This Beast-Tamer is a Little Strange

The crowd roared—not in approval of Lukas’s defeat, but in catharsis, as if they had all just witnessed something justice-like unfold. The referee rushed forward, eyes wide, clearly uncertain how to categorize what he had just witnessed.

“The winner,” the referee stammered out, voice unsteady, “is Kain Newman.”

Kain calmly stepped back, dismissing his contracts one by one with a graceful wave. Bea released her grip fully, allowing Lukas to collapse onto the arena floor in a defeated, trembling heap. Medics rushed in quickly, their faces pale.

Kain didn’t look back as he exited the arena stage, each step precise and deliberate. The crowd parted instinctively, giving him space.

His friends gathered quickly—Bridge looking both impressed and amused, Addison openly satisfied, and Serena waiting quietly, eyes unreadable.

Bridge bounded up first, eyes still wide. “Holy shit. Remind me never to piss you off, bro.”

Kain rolled his eyes. “You say that as if you didn’t already know.”

Bridge grinned sheepishly. “Fair point. But still, that was brutal. Satisfying, but brutal.”

“You were too gentle,” Addison muttered darkly, arms crossed. Her voice carried the edge of someone who’d replayed Lukas’s blog post about Serena in her head too many times. “He deserved worse.”

“We all saw what he said,” Kain replied flatly, glancing at Serena. “He won’t forget today.”

They watched together as Lukas was carried off by medical staff, his head bowed in humiliation, the murmur of the crowd rising like a wave behind him. His reputation, so carefully constructed, had been reduced to ash.

Then came a quite heavy tap on Kain’s shoulder. If his body hadn’t been mysteriously reinforced by the Thar’Ameth heart in the relic, then it would probably be bruised.

He turned to find Professor Roarke, his face set in a neutral mask. “Mr. Newman,” Roarke began smoothly, “while I appreciate your… enthusiasm for fighting, expect a formal reprimand. Possibly more.”

Kain tilted his head. “Of course. I’ll accept whatever comes.”

Roarke nodded once, but his eyes were cold. A little too cold for a simple reprimand. His tone was professional, but there was something tight in his voice. Personal.

And Kain didn’t miss the way Roarke’s gaze briefly flicked toward the stretcher carrying Lukas. It was quick, but unmistakable. And the emotion in his eyes was difficult to discern.

Interesting.

“I’m sure you will,” Roarke replied, the corners of his mouth twitching—not quite a smile, not quite a threat—before walking away without another word.

Kain stared after him, gears slowly turning. That… wasn’t the kind of interaction he was used to having with faculty.

He didn’t go out of his way to antagonize professors. But with his current status—evolutionary planner, accomplished researcher with several patents, member of the Order—it wasn’t as though he feared stepping on any toes, either. Still, he made a mental note to ask around about Roarke.

Something about that look…

Serena stepped closer, drawing him back from his thoughts. “Come on.”

“Where?”

She glanced at the crowd, then back at him, eyes glinting with just a hint of mischief. “Away from here. Before you accidentally crush something else aside from just another person’s hand.”

Kain blinked. Then laughed, softly. “You saw that?”

It seemed like he couldn’t hide his small act of revenge at the beginning of the match from her.

Bridge and the others tagged along behind them. Thankfully, all of their matches for the day had already been completed.

“If I was Lukas, I think I’d try to sue Kain for emotional distress. God knows he has the money to pay up.” Elias mock-whispered loud enough for everyone to hear.

Kain gave him a flat look. “Keep talking and you’re next.”

“You can’t silence me! I’m the moral compass of this group!”

“You’re a compass with one direction,” Addison shot back. “And it always points to chaos.”

They ended up at the usual small café on campus—one of the rare ones with a late-night license, designed for students pulling all-nighters or those avoiding dorm curfews. It was open until dawn, filled with mismatched couches, warm lighting, and a self-serve espresso machines, and private rooms you could book.

Kain sank into one of the chairs of a private room upstairs, letting the back of his head thump lightly against the wall. The rush of adrenaline had finally burned off, and in its place was… not exhaustion, exactly. Something…emptier.

Across from him, Addison sipped her drink and raised a brow. “You’re spacing out again. Still basking in your glorious victory?”

He snorted. “Absolutely. I was just reminiscing about the time I wiped the arena floor with you as well. You were the perfect appetizer before Lukas.”

Bridge nearly choked on his drink. But refrained from commenting after a harsh glare from Addison.

“I wonder if he’ll transfer schools?” Elias added dryly. “I mean, I’ve seen people get humiliated before, but that was… historic.”

“Historic,” Finn agreed solemnly. “I already found a video someone posted of the match online, just the part where he’s on the floor bowing to Kain has tens of thousands of views in just a couple of hours.”

They all laughed—genuine, sharp, and real. Even Serena’s expression softened slightly. But Kain noticed she didn’t join the jokes. Not quite.

Eventually, the group filtered out one by one—some citing homework, others pretending to care about curfew. Bridge was the last to go, making a dramatic show of saluting Kain with his half-empty coffee cup before vanishing down the stairs.

And just like that, it was quiet.

Kain looked over. Serena hadn’t moved.

She was watching him, still calm, still composed, but thoughtful.

“You noticed something off about Roarke too,” It wasn’t a question. It was a statement of fact. After going through so many life-or-death situations together, they could practically read each other’s minds. He knew how perceptive she was and that whatever strangeness he picked up on, she would too.

She nodded. “Noticed it during the match. Most people wouldn’t. It’s subtle. But… the way Roarke looked at Lukas. It was more than concern.”

“What do you think about them? You’ve had classes with him,” Kain said. “I haven’t.”

“Roarke doesn’t play favourites outwardly,” she said. “But Lukas is… close. Not obviously. But I’ve seen him give Lukas small nods during lectures. Extra clarification. Things others don’t get. No one’s really questioned it, or even really picked up on, because Lukas is pretty quiet in class. But I think Roarke’s played favourites with him more than once.”

Kain sat up slightly, eyes narrowing. “Favoured him how?”

“I don’t know,” Serena admitted. “That’s why I didn’t say anything earlier. It’s just a hunch. But today…”

Kain nodded slowly, processing. “I guess, if Lukas has a staff member like Roarke in his corner… I’ll need to watch my back a bit.”

Serena’s mouth tilted upward. “You always do. But now you’ll do it twice.”

He smiled faintly. “Always.”

“Good,” she said simply. And then, after a pause, “Thank you for today, by the way. I can fight for myself, but it was nice to see someone else so angry on my behalf.”

He didn’t answer. He didn’t need to.

She stood, smoothing down her coat. As she passed by, her hand brushed his shoulder lightly.

Suddenly, his reinforced skin that didn’t even bruise from the forceful knocking of a higher-level Professor felt as if it was seared by a hot brand…but it was not at all uncomfortable.