This was my first day away from my family's eyes. My first day of freedom.
Today I learned much more about this place and its limitations.
Nobody traced me back for that prank with the map this afternoon. They didn't notice?
Yes, they didn't. At least not at the time, because I was very careful.
Csendez slowly rubbed her thumb over the black ring on her finger, feeling its smooth surface while staring at the ceiling.
If it weren't for the principal being only a projection, he would have caught me. Unfortunately for them… The teachers were too far away from both me and the maps. They couldn't sense the change in energy or trace it back to me.
After that, I carefully adjusted every mark on the maps. None of the false destinations were too far from the real ones.
I also dispelled my spell at exactly the right moment—not too early and not too late—so nobody had enough time to question the teachers or compare the directions.
Even if someone reported it now, it would already be too late. This type of spell doesn't leave traces that can be connected to its caster for very long. During that first hour they might have been able to find me.
Now it's impossible.
She closed her eyes for a brief moment before opening them again.
They don't use recording crystals inside the Grand Hall or the hallways. Those crystals interfere with the Academy's lighting and protection systems, so they can't function together.
That means there shouldn't be any evidence pointing toward me.
Some of my classmates should have already realized that the maps were under an illusion spell, but they probably couldn't prove who cast it—or simply didn't care enough.
I still have several good excuses… But maybe I should prepare another alibi.
May I use Uituba as a witness?
… No. Better not.
I still can't trust her completely, and I have the feeling that she might actually be the one person capable of proving I was responsible.
I acted suspiciously at one point.
Csendez shifted slightly on the sofa, resting one arm beneath her head while the other hung lazily over the edge. Her fingertips almost touched the floor.
I wasn't used to having someone constantly around me. That unexpected situation caught me unprepared. It won't happen again.
To summarize...
This Academy relies almost entirely on these Koutiuls to monitor students.
Ha.
Her gaze slowly fell toward the black ring resting on her left index finger.
She had specifically requested a ring when filling out the admission form, which was also why she wore fingerless gloves.
What a convenient way of controlling others. If it weren't for my dreams, I would never have imagined such a horrifying form of power over weaker beings.
I need to continue with my plan.
This Koutiul… No. This young Damionus...is my first step.
This Academy truly is something.
That saying is so true: "Idealistic leaders are the easiest to manipulate."
If someone with bad intentions got their hands on one of these young Damionus...they could provoke a disaster throughout the entire universe.
Yet look at the situation now. One is in my hand.
Three hundred and fifty-nine others have been distributed among the students.
Her fingers stopped moving across the ring.
But… That also means something else.
The teacher mentioned the real reason behind the current peace.
Could that be why they're now giving Damionus to the younger generation?
Is that threat truly so dangerous?
Has it grown stronger over the last three hundred years?
Is it really that serious? If that's true ...then every race agreeing to send their children here, despite centuries of hatred and racial conflict, suddenly makes much more sense.
The Academy was built only two hundred and fifty years ago, yet every race accepted it.
That's unrealistic.
No… Impossible.
Thousands of years of conflict cannot disappear within half a century. Even a thousand years would be too short for that.
So… Something is forcing this cooperation.
Her eyes wandered toward the large window. Darkness had already swallowed the island. Outside, the forest was bathed in the pale light of the celestial body hanging in the sky
Our family residence has only been on that planet for about a century. They couldn't fool me. Those buildings weren't old enough.
Which means the phoenixes have probably been traveling much farther—or much more often—than they admit.
Is that one of the reasons the Damionus conquered those inferior worlds?
...
No.
First I need more information. If I dream about that subject again tonight...
No.
First I need to confirm something.
After a long silence, Csendez slowly raised her left hand and looked directly at the black ring. Then she spoke calmly.
"Reveal yourself. We need to talk."
[Yes, Host.]
A voice echoed inside her mind.
Is it inside my head? No.
It's a mental transmission.
A small sphere of light floated out of the ring before gently descending onto the floor. The light slowly condensed into the shape of a tiny bird. At first glance it looked alive, but a closer look revealed that every feather resembled carefully sculpted wax.
[How can I help you?]
The texture of the voice was strange. It sounded mechanical, yet there was still a trace of emotion hidden within it.
This is a very young Damionus. Let's test this...
"What should I call you?" she asked naturally.
The little bird tilted its head.
[Call me...?]
It remained silent for a brief moment before answering.
[Number 789002LH. I am your Koutiul, a guide for your studies at the Academy. A tool that will help you become stronger.]
...
Interesting. He repeated my question before answering. That means he wasn't expecting it. And that answer… It sounded memorized. A default response.
Csendez rested her chin on one hand while continuing to observe the small bird.
"How old are you?"
The Damionus blinked.
[...Old?]
Another pause.
[I opened my mind only one week ago. Host, please be assured... I only serve you. Only you. I obey all the rules... I am a good child.]
...
One week...
God...
Have those old leaders completely lost their minds? They sent children to children. Even if Damionus mature differently… One week is still one week.
They should at least spend several years learning before being assigned to someone.
Her expression remained unchanged, though her fingers lightly tapped against the armrest.
This is good for me… But… What in the sunlight is happening in this universe?
"Little one, don't be nervous."
The bird immediately looked toward her.
"I look forward to working together."
A short silence followed.
"But first, I need to tell you one thing."
The little bird nodded enthusiastically. Csendez's expression became serious. The sudden change made the Damionus stiffen.
"You will have only one master." Another pause.
"Me. Not the principal. Not the Academy. Not the Alocanai. Not even the Alpha System. You are mine now."
The little bird completely froze. Its eyes suddenly flickered between red and blue.
Internal conflict… I expected that. This one is simply too young. An older Damionus could probably deal with this contradiction immediately.
One without proper education… Not so easily.
Damionus are a very unusual race. They are considered both the strongest and the weakest race in existence. Alone, they can do almost nothing. Together with a host, they become invaluable. They survive by living inside another being—not as parasites that steal, but as ones that only give.
They simply need a body they can call home. The Alpha System is said to be the origin of their race. A gigantic living network that gathers information from every Damionus in the universe. Every Damionus is one of its children.
They are raised, assigned to hosts and sent across the universe to collect knowledge.
At least… That's what our parents always told us. But according to my dreams...
Reality is completely different. They conquer worlds. They erase races that aren't suitable hosts. I don't need a spy beside me.
I need a useful partner who listens only to me.
If my dreams are correct… Then this situation is even more favorable than I first believed. This young Damionus possesses only a few fundamental rules.
Rules that can probably be rewritten through logic alone.
"Wasn't our contract clear?" Csendez asked calmly. "It says that you belong to me. That you'll remain with me for the rest of my life."
She leaned forward slightly, keeping her eyes fixed on the little bird.
"If that's true...Then I am your only master. A moment ago, you said that you serve only me. Wasn't that your answer?"
The Damionus lowered its head.
[crss... ssf... You are my host... my host is... master... Alpha Sys... Sys...]
The little bird trembled as if two thoughts were colliding inside its mind. Csendez remained silent for a moment before speaking again.
"Your rules say that you must send information to the Alpha System. But I don't think they say you must betray your host."
She tilted her head slightly.
"Am I wrong? Will you betray me?"
The little bird's eyes flickered again.
[srg... You are my master... Alpha System is my... my... creator...]
"Yes." Csendez nodded. "My parents also created me. That doesn't mean I must obey them forever. We both came to this Academy to become ourselves. Isn't that why you're here too? Or are you still connected to the Alpha System?"
The Damionus remained silent for several seconds.
[No... There is no connection to the main system... This school... is for me too...?]
Exactly. They made a mistake. They sent an immature system capable of independent reasoning.
"This Academy exists for every young generation. You're part of the younger generation of the Damionus race. You also need to learn. You also need someone to understand. Am I not that person?"
The little bird looked at her with wide eyes.
[This... is my school too?]
"Yes. You're just as free as I am. You're no longer bound by your family's expectations. This is a new beginning for you as well."
The Damionus lowered its head.
[I... am free...]
"Free." Csendez smiled faintly. "You and I can become partners. We'll grow stronger together. And together we'll find a way to remain free forever."
The little bird looked up again.
[Partners...]