Chapter 101: The Familiar Bonding-4.

Zankeil and Neila led the group under the vast shade of the ancient tree, its leaves rustling softly in the wind like a lullaby from the world itself.

Beneath its wide canopy, a massive summoning circle lay etched into the ground. The intricate design was breathtaking.

Rings upon rings of symbols, woven together in swirling loops, triangles, and glowing hexagons, all lit with a soft, pulsing white light. It shimmered faintly like moonlight touching water.

"This," Neila began, her voice calm and steady as she pointed at the glowing formation, "is the sacred summoning circle. It connects this world to the realm of familiars—a place hidden between dimensions. When you step into the circle, it helps you resonate with a familiar that matches your spirit and power."

The students looked at the glowing formation, a mix of excitement and nerves passing between them.

Zankeil stepped forward next, stretching his back with a loud crack and then raising a clenched fist high into the air.

"So let me tell you this in advance! Whatever comes out of that circle—that’s on you! You get a fluffy kitten? That’s your level. You get a terrifying beast? Good for you! But don’t you dare come crying to us like spoiled brats, whining about wanting a better one!"

His tone wasn’t threatening, but it was loud enough to make everyone jolt. A few students laughed awkwardly. Others quickly nodded, deciding it was best not to question anything.

The energy in the air was shifting. The wind had stilled. Even the chirping of birds faded.

The mana in the air was dense now—so thick you could almost feel it pressing gently on your skin. The very ground beneath their feet felt different.

Zankeil clapped his hands once, loud and sharp. "Alright! Who’s first?" he asked, turning to Professor Illiana.

"Elizabeth Alden," Illiana called out, her voice calm and clear.

Elizabeth stepped forward without hesitation. Her posture was confident, her eyes focused. Illiana offered a small nod.

"You don’t have to do much," she explained, "just stand in the circle and let your mana flow into it."

"I understand," Elizabeth replied softly.

With quiet steps, she moved into the center of the glowing summoning circle. As soon as her foot touched the center mark, the patterns lit up even brighter.

She closed her eyes and raised her hand slightly. A gentle wave of her mana pulsed outward.

The reaction was immediate.

The circle beneath her glowed brilliantly, its lines shifting like spinning gears. White light flowed upward, and in an instant, the entire area around her was bathed in silver.

It was as if the moonlight itself had descended from the sky, wrapping everything in its glow.

Everyone watched in silence.

Then the light slowly faded.

When it cleared, a small figure stood in front of Elizabeth.

It was a fox.

Its fur was pure white, but streaks of light blue—almost like glowing ice—ran in gentle patterns across its body.

A silver crescent moon shimmered on its forehead, and its large eyes, glowing pale gray, stared at Elizabeth with soft intelligence.

It tilted its head slightly, ears perked.

"Kyuu," it let out a small sound, almost like a greeting.

The crowd of students couldn’t help but murmur in amazement.

"A Moon Fox," Zankeil said, rubbing his beard. "Rare little thing. You’ve got yourself a quiet treasure there, girl. Now go ahead—give it a name."

Elizabeth crouched gently in front of the fox, reaching out to brush its soft fur. Her touch was careful, like she was handling a dream.

"A name..." she murmured to herself.

A memory came to her. Just of yesterday—soft morning light pouring through the quiet academy halls.

She walked down the corridor, her hands clasped behind her back, walking backwards playfully, as she looked towards someone walking with her.

"What do you think I’ll get?" she asked.

Azhriel, with his usual calm face, and his hands in his pockets gave a small chuckle, as they strolled. "How would I know what you’ll get?"

Elizabeth smiled. "Hmm. I don’t know. It just feels like you always know things—like what’s going to happen."

Azhriel didn’t respond right away.

"It was the same, when it somehow looked like you already knew my parents would return. Same with the monster subjugation.

He gave a small shrug. "Maybe it’s just coincidence?"

"Coincidences, huh." Elizabeth said softly.

"Though," he continued. "From the way you speak it seems like you are always watching me." Azhriel said walking.

Elizabeth at his words turned her head outside the corridor towards the garden, which loomed in front of them.

"Hehe, it seems so. My eyes just somehow always keeps to find you."

She said glancing just a bit to Azhriel reaction, who for a moment stopped in his tracks but soon continued moving without saying anything.

’This girl..’ Azhriel thought in his mind.

She chuckled to herself, then said, "Alright then. At least tell me—what should I name my familiar when I get one?"

Azhriel thought for a moment.

"How about... Luneriah?" he had said.

Back in the present, Elizabeth smiled, remembering.

She gently rubbed the fox’s head and whispered, "Luneriah. That will be your name."

As soon as she spoke the name, the summoning circle glowed again.

A soft pulse of light passed between her and the fox.

A warmth spread through her chest—like a string of light connecting her soul to the creature before her. The fox let out another small sound, leaning its head into her touch.

The bond had been made.

Elizabeth stood up, Luneriah walking beside her now like a silent shadow, proud and elegant.

All eyes were still on Elizabeth and her new companion as she walked back toward the group.

Suddenly, without a warning, a voice full of cheer rang out.

"Oh, let me see this cute little one!" Vidalia said as she appeared out of nowhere, her magenta hair shimmering like stars.

Before Elizabeth could react, Vidalia reached forward, her hands aiming to pick up the fox.

But Luneriah was faster.

With a quick hop, the fox leapt from Vidalia’s arms to the ground, then jumped again—right onto Elizabeth’s head—and curled into a little white ball.

"Kyuuu~" the fox chirped, almost like a playful laugh.

Vidalia blinked, her hands still outstretched. "Oh, you’re a sneaky one," she said, eyes sparkling. She moved once again to catch the fox.

But Luneriah was nimble. Each time Vidalia moved, the fox dodged with ease—dancing on Elizabeth’s shoulder, then leaping to her arm, then finally back into her embrace.

"Ah, senior," Elizabeth said flatly, looking up at Vidalia without blinking. "I think it doesn’t like you."

Vidalia froze, her arms pausing mid-air.

For a brief moment, everything was quiet.

Then a tiny pout formed on Vidalia’s lips. "That’s mean," she muttered, crossing her arms, though her tone still held a playful edge.

Luneriah, safe in Elizabeth’s arms, gave one last flick of her tail—as if teasing—and closed her eyes.

"So sad," Vidalia drooped as she also moved back with Elizabeth.

Clap!

The sudden, sharp sound of Illiana’s hands meeting rang through the open clearing, drawing everyone’s attention instantly.

"Alicia Burns," she called out, her voice clear and calm.

Alicia, standing among the crowd of students, flinched slightly at hearing her name, as it was a bit faster, but then quickly composed herself.

Without wasting a second, she stepped forward. Her strides were steady and confident, her crimson rapier swaying lightly at her waist as she moved toward the center of the sacred circle.

As she entered the circle, and passed her mana.

Swish.

The circle came alive.

Brilliant red and orange lights flared up from the runes beneath her feet, swirling around her in a spiral of heat and light.

The air shimmered, thick with fire-aspected mana. Students instinctively stepped back as a wave of warmth washed over them.

Then—

Kreeeeee!

A piercing screech tore through the air, echoing across the whole area like a whistle made of flame.

From within the swirling blaze of light, a shape began to form.

Glowing wings spread wide, casting flickering shadows over the students. The fire swirled tighter and tighter, until it erupted outward—revealing the creature inside.

A phoenix.

It hovered above the summoning circle, wings wide and proud. Its entire body was a blaze of feathers, glowing in fierce oranges, yellows, and bright streaks of red.

Licks of fire danced across its wings and tail, trailing embers in the air like shooting stars.

Its eyes, two burning orange gems, narrowed as it let out a soft but regal caw.

Everyone was silent. Even Zankeil raised an eyebrow.

"A phoenix..." Neila murmured, slightly surprised. "A young one, but still a phoenix. That’s quite rare."

Alicia’s eyes widened as she looked up at the magnificent creature. Her breath caught for a second.

The phoenix swooped low, circling her once before landing gracefully in front of her.

It stood tall, nearly at her shoulder height, its burning tail gently sweeping the ground, though the grass beneath didn’t burn.

"I have to give you a name, huh "