In essence, a Phantasmal Beast—as the first spirit card for novice magisters—changes its race and attribute according to the caster's inner expectations.
But no matter how it changes, one fact never does:
It is still a 1-star card with 100/100/100 stats.
Weak. Symbolic. Sentimental.
Graduates of St. Marian often treasure their Phantasmal Beasts as keepsakes, rarely ever using them in real combat.
But Darc… saw possibility.
"Different cognition leads to different magic."
What if his Phantasmal Beast: Eevee truly had the same nature as the creature it resembled?
What if… it could evolve?
Around him, the classroom told a story of failure.
Everyone except Darc, Diana, and Rose had already botched their first attempt.
Too many steps. Too many places to slip.
That was the real lesson Professor Kazel wanted to teach.
By the time the bell rang, only Darc had succeeded.
Rose failed her second try.
Diana was still painstakingly progressing.
Professor Kazel cheerfully announced:
"You may remain and continue crafting until you fail your second attempt as well. Homework: successfully craft one Phantasmal Beast. New material packs available from me—100 credits each. One set only!"
Then he left humming.
The students were furious.
Darc stayed to watch.
The second to succeed, as expected, was Emma Metis.
She summoned hers immediately.
A sea otter.
She clearly loved otters.
Third to succeed?
Diana.
And her beast was not a panda…
…but a snow-white polar bear.
Apparently, deep inside, she still wanted to grow tall and powerful like the Greybear family.
Fourth was Witt Gold.
He summoned a glowing white stag.
Darc blinked.
So that's where the Patronus was hiding.
Bird-beast race. Light attribute. The complete opposite of Witt's demon-type dark familiar.
Robert's familiar, meanwhile, was a mechanical, steel-type tool robot. Darc was honestly jealous—intelligence level 2.5 made it a perfect lab assistant.
Later, back in his dorm…
Only now did Darc summon his own Phantasmal Beast.
Eevee.
Less anime, more realistic. More fox-like. Elegant. Almost mystical.
"Bui?"
It tilted its head.
Adorably dangerous.
After testing basic commands, Darc took out the precious card.
Pride 1.
"Time to test a theory. Magic Summon."
The dark-gold light struck Eevee's forehead.
"Bui!"
It covered its head briefly.
When it lowered its paw—
Its eyes had turned cold.
Not broken.
Not mad.
Just—
aloof.
Goddess-level aloof.
Darc tried to pet it.
Eevee stepped aside with a look of pure disgust.
That was impossible.
A spirit with intelligence level 2.0 should never disobey, hesitate, or avoid its master.
Even if ordered to die.
Yet here it was.
Judging him.
Silently.
With contempt.
Darc began writing notes rapidly.
"Manifestation of Pride differs by individual."
"Eevee, Shadow Ball."
Disdainful glance.
"Eevee, Tail Whip."
Disdainful glance.
"Eevee, Act cute."
Disdainful glance.
…
He scratched under its chin. It leaned back as far as possible but did not resist further.
That was new.
Very new.
"Base spirit card structure unchanged. Only one skill: Mimic (100 mana)."
"But lifeform state clearly altered. Intelligence increased. Spiritual awakening confirmed."
"Same phenomenon as with Little Devil Beast."
"This may be the fundamental effect of the Pride series cards."
"If Pride 1 becomes Pride 2… further change expected."
At 1:10 PM, Darc left early for Potions class.
And on the way, he encountered Witt, Robert… and Emma.
They were arguing.
Advance Chapters available on Patreon
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