Read Echoes of A Seraph :: Proof

Rolland raised his hands to the sky, and in response, several binders positioned at the edges of the plaza began conjuring fireballs, which burst into a dazzling display of lights and colors.

Sparks ascended like shooting stars, illuminating the awestruck faces of the gathered crowd.

“Listen carefully,” Rolland continued, his firm voice resonating above the murmurs. “I will now call each of you one by one to take the test.”

The elder retrieved a crystal sphere from his robe and carefully placed it on the pedestal. The object appeared to be made of glass, but within it, particles of mana swirled and danced.

“You will place the palm of your hand on this orb. Once you do, it will react to your anima. It’s simple: if your anima is compatible with that of a guardian, the orb will light up, and you will have passed the test. If it does not, you will have failed.”

The candidates exchanged nervous glances. Some took deep breaths, attempting to steady the trembling in their hands. Rolland unrolled a scroll, scanning the list of participants’ names.

“Let’s begin with the first. Xander Armond.”

The other candidates looked around, searching for the one called. Eventually, a brown-haired young man stepped forward from the group, his movements heavy with nervousness. Kayn watched him walk, each step deliberate. Xander was one of his classmates, someone he spoke to often, though not as much as with Burst.

Xander stopped in front of the orb, taking a deep breath before extending his hand. His fingers brushed against the orb’s cool surface, and the mana particles within began to condense. For a moment, nothing else happened.

The silence became almost tangible. Seconds stretched into what felt like eternity. Then, suddenly, the orb began to glow with an intense red light. A murmur rippled through the crowd, and Rolland smiled in response.

“Well done. Close your eyes and attempt to form a bond,” he instructed calmly.

Xander nodded, more nervous than before, and focused on connecting with his guardian. His breathing slowed as he concentrated, keeping his hand on the orb for several minutes. Just as it seemed nothing more would happen, the light intensified, and a fiery red aura swirled around his body like flames. Xander’s eyes snapped open, wide with surprise.

Rolland smiled as Xander stared at his hands, still stunned by the sensation within him. He felt a strange, fiery energy burning within.

“Perfect! Now shout the name of your guardian with all your might!” Rolland declared.

Xander nodded, inhaled deeply, and shouted with all his strength.

“Xein!”

In an instant, a small black cat appeared in his arms. Its golden eyes glimmered, and its fluffy tail swished with curiosity. Xander gazed at the creature in disbelief before hugging it tightly. The kitten let out a soft meow, curling up against his chest.

“Do you think you can form a bond with your guardian?” Rolland asked.

“I’ll try,” Xander replied enthusiastically. Now that he had passed, the nervousness seemed to vanish.

The young man extended his hand toward his guardian, and a faint light appeared in his palm. Xein stared at him intently before dissolving into particles of light that fused with Xander’s hand. After a few moments, a small flame flickered to life from his palm, clearly indicating his guardian’s magic.

For humans to use magic, they relied on their guardians’ power by forming bonds with them. This required merging their animas.

Guardians, like other species, could possess up to two elemental affinities. These affinities were inscribed into each individual’s anima but could be strengthened through a practice known as anima weaving, which allowed the creation of new forms of magic.

The elemental affinities included fire, water, earth, and air. Guardians typically started with two elemental affinities, and combining them could result in entirely new types of magic.

Xander struggled to maintain the bond for more than a few seconds before it broke. Xein reappeared by his side, panting from the effort.

“Well done,” Rolland applauded, placing a hand on the young man’s shoulder. “Forming a bond on your first attempt is no small feat. It takes considerable training to maintain the bond for longer periods, and that is what sets a great binder apart from the rest.”

Xander bowed in gratitude before stepping away, greeted by friends who congratulated him.

As he left, Rolland picked up the scroll again and called the next name.

“Next is… Evelyn Caster.”

A young woman with long, dark hair stepped gracefully toward the pedestal. Her black hair contrasted with her sky-blue robe. Kayn watched her but didn’t recognize her as someone from the village. She must have come from elsewhere, attending the ceremony in this village because her own didn’t host one.

Upon reaching the pedestal, Evelyn greeted Rolland with a bow before proceeding as Xander had done.

As Kayn and Burst observed, a familiar voice sounded behind them.

“There you two are.”

Both turned in unison to see a young woman with blue eyes walking toward them with confident strides. Her silver hair, tied in a high ponytail, swayed like a cascade with each step. She wore a fine white linen shirt and a short red skirt that exposed her pale, delicate legs.

Before Kayn could say a word, Burst stepped forward with a cheeky grin.

“Well, if it isn’t Lyra! Have you come to watch us succeed?”

Lyra rolled her eyes, though a faint smile tugged at her lips, causing Kayn’s heart to race.

“More like I’ve come to make sure you don’t wet yourself from nerves,” she replied teasingly.

“Don’t worry,” Burst said confidently. “I made a bathroom stop before coming, just in case.”

Lyra slowly shifted her gaze away from Burst and turned to Kayn, who had remained silent until then.

“Good morning, Kayn. Happy birthday,” she said, offering him a warm smile that sent his heart into overdrive.

“Ah, yes. Thank you, Lyra,” he replied nervously.

Burst froze, his expression pale as if he’d seen a ghost. Suddenly, he smacked his forehead, startling Kayn with the sharp sound.

“I forgot!” Burst admitted, thoroughly remorseful. He bowed his head slightly and clasped his hands in an apologetic gesture. “Happy birthday, Kayn! Sorry for not saying it sooner. You know how terrible I am with dates.”

“It’s fine, Burst…” Kayn muttered, averting his gaze, a hint of resignation in his voice. “It’s not the first time you’ve forgotten.”

Lyra laughed softly at this, watching as Burst tried to make amends while Kayn insisted it was okay.

“Well, it’s lucky your birthday falls on this day. I’m sure your guardian will be amazing,” Burst said, still attempting to redeem himself.

Kayn wanted to respond, but Rolland’s deep voice rang out, drawing everyone’s attention, including his own.

“I’m sorry, you’ve failed.”

Near the pedestal, Evelyn stood with her head bowed, trying to hide her face. Her disappointment was evident. Without a word, she walked away, and Kayn followed her with his gaze until she disappeared into the crowd.

For a brief moment, he imagined himself in her place. What would he do if that happened to him? The confidence he’d felt until now seemed to evaporate.

“What’s with you now?” Burst asked, giving him a friendly nudge on the shoulder. “Don’t tell me you’re scared.”

“Of course not,” Kayn replied, trying to convince himself, though his voice trembled slightly. “I was just wondering… What happens if I can’t bond with a guardian?”

“Everyone will laugh at you, your parents will disown you, and you’ll be exiled from the village,” Burst replied matter-of-factly.

Kayn stared at him in disbelief, unsure whether to laugh or feel worse. The response was so absurd it seemed straight out of a novel.

“Did you get that from the book I lent you?” he asked, surprised that his friend had read beyond the title. Normally, Burst gave up before finishing the prologue.

“Maybe…” Burst admitted with a mischievous grin. “But seriously, don’t worry. Trust that everything will turn out fine. What’s meant to happen will happen.”

“Yeah, well, I’d prefer what happens to be getting a guardian.”

Noticing his unease, Lyra stepped closer.

“Burst’s right,” she added gently, though it seemed to pain her to admit it.

“Hey!”

“And besides, I’m sure you’ll bond with a guardian,” she continued, ignoring Burst’s protest. “Knowing you, I can’t imagine there being a guardian that wouldn’t want to bond with you.”

“Thanks, Lyra. I guess I’m overthinking it.”

“It’s normal to be nervous. I can’t stop thinking about what’ll happen when it’s my turn either.”

“Lyra Borealis,” Rolland’s deep voice called.

Lyra felt a shiver run down her spine as her name echoed through the plaza. She turned her gaze toward the pedestal, her normally lively eyes wide with anxiety. Despite her earlier confidence, she, too, felt incredibly nervous.

“What’s wrong?” Burst teased, stepping closer to catch her expression. “Lost your confidence already?”

“Shut up!” she retorted, her cheeks flushing red.

She clutched her chest, trying to steady her racing heart. Her legs trembled as if the ground beneath her were unsteady. Seeing her distress, Burst stopped teasing, and Kayn stepped forward.

“Don’t worry. Everything will be fine,” he said with a reassuring smile.

Lyra looked up, meeting Kayn’s gaze. The warmth in his eyes calmed her, if only for a moment. She took a deep breath, feeling her breathing steady.

“Thank you,” she said with a radiant smile that nearly blinded Kayn. “Well, I’d better go now.”

“Good luck!” Kayn and Burst called out in unison.

Lyra nodded and turned, walking through the crowd of young candidates who parted to let her through. The murmurs quieted until only her footsteps on the cobblestones could be heard.

While Kayn was distracted, Burst elbowed him, making him stumble slightly.

“Well done,” Burst said with a sly grin.

“Well, she helped me too,” Kayn replied. “It’s normal for us to be nervous. After all, today’s a big day.”

“I’m perfectly fine,” Burst declared, thumping his chest.

“I’d like to see you when they call your name.”

Kayn turned his attention back to Lyra, watching as she gently placed her hand on the orb, waiting for it to react. Suddenly, Burst’s voice sounded beside him.

“So… when are you going to tell her you like her?”

Kayn spun to face his friend, caught off guard by the abrupt question. He stared at Burst for a moment, unsure how to react. Burst’s mischievous grin only heightened his discomfort. A blush quickly spread across Kayn’s cheeks, betraying his attempt at indifference.

“Shut up,” he muttered, turning his face away to hide his embarrassment.

“Oh, come on. Why is it so hard for you?” Burst pressed. “You’ve been in love with her for years. Don’t you think it’s time to tell her?”

“It’s complicated,” Kayn murmured, unable to hide his blush. “She’d probably reject me, and… I don’t want to lose her as a friend. You get that, right?”

“Sure,” Burst replied, rolling his eyes. “It’s not like she’s constantly finding excuses to be around you. You’re just too dense to notice sometimes. I think she’s waiting for you to make the first move.”

“And what makes you think that?”

“Lyra’s always energetic and smiling, but sometimes when she’s with you, she gets a little shy,” Burst said. Before Kayn could respond, he added, “And do I need to remind you about what happened in the forest?”

Kayn clicked his tongue, tired of his friend’s teasing. He turned his gaze back to the pedestal, where Lyra was in the middle of her bonding test.

A few seconds later, the orb reacted. First, it shone with an intense blue light before softening to a pale blue. Lyra closed her eyes, focusing deeply to establish a bond with her assigned guardian. The air around her changed—a cold breeze materialized from nowhere, lifting her silver hair gently. Small snowflakes danced around her. She inhaled deeply and, with a clear and firm voice, called out the name that resonated in her soul.

“Frost!”

The snow swirling around her condensed in her hands, spinning until it took the form of a small white wolf. Its fur gleamed like freshly fallen snow, and an ice crystal adorned its forehead, mirrored in parts of its body. The guardian blinked, shaking its head softly before looking up to meet Lyra’s tender gaze.

Lyra smiled and stroked the wolf’s fur, feeling the warmth it emanated despite its frosty appearance. The guardian tilted its head, emitting a soft sound that filled her heart with affection.

After bowing respectfully to Rolland, Lyra descended the pedestal with light steps. Frost rested comfortably in her arms. When she reached her friends, she lifted the small guardian toward them, her eyes sparkling with joy.

“Look! Isn’t it adorable?” she exclaimed, hugging the little wolf enthusiastically. “It’s the best guardian I could’ve asked for.”

Kayn extended a hand timidly, gently placing it on the wolf’s head. Its fur was incredibly soft, softer than anything he’d ever touched. Feeling the contact, Frost let out a playful growl and licked Kayn’s fingers, drawing a smile from him.

“Not bad, but let’s see how strong it is,” Burst chimed in, locking eyes with the wolf.

“Here we go with battles again,” Lyra murmured, rolling her eyes and letting out a sigh.

“Well, that’s what guardians are for, right? It’s thanks to them that binders are so powerful,” Burst replied, turning to Kayn. “Don’t you think so too?”

Kayn blinked, surprised by the sudden question. Lyra’s expectant gaze only added to the pressure.

“Well…”

“Not everything in life is about fighting, Burst,” Lyra protested, sparing Kayn from answering. “And for now, I’m ahead of you.”

“You’ll see. My guardian will be incredible.”

“Sure, sure…”

Kayn watched the scene unfold in silence. As they bantered, his mind kept circling back to the same thought: his own turn was drawing closer. As the other students took their tests.