Suddenly, the blood sigil drawn on the ground began to move and twist like a living creature, gathering together and erasing all traces of itself as it flowed toward Ares, who was holding the phoenix egg in his hand.
Ares saw it, but he felt nothing—for this was the final step to completing the contract.
The blood began to creep onto Ares's body like gleaming red serpents, slowly slithering upward and leaving behind a cold, sticky sensation on his skin. He closed his eyes calmly, sensing the trail of blood as it made its way toward his heart and the phoenix egg in his hands.
Ares did not move. He remained still, like a statue carved of stone. Silence engulfed the chamber, broken only by the sound of his steady breathing. Moonlight slipped through the window, reflecting off his bare body and the blood covering it, making the scene resemble a solemn ritual.
Slowly, around his heart, blood chains began to take shape, interlocking like eternal locks, while at the same time glowing crimson lines appeared on the phoenix egg's shell.
Ares suddenly opened his eyes, and in them shone a deep violet gleam that glittered under the moonlight. He felt a bond pulsing between him and the phoenix egg, alive and warm. The sensation was gentle and refreshing, like sitting before a campfire on a cold night. Along with it, he realized the chaotic energy in his body had become denser. With training, he would soon be able to create a new world, rising to a higher level.
A faint smile touched his lips as he whispered:
"This… feels wonderful…"
He ran his finger across the egg's surface, from which a tender warmth emanated, sending a light shiver through his body. Then, he murmured softly:
"Well then… I suppose it's time to practice the Creation Meditation Technique."
He sat cross-legged, cradling the phoenix egg in his hands, channeling chaotic energy into it while meditating. His goal was to train his body to condense energy quickly while also nourishing the egg.
Closing his eyes, he merged with the world until his presence disappeared entirely—no shadow, no sound of breath. At that moment, the mana around him began to flow toward him as if drawn into a black hole. Strangely, it offered no resistance; instead, it surged toward him with eager enthusiasm, as though it longed for him.
Had Ares opened his eyes, he would have seen his room glowing with radiant colors, dancing around him like small tongues of flame in celebration. With each breath he took, the mana transformed into pure chaotic energy, coursing through his blood and vessels. Heat rushed through his veins, feeding his cells, strengthening his muscles, hardening his bones, and toughening his skin until it gleamed. Even his mind felt sharper, his inner vision expanding, and his heart beat with renewed power as new energy pathways opened within his body.
Every part of him was evolving.
In his spiritual sea, Ares found himself floating in a transparent form, watching the chaotic energy flow through him, nourishing him like an eternal river.
In awe, he muttered:
"Chaotic energy is truly incredible… with every meditation, with every absorption, it reshapes and strengthens my body. But… I think I've only touched a single drop of its vast ocean."
As he pondered, seeking a deeper understanding of this power, he suddenly sensed another presence manifesting in his spiritual sea. Shock struck him when he saw the phoenix egg appear at its center, glowing like a small star, devouring chaotic energy with hunger.
His heartbeat quickened, and his voice trembled:
"What's happening?! Why is the egg here… in my spiritual sea?"
Ares was deeply shaken, for this place was the core of his soul—the very foundation of life for every knight or mage. Then, a thought crossed his mind:
"Could it be… because it's a spiritual creature? And due to the equal contract, it was able to enter my sea so easily?"
The possibility seemed reasonable, but he felt there was something missing in his understanding.
"Chaotic energy… perhaps that's the key… but how?"
He could not find the answer. Yet the egg's presence filled his chest with joy. Since it posed no threat—in fact, it seemed to be thriving—he decided not to dwell on it for now.
---
The next morning, the sun rose to announce the start of a new day, and Heart City bustled with life like a machine running at full capacity. It was the most important day for many, as their children would enter the best academy.
Vendors raised their voices louder than usual to advertise their goods, while the scent of freshly baked bread mingled with the warmth of ovens, blending with the sound of footsteps and the clang of hammers in the blacksmiths' workshops that filled the streets. Even the dark alleys, which rarely saw light, were breathing with life as families flowed toward the academy for their children's entrance exam.
Ares walked calmly toward the academy, his eyes observing the crowded streets filled with young men and women who had also taken the test. Tension and fear were etched on their faces at the thought of failure.
It wasn't long before he reached the academy gates, where a large wooden sign hung with a long paper listing the names of those who had passed and their assigned classes. Ares stood for a moment, glancing around in search of Kai and Kira, but saw no sign of them.
He exhaled lightly and muttered under his breath:
"Looks like they're not here…"
He extended his hand to check the list and find his class, but suddenly noticed someone approaching. As his gaze focused, recognition struck—it was Bain, whom he had met on the registration day.
Bain approached with confident steps, a broad smile shining under the morning light. He extended his hand for a handshake and spoke with vibrant energy:
"Haha! I didn't expect that nervous boy from last week to end up ranking first in the academy!"
Ares clasped his hand calmly and gave a small smile in return.
"Haha… just luck."
Bain chuckled and shook his head.
"Just as I thought—you're really humble, unlike some people…"
But in the tone of his last words, a trace of resentment and hidden anger slipped through the smile.
Ares raised his brow slightly and asked with mild curiosity:
"So, what brings you here?"
With a faint smile, Bain pulled a small letter from his pocket.
"To give you this note about your class assignment, and also to show you where to collect your academy uniform."
Ares accepted the letter with a nod of thanks, then opened it to see the words written in formal script:
[To Mr. Ares, welcome to Heart Academy. We hope you shine even brighter. Your class number is 9.]
After carefully folding the letter, he cast one last glance at the hanging list before following Bain toward the place where the academy uniforms were distributed.
…
Quickly, he changed into the academy uniform.
The academy attire consisted of a long coat reaching mid-thigh, crafted from soft wool that carried a faint clean fragrance, elegant in its base color, with golden embroidery along the cuffs and edges that glimmered under the sunlight like tiny sparks. His fingers brushed against the polished metal buttons engraved with the academy's emblem—a heart pierced by a small lightning bolt—which clicked softly as he fastened them.
His dark, fitted trousers clung snugly to his legs, practical and flexible for movement and training. Around his waist, he secured a fine leather belt, its metallic clasp gleaming with the same emblem. His tall leather boots, reaching up to the knees, had been carefully polished so that the light reflected off them like small mirrors, each step producing a faint creak that matched the sharpness of his appearance.
Over his right shoulder draped a slightly heavy red cloak, embroidered with the number (1) in raised golden threads.
____
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