Morning dragged itself over Murrchel Academy, slow and bleary-eyed.
The towers were streaked with silver and pale blue, mist curling between the spires like lost spirits. Down in the main yard, students clustered in uneasy silence. Today was Trial Day—the test to see how well their mana hummed, what beasts they might sync with, and whether they were ready for the real world.
It felt bigger than a test. Do or Break, that's what it was for abraham this time.
He stayed back, calm, arms hugging each other in gentle, eyes half-lidded.
As the teachers fussed with crystal pillars (magic instruments) and summoning circles. His uniform brought over him, wrinkles already forming.
Beneath his uniform sleeve, the faint red mark on his wrist looking like throbbed softly and nicely. Hidden. Alive.
Then Jennifer came, like she had summon out from the morning mist. Her red-gold hair caught the light, shiny and damp, reflecting like sun itself and her amber eyes scanned the yard sharp as a hawk.
"Didn't think you would be the type to show up early morning" she said, a teasing face.
Abraham expressed a grinned. "Crowds aren't my thing. Easier to breathe before the screaming starts."
"Cocky, huh?"
"Maybe a little," he admitted.
She gave a small smile. "Then try not to burn anything down, okay?"
"No promises," he said, laughing.
The ground trembled as Head Teacher Vale stepped to the yard's center. The robes is in Black and brown color , runes glowing faintly with magic mana like crystal.
Her gaze swept over the students like a predator measuring prey.
"Today, we see how well your Hollow Cry works when mana consumed," she said. "Put mana into the Murb Crystal. Stronger hits, better affinity. Exceed the bar, and you step onto the Path of Contract—where you'll meet your first beast."
Whispers swept through the yard. Some fists clenched, some students looked pale.
Abraham's chest tightened. Beast bond. His soul growled low inside him. The beast was still out there… waiting.
First up—Jennifer Valence.
She stepped forward, straight-backed, focused. Her hand met the crystal—a chunk of white murb, pulsing softly.
For a moment, nothing. Then—light exploded.
The crystal flared blue and white, arcs of mana twisting upward like thread caught in wind of heavy rain. Gasps rippled through the all the students.
[Hollow Cry Detected: 89%]
[Element: Water]
[Trait: Stabilization Control — Rare]
Vale's brow lifted. "A rare stabilizer type. Well done."
Jennifer dropped her hand, smiling at Abraham. "Your turn."
He stepped forward, the chatter of students pressing in around him. Their eyes—curious, doubtful, some smirking—fell on him. Perfect.
He touched the crystal. A pulse spread, soft at first, then twisting. Colors shifted—white to red, gold, then black flames licking the edges.
Gasps went up again.
[Warning: Dual Element Detected — Fire / Unknown]
[Hollow Cry Strength: ???%]
[Synchronization Incomplete — Beast Pact Interference]
The crystal cracked. A wave of raw mana knocked students over. Teachers raised shields, shouts cutting through the chaos. Abraham didn't move. Hair switched by the wind, wrist mark glowing lowly, predator like roaring trembled through the whole academy yard.
Then—stillness.
The crystal's light darken, leaving a burn imprint where his hand had been before.
Jennifer stared in bit of fear glimmering in her eyes like she saw a predator, eyes wide. "Abraham… what was that?"
He crooked his fingers, smoke curling from his bare palm like the fire in hand got in water. "well,I guess got carried away, this time, I should've careful from next time"
Vale approached, eyes sharp. "Abraham Benjin?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Element reading?" she asked in angry tone, glancing at the little cracked crystal.
He leave a heavy sigh . "Didn't get a chance. It… kinda blew up."
She stared him down, then sighed. "You'll be watched closely. Report to the Hollow Cry Hall tomorrow. We need to see what you're dealing with."
Abraham nodded , with reluctant face. "Got it." he says with even tone.
As other students tested, whispers filled the air.
Did you see that?
The crystal—broken!
Dual affinity? For a newbie?
He's… dangerous.
He ignored it, heading for the gates. Jennifer caught up.
"Hey," she said, a mix of shock, surprise and annoyance. "You could've warned me before. It's look like from here that you were about to break the crystal."
"Didn't mean to," he said, he's corner of mouth curled up a bit smirking.
"You have to be lucky or if it someone else or me they'll just kick me out. Fire and… what, exactly?"
He glanced toward the horizon. Something older. Something that remembered him.
Jennifer frowned. "Talking like you've been through this before."
"Maybe I have," he said softly.
A pause stretched between them. Jennifer shook her head. "You're impossible."
"Probably am," he replied.
She walked ahead a few steps, looking back. "Just… don't die before explaining this all to me by yourself, okay?"
"I'll try," he said, smiling.
Clouds gathered overhead, thunder rolling far off. Beneath the academy's hum, Abraham felt it—the pull of the system, the faint pulse of the beast inside.
[Quest Progress: 63 / 100 — Awakening Progress]
[New Goal: Hit Full Hollow Cry and Call Your First Beast]
He clenched his fist. "Soon," he whispered. "We'll meet again."
Deep below, in the old Murb Core, a single glowing eye opened. Something stirred. The world of Murrchel had begun remembering its rightful ruler.