Instructor Maren glanced over from where she stood with a few high-ranked students, her brows narrowing slightly. The silver hue was unlike the standard summoning rituals she knew.
But Lucien didn't see her. All his focus was locked on the tiny being before him. His expression was calm but resolute.
He wasn't chasing strength for show. He was building something that mattered, a bond that would grow with him, not above him.
The wisp's light pulsed once more, brighter this time, as if answering his thoughts. The system interface flared briefly, text flickering across his sight.
▓▒░ [Compatibility Stable. Proceeding with final phase…] ░▒▓
Lucien's eyes reflected the glow as he whispered, "Let's make this work."
And then, silence.
The last flicker of light dimmed, leaving the faint outline of Lucien and the small wisp facing each other in the center of the chamber. Every student nearby had stopped what they were doing, their attention drawn unconsciously toward the strange calm in the air.
Lucien stood still, his palm still extended, his expression unreadable, a quiet confidence settling in his gaze.
Whatever was about to happen next, he knew this time it wouldn't end in failure.
A hush settled over the summoning hall as the last flicker of light faded from around Lucien and the Lesser Wisp. What had moments ago been filled with chatter and prideful laughter was now thick with quiet disbelief.
Instructor Maren stood where she had been helping a pair of A-rank students with their contracts, her hands still faintly glowing from guiding their ritual. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she watched Lucien. She hadn't stepped in to assist him, he was only an F-rank talent, and she had assumed he would struggle like the rest of his division. Yet, the bond before her was unmistakable. The faint silver aura around him and the wisp was the mark of a successful summoning, steady and stable.
"How…" she murmured under her breath. The process had been smoother than anything she'd witnessed that day. No flaring mana, no trembling soul link, just quiet synchronization. Even her own guided sessions hadn't been that seamless.
The others began to notice her silence. If an instructor was paying attention, it meant something was off, or extraordinary. Heads turned toward Lucien, who still stood in the center, his palm open, the small wisp floating gently above it like a piece of living starlight.
For a moment, admiration flickered in the eyes of some. But pride and envy worked fast.
"It's just a lesser wisp," one student sneered from behind. "Any of us could tame that thing."
"Right? Instructor Maren probably didn't bother because it's useless," another added with a laugh.
The tone shifted back to arrogance. They couldn't let someone from the lowest division, and a mixed-blood at that, have a moment of triumph.
Lucien didn't even glance at them. His attention was elsewhere, on the faint shimmer that connected him to the wisp. He could feel it. Not just through the system, but in his chest. It was soft and warm, pulsing in rhythm with his heartbeat.
Then the system's voice broke the silence in his mind.
▓▒░ [Quest Status: Completed]░▒▓
▓▒░ [Congratulations. First Summon Bound.] ░▒▓
▓▒░ [Contract Type: Dominant Contract — Complete.] ░▒▓
▓▒░ [Summon Registered: Lesser Spirit Wisp (Lyra) ]░▒▓
▓▒░[Current Resonance: 34% — Linked Stage Achieved.] ░▒▓
Lucien's lips twitched faintly as he read the lines glowing in his sight. "Thirty-four percent already," he whispered. "Not bad for a first bond."
He reached forward slowly, letting the small wisp rest on his palm. It felt like holding mist that carried a pulse. The creature blinked up at him with its crystal eyes, curious and gentle.
He smiled lightly. "So you're really mine now?"
The wisp emitted a soft hum, a ripple of faint silver light passing through its body. It nudged against his fingers, almost like a nod.
Lucien chuckled softly. It had been a long time since he'd felt something like this, a connection that wasn't bound by pity or prejudice. In his old world, he had kept people at a distance, never trusting too easily. In this one, he had lost the only person he truly cared for, Elara. The memory hit him quietly, a dull ache under his ribs.
He lowered his gaze to the wisp. "Guess I'll have to do better this time."
As if sensing his thought, the creature tilted its head and circled his wrist, leaving faint trails of light. The resonance pulsed again, slightly stronger.
[Resonance Link +2%.]
He blinked, surprised. "You felt that, didn't you?"
The wisp hummed softly in reply, its glow deepening for a moment. Lucien laughed under his breath, shaking his head. "You've got spirit, I'll give you that."
After a short pause, he said, "Lyra. I'll call you Lyra."
The wisp twirled once in the air, its light flickering brighter in what could only be described as joy. The interface responded instantly.
▓▒░ [Name Registered: Lyra.] ░▒▓
▓▒░ [Resonance +3%. Current Resonance: 39%.] ░▒▓
Lucien's brows rose. "You really like that, huh?"
Lyra spun again, resting near his shoulder.
▓▒░ [System Note: Emotional acknowledgment increases resonance link. You appear to have chosen an agreeable name.] ░▒▓
Lucien smirked. "Of course I did. You didn't think I'd name her something bad, did you?"
▓▒░ [Statistically, 63% of first-time summoners choose impractical or embarrassing summon names. Your result is acceptable.] ░▒▓
He gave a small chuckle. "You really know how to ruin a good moment."
▓▒░ [Clarification: It is my function.] ░▒▓
"Yeah, sure," he muttered, still smiling. The small exchange made him feel oddly at ease, like a quiet breath after a storm.
He tilted his head slightly and asked, "So, about this resonance thing. What exactly does it mean?"
For once, the system didn't delay.
▓▒░ [Resonance Link — The measure of harmony between you and your summon.] ░▒▓
▓▒░ [Current Level: Linked (21–50%).] ░▒▓
Lucien crossed his arms, listening closely as faint texts scrolled through his mind.
▓▒░ [Resonance Levels:]
Dormant (0–20%): New bond, unstable, limited control.
Linked (21–50%): Shared mana and sensory awareness. Can coordinate movement and intent.
Harmonic (51–80%): Emotional and spiritual connection. Summon evolves faster and gains awareness.
Unity (81–100%): Total synchronization. Fusion or Dual Resonance forms possible.] ░▒▓
▓▒░ [Resonance Grows Through:
Shared battles or victories.
Emotional experiences.
Danger or mutual sacrifice.
Understanding and trust. ] ░▒▓
Lucien nodded slowly as the information faded. "So it's not just power… it's connection."
▓▒░ [Correct. Stronger resonance means stronger growth for both summoner and summon.] ░▒▓