Even after the rain stopped long ago, it hung in the air. The quiet in the yard, after that crazy brawl, was heavy. People whispered, their faces gray in the fading light.
The courtyard floor was a mess, torched by Abraham flames and sliced by Jennifer's water. Patches of fog just wouldn't go away.
Abraham let out a breath; every muscle screamed. His head was clear, though. Maybe clearer than it had been since he woke up in this younger body. He felt drained, mana-wise, but there was this tiny buzz of excitement.
Then a screen popped up in front of him:
[Status:
Mana: 0 / 3
Awakening: 25 / ???
Body: Beat
Mood: Good]
He almost laughed. Good? He felt wired.
Abraham?
He turned. Jennifer. Her coat was soaked in water flow, hair plastered to her face. But her eyes had that glow, that sun reflecting glimmer , That's mean she still had some mana left. She sounded careful, curious.
Not terrible, she said. For someone who looks half-dead.
He smiled turning at her . "You're totally welcome, by the way."
She crossed her arms, like a obedient child. "You're welcome for the save."
He gave in, chuckling. Fine.
They stood there for a bit, watching the rain wash everything down. The sky started to calm and the courtyard began to glow as the academy's runes restored the mana.
Some teachers showed up to check out the damage. The head teacher, a silver-haired dude with a staff, held up a hand, telling students to back off. The Trial's over.
The students did as they were told. Abraham and Jennifer joined them, but not before he caught her eye. She was trying to figure him out.
Abraham Benjin, the teacher said, his voice carrying. Your file says you're elementless. Care to tell us about the fire?
Abraham blinked, shrugged. Guess I surprised myself.
The students started to mumble. You weren't supposed to be able to use anything if you were elementless. The teacher narrowed his eyes, scribbled something down, and moved on.
Jennifer smirked. Not exactly keeping a low profile, are you?
What's the point? Abraham said.
Later—Dorm Hall, Night
The rain had stopped by the time they got out. The towers glowed in the moonlight. Abraham's boots clicked on the stones as he walked to the dorms.
The academy felt old, alive. Magic ran through the place: glowing words etched into walls, lights floating in mid-air, whispers from the stones. A pretty normal school that felt dangerous.
He stopped at a picture on the wall. It was a lion-snake thing, glowing eyes and broken chains. The words underneath read:
The First Tamer bound the beast with his soul, and the world listened.
Abraham's chest tightened. Something about the picture got to him. The beast's eyes reminded Abe of his first pact, the voice he heard earlier, the shadow that wouldn't leave him alone.
*You remember me, huh?*
The voice was soft. Abraham's fingers curled into a fist. Not now, he muttered.
Talking to yourself?
Jennifer was leaning against the door to the dorms. She'd put on a coat, but her hair was still damp. She looked different in this light—not as fierce, thoughtful.
Just thinking, he said.
Careful, she said, walking toward him. You were stuck to that picture.
It just feels familiar, Abraham said. Like I've seen it before.
Jennifer gave him a look. You're weird, you know that? It's like you've already been here. Like you've already fought it all before.
Abraham frowned. Maybe I have.
She raised an eyebrow, didn't say anything. She looked at the picture. That's the story of Aldric the Boundless. He tamed beasts before the Empire ever existed. The deal he made with the Spirits shaped summoning magic.
Abraham didn't react. This Beast Tamer business stirred something in him. He remembered blood and hot ash and a promise made under the stars.
Jennifer turned back to him. So, Abraham Benjin… you a beast tamer, too?
He looked at her. Not yet, he said. But soon.
She stared him down, like she was seeing something in his eyes. Was it pain? Stubbornness? Probably both.
Okay, she said with a strange smile. I'll remember that.
Sleep wasn't coming. The room was small, lit by a faint blue light. Rain tapped soft on the window.
He sat on the bed, staring at his hand. The hand that called the flames. It trembled a little—not from being tired, but something else.
He closed his eyes and saw it again: the shadow, the beast.
A voice brushed his mind.
*Abraham… You're back.*
He opened his eyes, annoyed. Not this crap again.
*What, think death was the end? The pact ain't gone. You still have my mark.*
Abraham breathing sped up. He looked at his hand and, for a second, saw faint golden lines under his skin.
I'm not ready, he said.
*Then get there,* the voice whispered, fading. *It has begun.*
The light flickered. Abraham breathed out, trying to calm down. Whatever spirit it was, it wasn't gone. It was waiting.
He clenched his fist. Fine. If I get a second chance, I'll take it.
The next morning, sunlight poured onto the academy. The students gathered in the plaza, looking for their names and scores.
Abraham found his.
[Rank 12] — Abraham Benjin — Fire (Maybe) [Rank 5] — Jennifer Valence — Water: Stable
He raised an eyebrow. Not terrible for someone who's not supposed to use magic.
Rank twelve? Not bad, a voice said behind him. It was Jennifer. She had a notebook, her smile was smug.
He smirked. Could've been higher if someone hadn't stolen my kills.
Or lower if someone hadn't almost burned down the whole courtyard, she said.
They laughed, even with the tension. The plaza buzzed with students and watchful teachers.
Looks like we're going the same way, then, Jennifer said. Fire and water, same lessons.
Abraham tilted his head. Fire and water together, huh? Sounds rough.
Sounds like a good time, she said.
For a second, it felt like a normal chat between students. But Abraham knew better. The thing in his head, the marks, the pact he had made— it all meant trouble.
That night, Abraha wandered up to the tower. The world looked huge up there. The air smelled like ozone and rain.
He leaned against the railing, lost in thought. Then, a voice behind him,
"You know, I was wondering," Jennifer said, walking toward him. "That spirit… and our magic—it connected."
Abraham turned. "Connected?"
Yeah, she said, standing next to him. Your fire and my water didn't just cancel each other out; it made steam, which doesn't usually happen, unless—
Their mana is a match, Abraham said.
They smiled at each other. There was a strange sense of interest.
Jennifer's eyes softened. I don't know your story, Abraham, but... I think fate's got plans.
He smiled. Fate's kind of terrifying.
Maybe, she said. But so is fire.
The wind moved through the arches. The academy lights below flickered. Abraham looked to the horizon where more storms were brewing.
Then let's see, he said, who burns better.
[Quest Updated: Dual Hollow Cry]
[Goal: Find Out About the First Pact]
The storm outside might be gone, but more storms ahead.