A Second Bond [1]

Khalil sat at the table, enjoying his breakfast in comfortable silence. The principal had returned late the previous night, visibly tired, but now he sat across from Khalil, refreshed and sharp-eyed. Despite the calm setting, Khalil couldn't ignore the curiosity simmering inside him.

"So, what happened last night, Principal?" Khalil asked, breaking the silence. But it was a bad idea to directly ask about the Black Door. "Was it something bad?"

The principal looked up from his cup of tea, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Nothing particularly dramatic," he replied casually, stirring the liquid. "Just some documents that needed urgent attention. Bureaucracy doesn't wait, you know."

Khalil raised an eyebrow, unconvinced but unwilling to push further. He had learned quickly that when the principal didn't want to elaborate, there was no point in pressing.

Before Khalil could ask anything else, the principal set his cup down and leaned forward, a small smile playing on his lips. "Enough about me. Let's talk about you. The academy will officially start soon, and there's much to prepare for. Have you thought about what you need?"

Khalil hesitated, caught off guard by the question. "I… honestly have no idea," he admitted.

The principal chuckled softly, as if he'd expected that answer. "Then it's a good thing I've already made arrangements. We'll tour the city today and get everything you need for the academy—from your uniform to your dormitory."

Khalil's relief was short-lived as a pang of awkwardness crept in. His finances were… nonexistent. He had spent every coin just to get to Velstrad City and apply for the exam.

The principal's eyes twinkled knowingly, and a small, reassuring smile appeared. "Don't worry about the money. As a scholarship student, the academy will cover all necessary expenses. Just leave it to me."

Khalil exhaled in relief but frowned slightly. "I appreciate it, sir, but I feel bad about taking so much of your time. You've already done so much for me."

The principal waved a hand dismissively, a rare, easy grin spreading across his face. "Nonsense. It's my responsibility to ensure my students are properly prepared. Besides, a little break from administrative work is refreshing."

By midday, they had finished everything on the list. Khalil now had a crisp academy uniform, essential supplies, and even a modest dorm room ready for his stay. As they walked through the bustling city streets, Khalil felt an odd mix of gratitude and disbelief.

He hadn't expected his life to take such a drastic turn in just a day. Thankfully, his memories were somehow sorted out, no longer felt all over the place and disoriented. However, he still felt like a person who lived two lives which was absurd.

The principal suddenly stopped in front of a large, elegant building with intricate carvings adorning its facade. Khalil already recognized it from a distance - it was the Bonding Hall where he bonded with the Guardian of Light and saved the villainess Sira yesterday.

The principal turned to him, his face uncharacteristically serious. "There's one last thing we need to do today. Follow me."

Khalil followed him inside, the air cool and faintly humming with energy.

The principal stopped in the center of the room and turned to face Khalil, his expression solemn. "Listen carefully, Kalem."

Khalil straightened, sensing the shift in mood.

"The forces of evil are aware that the Guardian of Light has chosen its Tamer," the principal said, his tone measured but solemn. "They will do everything in their power to find you. Some will try to recruit you to their side, using manipulation or coercion. Others…" He paused, his gaze steady. "Will try to kill you."

A chill ran down Khalil's spine, and his mind raced. "Kill me? I'm just—"

"You're not 'just' anything, Kalem," the principal interrupted firmly. "The Guardian of Light represents balance and power. To the forces of darkness, you are a threat simply by existing. And we need to prevent them from finding you."

Khalil clenched his fists, his mind still reeling. How could he save the world when his life was already in danger by both the First Calamity and now this. "How do we do that?"

The principal's expression softened slightly, though his tone remained serious. "By ensuring your identity as the Guardian's Tamer is hidden. One way to do that is to bond with another beast—one that aligns with your secondary affinity, water. This will help disguise your unique connection with the Guardian of Light and provide you with additional protection."

Khalil hesitated, glancing at the familiar portal. "Another bond?" He looked down at his hand, where faint traces of the Guardian's light still lingered. "Can I even do that?"

"You can," the principal assured him. "The Guardian of Light's bond is unique—it doesn't restrict you from forming additional connections. Choosing a water-affinity beast will not only strengthen your abilities but also make it harder for anyone to connect you to the Guardian."

"That's true, but... what about those who witnessed everything yesterday?" Khalil asked curiously. Many people knew it was him who bonded with the Guardian of Light. 

The principal's gaze softened, though his voice carried a note of reassurance. "As for those who saw what happened yesterday, you don't need to worry about them, Khalil. They've sworn an oath of secrecy—a binding one, as protectors. Every person present is aligned with the forces of good, and they will do everything in their power to shield your identity. You're not alone in this fight."

Khalil swallowed, still feeling a mix of nervousness and disbelief. "So, they're all… protectors?"

The principal nodded. "Indeed. Their primary duty is to protect balance in this world. You are now part of that responsibility, Khalil. But let's focus on the next step." He reached into his robe and pulled out a small, silver fruit shaped like a spiraling drop of water. It gleamed faintly, as though imbued with magic.

"Huh? What's that?" Khalil asked, eyeing the fruit with curiosity and wariness.

"This? This is just an ordinary fruit."