Silence hung heavy in the air as the Fire Kirin stared at the blood offering before it, its fiery gaze flickering with uncertainty.
Ria and the Grand Magus watched in tense silence. their eyes fixed on the scene unfolding before them. The Fire Kirin, majestic and powerful, seemed to hesitate, its instinctual aversion to human blood warring with its curiosity.
The Grand Magus reduced the number of magic bindings holding the Fire Kirin to provide mobility for it.
After what felt like an eternity, the Fire Kirin began to cautiously approach the spilled blood, its movements deliberate and cautious. With a tentative sniff, it tested the scent of Kent's blood, its nostrils flaring as it took in the essence of his being.
Kent held his breath, his heart pounding in his chest, as he watched the Fire Kirin's reaction. And then, to his astonishment, the creature's gaze locked onto him, its eyes seeming to bore into his very soul.
A sense of relief flooded through Kent as the fire Kirin extended its tongue and tasted the blood, acknowledging his offering with a solemn nod.
"I did it... I did it..." A grin spread across Kent's face, his laughter echoing through the chamber as he realized he had passed the test.
But Ria and the Grand Magus remained rooted to the spot, their disbelief palpable as they watched the rarest of the rare scenes unfold before them.
"Young man, stop celebrating... bow before the Fire Kirin and try touching its head." The Grand Magus hurriedly instructed Kent to confirm the Fire Kirin's acknowledgement of Kent as its master.
Like a kid who won a video game, Kent acted in excitement and bowed before the Fire Kirin, sinking to one knee in humble acknowledgment of its power. He stretched his hand forward while facing his palm toward it.
To his astonishment, the Fire Kirin mirrored his actions, bending its front legs in a gesture of mutual respect and leaning forward to touch Kent's palm with its head. In that moment where Kent pal felt the soft skin of the Fire Kirin, as Kent gazed up at the majestic creature before him, he felt a bond form between them, one that transcended the boundaries of race and lineage.
In the presence of the Fire Kirin, Kent knew that he had found not only acceptance but also a sense of belonging that he had never known before. And as he rose to his feet, a newfound sense of purpose burning within him, he directly moved forward and hugged its head from one side.
The Grand Magus hurriedly removed all the iron chains and magic threads binding the Fire Kirin and released it from the iron case-like structure.
"Young man, don't waste time... You must take the first flight as soon as possible. With only experience, your bond grows with the Fire Kirin." The old man said after he tapped on the magic circle.
In the next instance, the underground base began moving entirely, and they surfaced slowly from the underground.
"Elder Magus, I don't know how to thank you. Except for gold coins, I don't have any other valuable things to give you. Please name your price." Kent asked in a respectful tone, even though it felt rude to offer gold for the old man's help.
But the old man laughed at his proposal. "Young man, you don't need to give me anything. Witnessing this scene is a lifetime memory for me. Please take good care of Kirin.
Also, it is time for me to leave this city. Enjoy your first wild flight." The old man said while helping Kent sit on the back of Fire Kirin. He tied Kent to the Fire Kirin with magical threads for extra protection.
"Elder, why are you tying me to the Kirin? It already acknowledged me as its master. Then what is the need for this arrangement?" Kent asked in a doubtful tone.
The old man smiled at his question. "That doesn't mean it will accept your every command. If you spend more time with it, you will understand the true meaning of its acknowledgement." The Grand Magus said with carefree laughter and tapped on back of Fire Kirin.
Kent felt an ominous feeling after listening to the old man's casual remarks. But in the next second, he understood the full meaning of it.
The Kirin lifted its head and roared into the sky. Like a light ray, it flashed into the sky after a few steps.
Kent felt startled and hurriedly grabbed the pinkish-white mane of the Fire Kirin.
(Imagine you were standing on a doormat, and someone suddenly pulled the mat in a jerk. This is what Kent felt now when the Kirin took flight.)
Kent felt a surge of exhilaration coursing through his veins. With a powerful leap, the creature launched itself into the air.
Together, they soared higher and higher, leaving the ground far below as they ascended into the sky. The wind whipped through Kent's hair, and he clung tightly to the Fire Kirin's mane, his heart pounding with a heavy mix of fear and excitement.
For a time, they roamed the skies aimlessly, the Fire Kirin's carrying Kent effortlessly through the high wind. Flames erupted from the Fire Kirin's frontal openings, blazing with an intensity that illuminated the surrounding air with an otherworldly glow.
It took a long time for Kent to open his eyes and stare at the magical scenery before him.
With each speed burst, the breath color of Fire Kirin changed rhythmically. He absolutely didn't have a bit of control over the flight path. The Kirin is flying on its own.
"Hey… hey… calm down. That's not where we should go." Kent shouted his lungs out. But there is no response from Kirin.
Kent tried calling it by different names and patted it a little hard, but Fire Kirin acted like Kent did not exist on its back.
With each passing second, Kent lost hope of controlling it. The Fire Kirin continued to rise into the sky, flaunting its might.
Angered by Fire Kirin's prideful act, Kent picked up the dagger given to him by the old man for cutting his palm.
"Hey, if you don't listen to me, I will cut your mane." Kent shouted loudly while leaning forward on Fire Kirin's back.
The Fire Kirin turned its head and stared at the sharp dagger in Kent's hand, which was touching the base of its mane.
With an angry humph, it suddenly stopped in its tracks and began plummeting to the ground. Kent jerked up with the sudden stop, and in the next second, he cried out loudly as he is free falling towards the ground, along with the Fire Kirin.
Ahhh... loud cry followed as Kent stared at the house eagle obstructing their falling path.
_
/// A/N - I will release a bonus chapters for new reviews along with name mention. Please take a bit of your time to express your opinion on this book. Thank you so much guys.///