Chapter 20: Naming Ceremony

The morning after our intense spar in the arena, we found ourselves waking up to a new day with a curious set of revelations awaiting us. Spread out before us was a compiled list of our elemental affinities, each element representing a potential avenue of power and magic we could harness.

As I scanned the list, a sense of familiarity washed over me; unsurprisingly, my primary affinity was for the Shadow element, a trait deeply ingrained in the Shadowcrest lineage. It was followed by Space, then Lightning, indicating a potential for swift and powerful strikes. Next on the list was Poison, a darker element that hinted at the potential for subtle and deadly attacks. Lastly, to my surprise, there was a tiny sliver of Fire, a mere whisper of affinity for the element of flames.

Beside me, Selene studied her own list with a thoughtful expression. Her affinities were as diverse and intriguing as she was. Nature came first, reflecting her affinity for the natural world and its forces. Shadow followed suit, a fitting match for her stealthy and strategic nature. Poison, much like mine, appeared on her list, indicating a shared potential for lethal tactics. However, what caught my eye was her dual affinity for Fire and Ice. It was a rare and powerful combination.

"Quite the interesting list," I thought to myself, reflecting on the intricate nature of elemental affinities. It was said that one's affinity was not solely determined by lineage, but also by character and personality. Interesting.

*

We adjusted to our schedules, each day packed with rigorous classes and demanding training sessions.

Major weapons class was particularly grueling; the bald twins who led the class seemed to take sadistic pleasure in pushing us to the brink of exhaustion. They would push us to our limits, testing our endurance and skill, only to revive us with mana potions when we faltered. It was a relentless cycle of exertion and revival, leaving me feeling both drained and exhilarated by the end of each session. As I stumbled out of the training grounds, I couldn't help but think to myself, "Those bald twins are absolutely evil."

Amidst our demanding schedule, we also found the time to speak with Elder Archon about our accommodation. He informed us that for the first two months, our lodging would be provided free of charge. It was a generous offer, one that provided a temporary reprieve from the hefty costs of living within the academy. However, after the initial grace period, he mentioned that the cost would skyrocket to 800 merits per night. It was a steep price, price of luxury I suppose.

*

It's been three weeks since we arrived at Tavill, and as the days passed, we grew accustomed to the rigorous schedule and demanding classes. The first full moon in Tavill was fast approaching, and with it came the eagerly anticipated naming ceremony of our contracted beasts. It was a tradition of the House of Shadows, a ceremony to cement the bond between mage and beast.

I lay in bed, the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the window as I played with my two little serpents. They wriggled happily in my hands, sensing the excitement in the air. It was time to think of names for them, names that would reflect their personalities and the bond we shared.

Lost in thought, I continued to play with them, watching as they intertwined around each other, their scales shimmering in the moonlight. The naming ceremony was a significant event, not just for us but also for our beasts. It was a moment to honor the bond we shared and to give them names that would forever be a part of their identity.

*

It was a random Wednesday night in the House of Shadows, but the atmosphere was far from casual. The air was heavy with anticipation and solemnity as Elder Archon stood in front of a large tub filled with dark, swirling goo. Around him, a group of us teenagers stood in a semi-circle, watching intently.

The dim moonlight filtered through the windows, casting eerie shadows across the room and adding to the mysterious ambiance. From an outsider's perspective, it might have appeared like a scene from a cult ritual, with Elder Archon at the center, surrounded by the dark substance.

As Elder Archon began the ritual, his voice low and reverent, we listened in silence. The words he spoke were ancient and unfamiliar, invoking the powers of the shadows and calling forth the essence of darkness. The tension in the room was palpable, and I couldn't help but feel a shiver run down my spine.

Suddenly, from the darkness beyond, we heard a low hissing sound. All eyes turned towards the source, and out of the shadows emerged a massive serpent. It was a sight to behold, a creature of immense power and presence, with deep blue scales that seemed to shimmer in the faint moonlight.

The serpent coiled around the tub of dark goo, its eyes gleaming with intelligence and ancient wisdom. This must be Elder Archon's contracted beast, I realized, a formidable creature embodying the essence of the shadows.

As the ritual continued, the serpent's presence seemed to grow stronger, its aura filling the room with a sense of power and ancient magic. I couldn't tear my eyes away from the magnificent creature, feeling a mixture of awe and trepidation.

The ceremony reached its climax as Elder Archon completed the final incantation. With a sudden surge of energy, the dark goo in the tub began to bubble and churn, swirling with dark shadows. Then, in a burst of dark energy, the serpent dove into the tub, disappearing beneath the surface.

A moment of silence followed, the room filled with anticipation and tension. And then, with a sudden burst of movement, the serpent emerged from the tub, now transformed. Its scales seemed to shimmer with a dark energy, and its eyes glowed with an otherworldly light.

The ritual was complete, and Elder Archon's contracted beast stood before us, a magnificent and formidable guardian of the House of Shadows. The atmosphere was electric with power and magic, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of reverence and awe in the presence of such a creature.

As the ceremony continued, students one by one entered the tub with their contracted beasts, emerging moments later with a renewed sense of connection and power. I watched as each student underwent the ritual, their beasts appearing before them in a display of strength and loyalty.

Finally, it was my turn. Holding the two little serpents in my arms, I approached the tub with a mix of excitement and apprehension. The black scales of one serpent reflected the dim light, while the purple scales of the other shimmered with an otherworldly glow.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the tub and fully immersed myself in the dark, swirling substance. Instantly, I was transported back to the same ethereal space I had experienced at the Den of Serpents. The familiar white fog surrounded me, and I could sense the presence of my contracted beasts nearby.

Closing my eyes, I called out their names. "Tenebris," I whispered, and in an instant, the massive black snake appeared before me. Its eyes gleamed with intelligence and power, and I could feel its strength radiating through the space.

"Raijin," I called out next, and the purple serpent materialized beside its companion. Together, they coiled around me, their presence comforting and empowering. Suddenly, they moved towards me, their forms merging with mine until I felt as one with them.

And then, just as quickly as it had begun, the vision faded, and I was back in the tub. Slowly, I emerged from the dark goo, my vision adjusting to the light of the room. As I stepped out, I felt a renewed sense of connection and power coursing through me.

As I left the tub, I couldn't help but smile. The naming ceremony had been a success, and I was now bonded with two powerful and loyal beasts. 

*

Selene stood in the familiar ethereal space she had experienced before. The white fog enveloped her, and she could sense the presence of her contracted beast nearby.

With a steady voice, Selene called out the name of her first serpent. "Hima," she whispered, and in an instant, the massive white-scaled snake appeared before her. Its eyes sparkled with intelligence and wisdom, and Selene felt a surge of warmth and familiarity wash over her.

Smiling at the serpent, she reached out a hand, and the snake moved closer to her, its body intertwining with hers until it disappeared into Selene's small frame. She could feel its presence within her, a comforting and empowering force.

As the vision faded and she returned to the tub, Selene emerged with a renewed sense of connection and strength. 

With a smile on her face, Selene stepped out of the tub, feeling the power of her newly named serpent coursing through her veins. She knew that she and Hima were now bonded in a deep and profound way.