After the summoning, I was ushered out of the hall with barely enough time to process what had just happened. The lingering gazes of the crowd, some filled with awe and others with apprehension, followed me like shadows as the instructor hurried me along.
"Quickly now," he said, his tone taut with something between urgency and unease. "Put your summon into your grimoire and head directly to the Headmaster's office. Your brother will meet you there."
I barely managed a nod before turning to Aria. She stood silently beside me, her dark eyes fathomless, her expression unreadable. She seemed utterly indifferent to the upheaval she had caused, as though the moment was as mundane as a passing breeze.
"Return," I whispered, holding out my Diamond grimoire.
Aria inclined her head ever so slightly, a gesture that seemed almost regal. Then, without a word, her form dissolved into shimmering tendrils of light and shadow, vanishing into the subspace of my grimoire. The book glowed faintly in response before falling silent.
'An Eterna,' I thought, staring at the closed grimoire in my hands. 'Not just an Eterna… a Prime Eterna.'
The realization settled over me like a storm cloud. Aria wasn't merely beyond human comprehension—she was beyond the comprehension of most beings. A Divine and Miasma Beast, the pinnacle of existence, a living paradox of creation and destruction bound into one form.
I didn't know how much of her potential she had yet unlocked—Eterna beings were said to grow infinitely—but even now, she was untouchable.
And by extension, so was I.
For the first time, the thought of stepping out of Kael's shadow felt almost tangible.
But there was no time to dwell on it. Minutes later, I found myself seated in the Headmaster's office, Kael at my side.
Headmaster Medea Solaryn loomed before us, her violet eyes sharp and piercing, fixed on me in a way that made my palms sweat.
Medea wasn't just powerful—she was a force unto herself. A Gold-grade summoner at the very peak of her abilities, she commanded ten summons: seven Luminara-grade beings and three Astra-grade. Each represented one of her ten mana cores, cultivated over decades of unrelenting mastery.
Her reputation far surpassed my father's. If Marquis Hamilton Veylin was a pillar of strength in the Kingdom of Thane, Medea was the foundation of its summoning legacy.
Her grimoire lay open on the desk before her, faintly glowing. A quiet warning that even she, with all her power, felt the need for vigilance after what had transpired.
The door opened, breaking the tense silence.
The man who entered carried himself with calm authority, as though the weight of his name and title were no burden at all. His silver hair gleamed under the soft light, and his brown eyes surveyed the room with quiet precision.
Marquis Hamilton Veylin, head of House Veylin, strode in with the composed confidence of a man accustomed to command. He wore his tailored attire like armor, exuding the effortless charisma that had built his influence over the years.
He glanced briefly at Kael, then at me, his expression neutral. Finally, his gaze settled on Medea. "So, Headmaster, you summoned me. What seems to be the matter?"
Medea didn't hesitate, her tone brisk and to the point. "Marquis Veylin, I need you to listen carefully."
He raised an eyebrow, taking his seat across from her with measured ease. "I'm listening."
Medea leaned forward, resting her elbows on the desk. Her violet eyes locked onto his, unflinching. "Your daughter, Elara, has awakened a Diamond grimoire. She has summoned something the likes of which neither this kingdom, nor perhaps this continent, has ever seen."
For the first time, my father's calm exterior wavered. His brow furrowed slightly, his sharp mind processing the words. "A Diamond grimoire," he echoed, his voice quiet but heavy with thought. "And her summon?"
Medea's gaze flicked to me before she answered. "A Prime Eterna. The Heavenly Demon. A being that embodies both divine energy and miasma—a singularity in existence."
His brown eyes snapped to me, sharp and searching. "Is this true?"
I nodded, gripping the grimoire tightly in my lap. My voice came out quieter than I'd intended. "Yes, Father."
He leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. His composure returned, but his expression was more serious than I'd ever seen. "Do you understand what this means, Elara?"
I hesitated, unsure how to answer. "No, not entirely."
Medea's voice cut through the tension, crisp and unyielding. "It means that your daughter has summoned a being that could unbalance the scales of power in this region, perhaps even beyond. Her existence will not go unnoticed. Not by other kingdoms, not by empires, and certainly not by the beings that dwell in the shadows of this world."
The weight of her words pressed down on me, suffocating in its intensity. This wasn't just a victory or a moment of glory. It was a burden, one far heavier than I was prepared to bear.
My father's gaze softened, just slightly, as he regarded me. "Then we will make sure she is ready."
Medea nodded slowly, her expression grim. "She will need to learn quickly. Power of this magnitude does not come without consequence. And those who desire it will not wait patiently."
I tightened my grip on the grimoire in my hands, the name etched inside burning itself into my mind. Prime Eterna Divine and Miasma Beast: Heavenly Demon.
The weight of the words wasn't just figurative—it felt as though the grimoire itself had grown heavier, its pages imbued with an unearthly significance. My pulse quickened, but I forced myself to meet my father's gaze as he broke the tense silence.
"Then let's start by understanding what your summon can do," he said, his tone measured but edged with anticipation. "Open your grimoire, Elara."
I nodded, my hands trembling slightly as I lifted the cover. The pages shimmered faintly, their pristine surface radiating a soft, otherworldly glow. The first page unfurled itself, revealing a detailed illustration of Aria. Every stroke seemed alive, her long black hair and flowing dress rendered with a surreal precision that made her image appear to move. Beneath her figure were inscriptions written in an elegant script:
Species: Heavenly Demon
Biological Grade: Prime Eterna
Father's eyes lingered on the words, his expression unreadable. Kael leaned forward slightly, curiosity flickering in his gaze despite his usual stoic demeanor. Even Headmaster Medea, who had been silent for most of the exchange, shifted her attention fully to the grimoire.
"A Terra being has only one Trait," my father began, his voice calm and instructional, as if he were teaching me summoning theory in the safety of our estate. "An Astra being has two, a Luminara being three, and an Eterna being four."
The word Traits reverberated in my mind. These were not mere abilities or spells—Traits were the essence of what made a being extraordinary. They were the physical, mental, and magical manifestations of innate potential, the qualities that elevated a creature above the ordinary.
Humans, for all our weaknesses, possessed a single Trait: Summoner.
It was the Trait that had saved our species from extinction, the reason we could command beings far beyond our own biological grade. A Trait born from selective evolution over thousands of years—a desperate gamble by nature to give humanity a fighting chance. And yet, even now, its origins were shrouded in mystery. No one truly understood how or why it had come to be.
Father's voice pulled me back to the present. "Traits define the capabilities and purpose of a being. What traits does your summon possess, Elara? Read them aloud."
I hesitated, glancing down at the page. The inscriptions began to glow faintly, as though the grimoire itself were eager to reveal its secrets. My throat felt dry, but I steadied myself and began to read.
Primary Trait: Unbreakable Vajra Body
The words seemed to resonate in the room, carrying a weight that pressed down on my chest.
"A Vajra Body," Medea murmured, her voice a whisper of awe. "A trait of physical perfection… invulnerability on a level most can only dream of. Such a thing is rarely seen."
"Unbreakable," Kael repeated, his voice low. His expression, usually cool and detached, now betrayed a flicker of unease.
I swallowed and continued.
Secondary Trait: Duality
The reaction was immediate. Father's brow furrowed, and Medea stiffened, her gaze sharpening. Even Kael's composure wavered.
"Duality…" Medea said, her tone cautious. "A trait that embodies both the divine and the demonic. It's no wonder she is an anomaly. This trait alone would make her unique among all recorded beings."
Father nodded slowly, his gaze fixed on the page. "It explains the balance of energies—divine and miasmic. It's a contradiction made manifest. A paradox."
I felt the weight of their words pressing on me as I read the next line.
Tertiary Trait: Voracious Mind
This time, the room fell silent. The phrase hung in the air, unnerving in its simplicity.
Medea broke the quiet, her voice tinged with concern. "A mind that devours knowledge… That's not just intelligence—it's an unrelenting hunger. Such a trait could allow her to assimilate abilities, strategies, perhaps even memories. Dangerous."
Father's jaw tightened. "It means she'll adapt quickly. Far quicker than anything or anyone she encounters. But it's also a trait that could spiral out of control if unchecked."
The thought sent a shiver through me.
With one more breath, I read the final line.
Quaternary Trait: Perfect Growth
A sharp intake of breath from Kael broke the stillness. Medea leaned back slightly, her expression darkening.
"Perfect Growth," she said quietly. "An evolutionary trait. No ceilings, no limits. Every battle, every experience will make her stronger—infinitely stronger."
Father's gaze turned to me, his expression hard but not unkind. "Elara," he said, his tone grave, "this is no ordinary summon. This is a being that embodies perfection in every form. Physical, mental, spiritual. And she's bound to you."
His words settled over me like a weight I wasn't sure I could bear. Four traits, each extraordinary on its own. Together, they painted a picture of something far beyond my comprehension.
Medea's voice cut through the tension. "This isn't just a responsibility, Elara. This is a burden. You've bound a being that surpasses understanding. You must be prepared for what that means—for you, and for the world."
I nodded, clutching the grimoire tightly. The words on the page glowed faintly, searing themselves into my mind: Unbreakable Vajra Body. Duality. Voracious Mind. Perfect Growth.