The following morning, sunlight spilled across Silvercross Academy's marble courtyards.
For the first time in days, there was no smoke, no sirens, and—thank the mana gods—no Guild officers waiting at the gate.
Kael leaned against a fountain, half-asleep. Ember rested on the rim beside him, her feathers reflecting the water like liquid fire.
> "See?" Kael murmured. "Peace. Quiet. Beautiful."
Ryn dropped onto the bench opposite him with two cups of steaming mana-brew.
> "You said the same thing yesterday—right before you melted the Guild's arena."
Kael opened one eye. "Details."
He accepted the cup, sniffed it, and grimaced. "You call this coffee?"
> "It's alchemist-grade mana tonic."
"Ah. So poison."
Ember chirped, amused. She had grown noticeably larger since the duel; her wings shimmered faintly whenever she moved. The bond between them pulsed stronger than before—Kael could feel her heartbeat echo faintly inside his chest.
---
Morning Banter
Students passed through the courtyard, throwing him not-so-subtle glances.
> "That's him, right? The Guild's new C-Rank?"
"The one with the Phoenix?"
"I heard he blew up an entire ring and made the Guildmaster smile. Twice!"
Kael muttered, "That's exaggeration. It was once."
Ryn laughed. "You're basically famous now. Enjoy it before the next disaster."
> "I'll pass. Fame sounds like effort."
A familiar voice interrupted their banter.
Instructor Mira strode toward them, her expression somewhere between pride and exasperation.
> "Mr. Draven. Congratulations on your registration."
Kael smiled faintly. "Thank you, ma'am. I didn't break anything else."
> "Yet," she said dryly. "I received the Guild report. Eighty-three percent synchronization? That's unheard of. Do you even know how dangerous that bond can become?"
> "Emotionally or physically?"
> "Both."
Kael shrugged. "Ember seems happy. I'll take that as stable."
Mira sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
> "I'm transferring you to the Advanced Combat Division. You'll train under specialized supervision starting tomorrow."
> "Supervision? Sounds suspiciously like detention."
> "Think of it as survival insurance. For us."
She turned sharply, leaving before he could reply. Ryn snorted into his cup.
> "Congratulations. You're so talented they can't let you out of sight."
"Wonderful," Kael muttered. "Exactly what every lazy man dreams of—mandatory exercise."
---
Lunch Chaos
By midday, the academy cafeteria was overflowing. The aroma of mana-roasted meat and baked crystal fruit filled the air.
Kael carried a tray stacked far higher than was reasonable. Ember floated beside him, feathers twitching every time she caught a whiff of food.
> "No," Kael warned.
Chirp.
"You already burned my breakfast."
Chirp (innocent).
He sat near the window overlooking the training fields. Dozens of students sparred below, their weapons tracing arcs of colored mana.
> "You ever wonder," Ryn said between bites, "how the world looked before the apocalypse? No monsters. No professions. Just… people."
Kael watched a group of mages practicing formation spells. "Maybe quieter. Maybe duller."
> "You'd have loved it."
Kael smirked. "Probably."
They ate in companionable silence until a low hum rolled through the cafeteria. The air shimmered faintly—
a messenger rune activated above the tables.
> [Attention: All Advanced Students. New Guild-linked training missions will commence next week. Prepare for team assignments.]
Ryn's eyes lit up. "Guild missions! Real monsters, real pay!"
Kael groaned. "Real work."
Ember flapped her wings, sparks dancing across the floor tiles.
> "She's excited," Ryn said.
"Traitor," Kael muttered.
---
Evening Reflections
After sunset, Kael returned to the dorm rooftop—a favorite hiding spot few students knew about. The city of Valenhardt stretched below, its countless lights flickering like stars fallen to earth.
Ember hovered beside him, warm air swirling around her.
> "You realize we're not going to stay unnoticed for long," he said softly.
"The Guildmaster wasn't wrong. They'll come watching."
Ember's feathers rustled in quiet defiance. A tiny spark drifted from her beak and vanished into the night.
Kael smiled. "Yeah, I know. We'll handle it."
He pulled up his Status Panel, half out of curiosity.
---
[Name]: Kael Draven
[Age]: 16
[Profession]: Summoner (SSS Rank)
[Level]: 6
[HP]: 280 / 280
[MP]: 640 / 640
[Strength]: 17
[Agility]: 18
[Intelligence]: 32
[Endurance]: 16
[Mana Control]: 39
[Skills]
• Beast Summoning • Spirit Bind • Flame Reversal • Blazing Bond • Summoner's Insight
[Unique Trait] (Hidden) — Ancestral Covenant – Grants summoning rights over Legendary Beasts.
[Beast Slots]: 1 / 1 (Next unlock at Level 10)
Active Summon: Ember — Phoenix (B Rank, SSS Potential, Level 5)
---
Kael studied the glowing text.
Only four more levels before another slot unlocked. Another beast. Another bond.
> "One legendary creature's already too much trouble," he told Ember. "What happens when there are two of you?"
Ember tilted her head and chirped proudly.
> "Yeah," Kael said, grinning. "That's what I'm afraid of."
The wind carried the faint chime of the academy bells. Tomorrow would bring new missions, new problems—
and maybe new flames to set the world alight.
For now, peace was enough.
---