"James, take care of the children. Yohan and I need to head back early," Sister Amelia said.
"Okay, Amelia," James replied, nodding.
"Children, listen to Uncle James and make your decisions carefully. I'll be waiting for you at the orphanage," Amelia addressed the children.
"Bye, Sister Amelia," all the children replied in unison.
As we started heading towards the rift, I asked,
"Why are we leaving so early?"
"Brian and Kyle should have returned already, and they brought you a gift. You should go and meet them first," Amelia explained.
"Okay," I replied, curious about the gift.
Crossing through the rift this time felt different. The discomfort I had felt before was gone, but I noticed a distinct lack of something in my surroundings. The difference in elemental energy between Frontier City and Arkas was stark.
"You've already adapted to the rift. That's good; most kids need at least five to six crossings," Amelia remarked.
"Let's go. Kyle should be waiting outside for us," she added.
We didn't encounter anyone familiar while leaving; everyone was probably busy with the awakening ceremony. As we exited the building, we saw Kyle waiting for us in the parking area with his car.
"You're out so fast, Sister Amelia. I thought you'd come out with the others," Kyle said.
"General Mark was there," Amelia replied.
"That Mark?" Kyle asked, eyebrows raised. Amelia nodded in response.
"Okay, let's get in the car," Kyle said.
As we sat in the car and drove away from the facility, I turned to Kyle and asked,
"I heard you brought me a present."
"Yes, and I think you'll like it very much," Kyle replied with a smile.
"A present I would like very much... It's probably some kind of potion or weapon," I thought, my curiosity piqued.
"So, Yohan, what elemental type are you?" Kyle asked me as we drove.
"I have dual affinities: wind and metal," I replied.
"As the captain said, he really is their son," Kyle thought.
"Dual affinity is good. And what about the grade?" Kyle inquired further.
"Sister Amelia asked me not to discuss my status window in detail with others unless I have to," I replied, noticing Sister Amelia smiling approvingly beside me.
"Yes, but we need to know that to choose a better contract beast for you," Kyle insisted.
"Okay, Kyle, Cruz has already chosen the proper beast for him. You don't need to ask about his affinity grade," Amelia interjected.
"Already chosen? But how did he..." Kyle trailed off in confusion. "He has to know which type of element I have to do that, but I just learned what type of element I have."
"I have advance affinity," I replied after a moment of thought.
"Oh, advance affinity is good. So which element has the advance affinity grade?" Kyle asked.
I was puzzled.
"What does he mean by which affinity? Can't both of my affinities have a advance grade?"
"Both," I replied, and suddenly Kyle stopped the car with a screech.
"What happened?" I asked, seeing both Kyle and Amelia looking at me in astonishment.
"Are you sure you have advance affinity in both of them, Yohan?" Sister Amelia asked again.
"Yes," I answered. Well, I can raise my affinity, so technically, I'm not lying.
"Does that mean it was not a simple extra core?" Kyle remarked.
"Yohan, how much do you know about cores?" Amelia asked.
"Just that it is a necessary condition to break into rank 2 and it helps you to use elemental attacks without merging with your beast. and it works like a battery," I replied, recalling what little information I had gleaned from books.
"Yes, that's correct, but do you know how cores are formed and why it is that only after we have formed a core we can use elemental attacks and not before that?" Kyle asked.
"No," I replied, curious now.
"Let me explain. Cores are the physical manifestation of our affinity genes, and every human has only one affinity gene structure. This means that even if you have multiple affinities, your affinity cannot cross the 100% mark," Amelia explained.
"But if what you said is true, you have two affinity gene structures in your body."
"Meaning you will have two cores and two elemental affinities of advanced grade, effectively doubling the power of a typical Gold rank when you reach Rank 2," Sister Amelia explained.
"Let's go back first. We shouldn't stop in the middle of the road," she added, urging Kyle to resume driving.
As we continued our journey back to the orphanage, I couldn't stop thinking about my two cores and the type of beast I should choose. Having both wind and metal affinities, especially at such high levels, opened up a realm of possibilities.
"I have advance wind affinity and high metal affinity, so I think it would be good if my first contract beast is a wind affinity type beast. Or maybe a beast with wind and metal dual affinity," I concluded, considering my options.
As I kept thinking about the various types of beasts I could contract, we finally reached the orphanage.
"Let's go. Brian is waiting inside," Kyle said, leading the way.
As we approached my room, I saw the door open and Brian standing inside.
"Oh, you guys are here. Look what we brought for you, Yohan," Brian said, turning around.
In his arms was a small, furry object. When I focused on it, I realized it was a small white cat. The cat had sleek, snow-white fur that shimmered under the light. Its eyes were a striking, piercing blue, and it had a pair of tiny, yet sharp, ears that twitched attentively. Despite its size, there was an undeniable air of grace and power about it.
"Is my first contract beast a little cat?" I asked with some dejection. "I thought it would be a dragon or maybe something more rare."
"Hmph, a dragon? Are you kidding me? Even the lowest of dragon species have at least epic bloodlines. No human is powerful enough to get a dragon beast," Brian said contemptuously.
"And who are you calling a little cat? This is the cub of a peak rank 3 white tiger. It has at least a unique rank bloodline and advanced metal affinity," Brian said.
"If you don't want it, let me have it," Brian added, smirking.
"No, no! I was just asking because it looked so cute. I want it," I said hurriedly.
"Hurry, tell me how I should contract it," I asked eagerly.
"Wait, don't be in so much hurry, or it may fail," Kyle warned me.
"Here, hold him first," Brian said, handing the cub to me.
As I held the cub in my arms, it looked up at me curiously, staring into my eyes with its piercing blue gaze. Its tiny body felt warm and surprisingly strong. The fur was soft and smooth, almost silky to the touch. The little tiger cub let out a soft purr, settling comfortably in my arms. I could feel a faint connection starting to form between us.
"Good, he's already starting to trust you," Sister Amelia said, smiling.
"Now, close your eyes and focus on the bond. Feel the energy between you and the cub. When you're ready, initiate the contract by willing it to happen," Kyle instructed.
I nodded and closed my eyes, focusing on the cub's presence in my arms. I could feel its heartbeat, steady and strong, and the warmth of its body. I let my mind reach out, trying to connect with the little tiger. Slowly, I felt a surge of energy, like a current running between us. It was both exhilarating and calming.
"Initiate the contract," I whispered in my mind.
A soft glow enveloped the cub and me. I felt a deep connection solidify, linking our fates together. The cub let out a soft roar, more like a purr, as the bond was sealed.
"You did it, Yohan," Brian said, patting my shoulder. "You and this little guy are now partners."
I opened my eyes, looking down at the cub, who now seemed even more vibrant and full of life. I could feel its emotions, its curiosity, and its trust in me.
"We'll grow strong together," I whispered to the cub, who responded with a soft, approving purr.