Morning came with the clamor of bells and the hum of mana engines.
Silvercross Academy's main field glowed under a lattice of shimmering wards, the kind the Guild used for live-combat practice. A banner above the arch read:
JOINT TRAINING — ACADEMY × VALENHARDT GUILD
Kael yawned the moment he stepped through the gate. Ember sat on his shoulder, radiating gentle heat; Aegros padded beside him like a walking suit of armor.
> "Another fine day for pretending to care," Kael said.
Ryn jogged up behind him, holding two mana drinks.
> "You could at least look excited. We get to spar against real Guild adventurers!"
> "I was excited," Kael replied. "Then I remembered it's physical activity."
Ember trilled.
Aegros huffed in agreement.
Ryn groaned. "You're hopeless."
---
The Pairing
Instructor Mira stood near the central platform, staff planted firmly in the ground. Next to her waited Guild Officer Lira, the same silver-eyed examiner from Kael's summoning test.
> "Today," Mira announced, "each academy team will partner with a Guild squad for tactical drills. Coordination earns merit points—and possibly Guild recommendations."
Students whispered eagerly. Kael stretched his arms, unimpressed.
Lira scanned her crystal slate.
> "Team Draven, you'll pair with Squad Iron Vein. Don't break them."
> "Define 'break,'" Kael said.
> "Anything that costs the Guild money."
A tall man in bronze armor approached, his scarred face splitting into a grin.
> "Name's Garn. Heard about you, kid. Let's see if the rumors are true."
Kael nodded politely. "They're exaggerated. Probably."
---
Drill One — Control
The first exercise was simple: suppress summoned beasts without harming them. For most students it meant holding back low-tier familiars while keeping mana stable.
Kael's version looked… different.
He stood in the center ring while Ember and Aegros circled him like twin storms of fire and metal. The air shimmered from heat and pressure.
> "Containment mode," Mira ordered.
Kael exhaled, spreading his palms. Golden threads extended from his fingertips, connecting to both summons. The threads pulsed once—then tightened.
Flames folded inward; steel fur dulled to gray. The entire field's mana rippled, then settled into calm.
Spectators gasped.
Lira scribbled something on her tablet. "Dual-bond resonance stable. Ninety-two percent synchronization."
Mira blinked. "That's impossible."
Kael shrugged. "Or efficient."
Ember puffed proudly. Aegros gave a short, satisfied growl.
> "Fine," Mira said. "Control test passed. Next drill: mobility."
---
Drill Two — Mobility
Targets appeared across the field—floating mana orbs that darted erratically. Students chased them clumsily, spells flying everywhere.
Kael merely pointed.
> "Ember, upper left. Aegros, flank right."
They moved like thought itself. Ember streaked upward, fire spiraling behind her; Aegros blurred across the ground, claws slicing air. Within seconds, every orb turned to ash or splinters.
Ryn's jaw dropped. "You could at least pretend to struggle."
> "Why?" Kael asked. "I like efficiency."
From the sidelines, Garn whistled. "Never seen beasts obey that cleanly. Most summoners spend months getting this level of control."
Kael smirked. "Guess I'm saving time for naps."
---
Drill Three — Combat Simulation
Mira's staff struck the ground. The field shimmered, forming the illusion of a forest glade filled with practice dummies and mock hazards.
> "Final test: coordination under attack," Mira said. "Scoring based on teamwork."
Kael rolled his shoulders. "Teamwork. Right."
Four adventurers from Iron Vein stepped forward, weapons drawn. "Don't worry, kid—we'll handle the heavy lifting," Garn said.
> "Sure," Kael replied. "We'll watch."
The signal rune flashed green. Wooden golems erupted from the ground, charging with blunt spears.
The adventurers rushed in first, blades flashing. Kael hung back, observing their rhythm—two frontliners, one mage, one archer. They moved well, but gaps opened whenever new golems spawned.
> "Ember."
A flare of gold crossed the field; every wooden dummy within ten meters burst into harmless embers.
> "Aegros—corridor formation."
The wolf slammed into a cluster of golems, scattering them like bowling pins. When one tried to flank, Ember dropped in a streak of flame, finishing it with precision.
Mira lowered her staff. "Stop!"
Silence fell. Smoke drifted over blackened targets.
Lira blinked. "That was … forty seconds?"
> "Forty-two," Kael corrected. "But who's counting?"
---
After Training
When the wards finally powered down, the adventurers clapped Kael on the back—some in awe, others trying to hide bruised pride.
> "Kid," Garn said, "if you ever want a squad, come find us."
> "Tempting," Kael replied, "but teamwork gives me rashes."
Lira laughed quietly. "He means it."
Mira approached, expression unreadable. "Draven, your results will go straight to the Guildmaster. You've broken three synchronization records in one day."
> "Do I win a prize?"
> "You win responsibility."
> "Can I trade it for food?"
> "No."
Kael sighed. "Tragic."
---
Evening Reflection
That night the academy was quiet. From his dorm window Kael watched Ember chase moths through the twilight while Aegros guarded the balcony like a statue.
He flicked his fingers, pulling up his panel:
[Level 10 → 11]
[Skill Unlocked — Mana Link Pulse] – briefly boosts allied summons' reaction speed.
> "Not bad," he murmured. "Progress without too much effort. My favorite kind."
Ember landed on his shoulder, purring warmth into the cool air. Aegros rumbled from the corner.
Kael smiled. "Fine, fine. Tomorrow we actually work. Maybe."
He leaned back, content—for now.
---