Chapter 9) Assignment
Morning sunlight spilled through the small dorm window, brushing across Lucien's face. He blinked awake and sat up, stretching lazily. On the other side of the room, his roommate was already awake, sitting cross-legged on his bed with a thick book open on his lap.
"Seriously? Reading again? What is he, some kind of bookworm? He was doing the same thing when I first walked in here…", Lucien thought, rubbing his eyes.
He got up and headed to the washroom. When he returned, drying his face with a cloth, the boy finally spoke without lifting his eyes from the pages.
"You don't even know my name."
Lucien raised a brow. "Well… yeah, that's true."
He started rummaging through his things, ignoring him, but the boy closed his book and looked up.
"You're not even going to ask me? At least pretend you care."
Lucien gave a half-smirk. "If it's that important to you, you can just tell me yourself."
The boy clicked his tongue. "Don't make it sound like I owe you something. I just want to be on good terms, that's all. We're roommates, after all."
Lucien sighed. "Alright then. Tell me your name."
The boy's lips curled into a faint grin. "Hah, so you do have some attitude. Fine. My name's Alvaren. Just call me Alva."
He extended his hand. Lucien hesitated, then shook it firmly.
Alvaren studied him a moment longer, then asked, "So, which group did you end up in?"
Lucien blinked. "Group?"
"Yeah. The assignments were posted in the central hall this morning. Didn't you check?"
Lucien's eyes widened slightly. "What the hell… I didn't even know about that."
Alvaren chuckled. "Figures. You should probably hurry before everyone else memorizes the lists."
Lucien grabbed his jacket. "Right. Then I'll head there now."
---
Lucien made his way through the crowded halls until he reached the central square of the academy. A few students were gathered around a massive board covered with names, each one searching eagerly for their assignment.
He stepped closer, eyes scanning the list. "Alright… where's my name?"
Before he could spot it, a familiar voice called from behind.
"Lucien!"
He turned, and there she was Serenya, walking toward him with a warm smile.
"How did you sleep?" she asked.
Lucien forced a small smile back. "Good. And you?"
"Also good," she replied lightly. Then her eyes flicked to the board. "So, which group did you get?"
Lucien rubbed the back of his neck. "Haven't checked yet. I just got here."
"Perfect," she said brightly. "Let's look together. I still don't know mine either."
"Great… just what I needed," Lucien thought, suppressing a groan. "If she sticks around too much, she might notice… no, I can't let her find out about Fenrir."
As if on cue, Serenya clasped her hands together. "Wouldn't it be wonderful if we ended up in the same group?"
Lucien's smile twitched. He thought "No, no, no. That's the last thing I need."
Lucien focused on the board, scanning carefully until his eyes landed on it: Group C – Lucien.
"There," he muttered. "Group C."
Serenya leaned closer, her face brightening. "Oh! I'm in Group C too."
Lucien's stomach dropped. "Damn it… of all the possibilities, this had to happen. I had my own plans for this group, and the last thing I need is for Serenya to find out about them. Looks like I'll have to change everything now."
He drew in a slow breath, masking his frustration with a polite smile.
"So… Serenya," he said evenly, "mind taking a walk with me? There are a few things I'd like to ask you. About the academy, mostly."
Her face lit up. "Of course. Let's go."
Together, they turned away from the noisy hall and started walking toward the academy's garden park, where the crowd thinned and the air grew calmer.
They walked through the Academy's garden park, sunlight breaking through the thick canopy above, the air fresh and quiet.
Lucien, trying to sound casual, suddenly asked:
"So… do you know anything about pocket dimensions for beast tamers?"
Serenya quickly turned her head toward him, narrowing her eyes slightly.
"And where did you even hear about that?"
Lucien froze for a moment. "Damn it… of course I know, but I can't let her figure it out."
He scratched the back of his head and replied with a careless tone:
"Ah… I just overheard it from someone passing by."
Serenya nodded, though she didn't seem completely convinced.
"Alright, I'll explain. Pocket dimensions exist for everyone who bonds with beasts. They can be small or large, it all depends on the strength of one's blood. For example, mine is big enough to hold my serpent. And remember: only your bonded beasts can enter your pocket dimension."
Lucien's thoughts stirred. "So… that really means I'm connected with Fenrir now."
Lucien hesitated a little before asking,
"I've got another question… how do you even summon these beasts? I mean, I heard some people talking about calling theirs, but I never understood how it's actually done."
Serenya blinked at him. "But… he doesn't even have a beast. Why is he asking all this?" she thought to herself. Then she gave him a gentle smile.
"Alright, I'll explain. You simply form the image of your beast in your mind and call for it. It's really that simple. You can use any words you like, 'Come to me,' 'Show yourself,' or whatever feels natural. And of course, once you're bonded, you should already know beasts can speak with their masters."
Lucien's thoughts darkened. "I can't let her think I already know too much…"
So he scratched his head and said, with feigned surprise:
"Wait.. so you mean… it actually works like that? Really?"
Serenya tilted her head, slightly confused. "He didn't know that? Strange…"
But she nodded and confirmed,
"Yes, exactly. After the bond, beasts are capable of speech with their masters."
Serenya was still talking, explaining something about summoning rituals, but Lucien barely caught half of it.
Because in the back of his mind, a voice suddenly echoed.
It was deep, resonant, and unmistakable.
"Lucien."
"We need to speak. Quickly. I'm in your pocket dimension right now, but there's something you must hear. Go somewhere secluded, somewhere away from prying eyes, and release me. We don't have much time."
Lucien blinked, heart skipping a beat. Fenrir…
"Ah.. uh, Serenya, what did you just say?" he stammered, forcing a smile.
She gave him a puzzled look. "What, you didn't hear me? Lucien, are you even listening?"
"Sorry… I'm just… really tired. I went to sleep far too late yesterday," he muttered, trying to sound casual.
Serenya sighed softly. "I see… that's a shame. Alright then, I'll leave you be. Get some rest."
"Thanks," Lucien said quickly. The moment she turned away, he exhaled sharply, then almost broke into a run, heading toward the academy gates.
"What in the world does Fenrir want to tell me…?"