Chapter 98: The Familiar Bonding-1

Azhriel walked through the stone corridors of the academy with quiet steps, the early morning light spilling through the tall windows beside him.

The soft sound of his shoes tapping against the polished floor echoed faintly as he headed toward the classroom.

His uniform was neat, the black coat buttoned to the top as always, and his silver-lined sword hung quietly at his side.

There was no rush in his pace, no emotion on his face—just calm.

He had mostly recovered from the injuries, thanks to the healing from the academy priests.

But even so, faint pain still lingered deep in his muscles — like a reminder of what they had faced.

As Azhriel walked down the hallway toward the class, a familiar voice called out from behind.

"Hey."

He glanced over his shoulder.

It was Samuel, his usual seriousness resting on his face, softening for a moment, though a little tiredness sat in the corners of his eyes.

"Hey," Azhriel greeted back.

Samuel jogged up beside him. "So, all healed up?"

Azhriel gave a small shrug. "As you can see."

Samuel gave him a once-over and nodded. "Good. So... ready for the big event today?"

"Yeah," Azhriel replied calmly, though his eyes held a different light.

One of thought and excitement.

One of caution.

He knew what was coming.

The Familiar Contract.

It was one of the most popular sub-events in the game.

In the original timeline, this was the part where each major character formed a bond with a familiar — powerful magical creatures that would become companions, allies, and sources of strength throughout their journey.

For many players, it was one of the more emotional parts of the early game.

The formation of the bond, the summoning of rare familiars, and the growth that came from it — it all felt meaningful.

But it was as if the game had, some god level talent for messing with it’s players heart, cause the events that followed for the familiars..... well let’s leave them for some other time.

But for Azhriel now, it wasn’t just about forming a connection.

It was about survival.

This event, though peaceful on the surface, was also incredibly risky. There were hidden layers to it, traps and tests placed for those who reached too far.

And Azhriel knew... what he was going to attempt during the ritual was outrageous and dangerous.

He would be aiming for something no one else dared to. A familiar that shouldn’t even be available at this point in the story.

And if he failed—he wouldn’t get a second chance.

Still, he had no other option. He needed power. The world wasn’t the same as the game anymore, and the plot line was already shifting fast.

As they turned the corridor together, Samuel stretched his arms behind his head.

"Still, I’m kinda surprised the academy decided to hold this event so soon," he said. "It’s only been three days since... you know."

Azhriel’s gaze turned distant for a moment.

"There’s a reason," he said.

"Hm?"

"Two, actually," Azhriel added.

Samuel blinked.

"The first one is timing," Azhriel continued.

"The Familiar Ritual only opens once a year — a specific time where the mana in the land aligns with the summoning circle. Miss that window, and it won’t open again until next year."

"Right..." Samuel said, nodding slowly.

"The second reason..." Azhriel paused for a moment before looking ahead.

"The Academy doesn’t want suspicion spreading. Not among the other classes or years." He continued.

"If they delay a scheduled event, people will ask questions. Especially to those students present during the attack."

Samuel frowned. "You think they’re covering it up?"

"Not completely. They must have told the others it was a minor incident. Something like a few monsters going wild. Nothing much that big."

"Tch. Typical," Samuel muttered under his breath. "Sweep it under the rug so the big names don’t get nervous."

Azhriel didn’t respond. His thoughts were already elsewhere.

He would need to prepare carefully. The ritual was known for being unpredictable.

Some students didn’t even get familiars. Others bonded with creatures that were too weak to be useful.

And then... there were the rare few who received legendary-class familiars — creatures spoken of in myths.

In the original game, Raymond and Samuel bonded with quite the special beasts.

As for Azhriel?

Originally, his in-game counterpart wasn’t even part of the event. He didn’t have a familiar.

But this time... things were different.

This time, he was aiming for something far more dangerous.

Something hidden in the deeper corners of the ritual.

A presence that was meant to appear only during the endgame.

And if he succeeded...

He might just gain the edge he needed.

*****

"Are you all ready?" Illiana’s voice rang out clearly across the wide training grounds.

Dozens of students stood in neat lines, the morning sun gleaming off their uniforms. At her question, a wave of nods followed—some eager, some nervous, but all prepared.

This wasn’t just Azhriel’s class anymore.

Class A was also present, along with several lower-year classes and a few senior students who had failed the ritual in previous years.

They were here for their second—or even third—attempt, hoping this time would be different.

The atmosphere buzzed with excitement and tension.

A giant glowing magic circle lay drawn on the grass in the center of the grounds. Its runes pulsed faintly with mana.

This was the teleportation array that would send them all to the Sanctum Grove, where the Familiar Bonding Ritual would take place.

Illiana stood at the front, along with the professors of the other classes.

Their eyes were sharp and alert—cautious, even though they didn’t expect any danger.

After what happened days ago, no one was taking chances anymore.

The air began to shift.

The circle glowed brighter.

Then—

Fwoosh.

A surge of magic rose up, light bursting from the circle.

In the blink of an eye, the entire group vanished from the academy grounds.

When Azhriel opened his eyes again, a cool breeze brushed against his face.

He stood in the middle of a vast open field—green grass rolling out in all directions, broken only by gentle slopes and distant trees.

Birds soared lazily overhead under the golden morning sun.

The sky above was clear, painted in a bright blue with only a few wisps of cloud.

Nearby, sunlight glinted off the calm surface of a lake, its waters rippling softly with the breeze. Manaflies danced above it. The reflection of the sky shimmering gently.

And beside the lake, just off the shoreline, stood a small old wooden hut.

It looked weathered and quiet, as if it had stood there for years untouched. Moss clung to its sides, and vines wrapped lazily around the posts of the porch.

Smoke curled faintly from the tiny chimney, suggesting someone—or something—might still live there.

Students began appearing in small groups all across the clearing, transported from the teleportation circle in waves.

Some of them gasped softly at the view.

It was peaceful.

Beautiful.

Unlike the cold walls of the academy, the Sanctum Grove was almost dreamlike.

Magical energy flowed through the air, thin and almost invisible, but any awakened student could feel it brushing against their skin—soft, like warm wind.

Azhriel took a slow breath.

’So this is the place...’

This was the very spot where the Familiar Bonds were formed.

But hidden beneath all that beauty... he knew this place also held secrets.

They moved quietly, students following the professors in a slow line across the grassy field. The soft crunch of boots on the grass was the only sound, with whispers now fading away as the hut came into full view.

The old hut looked even more worn up close. Its wooden walls were cracked with age, the roof patched in places with moss and branches. Time had clearly passed this place by.

The group came to a halt a few steps away from the porch.

Illiana stepped forward, her expression unreadable. For a second, it looked like she hesitated. Her hand hovered in front of the wooden door.

Then—knock knock.

Nothing.

No reply came.

Illiana sighed and knocked again, a little louder this time.

Creeaak—

The door creaked open slightly on its own, as if nudged by the breeze.

And then—

RUMBLE.

A voice boomed from inside, loud and rough.

"Who is it?! Who dares to disturb our slumber?!"

There was a pause.

"Oh, it’s you."

An old man appeared in the doorway, his back hunched slightly but his frame still sturdy.

He had a tangled gray beard and wore a long robe that looked like it had been slept in for three days straight. His eyebrows were wild, and his eyes sharp.

Right behind him, another voice called from deeper inside the hut.

"Is that Illiana, Zankeil?"

Azhriel tilted his head slightly. He recognized them instantly from the game.

These two weren’t ordinary mages.

They were the Guardians of the Bonding Grounds—an old couple but powerful figures responsible for overseeing the Familiar Contract rituals every year.

And this old man’s strange behavior and dramatic way of speaking was famous even in the game.

He watched quietly as the door swung wider, revealing more of the hut’s dim interior.

The air inside shimmered faintly with mana, and dozens of strange glowing creatures floated lazily in glass jars or perched on the shelves.

The ritual was about to begin.