Xavier had expected the conjuration lectures to take place in a classroom. Checking the schedule board, however, he discovered the session was set for the practical grounds—close to, yet distinct from, the field used for advanced swordsmanship.
Upon arriving, he stood beneath a nearby tree while the other students waited for the professor. A young man of the same year approached him.
"Hey, you’re Xavier Drakenfell, right?" the newcomer asked.
"Yeah, I am. And you are?" Xavier replied in a neutral tone.
"Nice to meet you. I’m Allen Steelvein, from the Steelvein County."
"Nice to meet you too, Allen Steelvein," Xavier answered, still uncertain of the his purpose. Allen simply stood beside him in silence for a moment.
"The weather’s pleasant, isn’t it?" Allen remarked. Indeed it was—the sunlight warm, the breeze cool—yet Xavier wondered why the Allen had chosen that particular topic.
"Yeah, it is," he answered just as the professor arrived.
A middle-aged man with streaks of grey in his hair strode onto the field, dressed in a simple white shirt and black trousers, a golden monocle resting over his left eye.
"Gather up, students. I am Professor Draven, and today we will perform magical-beast summoning," he announced, clapping his hands twice.
Once the class had assembled, he explained the fundamentals and rules of summoning non-bound beasts, a core branch of conjuration.
"For a non-bound summon, simply draw this symbol on the ground, stand in its center, and channel your mana," Draven instructed, tracing the mark with his foot. "Close your eyes. When you sense a connection forming within your consciousness, draw it toward you. After that we proceed to the binding ceremony."
Students began sketching the symbol; Xavier and Allen did the same.
"Wait patiently for the link. Once it appears, treat it gently," the professor added.
Xavier stood on his completed mark without yet pouring mana into it, watching as others summoned beasts one after another. A girl called forth an owl with glowing wings ; another produced a massive lizard. Many brought forth various magical birds, while the rest summoned creatures of every size and shape.
Beside him, Allen succeeded in summoning a majestic blue-furred wolf nearly as tall as himself.
Xavier simply observed, captivated by the creatures materializing from thin air.
"Once your beasts appear," Draven continued, "prick your finger and let a drop of blood fall onto the symbol beneath your feet. If the beast answers in kind, the contract is sealed and you may summon it thereafter without the mark."
Students complied. Some bonds formed successfully; others were rejected, the beasts vanishing beyond their control.
"Haha, don’t worry—you can always try again," Draven laughed brightly, encouraging those who had failed.
It was finally Xavier’s turn. He closed his eyes and reached for a connection.
Electric shivers raced down his spine. He sensed two enormous deep-blue eyes regarding him from behind. Instinct urged him to turn, yet the pressure locked his legs in place. As the sensation intensified he could no longer keep his eyes shut.
When he opened them, a small, energetic beast stood in his cupped hands. Its fur was a blend of white and gold, its tail long and slender, its sky-blue eyes fixed on him with bright curiosity.
"Rawr," came a soft, endearing bark.
"Way to go, Xavier. What an intimidating beast you’ve summoned," Allen remarked in a half-teasing tone while stroking his newly bound wolf.
The tiny pup glanced at his wolf and let out a cute growl.
"Rrrrr."
Allen found the sound charming, but before he could comment his own wolf shivered and shrank back, seeking shelter behind its master.
"Wait—don’t tell me you’re actually afraid of that little thing," Allen said, staring at his companion in surprise.
The moment eased Xavier’s mild disappointment.
"Looks like this pup is more than it appears," he chuckled. The creature gazed up at him with open affection.
"It needs a name. Hmm... such fluffy fur. How about Zuzu?" Xavier asked. The pup’s thin tail wagged vigorously in clear approval.
"All right then—your name is Zuzu from now on." He pricked his finger and let a drop of blood fall onto the symbol. "Come on, Zuzu. Do you want to be my friend?"
The pup mirrored the gesture; a single crimson bead from its paw touched the mark. The symbol flared with bright light and vanished.
Zuzu scrambled onto Xavier’s shoulder and settled there snugly while Professor Draven concluded the lesson.
"The most vital elements in conjuration are a strong will and a vivid imagination. The beasts with which you have just formed contracts will lend the strength of their own will to aid your future work. For any successful conjurer, the first step is forging such a bond—which you have all now accomplished." With that, he dismissed the class.
"See you later, Xavier," Allen said in a friendly tone before departing.
"See you," Xavier replied, privately wondering whether the two of them had just become friends.
He returned to the dormitory, pausing once more at the gates to confirm his earlier suspicions, then went inside, changed into casual clothes, and went down to the third floor.
"Elena, are you in here?" he called, stepping into her room without knocking.
Elena lay on the bed reading. She closed the book and sat up, her breasts shifting lightly with the motion. She wore a snug white camisole with black straps that emphasized her figure, the fabric thin enough that her erect nipples were nearly visible, paired with tight black shorts and a black choker set with a blue gemstone.
In Xavier’s eyes she was the most stylish girl he had ever seen.
"You’re here. I was getting bored waiting for you," she said, still seated on the bed. "Come in, have a seat." She patted the mattress beside her. Xavier sat close, leaving almost no space between them.
"So, what have you figured out about the treasure?" Elena asked, eyes gleaming.
"Before that—what about our deal?" Xavier countered.
He referred to the arrangement she had offered: her assistance with his arousal triggers in exchange for his participation in her treasure hunt.
"Oh, so you want to discuss that first?" she asked.
"Yeah. If you already have ideas about my arousal, I’d like to hear them." He smiled inwardly.
Seeing her so unguarded in such revealing attire only sharpened his focus. He had admired Elena’s beauty since their first meet at the Drakenfell gala, and the academy had finally granted him a private moment with his first crush in this world. He no longer intended to hold back.
Elena’s uncensored art is available on my discord: .gg/46RzQWVvsR