, then consumed.
The reaction was immediate.
The Ape thumped its chest, vocalizing in low, resonant tones.
One of the translators blinked.
"…It says it tastes sweet," she reported. "And that it wants more. Feels energized."
Landon let out a low whistle.
"My Beast recognizes it as candy," he said. "That also improves function."
He turned to Jeanne.
"Ms. Yufell… where did you acquire these?"
She didn't hesitate.
"A rundown Beast Pet Shop," she said. "Cubic Creatures."
She retrieved three bags, handing two back to Landon.
"For experimentation," she added. "Use them how you see fit."
Then, calmly—
"And the man who owns the shop is interesting. Don't touch him."
Landon laughed, raising his hands slightly.
"I wouldn't dare touch someone who's caught Headmistress Yufell's eye," he said lightly.
Jeanne didn't smile.
She turned and left.
---
As the elevator ascended, Landon remained behind, staring at the remaining bag of Gemeralds.
Once the doors closed, he tapped his desk.
"Jim," he said into his communicator.
"Yes, sir?"
"Find this store—Cubic Creatures. I want to know how they produce Gemerald dust."
A pause.
"…Understood. Any restrictions?"
Landon smiled.
"Don't kill or hurt the owner."
The call ended.
Landon leaned back in his chair, emerald light reflecting in his eyes.
"…Now this," he murmured, "is going to be interesting."