"Still training, I see."
Kaine heard those words and did not react. He focused on his form as he lowered his chest, held the position for a few seconds, then pushed himself back up.
"The others can barely sit still. Your cousin stopped three servants to ask whether the preparations were complete."
His father, Gareth Valcrest, commented as he stood by the open door and watched him with a faint smile on his face.
Kaine completed one more push-up before standing up. He then unfastened the weighted vest he had on and placed it on a nearby bench, revealing his shirt, stuck to his body, drenched in sweat as it highlighted his nigh-perfect, well-trained body.
The weighted vest landed with a heavy thud.
Kaine picked up a towel and wiped his face without saying anything.
His father expected as much, his eldest son rarely had much to say. Even as a child, Kaine preferred the training grounds to the gatherings his mother arranged for him.
He had always been hardworking and the results of that hard work spoke for themselves. At eighteen, he far outclassed most of the guards in terms of pure skill. His combat instructor never once complained about him, he was perfectly disciplined, so much so that even now, on the morning he had waited four years for, he found time to train.
That made Gareth smile more.
"The chamber is ready."
He informed.
"Already?"
Kaine lowered the towel.
"We began the moment the scrolls lit up."
Kaine nodded at that.
The scrolls lighting up marked the beginning of the Summoning Season.
This was the only period when humans could reach beyond their world and call a companion to occupy their Soul Throne.
Once the contract became permanent, the bond between the human and their Companion could awaken an Aspect, a supernatural ability shaped by both the summoner’s soul and their companion’s nature.
For most people, this was the most important event of their lives. The companion they summoned influenced their future strength, status, and the opportunities available to them.
The Summoning Season, however, had no fixed schedule. Sometimes, years passed between two seasons, sometimes, the second Season would begin after only a few months.
Its duration was equally uncertain.
It could remain open for days or close within hours.
That was why every major family kept scrolls under constant watch, with all the materials prepared and eligible candidates listed in advance.
"You’re first since we don’t know how long we have."
Gareth informed.
Kaine nodded. He pulled off his damp shirt, wiped himself down, and took a clean one from the bench before he followed his father outside.
The estate was already in an uproar.
Servants hurried through the halls with scroll cases and boxes of mana stones. Guards opened rooms that usually remained locked and orders came from every direction.
"Master Orven asked for another set!"
"Then bring it!"
"Where are the remaining candidates?"
"They are coming."
"Gather them all in the Summoning Hall."
A servant stopped before Kaine’s father and bowed.
"My Lord. Young Master."
Kaine’s father gave a brief nod.
"Are the preparations complete?"
"Yes."
The servant kept his head down.
"Good."
Gareth nodded and continued walking. Kaine followed his father without saying anything to the servant.
Farther down the hall, two maids pressed themselves against the wall and lowered their heads the moment they saw the father and son.
Gareth acknowledged them with a short nod, Kaine kept walking.
"Your mother has been waiting in the chamber since the bells rang. She wanted to come and fetch you herself."
"Why didn’t she?"
"I told her I would."
Gareth smiled. The two turned into a wider corridor.
The minimum age to participate in the Summoning Season was sixteen.
Kaine was fourteen when the previous season arrived. Despite his talent and his family’s influence, he could only watch others summon their companions.
Four years later, his opportunity finally came and he and the Valcrests had no intention of letting it slip away.
"You won’t need to do much. Everything has been prepared. Listen to Master Orven and follow his instructions."
Gareth explained.
"I know."
Kaine nodded, his father nodded back as if he already expected it.
After all, Kaine was always prepared.
The two reached the Summoning Hall, the guards standing at the door instantly straightened their backs when they saw them.
"My lord. Young Master."
They greeted.
Kaine and Gareth walked inside.
The Summoning Hall was large, white pillars lined its walls, and a wide circle covered the floor at the centre. There were hundreds of small symbols surrounding a stone pedestal and an open scroll on top.
Other Valcrests were standing behind a low stone boundary, when Kaine entered, several turned towards the doors.
"He’s here."
"Finally."
"Look at him. He doesn’t seem nervous at all."
"Would you be if you had his talent?"
A few chuckled.
Then, Helena Valcrest, Kaine’s mother, stepped towards Kaine, she stared at her child and her gaze soon stopped on his damp hair.
"Were you training?"
"Yes."
"Today as well?"
"He had time."
Gareth answered. He sounded very proud. Helena looked at her husband, then she sighed and shook her head before she glanced at Kaine again.
"Focus on how you dress, Kaine. It is important."
She spoke as she straightened his shirt’s collar.
Kaine looked past her, towards the circle where an old man in grey robes was standing beside the pedestal.
Master Orven.
The family’s appraiser held a narrow crystal in one hand. Two assistants stood behind him, checking the last few lines around the circle.
"Young Master Kaine."
The old man smiled.
"We are ready for you."
Kaine nodded and walked toward him.
His younger brother, August Valcrest, stood amongst other candidates, dressed in clean ceremonial clothes. August’s eyes followed Kaine, so did everyone else’s.
Kaine stopped beside the pedestal.
"Place your right hand here."
Orven instructed as he pointed to the centre of the scroll.
Kaine studied the writing and the old man continued explaining.
"Once we begin, you will feel a pull. Allow it to reach your soul, do not try to resist it. When you feel something answer, accept the connection."
Kaine nodded as he placed his palm on the scroll. Orven and his assistants stepped out of the circle and the Mana Stones around the circle glowed.
Light rushed through the symbols beneath Kaine’s feet and climbed the sides of the pedestal. Kaine felt something pulling inside his chest. His fingers tightened as the feeling reached deep within him and suddenly...
The chamber faded, the voices he was hearing disappeared and only darkness remained around him.
Kaine looked around, then, his eyes fell on a Crimson Throne right in front of him.
It was his Soul Throne.
Kaine walked towards it and as he did, he felt the darkness around him tremble. The pull in his chest became stronger, for the next few seconds, nothing happened, as if his Soul couldn’t find anyone.
SWFOOSH
Then, something answered and the scroll burst with bright golden light.
"Wha...?"
Orven’s eyes widened in surprise as an unbelievably heavy pressure filled the chamber.
One of the younger candidates stumbled backward, his mother caught his arm, but she barely looked at him, her eyes stayed on the circle and... the huge shadow that formed above Kaine.
A giant body, terrifying face, and a pair of vast wings that unfolded in all their glory.
And Orven couldn’t believe it.
"A... A dragon!"
He screamed in disbelief and people heard.
"What...?"
"A dragon?"
"Look at its wings!"
"No one in our Safe Zone has ever summoned one!"
"Could it be... Superior Grade?"
That question made several people pause.
Superior Grade.
Even a Rare Grade Companion was enough for a Summoner to be considered exceptionally talented. Anything above that was something most people here would never see in their lifetime.
And a Dragon...
"Don’t get ahead of yourself."
That was when one of the elders spoke up.
"The species alone does not determine the Companion’s Grade."
"But it’s a Dragon!"
Another person exclaimed excitedly and even the elder couldn’t argue with those words.
A Dragon was meant to be great.
That was when it happened.
"Wait..."
"...what is that?"
Everyone turned. Orven’s face changed as well, he stepped closer to the circle while his eyes remained on the shadow above Kaine’s head, or more accurately...
The second shadow above his head.
A pointed muzzle, followed by two upright ears, then, a tail appeared, then a second tail, then a third tail and... more and more.
"Four... five..."
People began counting.
"Seven... eight..."
And as the final tail appeared, every person in the chamber stared at it in absolute shock.
"Nine."
Orven’s mouth opened in disbelief.
"A Nine-Tailed Fox!"
Another creature they had only heard about in stories.
The pressure on the hall doubled, a few servants lowered their heads instinctively, the rest could feel the overwhelming power trying to push them down.
And the most surprising part of it all?
It still wasn’t over.
"...t-there’s a third?"