76. Phoenix

The condensed runes first condense the cornerstone runes. It's like building a house without a foundation; without the cornerstone runes, no other runes will work effectively.

Following the method of rune condensation in his inheritance, Aurelius needs to manifest his soul. He sits with crossed legs, closed eyes, and palms resting on his thighs facing the scales. Though not necessary, Aurelius feels this will help him concentrate.

A light appears between his eyebrows, dark yet glowing with a red flame-like hue. He opens his eyes slowly, observing his 'soul manifestation'. Is it Obscurus? No.

Although Aurelius has avoided being swallowed by the Obscurus by becoming a guardian through a contract, his soul has assimilated with the Obscurus over the years. Thus, a state similar to the Obscurus appears. It is not the soul itself, but rather a visible display of the invisible soul.

He does not dwell on the details, as contemplating it too much may overwhelm his mind. Even Aurelius, who loved to Tracing His Origin, keeps his distance.

He only needs to know that through this soul manifestation, he can indirectly build runes for the soul. While he doesn't understand the exact reason, the inheritance states that this method can build runes.

Aurelius has already practiced the runes for [Summoning: Aery]. Just like with summoner skills, he only needs to familiarize himself with a few skills from the inheritance to use them proficiently. This includes rune building.

The magic power in his body vibrates like boiling water, with wisps of black and red magic power emanating from his limbs and bones. The soul manifests into a vortex, attracting and absorbing this vaporized magic power.

The black and red radiance surges within the soul's manifestation, resembling a portal to hell. Gradually, a blue light emerges from within, containing a hint of life.

"It's done!" Aurelius senses a deep connection within his soul. Just as he prepares to welcome his own Aery, a sudden change occurs!

"Crack!" The melodious and crisp chirping is peculiar, reminiscent of a bird but unlike anything Aurelius has ever heard. The translucent blue flashes, mixing with the deep black and hot red.

Bang! Black flames burst forth, and a majestic divine bird with blazing black flames emerges from the fire.

"Bah! Bah!" It celebrates its new life, joyfully hopping and spreading its wings around the astonished Aurelius."Chirp?" The flames on the large bird gradually extinguished, and it fell in front of Aurelius, tilting its head and staring at him with big eyes.

"Chirp!" The bird came to Aurelius' side, rubbing its huge head against his palm.

"A phoenix... a phoenix?" Aurelius was lost in thought. "Where did you come from?"

What is happening here? Why did a phoenix appear? Credence owns a black phoenix, and Aurelius knows it. He had also been wondering when his phoenix would come. Did things change because of his time travel? Did the phoenix not sense his need and stop coming?

This is also a possibility. After all, there are many people in the Dumbledore family, but only a few of them can attract phoenixes.

Regarding the Phoenix, Aurelius's idea was to let it happen. He wasn't that eager.

But who knew, sometimes things in the world can be wonderful!

If you intentionally plant flowers, they might not bloom. But if you plant willows unintentionally, they will provide shade.

He wasn't even thinking about the phoenix, but it came on its own.

Touching the feathers of the black phoenix with his palm gave Aurelius a headache.

"Who are you?" he exclaimed.

Aurelius felt the connection between the Phoenix and himself. Originally, that connection was between him and Rune Aery!

This situation isn't mentioned in the inheritance. Aery doesn't look like this bird, and he isn't supposed to be black. Most importantly, Aery is a magical creature, not a magical animal!

But the phoenix in front of him is a real phoenix. Through that mysterious connection, this phoenix possesses all the abilities that a phoenix should have! It also possesses all of Aery's abilities. It's like... the two have become one.

This brings more than just one plus one.

"It seems I don't have to learn how to apparate anymore," Aurelius said, looking at its cute and innocent appearance and couldn't help but smile.

Although he couldn't understand why it was like this, there was no doubt that it was a great thing!

This phoenix has a closer relationship with him than the relationship between a pet and its owner. Aurelius can enjoy almost all the abilities of the phoenix. This is an unprecedented enhancement for Summon: Aery.

The original disadvantage of Arcane Comet's lack of power was gone, and Aurelius was even more grateful for his foresight.

There is no need to communicate, they share the same mind. There is no need to cultivate, they are closer than brothers.

With a thought, the phoenix ignited black flames and disappeared.

Although the special effects have changed, Aurelius believes this is Aery's ability.

"Iron armor protection!"

With a wave of his magic wand, the originally silver-white magic shield changed. Magic-like burning embers spurted from the tip of the wand. In addition to the cry of the phoenix, a flame shield evolved within the Iron Armor Curse!

It doesn't obstruct the view, but you can vaguely make out a proud black phoenix soaring above.

"Really!" Aurelius exclaimed confidently.

For some unknown reason, my Aery merged with this strange black phoenix. It possesses the characteristics of Aery magical creature as well as the abilities and traits of the original phoenix.

"Okay, little guy, your name will be Aery," Aurelius said as the shield disappeared and the Black Phoenix reappeared. It seemed to be highly dependent on Aurelius, as evidenced by the fondness it showed when being patted on the head by him.

Hmm... Something feels off to me.

Upon hearing Aurelius name it, the Dark Phoenix appeared to be quite pleased and responded with "Yo yo" twice.

Aurelius was in good spirits and decided not to retract Aery, the black phoenix, but instead let it rest on the hanger.

Though the journey ahead is long, this first step is significant.

There are still many runes left to be constructed.