[SUMMONER STATUS]
Name: Cade Marlowe
Rank: F
Spirit Essence: 110/110
Active Spirits: 1/5
I blinked and stared at the increased limit. Small, but it had definitely risen. This change had me thinking.
'Maybe it's not that spirit essence can be increased, but rather that my spirit essence can be increased. But will this later affect my rank?'
For a moment, curiosity sparked—then vanished. Because of this anomaly, F rank would be the perfect excuse to stay away from prying eyes. Especially those of the Kingdom itself.
I yanked the bed sheet free to clean the door and wipe away every trace of my release, then placed it at the foot of my bed and lay down. I welcomed the thought of summoning Kassy again, but slowly, I drifted to sleep.
The next time I woke, it was a loud bang on the door that jolted me awake.
I sluggishly stood from my bed and rubbed my eyes, staring at the two knights before me.
From behind them, someone stepped forward, looking at me with pity. He had golden-blonde hair, properly groomed with neat bangs stopping just above his brows and parted in the center.
"Kai?" I muttered as his face fully formed.
He looked different. He'd changed from our black trousers and white jacket school uniform to a crisp white coat with a belt and blue cloak draped from one shoulder, radiating a royal, pristine aura.
He smiled at me.
"Cade..."
He glanced around, his smile fading.
"I'm sorry you had to sleep somewhere like this on your first night."
I waved him off and smiled.
"It's not like it's your fault. Let's blame my demonic luck." I raised my gaze and met his radiant blue eyes. "So, what's up? Any developments?"
He turned to the knights behind him.
"I'd like a moment alone with him, please."
One of the knights retorted immediately.
"Spirit Summoner, he is a bad omen and could be in league with the heretics. The Arch-priest has ordered that we keep you safe."
Kai's gaze hardened.
"I'm an S rank, so I'm certainly strong enough to protect myself."
The knights hesitated but pulled back and stepped outside.
Afterward, Kai walked toward me and leaned against the wall. He folded his arms.
"Things actually look very bad."
I exhaled. "Tell me, what exactly is going on?"
"As you know, this is the Kingdom of Aetheris. The Kingdom and the Church of Radiant Dawn were the ones that summoned us into this world, and we were summoned because—"
"I got that part yesterday, Kai. What I want to know is why I'm still sitting here in this prison. If they think I'm a bad omen and a disaster to them, then they should just send me back home. What are you saying?"
He exhaled gently.
"Calm down, Cade. I spoke with them too. According to what they said, sacrifices were made to bring us to this place, and even greater sacrifices have to be made to send any of us back."
I nodded, getting that part.
"Okay, so it's not impossible. Why do you think I care what sacrifices have to be made? They didn't ask for our permission or care about how great the sacrifices were before they dragged us here. Now I've summoned a Spirit that posed a threat to them—I'm their enemy—so send me home. Now that's a problem?"
With every syllable that left my mouth, red-hot anger rose in my chest.
Kai looked at me with a shy chuckle. To be honest, his usually radiant smile was looking irritating right now.
He gestured with his hands.
"They said it's more complicated than that. However, I was able to reason with them. If they can't send you back, then they have no right to hold you here. You have to attend the academy like the rest of us and learn how to survive and protect yourself in this world."
I looked at him with doubt.
"And they agreed?"
He smiled radiantly.
"Yes, they did. They agreed to let you have a normal life and attend the academy. But the condition is that after the academy, you'll be on your own. The Kingdom will not support you in any way. And if you're found guilty of any crime, you'll be executed."
"What?" My brows creased together. "And you agreed to such a thing?"
His unease spilled out, and he shrugged like a clueless child.
"I… I mean, it was the best I could get. They weren't willing to release you unless I agreed to these terms."
I covered my face, exhaling in absolute disappointment.
'This guy is a wuss!'
Shifting my hand away from my face, I looked at him.
"So... what now? Can I at least leave this damn place?"
He gulped, looking away from me. At that moment, my anger threatened to erupt, but I suppressed it.
"So this is where I'll be staying?"
He replied sheepishly.
"Well, they said if you can afford another space of your own, that's fine. The Kingdom has limited resources to spare, and you'll have to make do here for now."
The pain and disappointment were so heavy they were difficult to swallow. I glanced at the folded bed sheets at the corner of my bed and sighed.
"Can I at least get new bedding? And clothes?"
He smiled assertively, relief flooding his face.
"Yes! I'll make arrangements for that. There's also a bathroom and toilet somewhere around here. You're not a prisoner, so you're free to walk around anytime you like as long as it isn't curfew."
I sighed. At this point, I didn't even care anymore about what he was saying, but he continued nonetheless.
"Also, the academy starts this morning. Try to make it to class early. We'll be taught all sorts of things on how to use our Heroic Spirits and even combat! And what about your spirit summon—have you been able to figure anything out?"
I shook my head.
"Not at all, man. There's nothing special... What about you?" I eyed him covertly.
"Well, not much. Rex just stands around like a statue. I tried a couple of things—talking to him, throwing stuff at him to test his reflexes—but he doesn't move unless I command him to. I guess when I raise his fortitude point, he's going to grow more conscious... that's what the Arch-priest said. Oh, and the Arch-priest is that man who addressed us yesterday. From what I heard, he's second in command next to the King. We also met the King and Queen yesterday."
He scratched his head, catching himself belatedly.
"Ah, sorry. I'm just rambling. What about you? What's your Spirit summon's fortitude?"
My gaze was fixed on the ground as I responded in a flat, uninterested tone.
"1.0."
Shock flashed across his face—then something else. Relief?
"Well, don't worry. You'll have plenty of opportunities to grow. I guess we'll meet at the academy, huh?"
He smiled and walked away. But he stopped at the door and glanced back at me.
"Hey, Cade... I'm really sorry. I tried my best."
I gave him a fake smile.
"It's fine, pal. Take care of yourself."