my beast change system

Nate

I leaned back against the shade of a large tree, closing my eyes for just a moment. When I opened them again, I was no longer in the forest. I stood in a vast hall, surrounded by towering statues of beasts, each one with a human figure in armor standing behind it like a guardian.

"Where am I?" I muttered, my voice echoing in the silence.

"You stand in the Hall of Succession, where all who carried the power before you are honored," a deep voice rumbled. My eyes snapped to the lion statue, its glowing eyes glaring down at me.

"You mean this... beast-changing power?" I asked hesitantly.

"Correct," another voice responded, this time from a crow statue whose eyes flickered to life.

"You have been blessed with a power humanity has never fully understood," a third voice chimed in. The serpent statue's coiled form began to glow faintly.

"This world is on the brink of ruin," a human figure declared as it appeared between the statues. "You must grow stronger, rise above your limits, and save it. Or fall alongside it."

"Who... who are you?" I asked, my voice shaking.

Before the figure could reply, the ground beneath me quaked violently. My eyes shot open, and I found myself back under the tree.

"What the hell was that?" I whispered, heart pounding. A deafening explosion in the distance made me jump to my feet.

---

Athena

From a safe distance, I watched as Owen moved through the battlefield with ease. His blade swung with precision, cutting down monsters in a single strike. The ground was littered with bodies, and yet he looked like he hadn't broken a sweat.

"What do you think?" he asked, turning to face me, his sword resting on his shoulder.

"You've definitely gotten stronger," I replied with a small smile. "But your magic is still... lacking."

"Yeah, well, that's a problem for both of us," he said with a grin. "You've got high mana but no control. And me? I barely have enough mana to light a candle, let alone cast Flame Thrower."

I sighed, crossing my arms. "Fair point."

Before I could continue, Owen suddenly tensed. He unsheathed his sword again, his eyes scanning the surrounding trees.

"Show yourself!" he commanded, his voice sharp.

---

Nate

Damn it. I've been spotted.

I stepped out of the bushes, raising my hands in surrender. "Uh… hi."

"Who are you?" Owen demanded, his sword already pointing at me.

"I… uh… Nate," I stammered, struggling to find the right words.

"Are you mocking me?" he snapped, slashing his sword through the air. A sharp wind blade flew toward me, forcing me to dodge.

"Damn it, relax! I'm not here to fight!" I shouted, my heart racing.

---

Athena

This isn't good. There was something unsettling about this man. He had no aura, no detectable power, yet he dodged Owen's attack like it was nothing.

"Owen, stop!" I called out, stepping closer.

"Why?" he growled, his sword still raised.

"Something's off about him," I said, my eyes narrowing as I studied the stranger. "Who are you?"

"Nate Williams, ma'am," he said, his voice calm despite the tension.

"And why are you here?" I pressed.

He sighed, lowering his hands. "I heard the explosion and thought someone might be in danger. When I saw the two of you fighting monsters, I couldn't help but watch."

Owen wasn't convinced. Before I could stop him, he vanished, reappearing in front of Nate with his sword swinging toward his neck.

To my shock, Nate raised a single finger and stopped the blade mid-swing.

---

Owen

What…? He blocked it. With one finger.

I jumped back instinctively, creating distance between us. My sword trembled in my grip.

"Who are you?" I demanded.

"I didn't come here to fight," Nate said calmly, lowering his hand. Blood trickled from his finger, but it began to heal almost instantly.

"Instant healing?!" Athena gasped, her voice filled with disbelief.

"You have that kind of power?" she asked, her eyes wide.

"I… I don't know," Nate replied, staring at his hand. "It's the first time this has ever happened to me. I've never bled before."

What is this guy?

---

Nate

I stared at my finger, still trembling inside. Blocking that attack wasn't me—it was the system, or whatever power I had inside me. If not for that, I would've dodged.

"Look, I didn't mean any harm," I said, bowing my head. "I heard the explosion and thought someone might be in trouble. Seeing the two of you here fighting monsters, I got curious. Please, forgive me."

"It's fine," Athena said softly, placing a hand on my shoulder. "We're sorry, too. We acted without hearing you out."

Owen sighed, lowering his sword. "I'm sorry for attacking you," he muttered, bowing slightly.

"It's fine. Let's just put it behind us," I said, scratching the back of my head awkwardly.

"My name is Owen, and this is Lady Athena, princess of the capital of…" Owen trailed off, leaving the name unsaid.

I immediately dropped to one knee, bowing my head deeply. "Forgive my rudeness, my lady."

Athena giggled. "You know, in our culture, kneeling like that is a marriage proposal."

I shot to my feet, sweating bullets. "I-I'm so sorry! I didn't know! Please don't have me executed!"

She laughed. "Relax, I'm joking."

As I sighed in relief, I noticed the jealousy flickering in Owen's eyes.

"So, Sir Owen, are you her guard?" I asked, smirking internally. A little payback for that earlier attack.

"Of course not! Can't you tell from this armor that I'm a holy knight?" he snapped, clearly annoyed.

"And what's that?" I asked, pretending not to know.I have watched a lot of animes I do know how Knight's are ranked and the armor as well.

"It means I'm one of the strongest knights among knights!"

"Oh, I see…" Before I could tease him further, the ground began to shake.

A massive serpent with wings rose from the shadows behind us, its golden eyes glaring. It lifted its head, towering above us.

Ohh boy I think it wants a fight.