VIII - Rare-Tier Summon

The group trudged back to the Summoner's Guild under the glow of the moonlight. Azea's body felt like it had been hit by a truck—his leg ached where Borak's dark magic had grabbed him, and his mana reserves were nearly drained. But he couldn't wipe the small smile from his face as he clutched the Rare Summoning Crystal in his hand.

Lyra walked beside him, flipping her dagger in the air. "So, what's the plan, boss? Crack open that shiny crystal and see if we get something good?"

Kael yawned, leaning on his staff. "Knowing our luck, it's probably going to be a glorified squirrel or something."

"Even a glorified squirrel would help," Amon said. His voice was steady, but there was a faint smirk on his lips.

Azea glanced down at the crystal, its surface shimmering with a faint blue glow. This was his first chance to summon something truly unique—something that could change the tide in future battles. The thought of it sent a jolt of excitement through him.

"Not here," he said, tucking the crystal into his bag. "Let's get back to the Guild first. I'd rather not summon anything in the middle of a forest where bandits could still be lurking."

"Smart move," Lyra said. "Though I wouldn't mind seeing a squirrel fight off a bandit."

---

The Summoner's Guild was quieter than usual when they returned. Most of the adventurers were either asleep or nursing their injuries at the bar. The spiky-haired Summoner from earlier caught sight of them as they walked in, his eyes narrowing.

"You're still alive?" he muttered, clearly annoyed.

Lyra flashed him a cocky grin. "What's the matter? Jealous?"

Kael smirked. "Don't worry, we'll leave some quests for you next time."

Azea ignored the guy entirely and headed for the private summoning chambers at the back of the Guild.

The room was circular, with walls made of polished stone that glimmered faintly in the torchlight. In the center was a summoning circle etched into the floor, glowing faintly with ancient runes.

Azea stepped into the circle, gripping the Rare Summoning Crystal tightly. His team stood around him, watching with anticipation.

"This is it," he said, his voice steady despite the nerves bubbling inside him. "Let's see what we get."

He raised the crystal above his head, channeling his mana into it. The crystal began to glow brighter, pulsing with energy.

The air in the room grew thick, charged with power. The runes on the floor lit up, spinning and rearranging themselves as the summoning process began.

Azea's heart raced.

The crystal shattered, sending shards of blue light scattering through the room. The glow intensified, blinding them for a moment. When the light faded, a figure stood in the center of the circle.

A young woman.

Her hair was a striking silver, flowing down her back like a waterfall. She wore a sleek set of armor that shimmered with an iridescent glow, and in her hand was a blade that radiated raw power. Her piercing violet eyes locked onto Azea, assessing him with a cool intensity.

"I am Eris, Knight of the Azure Flame," she said, her voice sharp and commanding. "Who dares summon me?"

Lyra let out a low whistle. "Well, she's definitely not a squirrel."

Kael raised an eyebrow, impressed. "A Rare-tier summon right out of the gate? Not bad, newbie."

Amon's gaze remained fixed on Eris, his expression unreadable. "She's strong."

Azea stepped forward, meeting Eris's gaze. "I'm Azea. I summoned you because I need your strength. We're building a team to survive in this world, and I need someone like you by my side."

Eris studied him for a moment, her eyes narrowing. "You're unranked."

Azea flinched. "Yeah, but—"

"And you're inexperienced," she continued, cutting him off.

Lyra snorted. "Wow, she's blunt."

Eris turned her gaze to Lyra, then to the rest of the team. "Your allies are capable. But you… You have much to prove, Summoner."

"I know," Azea said, his voice firm. "But I'm not afraid to work for it. I fought a Hydra, took down a bandit leader, and I'm still standing. That has to count for something."

Eris tilted her head, considering his words. Finally, she lowered her blade.

"Very well," she said. "I will fight for you—for now. But if you fail to prove yourself worthy, I won't hesitate to leave."

Azea nodded. "Fair enough."

Lyra grinned. "Great. Now we've got a shiny knight to go with our shiny crystal. What's next, boss?"

Kael smirked. "Maybe we should go find another Hydra. Or five."

"Let's not," Azea said, laughing despite himself.

Amon stepped forward, his tone serious. "With Eris on our side, we're much stronger. But we'll need to plan carefully. Summons like her attract attention—good and bad."

Eris raised an eyebrow. "He's right. A Rare-tier summon is valuable in this world. You'll have enemies coming for you, hoping to claim me as their own."

Azea felt a chill run down his spine. He'd barely survived Borak, and now he had to worry about people targeting him for his summons?

But as he looked at Eris, standing tall and proud in the circle, he felt a spark of determination.

"Let them come," he said. "We'll deal with them. One fight at a time."

Eris smiled faintly. "Good. I'll hold you to that, Summoner."

---

Later that night, as the team rested in the Guild's quarters, Azea sat by the window, staring out at the stars. The Rare Summoning Crystal had been a gamble, but it had paid off. Eris was powerful, no doubt about it.

But her words lingered in his mind.

You have much to prove.