A few days later, Lifu finally decided to speak with Corin.
“Corin, I need to talk to you about something,” Lifu began, his tone serious.
Corin raised an eyebrow, sensing the gravity in Lifu’s voice. “What’s on your mind?”
Lifu quickly recounted the encounter with the shadowy figure, carefully choosing his words as he described the cryptic warnings and the unsettling nature of the meeting. Corin listened in silence, his expression growing more concerned as Lifu spoke.
When Lifu finished, Corin was quiet for a moment, processing the information. “That’s... troubling,” he finally said, his voice low. “The fact that they know about the box, and that they approached you specifically, is a cause for concern.”
Lifu nodded. “I wasn’t sure what to do with the information, but I knew I couldn’t keep it to myself. We need to be prepared for whatever’s coming.”
Corin crossed his arms, his gaze distant as he thought. “You did the right thing by telling me. This information might help us speed up the process of deciphering the box.”
Lifu’s interest was piqued. “How so?”
Corin leaned in, his voice lowering. “There is forbidden knowledge at the academy, we might need to look in that section to find the answers.”
Lifu nodded apprehensively. “So, what do we do?”
“For now, we keep a low profile,” Corin said, his tone firm. “The professors are still working on deciphering it. I’ll let them know where to look.”
Lifu nodded, and they parted ways.
***
Tumo had been a member of the Tamer Club for a little over a month now, and he had spent countless hours learning about the different types of creatures, their behaviours, and the intricacies of forming a pact with them. But today was special. Today, Tumo would be making a pact with his very own familiar—a moment he had been eagerly anticipating since he first joined the club.
The grounds behind the headquarters were alive with activity. Older students were guiding their familiars through various exercises, while newer members observed and practiced their techniques. There were creatures of all shapes and sizes—majestic griffons, sleek wyverns, playful nymphs, and even some of the more unusual, like the wisps and sprites.
Tumo stood at the edge of the grounds, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nerves. He had been preparing for this day for weeks, working closely with his mentor, a senior student named Kaelin. Kaelin was known for his expertise in taming and bonding with mythical creatures, and his own familiar—a massive wolf with fur as black as night—was a testament to his skill.
“Tumo,” Kaelin called out, walking over to him with a smile. “Are you ready?”
“Yeah, I’m ready. And a little excited.” Tumo replied.
Kaelin chuckled, clapping Tumo on the shoulder. “That’s normal. Forming a pact is a big deal. Just remember to stay calm and trust your instincts.”
Tumo nodded again. “Thanks, Kaelin. I’ll do my best.”
Kaelin led Tumo to a secluded area of the grounds, where a large, ornate circle had been drawn on the ground. The circle was etched with runes and symbols, each one glowing faintly with magical energy.
“This is where it all begins,” Kaelin said, his tone serious now. “When you enter the summoning circle and channel your energy, it will respond to you and summon a creature that resonates with you. The creature you summon will be your familiar. You’ll form a bond with it, and that bond will grow stronger over time. But remember, a familiar isn’t just a pet. It’s a living being with its own thoughts and feelings. Treat it with respect, and it will do the same for you.”
Tumo nodded, feeling the weight of Kaelin’s words. He had seen the bonds between the other students and their familiars, how they worked together in perfect harmony. It was something he had longed for, and now that moment was finally here.
With one last deep breath, Tumo stepped into the circle. The summoning circle pulsed with a gentle, inviting glow, as if it was waiting for him. He hesitated for a moment, then started to channel.
The circle’s glow intensified, and Tumo felt a surge of energy flow through him. The runes and symbols on the ground began to shimmer, and the air around him seemed to hum with magic. He closed his eyes, focusing on his mana control, letting the magic guide him.
For a few seconds, nothing happened. Then, suddenly, the ground beneath him began to tremble, and the air was filled with a low, resonant growl. Tumo’s eyes snapped open just in time to see a shape begin to materialise in the centre of the circle—a creature emerging from the very air itself.
The creature took form gradually, its outline growing sharper with each passing second. When the light finally faded, Tumo found himself face to face with a large, muscular feline—a sleek black panther with piercing green eyes that seemed to glow in the dim light. The panther’s fur was smooth and glossy, its movements graceful and fluid as it stepped forward, its gaze locked onto Tumo’s.
Tumo’s breath caught in his throat as he stared at the panther, awe and wonder mixing with a deep sense of connection. He could feel the bond forming between them, a thread of energy that linked their minds and hearts. The panther was more than just a familiar—it was a reflection of his own spirit, his strength and determination given form.
Kaelin watched from the edge of the circle, his expression one of approval. “A panther,” he said quietly. “A creature of stealth, power, and loyalty. It’s a good match for you, Tumo. You’ve done well.”
Tumo slowly reached out a hand, his heart pounding as the panther regarded him with those intense green eyes. For a moment, he wasn’t sure if the panther would accept him. But then, with a low, rumbling purr, the panther stepped forward and pressed its head against Tumo’s hand, nuzzling him gently.
A smile spread across Tumo’s face as he felt the warmth of the panther’s fur and the strength of its presence. “I’ll call you Shadow,” he said softly, the name coming to him as naturally as if he had always known it.
Shadow purred in response, a sound that rumbled through Tumo’s chest and filled him with a sense of pride and contentment.
Kaelin stepped forward, a proud smile on his face. “Congratulations, Tumo. You’ve made your first pact, and it’s a powerful one. Shadow will be a loyal companion and a fierce protector. Treat him well, and he’ll do the same for you.”
Tumo nodded, still feeling a bit dazed by the experience. “Thank you, Kaelin. I... I can’t believe it. This is everything I’ve been hoping for.”
Kaelin chuckled, clapping Tumo on the back. “You’ve earned it, Tumo. Now comes the real work—training together, building your bond, and learning to fight as a team. But I have no doubt you’ll be up to the challenge.”
Tumo grinned, feeling a surge of confidence. With Shadow by his side, he felt ready to take on anything the academy—or the world—could throw at him.
***
Lifu was on his way to supper when he received an urgent message from Corin. The note, delivered by a quiet, unassuming first-year, simply read:
Meet me at the Professor’s Tower. We’ve made a breakthrough.
Lifu’s heart skipped a beat as he read the message. A breakthrough? Could they have finally uncovered the purpose of the key? Without wasting any time, he headed straight for the Professor’s Tower, his thoughts racing with possibilities.
The Professor’s Tower was one of the oldest buildings on campus, its stone walls weathered by centuries of history. It was a place where the most secretive and advanced research took place—off-limits to most students, except under special circumstances.
As Lifu approached the tower, the heavy wooden doors creaked open, and Corin stepped out to meet him. His expression was serious, his usual easy-going demeanour replaced by a sense of urgency.
“Lifu, thanks for coming so quickly,” Corin said, ushering him inside. “We need to talk.”
“What’s going on?” Lifu asked as they made their way up the winding staircase to the tower’s upper levels.
Corin glanced back at him, his eyes filled with a mixture of excitement and apprehension. “The professors have finally deciphered the inscriptions on the key and the box. As suspected, It’s more than just a relic.”
Lifu’s pulse quickened as they reached the top of the stairs and entered a dimly lit room filled with ancient tomes, scrolls, and various magical artefacts. In the centre of the room stood Professor Marlow, his stern features illuminated by the soft glow of several floating orbs of light. The box sat on a table in front of him, its polished surface gleaming in the warm light.
“Professor,” Corin began, stepping aside to let Lifu approach. “This is Lifu, the student who helped us retrieve the box in the Vale. I’ve filled him in on what we’ve learned so far.”
Professor Marlow looked up, his gaze piercing as he studied Lifu. “So, you’re the one. You’ve stumbled upon something far more significant than you realise, young man.”
Lifu nodded, his eyes locked on the box. “Corin told me you deciphered the inscriptions. What is it? What does the key unlock?”
Professor Marlow’s expression was grave as he gestured for Lifu to take a closer look. “The inscriptions on the box are written in an ancient language, one that predates even the oldest texts in our archives. It took us days to fully translate them, but we finally did. This part of the key, along with the other parts, are said to unlock a vault, hidden deep within the earth, where a great power lies dormant.”
Lifu’s breath caught in his throat. “A vault? What kind of power?”
“That’s the part we’re still trying to understand,” Professor Marlow admitted, his tone sombre. “The inscriptions speak of a ‘Celestial Forge’—a source of unimaginable power, said to have been created by the gods themselves. It’s believed that whoever controls the Forge will gain the ability to reshape the world as they see fit.”
The weight of the Professor’s words hit Lifu like a hammer. The Celestial Forge—a power capable of reshaping the world. It was hard to comprehend the enormity of it, but the gravity in Professor Marlow’s voice left no room for doubt. The box they had found was no ordinary relic; it was part of a puzzle that could unlock a power so immense that its very existence could alter the course of history.
“Reshape the world?” Lifu repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. “Is that even possible?”
Professor Marlow nodded slowly, his gaze unwavering. “According to the ancient texts, it’s said that it has the power to bend reality. That’s why the keys were hidden and scattered across the land—so that no one person or entity could gain control of the Forge.”
Lifu’s mind raced as he tried to process the implications.
Corin, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. “The problem is, if we’ve found one key, others might have found—or be searching for—the remaining ones. We could be looking at a race to find all the keys and unlock the Forge. If that happens...”
Lifu finished the thought, his voice grim. “If that happens, and the wrong person gets their hands on the Forge, they could reshape the world in their image.”
Professor Marlow’s expression darkened further. “Precisely. That’s why we must act quickly and carefully. We need to find and gather the other keys and secure them before anyone else can. But we also need to do it discreetly.”
Lifu felt a surge of determination. The stakes had never been higher, but he knew he couldn’t back down now. The safety of the world—or perhaps even its very existence—could depend on what they did next.
“What do you need me to do?” Lifu asked, his voice steady.
Professor Marlow glanced at Corin, then back at Lifu. “We’re going to form two teams: one to track down the whereabouts of the remaining keys, and one to retrieve them. You’ve already proven yourself capable, and your experience in the Vale makes you a valuable asset. We’ve decided to put you in charge of the retrieval team. You need to choose people you know you can absolutely trust.”
Lifu nodded without hesitation. “I’m in, and I know exactly who to choose.”
Corin smiled, though the seriousness of the situation still weighed heavily on him. “Good. We’ll be working closely with the professors and other trusted individuals to gather information and plan our next steps. But remember, Lifu, this mission is dangerous. We’re not the only ones who know about the Forge. There are others out there who would do anything to claim that power for themselves.”
Lifu’s resolve only hardened. “I understand. I’ll do whatever it takes to stop them.”
Professor Marlow gave Lifu a look of approval. “You’ve got a good head on your shoulders, Lifu. We’re going to need that in the days to come. For now, focus on your training and keep a low profile. We’ll contact you when it’s time to move.”
With that, the meeting came to an end, and Lifu left the tower with a new sense of purpose. The revelation of the Celestial Forge had changed everything. What had started as a simple exploration in the Vale had now become a race against time—one that could determine the fate of the world.
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