"Ow…" Noel rubbed the top of his head, glaring at the small iron sphere now rolling across the floor like it had a personal vendetta. "Perfect. First Mirelle's cryptic nonsense, now I'm getting assaulted by my own training gear."
He leaned down to pick it up—but before his fingers touched the ball, a faint chime echoed through the room.
Ding.
Noel froze. The sound was unmistakable. A soft blue glow spread across the air in front of him as translucent letters began to take shape.
[Familiar Evolution Complete.]
[Shadow Wolf (Noir) — Rank Ascendant.]
For a moment, Noel's mind went blank. His breath hitched halfway through his throat, and his eyes widened as if afraid to blink in case it disappeared.
"…Noir?" he whispered, barely believing the word leaving his mouth.
A shadow rippled beneath his feet, spreading outward across the floor like ink in water. The temperature in the room dropped a few degrees, and the faint scent of ozone filled the air.
