ONLINE: Blades of Eternity

Chapter 181 REEVES CONTRACTED BEAST

The open field beyond the Academy gates was filled with a buzz of excitement and anticipation. Students gathered in clusters, their eyes wide with admiration and curiosity, while teachers stood together, offering nods of encouragement. Kaelen and his companions, lined up and ready, could feel the collective energy surrounding them—a quiet pride from the Academy and a sense of adventure stirring within themselves.

'The time has finally come huh?'

Kaelen scanned the crowd, spotting familiar faces among the students cheering them on. His heart raced, half in excitement and half in the weight of the mission they were about to undertake in Valoria Kingdom. Beside him, Lila and Morris shared determined looks, their expressions mirroring his own.

"I wonder how we will get there before the three days deadline?" Guinevere who obviously is with them suddenly asked with a curious look on her face. "Well based on what I have heard from my master and the other pillars of the Academy, I think the vice chancellor is going to make use of his contracted beast to get us their" Lila suddenly replied with a contemplative look on her face.

"The vice chancellor has a contracted beast!?" Eldric exclaimed with a shocked look on his face. "Well based on what my master said" Lila gave a honest answer as she shrugged her shoulders. "Now that is impressive" Morris suddenly said with a surprised look also on his face.

"What's a contracted beast?" But just then, everyone their suddenly heard a question that stunned them into speechlessness. When they turned to find out who asked such a strange and dumb question, they discovered that it was actually Kaelen.

"At this point I gotta ask seriously, are you really a student of this Academy?" Eldric eventually asked with a questioning look on his face. Even Morris and Lila were left with an expression that hinted they were about to laugh and cry at the same time. But the response Kaelen gave them was a wry laugh while he scratched that back of his head.

"I won't even bother to ask you if you have been attending classes at all this year." Guinevere suddenly said as she massaged her temple out of frustration before she continued. "A contracted beast is a powerful creature that has formed a magical or spiritual bond with its master. This bond, known as a "contract," allows the beast and its master to share powers, communicate in unique ways, and protect each other. Often, contracted beasts are rare or mythical creatures, and their abilities complement or enhance their master's skills. Is this a simple enough explanation for you?"

"Yeah it is, thank you for your help" Kaelen replied as he nod his head in gratification along with an embarrassed smile on his face while he thought, 'Seems like I need to be attending classes to avoid situations like this'

"Silence!!"

Suddenly, General Cao's sharp, commanding voice cut through the crowd's murmur, calling for silence. A ripple of calm spread as he and Vice Chancellor Reeves approached, both exuding an air of gravitas. Reeves stopped a few paces from the students, lifting his hand to his side, and the air seemed to thicken with energy.

Then, with a commanding wave of his arm, Reeves summoned forth a magnificent winged creature from a swirling portal of light. The crowd gasped, and Kaelen's eyes widened in awe as the beast emerged—a winged, ferocious creature, its scales shimmering like precious gemstones under the morning light. The creature's eyes burned with fierce intelligence, and its aura alone was powerful enough to send waves of mana rippling across the field.

The Vice Chancellor cast a quick glance at Kaelen, his face serious. "Perhaps, Zephryon, this trip will help him uncover more of his potential," Reeves said, hinting at mysteries yet to be unraveled.

The beast's laughter was low and knowing, "Indeed. Perhaps it's time for the boy to remember the legacy he carries."

With that, Zephryon gained more speed in his flight, and, as he did so, the students held tight, still processing what they had just heard.

But as Zephryon soared farther from the towering spires of Eldoria, his great wings carving through the vast sky, a trio of figures drifted high above, concealed among the thick banks of clouds. There stood Selene and Aron, their faces set in determination, alongside an aged man with sharp, calculating eyes, his presence almost merging with the shadows around him.

The old man's gaze locked onto Zephryon as he leaned slightly forward. His voice was calm but chillingly precise as he issued his command. "Tail them secretly," he ordered, his tone brooking no refusal. "Once they reach Willowing Valley, you strike."

Selene and Aron shared a silent glance, each giving a subtle nod before turning back to their leader. The aged man didn't look at them but seemed to sense their agreement, a smirk hinting at the edge of his lips.

Without another word, Selene and Aron shifted back into the thick clouds, vanishing like wraiths.

....

In the dim glow of the isolated temple, the chancellor sat cross-legged, immersed in a profound meditation that seemed to merge his very essence with the cosmic currents of mana surrounding him. His breathing was steady, and his senses attuned to realms most would never perceive. The air around him was thick with an ancient energy, casting a tranquil, almost sacred ambiance throughout the temple.

But then, a ripple disturbed the stillness—a slight distortion, like a mirage, appearing a few paces away. The faint shimmer solidified slowly, revealing the silhouette of a hazy figure, cloaked in shadows that seemed to defy the temple's quiet light. The chancellor, feeling the shift in the energy, opened his eyes calmly but with keen alertness. He didn't seem surprised, yet his gaze sharpened as he regarded the unexpected visitor.

Maintaining his calm demeanor, he spoke, his voice steady yet wary. "Can I ask what pleasure I owe such an uninformed visit?"

The figure shifted slightly, and a deep voice resonated from within its form, rough and weighted with something ominous. "That's because there is something you owe me, Castaneda."

The words hung heavily in the air, stirring a distant memory in Castaneda's mind, as he subtly tensed. He had not heard that voice in many years, and he knew that the debts left unfulfilled from his past would not be so easily forgotten. The figure stepped closer, still shrouded in haze, its presence seeming to darken the room as Castaneda waited, his expression unreadable, bracing himself for whatever was about to come next.