Morning sunlight streamed through the Guild's training wing, glinting off crystal panels that covered the walls. The entire area thrummed with restrained power—mana compression arrays, anti-collapse seals, and, in the center, a single wide arena.
Kael stood there, looking more bored than nervous. Ember perched on his shoulder, tail flicking lazily, while Aegros sat beside him like a stone statue.
Guildmaster Varin leaned against the railing above, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
> "Relax, Draven. This isn't an exam."
> "Every time someone says that," Kael said, "something explodes."
> "You're not wrong," Varin replied.
Lira appeared with a clipboard, expression unreadable. "Per Guildmaster's orders, we're running a synchronization and adaptability trial. Controlled environment. No external danger."
Kael looked around. "You built an arena with five protective layers for a 'controlled environment.' That's suspicious."
> "Consider it preparation," Varin said. "Now, summon your beasts."
---
Test One — Synchronization
Kael exhaled slowly. "All right, you two. Let's not burn the ceiling this time."
Ember launched into the air in a burst of light, while Aegros stepped forward, claws digging into the rune floor. Mana threads glowed between all three of them—one gold, one silver, one white.
> "Dual Synchronization, begin," Lira said.
Varin's eyes narrowed. "Maintain equilibrium at twenty percent flow."
Kael focused. Golden light pulsed down his arms; Ember's fire dimmed to a steady glow, and Aegros's metal sheen softened into gray.
For thirty seconds, the arena hummed in balance.
Then Kael smirked. "Let's try something higher."
Varin's eyebrow twitched. "Don't—"
The golden threads flared. Mana surged like a tide. Wind whipped through the chamber as light burst from the trio, heat washing across the control platform.
Lira stumbled back. "Flow output—seventy-four percent!"
Varin shouted, "Draven!"
Kael held steady, eyes gleaming gold. "I'm fine."
The energy stabilized, shimmering in a perfect loop around them—three heartbeats, one rhythm.
Then, as quickly as it began, Kael cut the link. The air fell still.
Ember landed beside him, feathers dimmed. Aegros shook his fur, sparks falling away.
> "Well?" Kael asked.
Lira stared at the instruments. "No surge, no feedback… impossible."
Varin descended from the platform, expression unreadable. "You just held a three-way synchronization at levels only recorded in legendary summoners. Do you even know what you've done?"
> "Kept the ceiling intact?"
> "That too," Varin said dryly.
---
Test Two — Adaptability
Varin waved a hand. The arena floor rippled like water, reforming into a simulated battlefield—rock pillars, narrow ridges, glowing runes.
> "Adaptability test," Varin said. "We'll project random threats. Your goal: respond without relying on brute power. Creativity only."
> "Creativity I can do," Kael said. "As long as it doesn't involve running."
The runes flared. From the edges of the field, phantom beasts materialized—constructs of shadow and flame. Ten of them.
> "Multiple opponents, unpredictable behavior," Lira said.
Kael stretched his arms. "Sounds familiar."
The first shadow lunged. Kael pointed. "Aegros—shield wall!"
The wolf slammed his claws into the ground, summoning a wave of metallic spikes that blocked the charge. Ember swooped overhead, releasing a controlled burst of fire that traced between the spikes, forming a glowing trap circle.
> "Containment done," Kael said. "Next."
Two phantoms leapt from opposite sides. Kael flicked his hand, splitting his mana flow. Ember dove, Aegros jumped—their movements perfectly mirrored. The phantoms vanished in twin bursts of light.
Varin crossed his arms. "He's not reacting—he's predicting."
> "It's almost like they share instinct," Lira murmured.
Kael moved easily now, no wasted effort, his beasts reacting to every flick of his gaze.
When the last construct appeared—a massive serpent of energy—Kael didn't command at all. Ember flared upward, Aegros braced below, and Kael's aura pulsed once.
Golden light formed a triangle connecting them. The serpent lunged—only to shatter as the combined blast of flame and force erupted, a silent detonation of perfect timing.
The smoke cleared. Kael stood with both summons at his side, calm and steady.
> "That creative enough?"
Varin stared for a long moment. Then he smiled. "You're dangerous, Draven."
> "Thanks. I practice."
---
Debrief
The training field retracted, returning to polished stone. Lira was still muttering over data readings, her slate glowing with impossible numbers.
Varin stepped closer. "Your control's beyond anything I've seen from a summoner at your stage. But power draws eyes. And not all of them friendly."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Are we talking Guild politics or monsters?"
> "Both," Varin said. "Rifts are growing unstable in the southern reaches. The patterns your mana leaves… resemble the readings near them."
Kael frowned. "That sounds bad."
> "It is. For now, you'll stay within city assignments. No expeditions yet."
> "Good," Kael said. "I'm allergic to travel."
Varin chuckled softly. "Go rest, Draven. And next time, try not to make my staff faint."
Kael grinned. "No promises."
---
Later That Evening
Kael walked back through the guild courtyard, the air cool and quiet. Ember fluttered above him, leaving trails of soft light; Aegros's metallic steps echoed behind.
He replayed the battle in his mind—the perfect rhythm, that strange sense of shared thought. For a brief moment, he hadn't been commanding them at all. They'd moved together as one.
> "That was new," he murmured.
Ember chirped softly.
Aegros rumbled in agreement.
Kael smiled faintly. "Guess we're getting the hang of this teamwork thing."
The city bells tolled in the distance. Another quiet day, another test survived. Somewhere deep within the Guild tower, Varin watched the recordings again, his expression thoughtful.
> "Triple synchronization… and rift resonance," he muttered. "What are you, Kael Draven?"
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