Akira stood before the gathering of his new subordinates, the now evolved Lycanthropes and Blood-Tinged Wolves, the weight of leadership settling onto his shoulders. The energy in the air was electric, filled with anticipation and curiosity. These creatures, now bonded to him, were waiting for direction, ready to follow him into whatever challenge he set before them.

  He cleared his throat, ensuring his voice was steady as he began his announcement.

  Akira (with firm conviction): "Hello, everyone. I'd like to formally introduce myself. My name is Akira Azami. Yesterday, I was found by you Beastlings. You saved me when you could have easily left me to die in the Twilight Grove. You didn’t hesitate, and because of that, I’m here today. I saved the cubs, but instead of running away, they followed me and entrusted me with their lives. I am all of your protector, and I will do my best to live up to your expectations."

  He paused for a moment, scanning the faces of his new allies, the creatures who now stood before him, waiting for his next words.

  Akira (smiling): "Now, with that being said, I’d like to introduce you all to someone very special. I summon the great spirit of Frostfire!"

  The air shifted as the temperature around them dropped, and a brilliant flash of white and red appeared in front of him. The Frostfire Phoenix materialized, its wings shimmering with an ethereal glow. The Lycanthropes and Wolves stared in awe at the small yet powerful creature before them.

  Akira (gesturing to the Phoenix): "Everyone, this is my protector, the Frostfire Spirit. And now, he will be the guardian of our village."

  A murmur rippled through the crowd of creatures as they observed the Phoenix. Its small size and delicate features made it look less intimidating than expected.

  Beastling 1 (whispering to another): "Is this the spirit? It looks so small..."

  Beastling 2 (softly): "But... the magical energy radiating from it... I’ve never felt anything like it before."

  At first, there was doubt among the group. A spirit that looked so small could not possibly have the power Akira spoke of. But as the Phoenix’s aura expanded, the realization quickly settled in. They could feel the immense magical presence emanating from the creature, and their trust in Akira deepened.

  Akira (nodding): "As you can feel, the Frostfire Spirit’s power is unlike anything we’ve encountered before. Though small in stature, it holds unimaginable strength. I trust in its guidance, and so should you."

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  The crowd fell silent, respecting Akira’s words, understanding the weight of the responsibility they had undertaken by aligning themselves with him.

  Akira (continuing): "Now that you’ve evolved into much stronger beings, I’d like to put your power to the test. I want to organize you into categories based on your strength and fighting styles. You all have unique abilities, and I want to see how you handle yourselves in battle."

  A middle-aged Lycanthrope stepped forward, speaking with a mix of curiosity and concern.

  Lycanthrope Leader (gruffly): "So, are we just going to fight each other?"

  Akira (nodding): "Well... kind of. The goal is to find out where each of you excels. I want to see what you’re capable of—your strengths, your strategies, your potential. Once we’ve assessed that, I will assign you to categories based on the type of weapon you’re most comfortable using and how you fight."

  The group murmured amongst themselves, sensing the challenge that lay ahead. Akira’s voice rang out again, filled with authority.

  Akira (commanding): "Weapons will play a key role in determining your class, while your strength and skill will determine your rank within that class. I will supply the weapons, so don’t worry about that. We’ll make sure everyone has what they need."

  He turned to Athena, his trusted guide.

  Akira (thoughtfully): "Athena, can you help me with the weapons?"

  Athena (responding with a calm efficiency): "Understood. Initiating analysis and duplication process."

  Akira walked toward the Twilight Grove, the towering trees around him standing as silent witnesses to his every step. He approached a massive, ancient tree, its bark rough and deeply engraved with the marks of time. Placing his hand on the tree, Akira felt a surge of energy as it seemed to respond to his touch.

  Athena’s voice echoed in his mind.

  Athena: "Analyzing... Initiating Double Skill Activation. Engaging with tree structure... Breaking down object into usable resources."

  Akira felt the tree’s energy being absorbed into his system. The tree seemed to wither slightly, but Akira knew it was only temporary, a small price to pay for what was to come.

  Athena continued, her voice more mechanical now as she processed the materials.

  Athena: "The resources extracted from the tree have been converted into usable wood. I will now proceed with the item creation process. Weapons will be created based on the extracted material and your specified requirements."

  Akira nodded and waited as Athena worked. Moments later, the air shimmered with magical energy, and an array of weapons began to materialize before him. From swords to daggers, warhammers to wands, gauntlets to bare-handed weaponry—all appeared, crafted from the essence of the tree, with just the right balance of durability and magical potential.

  Athena (calmly): "All weapons have been created. The necessary amount of resources has been expended. You may proceed with distribution."

  Akira turned back to his subordinates, his gaze focused on the array of weapons before him. He knew that this was just the beginning of a much larger challenge. Each weapon represented a path—a path that would define the future of these creatures, and ultimately, their roles within his growing army.

  Akira (firmly): "These weapons are now yours. Choose the one that suits you best. The weapons will determine your class. Your strength and skill will determine your rank within that class. We’ll begin testing now. Prepare yourselves."

  The Lycanthropes and Blood-Tinged Wolves eyed the weapons, eager to prove themselves. The training had begun.