The sun hung high over the rugged plains of Eurazania, casting its golden rays over towering mountains, lush jungles, and ancient stone fortresses. The heat shimmered in the distance, the air thick with the scent of sweat, steel, and wild beasts. Roars echoed in the distance as colossal Thunder Tigers sparred with their handlers. Explosions of aura clashed in training pits, while massive lycanthropes barked orders to recruits. This was a kingdom that breathed strength.
At the massive black-and-gold gates leading into the capital, two tall lycanthrope guards, clad in bronze-plated armor, stood proudly. They both stiffened the moment they saw a familiar figure approach from the dusty road.
"L-Lady Milim!" one of them gasped, immediately lowering his head in respect. His partner mirrored the gesture. "We did not expect your return so soon!"
Milim, grinning with her usual confident smirk, waved them off playfully. "No need to bow, you two. I'm just here to visit with someone important."
The guards' eyes then shifted to the towering man beside her.
He walked with a casual but terrifying presence—hands in his pockets, eyes narrowed in a cold expression that gave off a sense of absolute dominance. No aura. No magic. Nothing could be felt from him. And yet, the silence around him screamed louder than any warrior's roar.
"...Who is this man?" the second guard whispered, trying to size Yujiro up but instantly feeling his instincts scream danger.
Milim chuckled, arms crossed. "He's my teacher. My uncle, Yujiro Hanma."
The name meant nothing to them, but the way she said it—with reverence—was enough. Without question, one guard nodded and stepped forward.
"I'll escort you to Lord Carrion's castle."
As they entered the capital, a vibrant city spread out before them. Beastmen of all shapes and sizes went about their duties—some sharpening weapons, others sparring in the streets. Buildings made from stone, bones, and the hides of ancient monsters loomed tall, decorated with banners showing claw marks and lightning bolts—the symbols of Eurazania's pride.
Yujiro's eyes scanned the city. His face remained unreadable, but internally, he was curious. The sheer number of powerful warriors was impressive—even among the workers, many had the build and presence of elite fighters. Some paused from their tasks when they saw Milim and began bowing slightly—but their eyes locked onto Yujiro with suspicion and curiosity.
"Who's that guy?"
"He doesn't look like a beastman."
"No aura... is he just a human? Walking next to Milim?"
"Wait... she's smiling. That's rare... is she respecting him?"
Their whispers only grew as they made their way closer to the castle.
Yujiro ignored them all.
The castle gates opened slowly, revealing a towering throne room lined with beast-skin carpets, glowing blue torches, and a throne carved from stone and the bones of slain monsters. Standing before the throne were three figures—each radiating powerful, refined beast aura.
The Three Beastketeers.
Albis, the elegant yet commanding snake-type beastkin, with piercing eyes and long silver hair.
Suphia, the wild lioness warrior, her muscles tense and eyes sharp.
Phobio, the black panther, a brash but powerful warrior, already clenching his fists, sizing Yujiro up.
Seated casually at the throne, resting his head on his hand, was Carrion himself—still exuding his kingly pride, his beast aura calm but overwhelming. He smirked when he saw Milim.
"Milim. And the beast of a man beside you… finally."
Yujiro's eyes locked onto Carrion as he walked forward, still with his hands in his pockets. The tension in the room shifted like a sudden cold wind.
The Beastketeers straightened instinctively. Even though they felt no magic, no aura—something primal in their instincts was warning them.
Milim stepped to the side with a grin. "I brought Uncle like you asked. You better not waste his time."
Carrion stood, stepping down from his throne. "Yujiro Hanma... I'm glad you took my invitation. Welcome to Eurazania."
Yujiro gave a simple nod.
No words.
No bow.
Only a nod.
Carrion smirked, clearly not offended.
Suphia took a step forward. "My Lord... forgive me but... I can't sense anything from him. No strength, no magic... is he really the one you told us about?"
Phobio crossed his arms, suspicious. "He feels... ordinary. I'm not impressed."
Yujiro turned his eyes slowly toward them. For just a second—just a heartbeat—the air shifted. A pressure dropped into the room like gravity had doubled. Neither aura nor magic—just sheer killer intent.
Both Phobio and Suphia froze mid-step. Their knees almost buckled.
But then it was gone.
Yujiro didn't even blink.
Carrion laughed lightly. "You still have much to learn."
He turned to the Beastketeers. "This man has beaten Milim. He's beaten Guy Crimson. He's overwhelmed Veldora and Velzard with no magic. He defeated Draguel, Luminous, Frey... even me. Without skills. Without spells. With only his fists."
Silence.
A stunned silence swept the room. Albis's mouth parted slightly. Suphia's eyes widened. Phobio took a step back unconsciously.
"You're... joking..." Phobio said, disbelief shaking his voice.
Carrion's eyes narrowed. "Does it look like I am?"
Milim smirked proudly, arms crossed. "He trained me for years. I've grown stronger than I've ever been. But I still can't land a hit on him if he doesn't want me to."
Albis bowed respectfully. "My apologies. I judged you without knowing."
Yujiro didn't respond.
Suphia bit her lip and muttered under her breath, "So this is the monster Milim called Uncle..."
Carrion stepped forward, offering his hand—not as a king to a guest, but as a warrior to a master. "Yujiro Hanma. We welcome you to our kingdom. I ask that you train my warriors, push them to grow, and remind this kingdom what true power is."
Yujiro's lips finally curled into a smirk.
He tilted his head just slightly, the air around him growing heavier—not from magic, but from something more primal. Pure, raw menace. Then his voice, deep and calm, rolled out like thunder.
"I will start with you three right now."
Phobio blinked. Suphia narrowed her eyes. Albis frowned, confused.
"Wait, what? You want us three to come at you?" Phobio asked, almost laughing.
Yujiro didn't answer with words at first—he just kept that unsettling smirk on his face, his massive hands still buried deep in his pockets. His stance didn't shift. His shoulders didn't tense. But his presence… it was like staring into the eyes of a predator older than time itself.
"I won't repeat myself again," Yujiro said, slowly raising his gaze to meet theirs. "Come at me with everything you've got. Now."
A strange silence fell across the throne room. Milim casually took a single step back, her expression neutral—but her eyes gleamed. She knew what was about to happen.
Carrion, still seated on his throne, just smiled. A knowing smile. The kind a king gives when witnessing the fall of pride before the weight of reality.
The three Beastketeers exchanged glances. They were no fools. Albis, the calm and strategic one, Suphia, the fierce and wild one, and Phobio, the reckless, explosive one—they had fought together for years, and never backed down from a challenge.
"Very well," Albis said, adjusting her posture.
"You better not regret this," Suphia growled, cracking her knuckles.
"Let's put this human in his place," Phobio snarled, already boosting his aura.
In a burst of speed, all three launched forward. Their bodies vanished in a flash of motion—blurs of fur, steel, and magic power—straight at Yujiro.
But Yujiro didn't move his hands. He didn't even flinch.
In that moment, the air itself seemed to freeze.
BOOM! The first strike came—Phobio leapt in with a wild, overhead axe kick. But Yujiro, with barely a shift in weight, twisted his body and slid to the side, his left leg whipping upward like a coiled spring.
CRACK!
A brutal left knee smashed into Phobio's stomach mid-air—all power, no wasted motion. The lycanthrope's eyes widened, his breath knocked completely out of his lungs. He was thrown backward like a cannonball, crashing into a stone pillar.
Albis came next, spinning in from the side, aiming a precise elbow to Yujiro's neck. But again, no arms. Yujiro lifted his right leg with terrifying speed—a rising teep kick—and slammed it right into her midsection.
THUMP!
Her body crumpled around the force like paper, her breath erupting in a choke as she was launched backward, tumbling across the ground with a strangled grunt.
Suphia, already in beast-form, tried to flank him from behind. She struck with claws glowing with magical energy, slashing fast and wide. But Yujiro twisted with inhuman grace—his left leg shot backward in a reverse low kick, smashing straight into her shin.
CRUNCH!
Suphia's leg buckled as pain exploded up her spine. Before she could fall, Yujiro spun in midair, executing a brutal spinning heel kick with his right leg, cracking across the side of her head.
The sound echoed like thunder in the chamber.
Suphia hit the floor face-first, skidding to a stop, groaning.
All three Beastketeers were down. Just like that. Seconds had passed.
Yujiro stood still, his hands still in his pockets. His chest didn't move. He wasn't even breathing heavily. His eyes swept over them like a beast surveying fallen prey. Cold. Dominant. Untouchable.
The room was silent.
Carrion leaned forward slightly, resting his chin on his fist, watching with amusement and awe.
Milim's lips curled into a mischievous grin.
"Told you all not to underestimate my uncle..." she whispered under her breath.
The three Beastketeers struggled to move. Albis was clutching her ribs, eyes wide in disbelief. Suphia's vision was blurry, her ears ringing. Phobio was coughing violently, trying to crawl out of the broken rubble he was embedded in.
"What... what was that...?" Phobio wheezed.
Albis coughed, wiping blood from the corner of her mouth.
"I didn't even see him move. Just legs. Just... precision."
"It was like he knew where we'd be before we moved..." Suphia muttered, half-conscious. Her pride shattered.
Yujiro took a single step forward. That one step echoed through the room like an earthquake.
"You're warriors," he said simply. "But you're all still dancing at the edge of death... without ever stepping in."
He finally took his hands out of his pockets. The room tensed.
"I'll show you what is true power and true strength."
Carrion finally stood, clapping once with a smirk.
"Welcome to Eurazania, Yujiro Hanma."
And with that... the true training had just begun.