Medea stood before us, her Amethyst Snake coiled at her side like a silent sentinel. The weight of the Mystic Trials' conclusion hung in the air, a mixture of pride and exhaustion shared between us. The clearing was still marked with the remnants of our hard-fought victory—the scuffed earth, the faint shimmer of lingering energy, and the hushed murmurs of our summons recovering.
"You all did well," Medea began, her tone carrying that strange blend of authority and encouragement she always managed. Her gaze swept over us, lingering momentarily on each summoner and their beasts. "You fulfilled your parts as a team properly, taking down a beast stronger than all of you combined. That's no small feat."
I exhaled slowly, her words a balm to my frayed nerves. Aria, still holding my hand, remained silent, her expression as unreadable as ever. But her grip, firm and steady, told me enough. She had been there, truly there, not just as my summon but as my partner.
Medea raised a single finger, drawing our attention like a lecturer at the height of a crucial point. "Now, let me explain why this trial is significant—beyond just defeating a strong beast."
She paused, letting the words settle like mist over a field. "Firstly, yes, this trial prepares you for working with other summoners in the future. The world outside the Academy is vast and dangerous, and the strength of alliances cannot be overstated."
Her Amethyst Snake shifted slightly, its scaled body gleaming faintly in the light as if underscoring her words. "But more importantly, especially for all of you—four Gold-grade summoners and one Diamond-grade summoner—this lesson is about the potential synergy between your own summons."
She let that sink in before continuing, her voice steady and deliberate. "You see, my power as a summoner isn't limited to my Amethyst Snake, as strong as it is. Yes, she's my strongest summon, but she's merely one piece of a much larger puzzle. My full power is only realized when all ten of my summons work in harmony. Like an army."
The concept was both staggering and humbling. My gaze flickered to Aria, who remained close to my side, and then to the other summons. Each one was unique, powerful in its own right, but Medea was speaking of something greater—a sum far exceeding its parts.
"I know you're all still at the beginning of your journey," Medea continued, her smile faint but genuine. "But today, you showed me more than I expected. You've taken the first step toward understanding true teamwork."
Her words sparked a quiet ripple of pride among us, though I could see Gail was already suppressing a smirk, as if he had known all along.
"But," Medea said, and the single word cut through the air like a whip. "There's something even more vital you need to unlock: Synchronisation."
At that, every head tilted slightly, curiosity evident. Synchronisation—the fabled ability that marked the pinnacle of a summoner's connection with their beasts. Stories of Synchronisation spoke of summoners who could wield their summons' power as if it were their own, who moved and fought as one entity.
"For those of you unfamiliar," Medea said, noting our expressions, "Synchronisation is an innate part of the Trait of Summoner. But it's not something you can access simply by training or commanding your summons. It requires a bond—one that goes beyond the surface."
"What does a bond mean exactly?" Mary asked, her tone hesitant but curious.
Medea's lips quirked in approval. "Good question. As you know, the Trait of Summoner allows us to command our summons absolutely. They obey because we compel them to. It's effective, yes. But it's also shallow."
Her Amethyst Snake shifted again, its great head lowering closer to her as if listening intently. "A bond isn't built on force," Medea continued. "You can't achieve Synchronisation if your summon follows you out of obligation or instinct alone."
"So what do we need?" Prince Valkas asked, his crimson eyes narrowing in thought.
Medea turned her gaze to him, her expression softening slightly. "Your summon must be willing to protect you not because it fears the consequences but because it cares for you. Truly cares. A bond is forged through trust, understanding, and mutual respect. You must see your summon as more than a tool, and they must see you as more than their master."
The words struck like an arrow. I glanced at Aria, who was still watching Medea with her unblinking black eyes. Had I ever considered what she felt? Or what she thought of me? She had always been by my side, unwavering, but had I earned that? Or was it simply her nature?
"How do we build that bond?" Kael asked, his voice thoughtful.
Medea smiled faintly, as though recalling her own journey. "You'll learn in time. But here's one piece of advice: stop thinking of your summons as extensions of your will. They're not. They are their own beings, with their own thoughts, feelings, and desires. Learn to see them as equals, as partners."
The silence that followed was heavy but not uncomfortable. It was the kind of silence that meant everyone was thinking deeply, processing the weight of what had been said.
Medea finally broke it. "This is why today's trial was so important. You worked together, not just with each other but with your summons. You relied on them, trusted them, and in return, they gave you their best. That's the foundation of a bond."
Her gaze swept over us once more, lingering on each face. "Remember this as you continue your journey. The stronger your bond, the stronger your summons. And the stronger your summons, the stronger you become."
With that, she dismissed us, leaving us to our thoughts.
As I walked away, Aria's hand found mine once more, her touch as cool and steady as ever. I glanced down at her, and for a moment, our eyes met. She didn't say anything, but somehow, I felt she had heard everything Medea said too.
'I wonder when I can use Synchronisation?' I mused, my gaze lingering on her. The potential was there; it had always been there. But the bond required? That elusive connection of mutual trust and care? That was where things grew complicated.
The corners of my lips tugged downward. Even on my part, that bond wasn't as strong as it should be. Did I care for Aria? Of course. She was my summon, my strength, my protector. But was it enough? Was that care born of necessity rather than genuine affection?
Aria tilted her head, a small gesture that broke through my thoughts. Her black eyes shimmered faintly, reflecting the light in a way that almost made them look alive. It was as though she could see the doubt flickering across my face.
For a brief moment, I hesitated, unsure how to bridge the silent gap between us. But then an idea—simple yet brilliant—took root. My lips curled into a small, mischievous smile.