The Bastian was the last defense of humanity against the invasion of demons from the north and the abyss from the east.
Despite being the weakest domain among the Seven Domain Alliance, not once had an enemy succeeded in invading them.
Only one reason. The Loopers. Descendants of the Chronomaster and carriers of the bloodline of the Primordial God of Time.
When they bonded with their spirits, the properties of those spirits would mutate and mix with time, birthing bizarre talents no one could oppose.
The Looper family was one of the most powerful in the entire continent, yet they never became the actual rulers of the domain. This was only because of the oath their ancestor had taken.
'Always protect the royal family.'
Once an heir was born, they were destined to become the sword of the newly born royal. Today was such an occasion.
However, unlike the usual excitement of the citizens of the domain, the current atmosphere was depressed and filled with dissatisfaction.
Noah Looper was the youngest son of the Looper family. No one knew what kind of spirit he had bonded with, but when he became bound, the entire northern land became dark as ink.
Demons within a hundred miles crumbled into bones.
That was enough to show the horrifying possibilities of his talent. Citizens were eager to see what kind of monster he would become and which royal he would follow.
However, no one expected it to be her.
Summer of Bastian.
The bastard child of Lasargad Bastian, birthed by a fleeing elf. There were rumors that she was not actually the daughter of the emperor but of a demon.
Her purple eyes and platinum hair cemented that belief.
However, everyone failed to prove it. According to custom, she became his Royal.
On the highest bonding podium, a platinum-haired girl stood. Her long and pointed ears shifted slightly, recording every ounce of insults thrown her way.
Around her, sixteen royal children stood apart, sneaking vicious looks in her direction. To the girl, it mattered nothing, as she yawned.
'When will the spirit realm open? It is so boring.'
Seeing her actions, one of the princesses stepped forward aggressively, slowing slightly as she recalled the venue.
"Sixth Sister, do you truly consider your actions fit for one of noble bearing?" the princess, whose name or title Summer had no knowledge of, asked condescendingly.
Summer side-eyed her. "So?"
"You—surely you do not think so. But consider Young Master Noah. At least respect his reputation, no?" The unknown princess pointed her finger toward the podium.
Even though the podium floated in the air, those qualified to attend this ceremony were the strongest in the domain.
They could hear every word perfectly, and all their gazes followed the pointed finger of the princess.
There, down the podium, stood a young man. Within a thirty-meter radius, no one dared approach.
His long dark hair swayed in the dead air, and his shadow seemed larger than the podium itself. Those who glimpsed his face almost drew a sharp breath.
Sharp features were accentuated by pupils that seemed to spit black flames.
Towering over six feet, he held a sword half the size of his own body. The words of the princess failed to twitch a muscle on his emotionless face.
His eyes, however, were locked on the elf girl standing and yawning, as always.
"Sigh."
No one knew who sighed, but that was the sentiment everyone felt inwardly. The princess tried a few more provocations, but the little elf gave her no attention, which eventually discouraged her.
Noah silently grinned.
'Summer, don't you think your actions will anger the princess?' His words reached the little elf, making her flinch.
'Do I have to care if you are here?'
'Obviously not. But when the spirit realm opens, act as I said.'
'Sure. Sure. Do not forget our promise.'
'Yes. Your pork belly and chicken rice are already boiling in the Lounge.'
Noah tilted his head slightly, curling his lips as he watched the little elf's expression shift a few times before finally settling into happiness.
The little girl was a troublemaker. Because he had become her Royal, she was already under the scrutiny of the interested.
Her every action was being monitored. Only the emperor and his family knew how hard they tried to suppress her secret.
That she was like him—a bonded at birth. Only because the commotion of his awakening had masked hers did she escape the early fate of assassination and a life under constant supervision.
'A blood bound…'
Her awakening had killed demons across a hundred miles, their blood essence completely absorbed.
It was because of her blood. She was bonded with her own blood. Her progression method was to absorb the blood of slain enemies and convert it into her own power.
She had already done that countless times.
The little pitiful elf standing on the podium was not pitiful at all. She was one of the strongest royals in the Bastian, and in terms of talent, she was the only one close to him.
As he continued to stare at her, the sky above the podium tore open. A halo of light fell from the gap, and the sounds of countless spirits echoed through the surroundings.
'Do it now.' Noah sent another message. Summer wasted no time, and a beam of red light flashed from her body before disappearing.
The podium was filled with gasps and excitement as different colors of visible spectrum reflected across all the royals.
When the last royal shone in the light, the sky returned to its previous state as the spirit realm closed.
"I bonded with an Ice Lotus. It is a rare ranked plant-type monster…" The princess from earlier gasped loudly, her eyes turning toward him for approval.
Noah studied her for a moment, considering whether dying by her hand would be worth the skill, then shook his head in denial.
His eyes returned to Summer, who tried her best not to break her act. The light surrounding her body came from the talisman he had given her earlier that day.
It had been made by his grandfather, the only known Grand Master-ranked talisman master in the Seven Domains.
No one outside of Paragon stage could detect it. Only his family and the royal family possessed such knowledge.
Summer sneaked a glance at Noah and smiled after seeing approval in his always emotionless face.
Even if his features did not move, the subtle shifts of his eyes and slight twitches of his brows were enough to tell her he was satisfied.
While smiling, her face looked breathtaking, and the male royals on the podium became dazed for a moment.
The unknown princess had been watching her, and when she noticed the smile directed at Noah, a twinge of jealousy stirred within her.
The princess took a step toward Summer, stopping only a foot away. Summer frowned.
"Sixth Princess, you look happier. I wonder what your spirit is."
Her words made the rest of the royals shake off their stupor. The crowd below the podium leaned forward to hear her. Summer tilted her head to look at Noah.
"Sorry if my question is invasive," the unknown princess said, covering her lips. Her eyes clearly indicated that Summer had bonded with a low-ranked spirit.
People in the crowd began to murmur. Summer sealed her mouth shut, but her shoulders trembled, causing the unknown princess to raise her brows in vicious satisfaction.
The moment remained stalemate until a cold voice cut through the air.
"Summer. Come here."
No one knew when Noah appeared on the podium. Moments ago, he had been at a distance, and now he stood above it.
Summer shifted her gaze between the unknown princess and Noah, then lowered her head and walked to him.
He took her hand and then disappeared from the podium, leaving questions and doubts lingering in the air.