Chapter 32 : Chapter 32
Chapter 32 : Summoning
Ryan woke in a comfort he had never experienced before.
The moment his consciousness returned, the first thing he noticed was the long-forgotten lightness in his body. Every muscle seemed to have received proper rest and relief, and even his mind felt clearer.
The lingering tension and fatigue from last night’s fierce duel seemed to have been gently smoothed away by an invisible pair of hands.
He opened his eyes and saw the familiar ceiling of his room.
His memory slowly connected.
Last night… it seemed his little maid had been giving him a massage.
Somewhere in the middle of it, with his head resting on that soft, fragrant warmth, his consciousness had simply sunk away.
So massages were actually this comfortable?
It seemed that the maid who had taught Cosette those things had indeed passed on some practical techniques.
Ryan lifted the blanket and sat up. Just as he was about to get out of bed, his movement paused slightly. Looking down, he noticed that he was no longer wearing the clothes he had returned from the training hall in yesterday—those clothes had carried traces of dust and sweat. Instead, he was dressed in a clean set of home clothes.
Yesterday’s coat had been carefully hung on the clothes rack in the corner of the room, its wrinkles smoothed flat.
There was no need to guess who had done that.
He looked toward the window. The sky was already bright, just about the usual time he woke up each day. Stretching his body, his joints gave a few light cracking sounds. He indeed felt lighter than he usually did when waking up.
The faint aroma of food reached his nose.
When he stepped out of the bedroom, he saw the small figure busily moving around in front of the desk.
Cosette stood with her back toward him, carefully arranging the breakfast she had bought from the dining hall—soft bread, warm oatmeal porridge, and a small plate of fried eggs—neatly on the polished tabletop.
The morning sunlight gave the slender outline of her back a soft glow.
Hearing movement behind her, Cosette turned around.
The moment she saw Ryan, her hazel eyes lit up instantly. A healthy flush appeared on her cheeks, and the corners of her lips curved upward into an obvious smile.
“Master, you’re awake!” Her voice was bright and cheerful.
“Mm.” Ryan nodded, his gaze lingering for a brief moment on her face, which looked noticeably more excited than usual.
This little one seemed to be in an especially good mood today.
He did not think much about it and turned to wash up.
By the time he returned to the desk after cleaning himself, Cosette had already arranged the bowls and utensils and was standing obediently at the side. Her fingers absentmindedly traced circles on her apron, but her eyes kept drifting toward him. They sparkled brightly, as if two tiny stars were hidden inside them.
The breakfast was ordinary, yet Ryan felt that the oatmeal porridge today seemed to have been cooked especially well, and the edges of the fried egg were particularly crisp.
Perhaps it was just his imagination.
After breakfast, Ryan changed into his academy uniform and prepared to head to today’s practice location.
Before leaving, he glanced at Cosette, who was cleaning up the dishes. She hummed an off-key little tune, her movements light and lively like a small bird in the forest.
“Continue practicing your reading today. Do not slack off,” he said as usual.
“Yes, Master!” Cosette turned around and nodded vigorously, her smile dazzlingly bright.
Ryan stepped out the door. Although a trace of confusion lingered in his heart, his thoughts were soon occupied by anticipation for the new day’s course.
Today’s practice experience was held at the Spirit Whisper Garden in the northwest corner of the academy.
It was an open courtyard surrounded by low white stone walls. Several ancient stone altars stood at its center, while many strange plants that emitted faint glowing light grew around them. The air carried an indescribable atmosphere, as if countless invisible eyes were watching.
The topic of today’s lecture was—
Summoning and Contract Magic.
The instructor responsible for the lecture was a tall and thin middle-aged female mentor wearing a robe embroidered with symbols of stars and moons. Her voice was ethereal and calm.
“The Summoning school is the study of establishing connections and bonds with existences beyond the world, within the elements, and even within concepts themselves. It does not stand alone; rather, it is compatible with any path you choose to pursue.”
Her gaze swept across the curious yet somewhat timid students of the beginner division.
“A warrior may form a pact with heroic spirits. A mage may command elemental spirits. Even an alchemist may call forth mirror servants.”
“However,” she continued, “those who specialize in this path must devote their mind and effort to expanding the gateway, stabilizing contracts, and nurturing their companions. For them, summoned beings are not servants or tools. They are partners in battle, extensions of one’s strength and one’s path.”
In simple terms, one could occasionally summon a helper as a side skill, or dedicate oneself entirely to becoming a “summoner,” placing everything on their summoned companions.
The content of the practice experience was relatively basic and safe.
Under the guidance and protection of the instructor, the students would attempt to establish a brief connection using the simplest contract runes with the academy’s tamed and lowest-tier harmless creature—the “Luminous Fluff Spirit,” a tiny floating lifeform that glowed like drifting dandelion seeds.
The goal was to experience the subtle resonance of Mana.
For Ryan, this was something new.
In the original owner’s memories, the Summoning school had barely been explored, and this was Ryan’s first time encountering it himself.
Following the instructions, he infused his Mana into the simple contract array carved into the stone slab before him. Focusing his mind, he sensed the floating specks of gentle light drifting through the air.
The process was smoother than expected.
Very quickly, he captured the attention of a “Luminous Fluff Spirit” that seemed somewhat curious about his Mana. A faint but clear connection formed, and the tiny glowing speck drifted slowly down onto his fingertip, bringing with it a cool and comfortable sensation.
【Behavior: Attempting a Basic Summoning Contract】
【Direct Outcome Probability: Probability of successfully establishing a stable, short-term connection with the target Luminous Fluff Spirit ≈ 92%】
Almost at the exact moment the connection formed, the Eye of Probability gave a nearly certain confirmation.
Ryan looked at the obedient glowing little creature resting on his fingertip.
He felt no particular excitement.
Success?
Was that not only natural?
The little thing’s consciousness was as simple as a cup of plain water. With the slightest release of friendly Mana, it simply drifted over on its own.
On the podium, the ethereal instructor continued explaining patiently.
“The Luminous Fluff Spirit at your fingertips is one of the most basic forms of elemental life. The essence of Summoning Magic lies in establishing equal and mutually beneficial contractual relationships with intelligent beings like these.”
Her gaze passed across the young faces before her.
“This contractual system has been passed down for thousands of years. Its core lies in partnership, not enslavement. Respecting and caring for your contracted companions is the foundation of this path.”
With a wave of her sleeve, several phantom images of common summoned creatures appeared in the air.
“There are countless types of summoned beings. Elemental spirits—such as the Luminous Fluff you hold—are beloved by many mages as supportive companions. They can enhance magic of specific attributes or perform simple elemental manipulation. Stronger elemental spirits can even condense temporary physical forms.”
The phantoms shifted, transforming into images of various magical beasts.
“Summoners who specialize in this path, however, tend to contract magical beasts with physical bodies. They strengthen and assist their contracted partners with their own Mana, forming a unique combat system.”
The instructor’s tone remained gentle.
“Of course, the number and strength of contracts a person can maintain are limited by their spiritual power and talent. It is not without bounds.”