Chapter 71 - The Echoes of Mythical Beasts (7)

The pale morning light spilled gently over the jagged cliffs of Beastridge Mountain, casting soft gold across the moss-covered rocks and misty ravines. Luca walked alone, his twin blades strapped to his back, boots crunching softly on dew-laced leaves. A cool breeze carried the cries of distant mythical beasts—some triumphant, some sorrowful—as if the mountain itself whispered stories of bonds forged in silence.

He passed by a few students. Some stood proudly beside their contracted companions—majestic beasts that shimmered with arcane aura. Others sat in stillness, nursing wounds or simply resting, their trials either complete or still ongoing.

Luca offered quiet nods as he passed, his expression unreadable.

"Still nothing..."

he muttered under his breath.

He adjusted his gloves and continued on, eyes scanning the terrain until he caught sight of a familiar silhouette near a small clearing where moonflowers still glowed faintly in the dawn.

He squinted. A familiar glint of silver-white hair swayed gently in the wind.

"Huh... is that Aria?"

He picked up his pace, stepping softly on the uneven path until he reached her.

"How are you doing, Saintess?" he greeted with a small smile.

Aria turned, a little startled, but quickly relaxed. Her voice was warm, if a bit curious. "Oh... Mr. Luca? What are you doing here?"

"Well, just running around looking for my opportunity," he replied with a self-deprecating chuckle, scratching the back of his head.

Aria blinked. "Oh? I thought you would have gotten it by now."

Luca laughed again, more embarrassed this time. "Yeah, me too... but honestly, I don’t know what’s going wrong. No beast has come to me. And when I try to approach one... they just walk away. Some even vanish before I get close."

He tried to make light of it, but there was a quiet frustration in his tone.

Aria’s serene expression softened with concern. "Hmm... every beast has their own nature, their own compatibility. If they didn’t choose you, it just means the match wasn’t right. It’s not rejection... just misalignment."

She paused, then added thoughtfully, "But you’re not exactly ordinary, are you? You wield time and space, rare and overwhelming elements. Perhaps the beasts... are intimidated by that."

Luca’s eyes widened slightly as her words sank in.

"That’s right..."

he thought.

"Maybe they’re not avoiding me because I’m lacking... but because I’m too different."

Seeing the flicker of understanding in his expression, Aria smiled gently. "Don’t lose heart. If you’re destined for one, it will find you—even if it takes time."

There was a calm assurance in her words that settled something in him. For a moment, the weight of uncertainty lifted.

He glanced sideways. "What about you? Did you get your beast already? And what brings you out here alone?"

Her smile turned wistful. "I’m also waiting. I haven’t found the one meant for me yet."

Before Luca could respond, a sharp cry echoed from the skies above.

KRAAAHHHH—!

They both looked up.

Through the golden morning haze, a majestic creature descended like a vision from a dream—a pure white celestial swan, its wings shimmering with translucent silver and radiant blue. It flew in gentle arcs before gliding down to the clearing with such grace it looked like it was part of the wind itself.

Its large, elegant form landed softly before them. The feathers around its neck glowed faintly, like threads of divine mana woven into its being. It stood tall, regal, and ancient, its luminous eyes locked not on Aria—but on both of them.

Luca took a cautious step back, instinctively reaching for his blade, but the swan didn’t move.

Aria exhaled slowly, eyes wide but calm.

"...It’s beautiful," she whispered.

The swan dipped its head slightly—acknowledgment or greeting, neither could tell.

Then it stepped forward, gaze shifting between them—curious, discerning.

Its majestic wings shimmered under the morning light as it turned its gaze to Aria, its voice soft yet radiant like a divine whisper echoing through the soul.

And then...

Its voice echoed—not aloud, but within their minds.

"I was waiting to approach you for the past two days," the swan spoke, "but your mind was in unrest—entangled in doubt, drifting between duty and fear. You were not ready to hear me."

Aria bowed her head respectfully, guilt flickering in her eyes. "I... I’m sorry. My thoughts were clouded. I didn’t mean to ignore you."

The celestial bird tilted its neck slightly, its eyes warm yet piercing. Then, slowly, it turned to Luca. For a moment, the air tensed.

"I see," the swan murmured, as if observing something it didn’t entirely understand.

But it soon turned back to Aria, the light of approval blooming in its gaze.

"Your mind has cleared. The divine current within you matches mine. Pure, unwavering, unwavering in your pursuit of light. Let us form the pact."

Aria’s eyes widened. "Truly?"

"Yes."

She stepped forward and placed her hand gently on the swan’s bowed head. A warm, golden light enveloped the two, glowing in pulses like a heartbeat, as celestial runes spiraled into the air before vanishing.

The contract had been formed.

Aria took a deep breath, her body shimmering faintly as she stood taller—stronger.

She then turned to Luca. "Why is he... unable to form a contract? Is there truly no beast that recognizes him?"

The swan’s gaze settled back on Luca, and its radiant voice answered after a long pause.

"There are no strong beasts here that can withstand the weight of space and time. The cosmic force that surrounds him... it frightens the common and the mighty alike. His soul sings of eternity, of what lies beyond comprehension."

It hesitated, as though choosing its words carefully.

"Well... except—"

It stopped.

The air grew still.

"It is disappointing to say it, but you may have to return empty-handed, boy."

Luca remained quiet for a moment. His gaze dropped to the earth, a faint sigh slipping through his lips—but the bitterness he expected to feel never came. Only a quiet clarity.

He smiled faintly.

"I see," he said, eyes distant yet peaceful.

He looked to Aria and gave a polite nod. "Congratulations. I’ll take my leave then."

But before he could walk away, Aria’s voice stopped him.

"Wait."

He turned.

She smiled gently. "I was about to go find Aiden, Kyle, Selena, and Lilliane. Would you like to come with me?"

Luca blinked. Her offer caught him off guard. A moment passed before he replied.

"Yeah... I’d like that."

As they started walking side by side through the dense forest path, the sky above slowly bled into a strange twilight. What was moments ago a clear morning blue now shifted into a haunting shade of violet and charcoal. The sun dimmed behind a wall of mist, and the wind carried a hush, like the breath of something ancient stirring.

Aria glanced up, her eyes narrowing. Her fingers clenched slightly at her side as she whispered under her breath, "I will do my best..."

Luca followed her gaze, a deep frown forming.

Sigh... it’s here,

he thought grimly.

I knew they wouldn’t just sit back and let us gather power like this... but what exactly have they done this time?

He looked at Aria again, noticing the solemnity in her face, the weight in her steps.

She must’ve received a divine revelation... That would explain it—her sudden change back in the carriage on the second day. I should have seen it coming when she insisted we find Aiden and the others together.

His lips pressed into a thin line. The wind rustled the leaves around them like whispers of something watching.

He tilted his head up to the growing darkness.

I don’t think it’ll be easy from here... but I have Seraphina’s favor... and there are so many of us gathered in Beastridge Mountain. Surely—surely—we’ll be able to face whatever’s coming... right?

But even as he thought that, a distant roar of something primal echoed through the forest—loud, ancient, and far too sentient to be just thunder.

As Luca shuddered, surely they wouldn’t dare to touch that right?