Grand Arcanum academy ( Royal dormitory)
Alistair stood in front of the mirror, silently observing his reflection. His black hair, which had once been neatly kept short, now fell past his ears. It wasn't unruly, but it was growing fast. Faster than it should have.
He ran a hand through it, considering.
Should he let it grow?
It wasn't something he particularly cared about, but it was another change. Another shift in what he had once been.
He turned away from the mirror, dismissing the thought. There were more important things to focus on.
He moved to the side table where the egg sat, its surface smooth, black, and red with faint lines of energy pulsing beneath. He placed his hand on it, channeling a steady stream of mana inside.
No reaction.
Not yet.
He pulled his hand back, grabbed his uniform jacket, and left the room.
The academy was alive with the usual morning activity. Students moved through the halls, chatting excitedly. Some still whispered about the combat arts they had chosen, others spoke of training plans and sparring matches.
But today, most of the conversation revolved around Spirit Awakening.
Alistair overheard a few students speaking as he made his way toward the classroom.
"Today's the day, huh? Those of us with bonded spirits finally awaken them."
"I heard the awakening process can be painful."
"Yeah, but it's worth it. A spirit is a lifelong partner in battle."
"I wish I also had one"
"Yeah, me too"
"I still don't get why only a few people have bonded spirits. Why not everyone?"
"Affinity. It's rare outside of elves and spirit mages."
Alistair ignored the chatter and stepped into the classroom.
The excitement in the room was thick.
Those who had reacted to the crystal last time were the center of attention.
Elaine, Morganna, Evelyn, Sylara, and Kieran all sat at the front, knowing that today was their turn.
Leon leaned back in his seat, arms crossed, watching everything unfold with mild disinterest. He hadn't reacted to the crystal, which clearly irritated him.
Rael sat beside him, smirking.
"Guess today's not your day, huh?"
Leon's jaw tightened.
"Spirits aren't everything."
"Sure, sure," Rael chuckled. "But admit it, you'd kill to have one."
Leon didn't answer.
Alistair took his usual seat, silent as ever.
A few moments later, Professor Aerith Sylphara entered.
The elven archmage walked gracefully to the center of the classroom, her golden eyes sweeping over the students.
"Today, we begin the awakening process for those who have bonded spirits."
Her voice was calm yet carried an undeniable authority.
"Those who had a reaction with the crystal last time, step forward."
Elaine, Morganna, Evelyn, Sylara, and Kieran all stood and moved toward the front of the room.
Aerith nodded approvingly.
"Each of you possesses a spirit that has yet to fully awaken. A bonded spirit is different from elemental spirits. It is part of you, a reflection of your soul."
She raised her hand, a soft glow of mana forming in her palm.
"I will now inject a controlled amount of energy into your bodies. This will temporarily weaken your spirits' resistance and allow them to take form."
She turned to the students at the front.
"Are you ready?"
Each of them nodded.
Aerith stepped forward and placed a single finger on Elaine's forehead. A faint pulse of light entered her body.
Elaine gasped, a silver moon-shaped tattoo appearing on her shoulder as a soft, silver fox-like creature manifested beside her, its eyes glowing.
"Your spirit reflects the Moon Huntress' blessing," Aerith said. "A nocturnal predator."
Elaine ran a hand over the fox's fur, a rare soft smile crossing her face.
As Elaine steped back with her silver fox in her hand.
Morganna Steped forward.
Aerith pressed her finger against Morganna's forehead, and a black snake materialized behind her, its body leaving a shadowy mist. A black sigil resembling a skull appeared on Morganna's palm.
Morganna tilted her head, smirking.
"Oh, I like this."
"The spirit of death is drawn to you," Aerith said. "It will grow stronger as you master your magic."
Morganna chuckled darkly.
"Good."
Evelyn came next.
As Aerith injected mana into her, a golden lion cub appeared at her side, its mane already crackling with faint divine energy. A crown-like tattoo formed on her wrist.
Evelyn knelt, running a hand through its fur.
"A fitting spirit for a princess," Aerith noted.
Evelyn smiled slightly.
"It's… warm."
Next,
Kieran stepped forward.
The moment Aerith's mana touched him, water rippled around his feet, forming into the shape of a serpent-like eastern dragon. A wave-shaped sigil appeared on his collarbone.
Kieran grinned.
"Ah, now that's a beauty."
Aerith nodded.
"A spirit of the tides. It will grow with you, feeding off the ocean's power."
Kieran ran a hand through his blue hair.
"Looks like I just became even more unstoppable."
Finally, Sylara stepped forward.
The elven princess barely flinched as Aerith transferred mana into her body. A graceful, wind-like stag appeared beside her, its form flickering between tangible and ethereal. A tree-shaped tattoo formed on the back of her hand.
"A spirit of the wind and forest," Aerith said. "A noble companion for a noble heir."
Sylara simply nodded, as if she had expected nothing less.
Then, Aerith's golden eyes turned toward Alistair.
"You are the last one."
The room fell into silence.
Alistair stood, making his way forward with slow, deliberate steps.
Whispers filled the classroom.
"Does he really have a spirit?"
"And, you know it's light affinity spirit"
"No way… he's abyssal mana all around him."
"How does that even work?"
Aerith ignored the voices and raised her hand.
"This will reveal your bonded spirit," she said.
She placed a single finger against Alistair's forehead.
A pulse of energy entered him.
Then—
A soft glow emerged.
Alastair's spirit manifested.
As Alistair's eyes cought the figure of spirit his eyes widened.
---
(To Be Continued…)