Chapter 104: Velkarth and Enkarth-2.

Forty-seven years.

That’s how long Zankeil had been the guardian of the summoning grounds. And in all that time, if there was one thing he’d learned, one lesson carved into his bones—

In summoning grounds, never ever doubt your instincts.

It didn’t matter what they told you. Listen to them, and follow them.

And so, when he felt the shift in the air, the strange pull in his chest, he didn’t hesitate.

"Boy! Pass your mana into the circle....

NOW!" Zankeil roared.

Samuel flinched. He hesitated for a second, then nodded and placed his hand forward.

A thread of deep, pitch-black mana flowed from Samuel’s hand and touched the golden glow still spinning in the giant summoning circle.

And then...

Something strange happened.

The circle split right down the middle.

On one side, it blazed with brilliant golden light—pure and holy, like the sun itself had blessed it.

On the other, it darkened—a deep black, like it was swallowing light, filled with endless shadows and an eerie, creeping chill.

The two forces—light and darkness—began to swirl and crash inside the circle, dancing and fighting at the same time.

It spun faster, faster than before, sparks of gold and strands of black tearing into the air around them.

And then—

Tearrrrk—

The very air in front of them was ripped open.

Like someone had sliced reality in two.

From beyond that tear, two figures stepped out.

And the moment they did, everyone felt it.

A crushing weight settled on the area—

Heavy, like a storm pressing down on your chest.

The air felt thicker, as breathing became increasingly harder every gaining moment.

Illiana’s eyes widened, her mana rising in defense. Around her, even the other professors were tensed.

No one could ignore the presence of these beings.

As they walked forward, their shapes became clear.

Two wolves.

One walked like the sun itself had given it form.

Its fur glowed in golden light, with stripes of red and white running down its back to its tail. Its eyes were crimson, glowing like two twin rubies, and its mane wasn’t fur...

It was fire.

Golden fire, burning softly, purifying everything it touched.

It stepped forward with a proud, regal grace, heading straight toward Raymond.

Beside it, the other wolf moved just as slowly.

But its presence felt colder, heavier. Its fur was as black as the deepest night, with purple streaks down its back, and its glowing eyes shone with deep amethyst light, like carved jewels of darkness.

Its mane burned too—

But with violet flames.

Dark and sharp, as if it could burn the very soul.

It looked straight at Samuel.

Around them, the students could barely stand straight. Many were panting, their legs trembling from the sheer pressure.

Even the teachers looked shaken.

Zankeil stood protectively in front of Neila, his face grim. The golden and violet flames didn’t touch anyone—but they danced close, licking the air, radiating power.

And yet, in all of that chaos.

Only one person remained completely calm.

Azhriel.

He didn’t flinch. He didn’t even looked that much impressed.

He simply stood there, his ice-blue eyes locked onto the two wolves.

Cold and calculating.

’Even after losing their authorities, they still act this flashy,’ Azhriel thought, his face blank, almost like he was bored by the drama.

’Still... they’re are pretty strong.Just like in the game. It’s quite unfortunate, that when they will form bonds with both of them have to start from the beginning.’

He let out a breath. Then his gaze narrowed slightly, almost amused about the coming future.

’Well, much Welcome, to you both.’ he thought quietly.

"The Severed Sinners of Noarsis."

As the two massive wolves reached Raymond and Samuel, they stopped just a few steps in front of them. Their glowing eyes locked onto the boys for a few long seconds—silent, unreadable.

Then, slowly, the wolves raised a paw each—one raising the right, the other the left.

Tap.

With that simple tap against the ground, something incredible happened.

A golden glow wrapped around Raymond. A deep purple light surrounded Samuel.

And then—

Boom.

Two domes of light suddenly formed out of thin air. One burned with a warm golden shine, and the other flickered with deep purple like twilight shadows.

Both domes surrounded the boys completely, cutting them off from the rest of the world.

"Damn it!" Illiana cursed sharply as she rushed forward, reaching the golden dome just a moment too late.

Her hand stopped inches away from the surface, blocked by an invisible force.

The domes weren’t normal.

They weren’t just magic barriers—they were something else entirely.

Illiana’s face was serious now.

"They created Zones..." she muttered under her breath.

That wasn’t something students—or even most professors—could do.

Only Transcendents could create a Zone, a personal space shaped by their will and aura. It was an extremely rare power.

And to turn a Zone into a Domain—that was a feat only legends could do. It was also the final step to become an Archon.

But these wolves had done it casually, as if it were nothing.

Meanwhile, inside the golden dome, Raymond stood still, taking in the strange new space around him.

Everything around him glowed faintly with golden light. The sky above, the ground beneath—it all felt like it was touched by the sun.

Warm, peaceful... yet overwhelmingly powerful.

He looked at the golden wolf in front of him and let out a short laugh.

"Whoa... So you can actually make a Zone. That’s insane."

The wolf lifted its chin slightly, its fiery mane glowing brighter.

"Hmph. Who do you think I am?" the wolf replied, its voice echoing in low light—not loud, but proud.

"A wolf?" Raymond said with a completely innocent face.

The golden wolf — Velkarth — froze.

Cough, cough.

He coughed, twice, his majestic pride clearly bruised.

"Y-You really just called me that?" Velkarth muttered in disbelief, flicking his tail with a loud swish of golden fire.

"I mean technically..." Raymond shrugged. "You do look like a wolf."

Velkarth stared at him for a long moment, then sighed, muttering something under his breath about "children these days."

But a second later, his expression changed.

The teasing light in his eyes dimmed as a strange pressure filled the space. The warm gold around them darkened to a deeper, burning glow.

"Raymond Dawnlight," Velkarth said, his voice no longer casual. It echoed through the Domain, serious, heavy. "You, who stand with sunlight in your blood... let me give you a offer."

Raymond straightened a bit. His eyes sharpening at the changing atmosphere.

Velkarth stepped forward, his golden fire flaring.

"I can offer you strength beyond imagination. Power that can bend kings and nobles alike to their knees. You could rule this world — shape it as you desire. Bring peace or chaos, as you see fit."

His voice lowered, almost a whisper now.

"All of it, it can be yours, if you take my "True bond". The Pact of Conquest."

The golden wolf’s mane blazed brighter, his eyes glowing with the sheer might of a creature who had seen wars long before Raymond was even born.

Silence fell.

Raymond blinked once. His eyes didn’t waver.

"...No," he said, voice quiet but firm.

Velkarth’s flames stilled.

"Not even going to think about it?" the wolf asked, almost surprised.

"There’s nothing to think about. Why would I need your power? I can just work harder myself." Raymond looked him in the eye. "Also, I don’t need to rule the world. I just need to protect the inoccent. That’s all."

Velkarth was quiet.

Then—

"...Heh."

A slow smile formed across the beast’s face, a proud grin spreading across his sharp, regal features.

"Good," he said simply. "You passed."

The golden light around them warmed again, gentler this time.

Raymond blinked. "That was... a test?"

"Yes," Velkarth nodded. "I’ve seen countless warriors in my life. But very few kings. And even fewer who chose not to become one, even when offered everything."

Raymond scratched the back of his head. "Well... I’m not really good at politics anyway."

Velkarth laughed — a deep, rumbling sound that echoed across the golden dome like thunder wrapped in joy.

"You’re an idiot," he said fondly. "But the kind I like."

The light pulsed again.

"Raise your hand, Raymond. Let us form the True bond."

Raymond took a deep breath and stepped forward. His hand reached out.

And the moment his palm touched Velkarth’s head.

Flash!

A golden burst of light exploded through the Zone.

Outside the dome, Illiana and the others shielded their eyes.

Then—

Crack.

The dome shattered like glass, dissolving into golden light.

Raymond stood tall in the clearing, his hand still resting on the massive golden wolf beside him.

Velkarth stood proudly at his side, a golden crest of light hovering just behind Raymond’s shoulder.

"...So, what did I miss?" Raymond asked casually.

"Tell me about it also?" Samuel breaking out from Enkarth’s Zone at the same time asked.

Kevin and the others just stared, dumbfounded.

And somewhere near the tree, Zankeil grumbled, "What the hell is with these kids?"