Chapter 2: Light and Ash
The classroom, unlike conventional lecture halls, was a perfect circular structure, resembling an ancient amphitheater.
The floor was carved from high-quality, striated, slightly shimmering stone, resembling obsidian, which gave a deep, resonant sound when stepped upon. In the exact center of the room lay the place where destinies would soon be rewritten: a massive, floor-engraved Mana Circle adorned with complex runes.
Most of the students were gathered in clusters, their excited whispers vibrating in the air. Some stood, clenching and unclenching their fists, while others sat at their desks, shaking their legs to relieve their tension.
When Alicia walked through the door, some voices abruptly ceased, as if an invisible hand had gripped their throats.
She straightened her shoulders, lifted her chin slightly, and walked toward her own desk without looking at anyone's face, as though she were moving through an empty room.
She took the seat in the back row, by the window. She calmly set down her bag, crossed her legs, and waited. She looked calm on the outside, but her fingertips were subtly gripping the fabric of her skirt.
Soon after, the sharp sound of heels echoing in the corridor cut through the class noise like a knife.
The door opened, and Professor Valerius Silverthorne entered. His silvery, almost metallic-bright hair was perfectly combed back.
He wore a long, dark grey coat that fitted snugly at the shoulders and whose tails billowed behind him as he walked. However, his most striking feature was his piercing yellow eyes, like those of a predator.
It was evident in his every movement, even his breathing, that he was a member of the noble Silverthorne lineage, the most disciplined mage family in the empire.
He carried a leather satchel overflowing with documents. Upon reaching the podium, he placed the bag heavily on the table. At that moment, all students, including Alicia, respectfully sprang to their feet.
"Be seated," Professor Valerius said with a brief hand gesture. His voice was too authoritative to be challenged by noise.
He opened his satchel, took out several parchments, and aligned them on the table. Then, he lifted his head and swept his yellow eyes across the class, one by one. Whomever his gaze landed on felt the need to swallow.
"As you know," he began, his voice echoing in the class's acoustics. "Today is the day where theory ends and reality begins. The day you acquire your Soul-Bound—your contracted beast."
He stepped away from the podium and pointed to the runic circle etched in the center of the classroom.
"I assume you possess the necessary theoretical knowledge before attending this lesson. However, as I tolerate no procedural errors, I will give a brief summary."
He clasped his hands behind his back and began to slowly pace around the circle.
"All you need to do is stand at the center of the circle. You will lightly cut your palm with the obsidian knife resting there and drip your blood onto the heart of the circle. Then, you simply wait. We shall see who, or what, answers the call of your soul."
He turned back to the class. "Well, now that you know how... let us begin."
The Professor reached for the list on his desk. His finger slid over the names and stopped.
"Aster Luciano."
There was a stirring in the front row. A tall, handsome young man with golden hair that shone like the morning sun and sky-blue eyes devoid of hesitation stood up. Aster Luciano.
The heir of one of the Empire's four great Duchies. The student who placed second in the Academy entrance exams, already dubbed a 'genius' for his skills in both sword and magic.
As Aster confidently strode toward the center, the atmosphere of the class shifted. The gazes of the female students were clouded with admiration, and whispers of praise began to spill from their lips.
"My God, he looks so noble..." "Don't you feel the power of the Luciano lineage?" "He will definitely summon the best one."
Although Alicia watched the scene with an expressionless face, she couldn't help but inwardly envy the natural aura the boy exuded. Aster was one of those who had won by birthright.
The young man reached the center of the circle. Professor Valerius guided him with a slight nod. "When you are ready, Mr. Luciano."
Aster took a deep breath. He picked up the black, engraved dagger from the floor. Without hesitation, he made a cut on his left palm. Dark red drops of blood fell onto the main rune at the center of the circle.
DROP.
For the first second, nothing happened. But immediately after, the runes on the floor began to glow with blinding speed.
First, a faint hum was heard, then the sound escalated into an ear-filling roar. Aster's body started to shimmer as if a light was bursting from within him.
"Shield your eyes!" Professor Valerius shouted, shielding his face with his arm.
But it was too late. As if a supernova had exploded in the middle of the room, a pure white and golden beam of light swallowed the entire class.
Everyone, including Alicia, had to cover their eyes with their hands. The intensity of the light could be felt even through closed eyelids. A sudden, scorching yet non-burning, sacred wave of heat enveloped the room.
When the light slowly subsided, everyone blinked their eyes and looked toward the center. Eyes widened in shock and fixed on the being perched on Aster's shoulder.
There stood a bird, its nobility indisputable even though it had not yet reached its full size.
Its feathers were redder than the most vivid ruby, and its tips looked like they were cast from pure gold.
Its long tail gracefully drifted in the air, leaving sparks behind with every movement. Its eyes burned like liquid fire.
It was a Phoenix. The symbol of legends, rebirth, and destruction.
The bird threw its head back and let out a high-pitched, yet melodic shriek. Its voice was powerful enough to rattle the windowpanes.
Professor Valerius briefly dropped his usual mask of composure. His eyes were wide with surprise. He quickly approached Aster, holding his measurement orb toward the bird. The orb instantly crackled and emitted a blinding purple light.
"Magnificent..." the Professor whispered, his voice trembling. "This... This is truly unbelievable."
He lifted his head and looked at the class, then at Aster.
"SS Rank. You have succeeded in summoning a Legendary-level Phoenix, young man."
After a second of silence, the class erupted in a storm of applause. Students whistled and shouted Aster's name. Aster smiled lightly, bowing slightly with the Phoenix on his shoulder. Victory was his.
"Head to the advisor's office, Luciano," the Professor said, his voice filled with pride.
As Aster left the classroom like a hero, amid the admiring gazes of the students, Alicia's heart hammered wildly in her chest. Her hands were trembling.
This was not fear; it was a feeling of pure desire and competition. SS Rank... A legendary creature... She closed her eyes. What will mine be?
As she struggled with Aster's success and her own uncertainty, the Professor's voice brought her back to reality.
"Next!" the Professor said, looking at the list. "Kevin James. Approach the circle."