The Familiar Class

After her peaceful interlude in the garden, Lumi made her way to the next class on her schedule: Familiar Summoning. This was one of the most anticipated classes for first-year students at Oberon Academy. It was in this class that students would learn to summon and bond with a magical creature that would serve as their companion and help them harness their powers. Lumi was curious about what kind of familiar she might summon, though she maintained her usual calm demeanor as she approached the classroom.

The Familiar Summoning classroom was located in a different part of the academy, in a building that had an almost ancient feel to it. The stone walls were covered in ivy, and the wooden door was intricately carved with images of various magical creatures—dragons, phoenixes, and other fantastical beasts. As Lumi stepped inside, she was greeted by the sight of a large, circular room with a high ceiling and wide, open spaces. The room was designed to accommodate the powerful magic that would be unleashed within it.

Several other students were already gathered, chatting excitedly about the prospect of summoning their familiars. Lumi spotted June and Heath among the crowd, and they waved her over. As she joined them, she noticed that Heath was still as gruff as ever, though there was a hint of eagerness in his eyes as he glanced around the room.

"Finally, something practical," Heath muttered, crossing his arms over his broad chest. "I've been waiting for this class."

"Same here," June added, her cat-like ears twitching with excitement. "I can't wait to see what kind of familiar I'll get! What about you, Lumi? Are you excited?"

Lumi shrugged lightly. "I'm curious," she admitted. "But I'll just see what happens."

Before they could continue their conversation, the door at the front of the room opened, and a tall, imposing figure stepped inside. The professor who entered had a commanding presence, with sharp, hawk-like features and piercing green eyes that seemed to see right through the students. His dark hair was streaked with silver, and he wore a long, flowing robe adorned with symbols of various magical creatures.

"Welcome to Familiar Summoning," the professor said, his voice deep and resonant. "I am Professor Noctis, and it is my responsibility to guide you through one of the most significant rites of passage at Oberon Academy. The familiar you summon today will be more than just a companion; it will be an extension of your magic, a reflection of your soul."

He began to pace the room, his gaze sweeping over the students as he spoke. "Summoning a familiar is not a task to be taken lightly. The bond you form will be powerful and enduring, and it will shape your magical abilities for the rest of your life. Some of you may find that the familiar you summon aligns perfectly with your strengths and personality, while others may be surprised by what appears."

Professor Noctis stopped in the center of the room and raised his hand. "We will begin with a simple summoning circle. Each of you will step forward and inscribe the circle with your magic. The creature that responds to your call will be your familiar. Focus your mind, draw upon your inner strength, and let the magic guide you."

The students watched in anticipation as Professor Noctis demonstrated the process. With a wave of his hand, a shimmering circle of light appeared on the floor, glowing with a soft, ethereal energy. He then stepped back, gesturing for the first student to come forward.

One by one, the students approached the circle, each of them summoning their familiar with varying degrees of success. Some summoned small, timid creatures—rabbits, birds, or foxes—while others managed to call forth more powerful beings, such as wolves or even a small dragon. June's familiar was a sleek black panther with glowing green eyes, which seemed to suit her mischievous personality perfectly. Heath, true to his gruff nature, summoned a massive stone golem, its body crackling with embers of fire.

When it was Lumi's turn, she stepped forward calmly, her ice-blue eyes focused on the circle before her. She extended her hand, feeling the familiar chill of her ice magic as she began to inscribe the summoning circle. The air around her grew colder, the temperature dropping as frost formed on the ground beneath her feet. The circle glowed with a brilliant blue light, shimmering like the surface of a frozen lake.

For a moment, there was silence. Then, with a soft, almost melodic sound, the air within the circle shimmered, and a creature began to take shape. Lumi watched with quiet anticipation as the figure materialized, its form slowly becoming clear.

When the light faded, Lumi found herself face-to-face with a small, delicate creature that looked like a cross between a phoenix and an owl. Its feathers were a brilliant, icy blue, shimmering with frost, and its eyes were a deep, knowing silver. The creature's wings were tipped with ice, and as it moved, it left a trail of frost in its wake. The familiar let out a soft, melodic cry, its voice echoing like the wind over a frozen tundra.

Professor Noctis approached, his expression one of approval. "A frost phoenix," he said, his tone respectful. "A rare and powerful familiar, perfectly suited to your Blessing. It seems you have a strong connection with the ice element, Lumi."

Lumi gazed at the frost phoenix, feeling an immediate sense of kinship with the creature. The phoenix tilted its head, studying her with its silver eyes, and Lumi felt a warm, comforting presence in her mind. It was as if the familiar had already accepted her, recognizing her as its partner.

She extended her hand, and the phoenix fluttered onto her arm, its icy feathers brushing against her skin without causing discomfort. Lumi smiled softly, feeling the bond between them solidify. It was a strange feeling—powerful and yet gentle, like the first snowfall of winter.

June, who had been watching the summoning with wide eyes, grinned as she approached. "Lumi, that's amazing! Your familiar is beautiful!"

Heath, standing nearby with his stone golem at his side, nodded in approval. "Not bad," he grunted. "Looks like you've got yourself a powerful ally."

Lumi smiled, though her attention remained on the frost phoenix. "Thanks," she said simply. She could feel the phoenix's emotions through their bond—calm, protective, and deeply connected to the ice element that they shared.

Professor Noctis addressed the class once more. "Now that you have summoned your familiars, it is important to remember that these creatures are not merely tools. They are sentient beings with their own wills and personalities. Treat them with respect, and they will be loyal companions and powerful allies in your magical journey."

With the lesson complete, the students were dismissed, each of them leaving the classroom with their new familiars by their side. Lumi, June, and Heath walked together, their familiars following closely. The frost phoenix perched on Lumi's shoulder, its presence comforting and reassuring.

As they made their way to their next class, Lumi couldn't help but feel a sense of fulfillment. The day had been full of new experiences, and yet she felt more at ease than she had in a long time. With her new friends and her familiar by her side, Lumi knew that she was ready to face whatever challenges Oberon Academy had in store.

The bond with her frost phoenix was strong, and as they continued on their path, Lumi could feel its power resonating within her. She didn't know what the future held, but she was confident that, together with her familiar, she could handle anything.