The morning after the ceremony, the skies over Silvercross Academy shimmered with a thin veil of mana mist — a sign that the Soul Crystal was still recovering from the previous day's explosion.
Students gathered in clusters across the courtyard, whispering rumors. Some claimed they'd seen a golden flash. Others swore the crystal had cracked clean in half.
Kael pretended not to hear any of it.
He sat beneath a tree near the training grounds, lazily munching on an apple, while his friend Ryn paced in front of him with a scowl.
> "You realize you caused an entire crystal to overload?" Ryn said.
"Half the teachers think you awakened a cursed profession."
Kael shrugged, swallowing his bite.
> "If it's cursed, at least it's not boring."
Ryn groaned. "How are you not panicking?!"
> "Because panicking doesn't help. Also, I'm too lazy for it."
Before Ryn could argue, the academy bells rang — a deep, resonant tone that signaled the start of the Summoner's Practical Test.
> "Great," Ryn muttered. "Don't set anything on fire."
Kael grinned.
> "No promises."
---
The Summoning Arena
The arena was massive — a circular field ringed by mana-inscribed stone pillars. Each student would stand within one of the etched circles to perform their first summon.
Instructors watched from behind shimmering wards, prepared to intervene if anyone lost control.
The Headmaster observed from the viewing deck above, his staff glowing faintly.
> "All new Summoners," said Instructor Mira Valen, "will attempt their first call today. At Level 1, only F or E-rank beasts should answer. Focus on stability, not power."
Kael stifled a yawn as the first students began their attempts.
Small creatures appeared — glowing birds, tiny rock golems, a timid wind fox. Each earned polite applause.
Then it was his turn.
Mira glanced at the hovering registry crystal beside her and frowned.
> "Kael Draven, Summoner… Rank entry missing?"
Kael rubbed his neck.
> "Must be a glitch."
> "Mm-hm." Mira folded her arms. "Fine. Proceed carefully."
---
The Call
Kael stepped into the circle. The carved runes beneath him pulsed instantly — faster, brighter, as if recognizing something ancient within him.
He exhaled, focusing on the quiet hum deep in his chest — the pulse of the Ancestral Covenant.
He didn't know why, but the words rose to his lips as if whispered by the world itself.
> "Answer my call… flame reborn from eternity."
Golden light erupted from the ground.
Runes flared, pillars trembled, and the air grew thick with heat.
> "Too much mana!" someone shouted.
"Shut down the circle!"
But Kael didn't move. The light was warm, not painful. It felt alive.
Then — a sound like thunder rolled across the arena. A radiant figure burst from the circle, wings spread wide, body blazing with fire.
Students screamed. Instructors froze.
Hovering above Kael was a colossal bird of pure flame, its feathers gold and crimson, eyes burning with intelligence and power.
> "A P-… Phoenix?" Mira whispered. "That's… a Legendary Beast!"
The flames dimmed to a gentle glow. The Phoenix lowered its head toward Kael, its gaze steady — proud, but not hostile.
He could feel its emotions through the bond forming between them: warmth, curiosity… recognition.
A faint pulse of light linked them, heart to heart.
Kael blinked, his voice soft.
> "You're not what I expected."
The bird tilted its head, feathers rustling like soft embers. A low, melodic trill echoed from its throat.
Kael smiled.
> "You're… fiery but calm. How about—"
He paused, studying the glow dancing across its wings.
"Ember."
The Phoenix blinked once, then released a sharp, approving cry. Sparks burst around them like fireworks.
Kael grinned wider.
> "Ember it is."
Another pulse of light crossed the bond, and a soft chime echoed in his mind.
---
[Beast Name]: Ember
[Species]: Phoenix
[Rank]: B (High-Tier)
[Level]: 1
[HP]: 380 / 380
[MP]: 600 / 600
[Attack]: 70
[Defense]: 45
[Speed]: 58
[Mana Affinity]: Fire / Light
[Skills]
• Flame Rebirth – Revives once after fatal damage using stored MP.
• Inferno Wing – Unleashes a sweeping flame attack.
• Blazing Bond – Amplifies master's MP regeneration when nearby.
• Celestial Cry – Frightens low-rank beasts with divine aura.
[Potential Evolution Paths]
→ A-Rank: Solar Phoenix
→ S-Rank: Crimson Phoenix King
→ SS-Rank: Eternal Sun Phoenix
→ SSS-Rank: Divine Eclipse Phoenix
[Status]: Bonded (Kael Draven) | [Beast Slot]: 1 / 1 (Occupied)
---
Kael stared at the glowing panel.
> "B-Rank… with SSS potential?" He whistled. "You're way out of my league, Ember."
The Phoenix puffed its chest, clearly proud of the compliment. Its golden eyes shone brighter, a ripple of warmth flowing through their bond.
> "Astounding…" murmured Instructor Mira. "A Phoenix bound to a first-year student? That's beyond recorded summoning limits."
Kael scratched his cheek.
> "So… does that mean I pass?"
She blinked, speechless. The students watching broke into gasps and whispers.
Even the Headmaster looked pale.
Ryn, standing behind the safety barrier, just shook his head.
> "You lucky idiot."
Kael laughed quietly.
> "Guess I am."
---
Aftermath
By evening, the story had already spread across the entire academy.
A first-year student had summoned a Phoenix on his first attempt. Some called it divine intervention, others called it a system anomaly.
Kael ignored them all.
He sat by his dorm window, watching the distant city lights of Valenhardt. The golden bird rested on his shoulder, now small enough to fit comfortably — its flames warm but harmless.
> "So," Kael said softly, "you shrink too, huh? Smart trick."
Ember chirped once and tucked its head beneath a wing.
Kael smirked.
> "Don't get too comfortable. I've still got to figure out how to feed you."
The bird cracked an eye open, unimpressed.
Kael chuckled, leaning back in his chair. The day's madness still felt unreal — the ceremony, the cracked crystal, the golden flames.
And now, this living legend perched beside him, purring like a cat made of fire.
He opened his Status Panel again.
[Name]: Kael Draven
[Age]: 16
[Profession]: Summoner (SSS Rank)
[Level]: 2
[HP]: 210 / 210
[MP]: 550 / 550
[Strength]: 15
[Agility]: 16
[Intelligence]: 28
[Endurance]: 14
[Mana Control]: 35
[Beast Slots]: 1 / 1 (Next unlock: Level 10)
[Active Summon]: Ember — Phoenix (B Rank, SSS Potential)
He closed the panel and looked out at the glowing skyline. Somewhere beyond the horizon, storms of mana still churned — reminders of the ancient Apocalypse that had scarred the world.
Kael exhaled softly.
> "One down… seven to go."
A low, comforting trill answered him. Ember's feathers shimmered gold in the moonlight, and Kael smiled faintly.
He didn't know what the future held — but for the first time, it actually sounded exciting.
---