-Emilia Merwin's Point of View
From the beginning, Emilia had thought that the mana beast had died inside the Dungeon.
But something happened that she never imagined.
"A... mark."
She looked at her forearm, where there was a black mark with the exact drawing of the mana beast, or rather, Boksil.
Emilia had given the name "Boksil" to this mana beast when she had been in the Dungeon.
In fact, she had thought that the mana beast had died because of the Dungeon's collapse. It is said that when a Dungeon collapses, it is completely destroyed, erasing all traces of what was left inside it.
For that reason, Emilia thought the mana beast had been trapped.
"I returned with the return stone."
That was how they all managed to get out.
When they saw with their own eyes the destruction of all the teleportation gates, Emilia felt the mana beast inside her, and then saw the mark it had left behind.
However...
"What is this mark for?"
She looked at the mark carefully. He didn't understand why it was there or what its purpose was.
Perhaps it could summon the mana beast Boksil, or maybe it was about something else she was unaware of.
She soon realized that this mark belonged to the mana beast, but the problem was why it had appeared on her arm.
This had an explanation.
When a bond is established with a mana beast, it leaves a mark somewhere on the body of its new owner.
For example, the mark on Emilia's arm with the sign of the mana beast Boksil.
In short, it was now Emilia's bond.
The biggest problem now was only one:
"How do I bring Boksil?"
She didn't know anything about it. Having a bond was something Emilia didn't understand at all, and she had never bothered to investigate.
She had never considered the possibility of having a bond with any mana beast.
However, that day had come, and now she had a bond with the powerful mana beast she had encountered in the Dungeon.
Clank.
Several books fell on the table.
Emilia had found all the books about mana beasts. It was in the academy library, a place with information on most things except classified information, which had never been revealed due to possible conflicts on the continent and beyond.
But what information there was was enough.
Emilia found what she was really looking for. Her purpose was only one.
"This book is about mana beasts, and the other is about tamed mana beasts."
It was also about bonding with mana beasts, something quite rare and hard to find.
Although the subject of taming mana beasts was not common, information was scarce in the academy because few had an interest in taming them, due to the difficulty and time it required.
Therefore, the information available was limited.
Emilia began to open the book and read for the next few minutes.
They turned into hours. She reached the second book and continued reading for several more hours before finishing.
A stack of books about mana beasts piled up on her right side as she blinked, exhausted, her eyes almost closing.
In short, the mark meant that the mana beast was now like family to Emilia.
The mark was an important symbol for mana beasts, representing a deep relationship with the human on whom they left their mark.
But.
"There doesn't seem to be complete information about the mark, nor what it's for or how it's used."
Emilia sighed, defeated.
There was no further information about the mark's functions or anything similar.
Nothing.
All the books she had amassed were about mana beast bindings and markings, but they didn't contain much relevant information.
"Haaa..."
He sighed bitterly.
He hadn't found anything important, though what he read served to give him a general idea about the mark and its link to Boksil.
"You should ask a professor."
Not just any professor.
In fact, he was thinking of a teacher who had knowledge of mana beasts.
Although she was not originally a mage specializing in taming beasts, her knowledge had been recognized for a long time, before Emilia came to the academy.
"Professor Briana, I should ask you if you know about the mana beast bond and mark."
It was Professor Briana. Particularly, she was not a tamer, however, as mentioned before, she was renowned for her advanced knowledge in this subject.
With those thoughts, Emilia got up and left the library in search of Briana.
***
-Scene change.
-Freddy Siegfried's point of view.
"Oh."
Freddy was astonished as he looked at the elemental stone in his hands.
The incredible reflections and sparkles of the elemental stone, with its radiant rainbow colors, left him in awe.
The mana in that elemental stone was extraordinary. He knew he now had the piece he needed to advance to the second circle and fully master his affinities.
Freddy was excited, for an elemental stone was very difficult to obtain, especially because of the low rate of occurrence in high-grade Dungeons.
Of course, strong mages did not need elemental stones anymore, as they did not affect them or provide them with any benefits.
Because of this, elemental stones were usually sold in the larger markets. However, their high rate of occurrence in high-grade dungeons and low rate in low-grade dungeons meant that novice mages acquired them quickly when they became available.
Because of their rarity and cost, only about five elemental stones a month were sold in the markets. They were as scarce as they were difficult to obtain.
Freddy's joy was therefore evident. Not only did he have an elemental stone, but....
"It is an elemental stone of the highest rank."
Like mana crystals, elemental stones were classified into three ranks: normal, medium, and advanced.
Determining the rank of an elemental stone was simple. If the amount of mana in the stone was comparable to that of a third or fourth circle mage, then it was an advanced rank elemental stone.
Although it was difficult for novice mages to measure mana, this was not a problem. Merchants feared the endorsements of those who bought these stones, for they were extremely expensive and only high-ranking nobles could acquire them.
Swindlers didn't stand a chance; if you cheated with an elemental stone, you would be hunted to death. Therefore, merchants did not dare to even consider scams with these stones.
Freddy sighed in relief, his heart pounding rapidly with excitement as sweat poured down his body. He sat on the floor of his room, holding the elemental stone.
He adopted a meditation posture, as the way to absorb the mana from the elemental stone was through meditation and drawing mana in a calm state.
"Hooo..."
He took a deep breath and released all the air, closing his eyes.
He began his routine of absorbing the elemental stone. He felt the mana flow into his body, slowly increasing his strength and improving compatibility with his affinities.
***
-Scene change.
Oriana Mengral's point of view.
When Director Wilbek calls a meeting, it is of the utmost urgency to get to his office as quickly as possible.
Whenever the director organizes a meeting, it is because he has something important to announce or because he has to share information with the teachers.
Therefore, it was essential for the teachers to attend immediately.
Oriana hurried her steps. Principal Wilbek was not only the headmaster of the academy, but also her teacher.
True, her respect for Principal Wilbek was profound, and she would never disrespect him by not attending one of his urgent meetings.
Next to her walked Briana, a woman a little taller than her. However, she stopped thinking about her and that strange smile Briana always wore.
Oriana kept her stride steady and soon reached the principal's office.
As she entered, she saw the other teachers lined up, firm and without a trace of unease.
She and Briana joined the line of teachers and looked at Principal Wilbek, who was about to speak.
"About today's events, I have something to report."
"I will be out of the academy for four years."