The morning sun at Aurelius Academy didn't just shine; it seemed to hum with the residual mana of the thousands of artifacts buried within the campus. Shren woke to the scent of jasmine—Xiwu had already retreated into the Shackle, but her presence lingered like a protective shadow.
Their first period was Elemental Theory, taught by Professor Valeraine, a woman whose every movement was an exercise in supernatural charm. She paced the front of the lecture hall, her voice a silken melody designed to test the students' mental fortitude. While the common students sat in a daze of infatuation, the Elite Eight remained steeled, their own artifacts pulsing in a silent rejection of her allure. Shren, protected by the ancient aura of the Aethelgard Vault, found the lecture agonizingly dull.
The atmosphere shifted instantly during the second period: The Rite of Familiarity.
"A familiar is not a pet," the Professor warned, standing before a summoning circle of obsidian sand. "It is a reflection of your soul's resonance. Step forward."
The display was breathtaking. Elara, the Arrogant Queen, stepped up first. With a deafening roar that shook the windows, a Divine Azure Dragon spiralled from the smoke, its scales shimmering like sapphires. Kaelen followed, his Phoenix Feather glowing white-hot as a Fire Phoenix took flight, its wings raining embers.
One by one, Team 7 showed their pedigree:
Liana summoned a towering Glacial Ice Bear.Leo brought forth a shadow-stepping Dire Wolf.Ren manifested a massive, obsidian-shelled Demon Turtle.
Then, it was Shren's turn. He didn't want a beast. He didn't want a tool of war. He reached into the Shackle, seeking something... different.
As he touched the summoning circle, the violet light didn't roar; it sang. Instead of a monster, the smoke cleared to reveal a girl. She looked barely human, an Elemental Magic Spirit with translucent skin and eyes like shifting nebulae. The hall went silent. While others had summoned high-rank beasts, Shren had summoned a sentient spirit—a feat considered a myth in the 21st century.
"A spirit-class familiar?" the Professor whispered, her composure finally breaking. "That is... exceedingly rare."
The rest of the day was a blur of Ancient History and Basic Swordmanship, which Shren found almost comical after his duels with Xiwu. During their free period, while Team 7 sat together in the courtyard, the air beside Shren rippled.
The spirit girl reappeared, her small feet hovering inches above the grass. She bowed deeply, her silver hair flowing like water. "Master Shren," she said, her voice clear as a bell. "I am Theresia. My magic, my soul, and my devotion are yours to command."
Shren turned a bright crimson as his teammates stared in shock. Kaelen let out a low whistle, while Ren's eyes narrowed in curiosity.
"She's... she's my familiar," Shren stammered, awkwardly introducing the spirit girl. "Everyone, meet Theresia."