Chapter 470- World of Aethenos
Aethenos is a world full of magic and wonders, where a captivating story unfolds. In this realm, magical energy, known as Aether, flows through every part of the land. It's a place ruled by powerful wizards, and magic is an essential part of everyday life.
At the core of this magical realm are five prominent figures, the Wizard Kings, each overseeing their continent. These wizard rulers, each with unique powers, shape the destiny of Aethenos, and one action from them can cause destruction or bloodshed.
The Wizard Kings rarely show themselves, but whenever they appear, a major event occurs.
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Aquaria Continent.
At the summoning altar, thousands of teenagers lined up, each filled with a mix of excitement and worry.
Today they marked the day when their fate would be decided – whether they would lead ordinary lives or take on the path of becoming wizards.
To become a true wizard, one had to form a contract with a summon being, allowing them to wield and control Aether energy.
The inhabitants of this place were known as the Wizard Race, similar in appearance to humans but distinct in their identity.
Making a contract required reaching the age of 18. Those who failed to do so were deemed as failures, considered trash, and destined for an ordinary existence.
While many were excited, some couldn't help but worry. The chances of failure were low, with only 30 out of 1000 people falling short each year.
Those who failed had the opportunity to try again, but they were limited to three attempts.
If they hadn't succeeded by the age of 21, convincing a spirit to form a contract became increasingly challenging.
As the youngsters lined up, a young man arrived on the platform, drawing the attention of the spectators.
"Did you hear that the princess and prince are participating today?"
"Yeah, Princess Hannah and Prince Joaquin are both exceptionally talented from a young age. They must be summoning powerful creatures."
"Being children of the wizard king, they are surely not ordinary."
"Hayss, if I could just become a guard for either of them, my status would soar, and my neighbors would respect me and treat me better."
Ding! Ding! Ding!
As everyone chatted, the bell rang, signaling the start of the summoning ceremony. An elderly man with the insignia of the Commander of the Royal Army appeared at the summoning altar.
"Reiden Rion, please come to the summoning altar."
The elderly man spoke with a dignified voice, and those who saw him showed respect and admiration because he was one of the strongest individuals on their continent, personally serving the Wizard King.
He was Robert Dante, appearing to be around 50 years old, but in reality, his age had surpassed 10,000 years. Despite the passage of time, his fame persisted, known throughout the entire continent.
The teenager bowed to him and then proceeded to the summoning altar. Each participant was prepared, and familiar with the process.
The teenager stood inside the mysterious magic circle inscribed with ancient words on the ground. He took out a knife, made a small cut on his skin, and let a drop of blood fall onto the portal.
"Oh, mighty spirit, heed my call. I am prepared to be your companion," the teenager said confidently, aware that his talent and status as the son of a powerhouse in the Aquaria Continent increased his chances of summoning a remarkable familiar.
Swoosh!
The magic circle glowed with a white light, and a black panther materialized before everyone.
The panther, fierce and as large as an adult lion, emitted a powerful aura that left onlookers stunned.
"Wow, that aura belongs to a silver-level creature."
"What? I didn't expect young master Reiden to summon a silver-level creature."
"Yeah, if he successfully tames it and forms a contract, he can qualify to enter the magic knights."
Many gazed at Reiden with admiration and envy. Even Reiden himself was astonished and filled with joy, anticipating the rise in his status within his family.
However, the panther scanned Reiden with disdain, seemingly unwilling to acknowledge him as a worthy master.
Despite this, Reiden remained happy, understanding that the more arrogant a creature, the stronger it tended to be. Fortunately, he had prepared extensively for this event.
"Please be my summoning spirit, and I'll grant you this item."
Suddenly, a black bone appeared, surprising many observers who hadn't expected Reiden to sacrifice such a valuable item.
"Wow, the bone of a black wyvern!"
"Yeah, those wyverns are formidable; even a Tier 7 wizard would struggle against them."
"As expected of him, he's wealthy enough to prepare for this summoning ritual."
Upon seeing the bone, the black panther's eyes gleamed with interest.
The black panther feels that he can upgrade his tier and become stronger if he absorbs it.
The black panther suddenly feels that the young man in front of him is okay, so he agrees to sign a contract with him, and the ritual becomes successful.
Reiden is full of excitement and clenches his fist as he finally manages to convince such a strong familiar.
Many congratulate him and want to curry favor from him because he is destined to be a powerhouse in the future, given that he contracted a silver-level creature.
After him, the other students also take part in the summoning ritual, and some only manage to summon a bronze-level familiar. Still, they are not dissatisfied as long as they are not like some two students who failed to summon any creature.
The results of the students are good, and five students manage to convince to have a contract with a silver-level creature, and most of them come from noble families who prepared treasure.
As the process is underway, a majestic carriage appears at the main event, and those who see the insignia of the carriage are stunned, and the event is stopped to pay respect to them.
Suddenly, a handsome man appears in front of everyone as he descends from the carriage.
He has golden hair and golden eyes, and he is a six-foot-tall man. Near him, a five-foot-eight tall woman appears, and her face is almost identical to the man's.
They are Prince Joaquin and Princess Hannah, who are the children of the current Wizard King of the Aquaria Continent.
Behind them, two mysterious people are protecting them, and their aura is a little bit weaker than Dante, who is overseeing the event.
"We greet the prince and princess."
The people show their respect to the two, while Dante only nods at them.
Even though he respects the Wizard King, it doesn't mean that he needs to pay respect to his children because he only respects those who are stronger than him.