The next day arrived.
At the Mystic Gold Academy, the grand hall buzzed with excitement. The walls were lined with murals of legendary beasts—some noble, others terrifying—and intricate sigils that shimmered faintly with mana. Students from nearby villages had gathered here for the long-awaited Awakening Ceremony.
Alex stood among them with his two childhood friends—Sophia, a tomboyish girl with fiery eyes, and Max, a tall, muscle-brained guy who always looked ready for a fight. All three of them were from Hanging Cloud Village, and like most of the kids here, they dreamed of becoming Seekers.
"I wonder what beast I'll get," Max said, cracking his knuckles with excitement.
"I just hope mine's powerful," Sophia muttered, brushing her short hair aside. "Maybe even an offensive type."
Alex smiled faintly. He shared their excitement, though part of him was more curious than nervous. After all, this would be his first real test in this new world.
At the center of the hall stood a massive crystalline structure—the Spirit-Seeking Crystal. It shimmered like a captured star, pulsing with soft golden light. This crystal served as the bridge between the mortal world and the Mystic Plane, the realm where countless beasts resided.
When a student touched it, their soul resonated with a compatible beast from that plane—forming a bond. Unlike wild monsters, Mystic Beasts were intelligent and capable of forming deep connections with humans. Once the bond was made, the beast's power flowed into its partner, becoming the human's core—the very source of their strength and mana.
This was why Seekers called their bonded beast their heart. If a Mystic Beast died, its Seeker didn't die physically—but their path of growth would be forever severed, leaving them powerless to advance.
For most Seekers, their first bond would define their entire life. Their strength, their destiny, even their future battles.
And today, that destiny was about to be decided.
As the excited murmurs filled the hall, the lights dimmed. A moment later, a woman in flowing golden robes stepped onto the stage. Her silver hair shimmered like starlight, and her presence alone made the air feel heavier with mana.
She was Headmistress Eloria, the principal of Mystic Gold Academy and one of the most respected Seekers in the region. The crowd instantly quieted as her calm yet powerful voice echoed across the chamber.
"Students of the Mystic Gold Academy," she began, her tone steady but warm, "today marks the beginning of your true journey."
Her gaze swept over the gathered students—hundreds of them, each filled with anticipation, fear, and hope.
"From this day onward, you will no longer walk as mere learners. You stand on the threshold of becoming Seekers—those who walk alongside Mystic Beasts and explore the unknown edges of our world. But remember—power without purpose is hollow, and strength without heart brings only ruin."
A soft murmur ran through the hall. Eloria smiled faintly, folding her hands before her.
"The bond you will form today is not a tool. It is a trust—a connection between souls. Your Mystic Beast will share your path, your burdens, your victories, and your pain. To mistreat that bond is to destroy your own foundation."
She paused, letting her words sink in before continuing.
"Many of you dream of glory, wealth, or power. And yes, such things may await those who prove worthy. But a Seeker's true calling is not conquest—it is discovery. To seek knowledge, protect the innocent, and uncover the mysteries that bind our worlds together."
For a heartbeat, her golden eyes glowed faintly as her mana pulsed through the hall, stirring the Spirit-Seeking Crystal at the center. Its light brightened, responding to her presence.
"Now," she said at last, her voice softening, "step forward one by one. Let the crystal judge your heart and awaken the partner destined to walk beside you."
The moment she said those words, a faint hum filled the air. The Spirit-Seeking Crystal flared, scattering shimmering threads of light across the hall like falling stars.
Students began lining up nervously. Some whispered prayers, others clenched their fists, their eyes filled with determination.
Alex exhaled slowly and glanced at Sophia and Max.
"Well," Max said, cracking a grin, "guess it's time to see who gets the cooler partner."
Sophia smirked. "Bet mine's going to be a dragon."
Alex chuckled under his breath. "Yeah, sure. And I'll probably get a slime or something."
They laughed softly as the line inched forward—each step bringing them closer to fate.
The students were called forward according to their academy ranks. The rankings weren't determined by luck or social standing—they were based entirely on academic scores, performance in magical theory, and practical tests. Combat skill, magical potential, and knowledge of Mystic Beasts all contributed to the final score.
Alex glanced at the list. He had scored 11th among others in his class—respectable, but not extraordinary. Max was farther down at 49th, barely above the lowest-ranked students. Sophia, on the other hand, had earned 1st place in the class. She practically radiated confidence as the announcement came:
"Student number one—Sophia!"
The hall erupted with polite applause. Sophia gave a small bow and strode forward, her tomboyish grin firmly in place. She approached the Spirit-Seeking Crystal with ease, her every step exuding confidence.
Next, the other students lined up according to rank, each waiting nervously for their turn. Some whispered prayers to unseen gods, others flexed their fingers or muttered encouragement to themselves.
Alex sighed quietly. 11th rank. Not bad, but it meant he'd have to wait a while before touching the crystal. He could only watch as Sophia's turn approached, followed by students ranked 2nd, 3rd, and onward, the tension in the hall steadily building.
Max groaned next to him. "Guess I'll be last… again."
"Don't complain," Alex muttered. "You're still ahead of the bottom tier."
Max rolled his eyes. "Barely."
Meanwhile, Sophia's hand hovered over the crystal, ready to claim her partner. Alex's curiosity burned—he wondered what she will get and more so what he will get.