Lucien nodded, then replied. "Looks like it."
The beastkin gave a crooked grin. "Name's Cael. E-rank, Warrior Path. You?"
"Lucien," he replied simply, standing to shake his hand. "Summoner Path."
Cael's grip was firm, his palm calloused. "Summoner, huh? Dangerous one. You summon things, I hit them. Maybe we'll make a good team."
Lucien couldn't help the faint curve of his lips. "Maybe."
Cael began unpacking, muttering under his breath about the cracked mirror and the lack of proper bedding. "This place is pathetic," he said, half laughing, half irritated. "I swear, once I get stronger, I'm leaving this Division behind. I'll sleep in one of those glowing halls up there." He pointed toward the faint outline of the Inner Sanctum visible from the small window.
Lucien leaned against his bedpost. "That makes two of us," he said quietly.
Cael paused and gave him a curious glance. "You don't sound too upset about being stuck here."
Lucien shrugged. "I've lived in worse. Walls don't decide strength. People do."
The beastkin chuckled. "You talk like someone who's been through a lot."
"I've seen enough to know complaining doesn't fix anything."
That was all Lucien said, and Cael didn't pry further. There was something about Lucien's calm that felt heavier than it looked. It wasn't arrogance. it was steadiness, the kind that came from enduring more than anyone in this room could imagine.
As the night grew colder, the two of them settled in. They spoke about their goals, their plans for the academy, and the kind of people they hoped to meet. Cael was talkative, full of life and ideas, the type to dream loudly. Lucien listened more than he spoke, but when he did, it was clear he thought deeply before choosing his words.
At some point, Cael turned serious. "You know, most people don't talk to mixed-bloods," he said, his tone casual but observant. "But I don't care much about that. You're here, same as me. That's what matters."
Lucien met his gaze. For a moment, the usual mask of indifference lifted slightly. "Thanks," he said. "Not many think that way."
Cael grinned. "Well, you've got me now. Guess that means we're allies, huh?"
"Guess so."
They laughed quietly, the sound breaking the silence of the worn-down dorm. By the time the moonlight crept through the window, both had grown comfortable enough to let the tension fade.
As they drifted off, Cael muttered something barely audible. "We'll make it out of here, Lucien. You'll see."
Lucien didn't answer, but he smiled faintly in the dark. He believed it too, though for reasons far beyond what Cael could imagine.
Morning came faster than expected. As the bell rang through the academy grounds, deep and resonant, echoing off the cliffs surrounding the Aether Cradle. Both of them jumped awake, the sense of new beginnings sharp in the air.
"First day, huh?" Cael said, rubbing his eyes as he sat up.
Lucien was already on his feet, tying his boots. "Don't be late. They don't look kindly on that."
Cael laughed, rushing to gather his things. "You sound like you've been here before."
"I've just learned not to draw the wrong kind of attention."
They stepped out together, walking until the path split into two. The signs ahead pointed toward the various specialized halls.
"This is me," Cael said, nodding toward the Warrior Hall. "Try not to summon something that eats your classmates."
Lucien smirked. "No promises."
Cael laughed and jogged off while Lucien turned toward the Summoner's Hall.
The structure stood apart from the others, built like a dome with glowing runes along its outer rim. The closer he got, the more he could feel the pressure of Aether. Inside, the air was thick with spiritual energy. Cages lined the walls, some holding beasts with scales that shimmered faintly, others with skeletal creatures that stirred in their rest.
Students gathered in groups, whispering about contracts and the various beasts made available for them. Some already had small familiars perched beside them, tiny elemental spirits, ghostly shapes, and creatures with strange eyes that shimmered with loyalty. Others stood nervous, clutching their Aether tags, waiting for their turn to awaken their bond.
Lucien stood quietly at the edge, his gaze sweeping over everything. He could feel something stir faintly within him, that same pull from before, like his soul recognized this place.
He was lost in thought when a strong voice cut through the noise.
"Attention, all summoners!"
Every head turned. At the front stood a woman draped in a long indigo coat embroidered with Aether threads. Her eyes were sharp, carrying the kind of focus that came only from years of taming chaos.
"I am Instructor Maren," she announced. "Welcome to your first lesson as summoners. Today, we begin where every path starts— with the bond."
The murmurs died down. Lucien straightened slightly, eyes fixed on the woman. His journey was just beginning, and for the first time since arriving, he felt that quiet spark of anticipation.
Whatever this path demanded of him, he was ready to meet it.
Instructor Maren's voice carried clearly through the summoner's hall. Her tone was steady, calm, but held a weight that drew everyone's attention. The faint hum of caged beasts quieted, and the chatter among students faded as she began.
"Summoning," she said, pacing before them, "is not simply calling a creature from another realm. It is a pact between souls— a bridge formed by will, resonance, and understanding. The bond defines both the summoner and the summoned."
She paused, letting her gaze sweep across the crowd. "A true summoner learns responsibility before power. Your summon is not a tool but an extension of your essence. You nurture it, protect it, and it, in turn, amplifies your growth. If your will falters, your bond will too."
Lucien listened quietly. Her words carried a conviction that came from experience.
"Every summon path differs," she continued. "Beast tamers bind living creatures from the mortal plane, spirit callers reach into the echoes of dead souls, and other rare ones.