Chapter 2: Light and Ash
Unlike ordinary classrooms, this one had a flawless circular structure, resembling an ancient amphitheater.
The floor was carved from a high quality stone, obsidian like in appearance, veined and faintly luminous, and it produced a deep, solid sound beneath every step.
At the very center of the room, engraved directly into the ground, lay a massive Mana Circle decorated with intricate runes.
Most of the students had gathered in clusters, their excited whispers vibrating through the air.
Some stood in place, clenching and loosening their fists, while others swung their legs beneath their desks, trying to shake off their tension.
The moment Alicia stepped through the doorway, several voices abruptly died out, as if an invisible hand had tightened around their throats.
She straightened her shoulders, lifted her chin slightly, and without looking at anyone, walked toward her seat as though she were crossing an empty room.
She moved to the very back row, by the window. Calmly placing down her bag, she crossed one leg over the other and began to wait.
From the outside, she appeared composed, yet her fingertips were subtly gripping the fabric of her skirt.
Not long after, the sharp sound of heels striking the corridor floor cut through the classroom noise like a blade.
The door opened, and Professor Valerius Silverthorne entered.
His hair, silver with an almost metallic sheen, was slicked back with flawless precision.
He wore a long dark gray coat that fit perfectly on his shoulders, its tails flowing behind him as he walked.
But his most striking feature was his eyes, yellow and piercing, like those of a predator. From his very presence, even from the way he breathed, it was obvious he belonged to the noble Silverthorne bloodline, one of the most disciplined mage families in the Empire.
In his hand, he carried a leather bag stuffed with documents.
When he reached the lectern, he dropped it onto the desk with a firm thud. At that moment, every student, including Alicia, rose to their feet in respect.
Professor Valerius made a brief gesture with his hand.
"Sit," he said. His voice was so authoritative that no one would dare make a sound.
He opened the bag, took out several parchments, and aligned them neatly across the desk. Then he lifted his head, letting his yellow gaze sweep across the room one by one.
Wherever his eyes landed, the student in question felt the urge to swallow.
"As you already know," he began, his voice echoing through the natural acoustics of the chamber, "today is the day theory ends. The day you begin to become true summoners. The day you obtain your spirit bond, your contracted beast."
He stepped away from the lectern and gestured toward the rune carved circle in the center of the room.
"I assume you possess the necessary theoretical knowledge before participating in this lesson. However, since I have no tolerance for procedural errors, I will give a brief summary."
He clasped his hands behind his back and began to walk slowly around the circle.
"All you must do is stand at the center. With the obsidian dagger placed there, you will lightly cut your palm and let your blood fall into the core of the circle. Then you will wait. We will see who, or what, answers the call of your soul."
He turned back toward the class.
"Now then. Since you know what to do, let us begin."
The professor reached for the list on his desk. His finger moved across the names, then stopped.
"Aster Luciano."
There was a stir in the front rows. A tall, handsome young man rose to his feet, his golden blond hair shining like morning sunlight, his sky blue eyes holding not a trace of hesitation.
Aster Luciano. The heir of one of the Empire's four great Duchies. The boy who had placed second in the academy entrance exam, already spoken of as a genius for his talent with both sword and magic.
As Aster walked toward the center with confident steps, the atmosphere in the classroom shifted.
The gazes of the female students blurred with admiration, and whispers of praise spilled from their lips.
"My god, he looks so noble..."
"Can't you feel the power of the Luciano bloodline?"
"He's definitely going to summon the best one."
Alicia watched the scene with an expressionless face, yet deep down she could not help but envy the natural aura the boy radiated. Aster was one of those born with victory in their hands.
The young man reached the center of the circle. Professor Valerius gave a slight nod, guiding him.
"When you are ready, Student Luciano."
Aster took a deep breath. He picked up the black, engraved dagger resting on the ground. Without hesitation, he sliced into his left palm.
Dark crimson drops of blood fell onto the main rune at the heart of the circle.
A drop.
For the first second, nothing happened.
But then, the runes carved into the floor began to glow at a blinding speed. A faint buzzing filled the air, and within moments it swelled into a roar that seemed to flood the ears.
Aster's body began to shine, as if light were erupting from within him.
Professor Valerius raised an arm to shield his face. His eyes widened with anticipation.
It was as if a supernova had detonated in the middle of the room. A beam of pure white and golden light swallowed the entire class.
Everyone, including Alicia, was forced to cover their eyes.
The intensity of the radiance could be felt even through closed eyelids. A sudden wave of scorching warmth, holy yet not burning, flooded the chamber.
When the light finally began to fade, the students blinked and stared toward the center.
Their eyes, widened in shock, locked onto the presence perched upon Aster's shoulder.
There stood a bird, not yet at its full size, yet its nobility was undeniable.
Its feathers were redder than the most vivid ruby, while the edges looked as if they had been poured from pure gold.
Its long tail drifted gracefully through the air, leaving sparks behind with every movement. Its eyes burned like liquid fire.
It was a Phoenix. The symbol of legend, rebirth, and destruction.
The bird threw its head back and released a sharp yet melodic cry, its voice strong enough to make the windows tremble.
For the first time, Professor Valerius let his usual mask of composure slip.
His eyes were wide. He quickly approached Aster and held his measurement orb toward the phoenix.
The orb trembled instantly, releasing a blinding purple glow.
"Magnificent..." the professor whispered, his voice shaking. "This... this is truly unbelievable."
He lifted his head, looking at the class, then back at Aster.
"You have succeeded in summoning an SS Rank Phoenix."
After a second of silence, the classroom erupted into thunderous applause.
Students whistled, shouting Aster's name.
Aster smiled faintly, then gave a slight bow along with the phoenix perched proudly on his shoulder.
Victory was his.
"Go to the advisor's office, Luciano," the professor said, his voice filled with pride.
As Aster walked out of the classroom like a hero under the admiring gazes of the others, Alicia's heart pounded wildly in her chest.
Her hands were trembling.
This was not fear. It was pure desire, and the sharp hunger of competition.
SS Rank... a legendary creature...
She closed her eyes.
What about mine... what will mine be? she thought.
While her mind wrestled with Aster's triumph and her own uncertainty, the professor's voice pulled her back into reality.
"Next!" he said, glancing at the list. "Kevin James. Step into the circle."