Looking at the summoning altar, Sunny Heart couldn't shake the unease crawling through him—like a shadow that refused to leave its owner.
Today was the day every seventeen-year-old in the world awaited—the day they summoned their first beast. Through the sacred summoning altar, their destiny would be decided.
But summoning wasn't just about calling forth a creature; it was a test that determined one's fate. Those who summoned beasts below Bronze rank knew what awaited them—a life of mediocrity, unable to ever rise above their peers. Even if they were granted another chance someday, the mark of failure lingered forever.
That was why every candidate knelt and prayed—some to gods, some to fate, and others to anything that would listen.
Sunny was so lost in thought that his name had to be called twice before he blinked back to reality.
"Sunny Heart!" the instructor called again, impatience creeping into his tone.
Startled, Sunny raised his hand shyly and walked to the altar. Normally, such hesitation would earn laughter from the crowd, but not today. The tension was too heavy. Each of them carried their own private fear.
He climbed the steps, palms sweaty, breath uneven. The instructor, a seasoned summoner with streaks of silver in his hair, sighed and gestured toward a glowing stone embedded into the altar.
"Walk to the resonance crystal," the instructor said. "Place your hand upon it. Think of this as breathing—steady and calm. Let the altar do the rest."
Sunny swallowed hard and stepped forward. The crystal's surface was cool beneath his trembling fingers. Instantly, a chill spread through his body, and his breath steadied. His thoughts cleared as though a veil had been lifted.
Then, the stone erupted with golden light.
A pillar of radiance shot skyward, tearing through the clouds. The arena was swallowed whole by a brilliant glow so intense that most people had to shut their eyes.
Only those who had reached the Realm of Summoners remained unaffected, though their expressions grew grim. They had seen this before—bright light didn't always mean greatness. Sometimes, the most dazzling awakenings birthed the weakest of beasts.
And sometimes, the quietest of summonings hid monsters that could change the world.
The light slowly dimmed. The air grew still.
A faint hum echoed through the hall as a golden portal shimmered before Sunny. The crowd collectively held its breath.
From within the portal, a figure stepped out.
A girl—no older than seventeen—with silver hair cascading down to her feet and glowing pink eyes that shimmered with quiet sorrow. Her beauty was haunting, ethereal even, but her tattered robes told another story.
The arena went silent.
Above them, a massive screen flickered to life—its glowing script meant to reveal the identity and rank of the summon. Every eye turned upward as a mechanical voice echoed across the hall.
> "Summoner: Sunny Heart.
Summoned Entity: Outcast Slave Angel.
Status: Half-crippled foundation.
Rank: Uncommon.
Future growth severely limited."
A wave of disappointment rippled through the crowd.
"Uncommon, huh?" someone muttered. "Barely two levels above Bronze."
"Poor guy. He's done for."
Their pitying glances burned into Sunny's back, but he didn't seem to hear them. His gaze was fixed on the girl before him—the fallen angel who had just stepped out of light and into his life.
And then, he saw it.
Beneath the regular data, a hidden panel blinked faintly on his summoner's interface—something no one else could see.
> [Evolution Path Detected]
[Methods to Restore Angel's Core — Available]
[Potential Rank: Epic → Legendary → ???]
Sunny's heart stopped. Was this his golden finger?
If anyone else knew about this, wars would be fought over it.
The girl looked up timidly, her bright eyes glistening with unshed tears. She mistook his stunned silence for disgust.
"I… I'm sorry," she whispered, voice trembling. "I know I'm useless…"
Tears began to fall.
Sunny blinked, then smiled—small at first, then wider, warmer. He chuckled softly and walked toward her. Without a word, he reached out and took her hand.
Gasps rippled through the hall as he calmly led her down from the altar.
The instructor opened his mouth to speak, but Sunny ignored him. The ceremony continued as he disappeared through the parting crowd—every eye following the boy and his broken angel.
Outside, he hailed a cab and entered it with his summon in silence. The driver tried to make conversation, but Sunny gave no reply, his thoughts still racing.
When they reached the outskirts of the city, he paid and stepped out. The two continued the rest of the way on foot until they reached a small, old apartment building tucked between rusted metal walls.
As he unlocked the door, he asked casually,
"What's your name? Or… do you have one?"
She hesitated. "I… don't."
He nodded, pushing open the door. The lights flickered on.
Inside, away from the eyes of the world, Sunny finally smiled—genuinely this time.
The angel tilted her head, confused. Shouldn't he be angry? Bitter? Disappointed?
"Then why…" she murmured, "why are you smiling?"
Sunny's grin widened as he pulled up her status screen once more, eyes gleaming with excitement.
> Because you're not a mistake, he thought. You're my beginning.