In Sophia's view, Eddie, a complete novice to the academies' rigorous training, exhibited control surpassing that of second-year students.
Without any formal training, he intuitively set a target for the Spitthorn Bloom and merged his consciousness with it, converting his senses into the plant's attack instincts.
Mastering such a deep, intuitive connection was a significant hurdle for all botanical summoners, given that plant summons operated purely on instinct, lacking cognitive intelligence.
Yet, Eddie had achieved this with an ease and speed that defied expectations.
Sophia observed Eddie's dejected demeanor, her inner astonishment well-concealed.
The irony was thick: Eddie, long regarded as the family's underachiever, was unknowingly displaying a prodigious talent that any prestigious academy would celebrate.
As Eddie prepared to retreat, he noticed the Spitthorn Bloom in front of him rapidly wilting.
He realized that unlike other summons that required ongoing care and specific conditions, the Spitthorn Bloom was self-sufficient until it expended its energy in one powerful attack, after which it would temporarily wither.
Plant summons like the Spitthorn Bloom had their distinct advantages despite lacking the agility and intellect of other types.
They could evolve by consuming biological matter, using energy from consumed corpses to fuel their growth.
Particularly adept at absorbing energy from devoured remains, the Spitthorn Bloom, however, was fragile in its early stages.
A single emission of its venomous saliva could deplete it entirely, necessitating a period of rejuvenation.
This understanding led Eddie to a deeper appreciation for the intricacies and equilibrium of summoning arts.
His initial disappointment gave way to a burgeoning curiosity and excitement for the learning journey ahead.
Standing there, contemplating the withered plant, a new sense of purpose and determination took root within him.
Eddie began to perceive his path ahead not merely as a quest for power but as a profound exploration of his newfound abilities and the vast, uncharted territories they opened up.
In the mystical world of summoning, one steadfast rule reigns - only the Life Guardian Beast from the sacred tomes endures eternally, unwavering in its loyalty.
Unlike other summoned creatures with fluctuating loyalty, the Guardian never withers nor betrays. Its steadfastness is unparalleled, a solace amid the tumultuous world of summoning.
With a mentor's grace, Sophia elucidated to Eddie the unique "Rooting" instinct of plant-based summons.
Her demonstration with her Spitthorn Bloom was both swift and precise, striking the designated target with a venomous burst that impressed Eddie.
As the family's acknowledged prodigy, her finesse was evident.
After her Spitthorn wilted, it slowly, almost imperceptibly, regenerated, drawing life from the earth itself, ready to rise again within a quarter hour.
Emboldened, Eddie tried his hand once more. With a renewed focus, he directed his newly summoned Spitthorn Bloom to take root.
The success was a sweet victory for Eddie and a bewildering moment for Sophia.
She watched, stunned as the novice before her displayed a mastery far beyond his experience.
"Didn't you just start with your tome? Aren't you just an apprentice?" Sophia's question was tinged with incredulity.
"Yes, exactly," Eddie confirmed.
Their conversation illuminated the enigma of Eddie's summoning talent, hinting at a potential that was as vast as it was mysterious.
Sophia's realization that her brother might be a veiled prodigy, breaking all established norms of summoning arts, filled the air with a sense of wonder and anticipation for what lay ahead.
"Are you level one or level two? A novice apprentice or a brave?" Sophia inquired, her gaze sharp with curiosity.
"I'm a level one novice apprentice," Eddie responded earnestly.
"What tier though? Are you beginner, intermediate, or advanced? How far are you from reaching level two? Maybe you inadvertently ascended to a junior brave?" Sophia pressed on, her skepticism evident.
"No, it's not that quick! I'm certain I'm a beginner tier novice apprentice. Ascending to level two is tough, but I'm aware of that," Eddie reassured, though he had just arrived, his mind was already filled with knowledge from the Bronze Tome.
He flipped the tome open to show Sophia his level and evaluation.
But what she saw made her more dizzy with disbelief. "If you're a level one novice apprentice, how can you summon two beasts?"
Eddie scratched his head in confusion, "Actually, I didn't summon two!"
"Then what is this?" Sophia pointed to the recently summoned Spitthorn Bloom, her mind racing with confusion.
"That's the same Spitthorn Bloom from before!" Eddie replied, puzzled by her reaction.
"But once it withers, you shouldn't be able to summon it again today. How did you manage to summon it anew?"
Sophia felt nearly faint, wondering if her brother was one of those legendary prodigies, the kind so rare they were almost mythical.
As Sophia looked at Eddie with newfound admiration, considering him a super anomaly, he remained oblivious to his uniqueness. He explained, "It didn't die! I used a propagation method, keeping the main body while summoning a clone.
The abilities remain the same post-propagation; only the clone wilts while the main stays unaffected. It's a bit taxing, but it works."
"You know propagation summoning?" Sophia felt as if lightning had struck her. This revelation was akin to an explosion in the sky, redefining her understanding of her brother's capabilities.
Her eyes reflected a mixture of awe and disbelief as she realized Eddie might be the exceptional talent whispered about in legends.