The thought was a cold heavy stone in Coker's stomach as he stand in the crowded village square. Today was Summoning Day. The day that would make him a hero or a zero. All around him, the other sixteen-year-olds buzzed with nervous excitement, but Coker could only feel a deep, chilling dread. This was his one chance to become what he has long dreamt of a( Hunter), to matter, and he was also terrified he could end up with nothing.
One by one, his friends and peers stepped up to the ancient stone altar to call forth their destiny. Liana went first. She placed her hands on the cool stone and closed her eyes. A brilliant silver light showed for few seconds, and when it faded, a sleek serpent with sparks dancing on its fangs hovered beside her. The crowd gasped in approval a Storm-serpent was a strong summon. Next was Joren. Confident as always, he touched the altar and a deep red light flared. From it emerged a hulking beast with skin of cracked rock and fists smoldering with fire a Magma Hound. The villagers cheered even louder.
Then, the Elder called his name. "Coker"
His legs was more heavier when he's walking forward, This was it. He placed his trembling hands on the altar, pouring all his hope into it. He prayed for something strong a wolf, a hawk, anything that could fight. A light glowed under his palms, but it was weak and sputtering. It flickered pathetically and died. Sitting on the stone was a small, translucent, wobbly blob
A slime.
The square fell into a dead, crushing silence.
Then, a single snicker broke the quiet. It was followed by another, and then the entire crowd erupted into roaring, mocking laughter. People pointed, clutching their stomachs as tears streamed down their faces.
Coker's face burned with a shame so deep he wanted to disappear. The Elder looked down at him, his expression cold and stern. "Summoner Class: Null. Summoned Entity: Slime," he declared, his voice cutting through the noise. "Threat Level: Zero Stars. The path of the Hunter is closed to you."
The words were a death sentence. Coker could only stare at the pathetic slime, the laughter ringing in his ears, his dream in ruins. They had all seen it. He was a Zero-Star Summoner.
Coker couldn't move. He stood frozen by the altar, he was staring on the small, jelly-like creature that had ruined his life. It moved slightly, as if feeling his shame.
"Step aside, boy," the Elder said, his voice devoid of any warmth. "You are blocking the way for those with real futures."
The command broke the spell holding Coker. His cheeks flaming, he moved back from the altar, nearly tripping over his own feet. The crowd makes way for him, but not respectfully. They moved away as if his failure were a disease they might catch. He clutched the small slime to his chest, trying to hide it from their sight, but its soft, cool form felt like a brand of humiliation.
He found his parents in the crowd. His mother's face was pale, her hand over her mouth. Her eyes were wide with shock, but worse than that, they were filled with a deep, aching pity. His father wouldn't even look at him. He just stared at the ground, his shoulders slumped in defeat. Their disappointment was a physical weight on Coker's back, heavier than any burden he'd ever carried.
The rest of the summoning ceremony continued as if he didn't exist. More lights flashed, more creatures appeared, and more cheers echoed through the square. Coker stood at the edge of it all, completely invisible. He was already a ghost.
When the last summon was called, the Elder addressed the crowd again, but his eyes flickered toward Coker. "The strong will begin their training to become Hunters, the protectors of our village. They have made us proud." His gaze hardened as it landed fully on Coker. "The weak... must find their place elsewhere. We cannot have a Zero-Star Summoner bringing shame to our Hunter's Guild. Or endangering others with his... presence."
The message was clear. There was no place for him here. Not anymore.
After the crowd began to disperse, the Elder approached Coker and his parents. He didn't look angry, just stern and final, like a judge passing a sentence. "Your son cannot stay," the Elder said to Coker's father, his tone leaving no room for argument. "The ridicule will never end. It will poison the village's spirit. And his... thing... is a danger to no one but his own future."
"Where will he go?" Coker's mother asked, her voice trembling.
"There is a smithing town, a day's walk from here. Ironhaven. They are always in need of strong backs for manual labor. Even he can carry water and haul ore." The Elder pulled a rolled-up piece of rough parchment from his robe and held it out. It was a crude, hand-drawn map. "He leaves at dawn tomorrow. This will guide him."
Coker's father finally looked up. He took the map from the Elder, his fingers tightening around the paper until his knuckles turned white. He didn't look at his son. He just gave a single, sharp nod.
That night, no one in their small house spoke. The silence was heavier than any noise. Coker packed a small bag with a loaf of bread, a wedge of cheese, and a waterskin. He folded his one spare tunic. He didn't have much.
He looked at the slime, which he had placed in a wooden bowl on the floor. It jiggled softly. He felt a surge of anger so hot it made his eyes water. Because of you, he thought, his hands curling into fists. All because of you.
But the anger vanished as quickly as it came, leaving only a hollow emptiness. It wasn't the slime's fault. It was his. He was the failure.
As the first light of dawn painted the sky grey, Coker stood by the village gate. His mother hugged him tightly, her tears wet on his shoulder. His father stood a few steps back. He finally met Coker's eyes and placed a hand on his shoulder. It was a brief, heavy touch. It wasn't forgiveness, but it was the closest thing to goodbye he could offer.
Without a word, Coker turned and walked away from Oakhaven. He didn't look back. The crude map was tucked in his belt, and the small, quivering slime was hidden in the pocket of his cloak.
He was a Zero-Star Summoner. An outcast. His dream was dead. And the path ahead was long, lonely, and leading to a life of hard labor.
He had never felt more alone.
And so Coker's true journey begins! What did you think of his first real test? A slime that can eat anything... what could possibly go wrong? 😉
Thank you so much for reading the first chapters of The Zero-Star Summoner! I hope you're hooked. If you are, please don't forget to add the story to your library and vote with a Power Stone! Your support helps more than you know.
See you in the next chapter!