Dominion of The Beast Masters

Chapter 146: Ambitions and Rivalries



Following Victoria's announcement, Golden Cosmos became an overnight sensation. Media coverage skyrocketed, and fans couldn't get enough of the new stars: The Pharaoh, the Shinigami, and Tethys. The agency's rapid rise grabbed the attention of sponsors and rival organizations alike.

They relocated to a new headquarters in a high-rise building in Lugina. Their previous location would now serve as a training center.

The new gym was massive, equipped with specialized areas for speed, strength, flexibility, swimming, running, and sparring, with a new intense training regimen, led by the agency's aces and expert staff, pushing everyone beyond their limits.

Kaida and Catarina led brutal beastification sessions, forcing fighters to adapt to their beasts' powers. Mercury's elemental training tested control and precision. Eratz's physical drills focused on raw strength and endurance, leaving everyone exhausted. Raya introduced meditation techniques, helping fighters find mental clarity amidst chaos.

Though progress was slow at first, Victoria remained confident it would pay off, if they had enough time before the new season began.

In the afternoon, the sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow over the city. Outside Golden Cosmos' new headquarters, a group of trainees limped their way to the exit, their bodies aching from the day's brutal training session.

One girl, her hair tied up in a messy bun, groaned as she rubbed her sore arms.

"I was so excited to be in the same agency as famous people," she muttered. "But this is horrible. I almost puked... twice."

A girl beside her, with short, curly hair, chuckled weakly.

"At least you almost puked. I did puke... Trice... This training program is insane."

They exchanged tired smiles, sharing in the collective suffering of the new regime. As they continued walking, they heard a familiar voice calling out behind them.

"Hey, girls, wait for me!"

They turned around to see Adrian jogging towards them, his signature smirk firmly in place.

"Rough day at the office?" he asked, noting their fatigued expressions.

"More like rough day at boot camp," the girl with the bun sighed. "This new training is killing us."

Adrian chuckled.

"I figured as much. They're pushing everyone way too hard. It's just ridiculous."

The curly-haired girl tilted her head.

"You think so?"

He nodded, folding his arms.

"Absolutely. The agency's lost its way, focusing on these so-called 'aces' and neglecting everyone else. It's clear they don't respect the people who were here from the start."

The girls glanced at each other, a bit puzzled. The girl with the bun replied.

"Well, the training is tough, but I guess it's because they want us to improve."

Adrian scoffed.

"Improve? More like burn out. And for what? To prop up the egos of Eratz, Kaida and Raya? They're overrated if you ask me."

The curly-haired girl's eyes widened.

"Wait, what? They are amazing! Their battles are so inspiring."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Adrian raised an eyebrow, surprised.

"Hm... But..."

"Of course!" the girl with the bun exclaimed. "I mean, Eratz is phenomenal. He's the reason I wanted to join Golden Cosmos in the first place. The Pharaoh in the flesh... it's so incredible to be in the same room as him!"

The curly-haired girl nodded enthusiastically.

"Same here! I was so scared to talk to Raya and Kaida, but they're so nice."

Adrian folded his arms, his smirk disappearing.

"But don't you think they're overshadowing the rest of us? The direction things are going, it's a mess. All this hype, all this focus on newcomers. But where were they when the agency could barely keep the lights on? It's the people who were here back then who are the real heroes."

The girl with the bun nodded slowly, considering his words.

"Yeah, but... that's why I like Mercury. She's been here forever, and she's even better now. She's like a legend."

Adrian's smirk faltered, and his eyes lit up with a flicker of nostalgia.

"Oh, Mercury and I go way back. We were close, you know, worked together a lot back then. She relied on me a lot."

The two girls exchanged a look, eyebrows raised. The curly-haired one tilted her head.

"Oh, yeah, you were around back too, right? You were one of the original aces!"

Adrian flushed slightly, caught off guard by the question. He straightened his back, trying to maintain his confident posture.

"Of course I was," he said, almost defensive. "I was the second ace, right after Mercury. I was this close to making it to the finals. But then Madam Victoria decided to push Eratz into the spotlight, and I got left behind."

He clenched his jaw, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

"And now they've got all this money, so they bring in outsiders, big names, and just forget the people who built this place."

The girl with the bun raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical.

"I don't know, Adrian. I heard the new formation center has free registration. They're doing recruiting campaigns among teenagers too. It seems like a good opportunity for everyone,

doesn't it?"

The curly-haired girl sighed, her expression turning dreamy.

"I only joined because I wanted to be in the same agency as The Pharaoh," she said with a

small laugh. "He's so cool and handsome."

Adrian rolled his eyes, letting out an annoyed huff.

"Of course, it's always about him," he muttered.

The girl with the bun shrugged.

"Too bad he's already dating someone," she added casually.

Adrian froze, his frustration wiped off his face in an instant.

"Wait, what?" He turned to the girl, eyes wide with disbelief. "He's dating? Who? Are you

sure?"

The curly-haired girl giggled.

"Oh yeah, it's true. Some of the older trainees asked him out, but he told them he was married. He even said he had a son!"

Adrian's mind raced. Married? With a child? His eyes narrowed in thought, a smirk slowly creeping back onto his face. If Eratz was married, then Mercury wouldn't be interested in him. That meant he still had a chance. He felt a surge of confidence, the self-assured grin returning

to his lips.

He cleared his throat, nodding slowly as if piecing together a grand revelation.

"I see," he said, almost to himself. "So he's married to someone already, and he even has a

son, huh?"

The girls exchanged a puzzled look, but before they could ask anything, Adrian straightened his jacket and took a deep breath, his smirk growing wider.

"Well, that changes everything," he muttered, almost giddy. "I've got business to handle."

Without another word, he turned and strode back toward the agency's entrance, his

confidence restored and his day saved.

Meanwhile Inside the agency, the aces gathered in Victoria's office. Kaida leaned back in her

chair, her arms crossed over her chest.

"Are we really sure about this?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Mercury, seated next to Eratz, gave a small, confident nod.

"I'm sure," she said simply, glancing at Eratz for confirmation.

Eratz met her gaze, nodding.

"We've thought this through," he added. "It's the right move."

Zara leaned forward, her hands clasped together, looking between the two of them.

"I hope so," she said. "It could work, if everything goes as planned."

Ryder, sitting by the window, nodded along.

"It's about time," he admitted with a hopeful smile. "I think it's a good idea. They've got the

potential."

Kaida still looked doubtful, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"Potential isn't always enough, we have like hundred incoming, isn't there at least one

prodigy?" she asked.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, Catarina and Raya were playing rock-paper- scissors, with Catarina losing again, groaning in frustration as Raya gave a small, triumphant

smile.

Victoria watched them all, her expression calm.

"I have faith in Eratz and Mercury," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. "We'll

proceed with the plan. For now, the agency will continue with the current training regimen. The staff will take care of repeating the program, so you are now free to pursue your own training as you wish. Until then we'll take care of that and will see how it play out." They shared a brief, smile before standing up, ready to set their plans in motion, Catarina holding Raya's arm, guiding her.

As they stepped out of the office, the group discussed their training schedules. "Alright," Kaida said. "We'll go over your training regimen together." Raya nodded, looking focused. Ryder hesitated before stepping forward with a grin.

"Count me in. We won't make it back without bleeding from every orifice."

Catarina made a disgusted face, letting out a purr. Kaida glanced over at Mercury.

"Sis, want to join us?"

Mercury looked at Eratz, her expression softening.

"It could be fun," she said, her eyes meeting his.

Eratz gave a small smile, shaking his head.

"I'd like to, but I need to work on my own weaknesses. I'm heading out to find new beasts."

Mercury raised an eyebrow, feigning disappointment.

"Oh, so you'd rather face wild beasts alone than train with us?"

Before Eratz could answer, Kaida smirked.

"Let it go, he's stronger than all of us anyway. Plus, it's only for a few days to learn the basics,

then we'll all travel for our own training."

Catarina grinned. "Yeah, Boss already knows all the basis, so let him act like he's better than us."

"Than you." Eratz corrected.

Catarina scoffed, crossing her arms with a huff.

Mercury sighed but then smiled.

"Alright, just stay near your phone."

He gave her a reassuring nod.

"Ma'am, I appear to have a lightning flying monster. I'll be back for dinner."

She chuckled and stepped closer, lightly bumping her shoulder against his.

"You know you have no choice. Alright then! We'll train, we'll learn, and we'll reunite

stronger than before."

They all nodded, a determined energy binding them together. With one last glance, the group

dispersed.