Chapter 163 – Finally Fighting Back.

“Is that all of them?”

“Indeed.”

“Great, shut down the summoning device.”

A low hum echoed through the chamber as a tall figure raised a staff made of wood. The staff pulsed with violet light, its top encasing a large, singular gem that radiated the glow. The figure was a woman, youthful in appearance, though her silver hair and wise green eyes suggested much more than her age revealed. Beside her stood an old man with a long gray beard, his gaze fixed on a strange table before them.

Mist curled across the surface, swirling around what appeared to be a finely detailed miniature map of a forest. At first glance, it seemed like a simple model, but on closer inspection, it was alive with movement. Tiny figures of wolves, goblins, and skeletons wandered through the terrain. As the woman raised the staff, the creatures began to vanish one by one from the board, and soon the environment did as well.

The swirling mist, which had mostly gathered around the edges of the map, began to collapse inward. It engulfed the entire table before shifting direction and spiraling toward a nearby bottle resting on another table. The smoke slipped into the bottle, and within seconds, the map had vanished. All that remained was a wooden surface marked with intricate engravings of magical circles. The violet light from the staff faded as the gem dimmed. The woman slowly lowered it, then turned to the older man.

“This was quite an interesting test, wasn’t it, Senior Ramaradmus?”

Ramaradmus brushed his long white beard and nodded.

“The winner was unexpected. Agatha, make sure you document this trial thoroughly. Add it to the grand library, and conduct a proper analysis of that fascinating creature. It seemed to have a mind of its own, very intriguing…”

“Indeed, Senior. But… where has our victor gone? She was there just a moment ago.”

The silver-haired woman turned toward a large crystal orb. Within its surface shimmered the image of a spacious courtyard filled with lush plants and a small gathering of students. Most of them were engaged in lively conversation, glancing frequently at the testboard nearby. At the center of attention was the one who had defeated the white tiger. A curious crowd had formed around her, with many eager students attempting to speak with her. However, she appeared to have slipped away and was now missing.

“It matters not. Let the students be. She is probably just tired.”

Ramaradmus shook his head and turned to face the wall. On one side of the chamber, accessible only to teachers and academy staff, stood a large board displaying student names. In third place was Arwen Lampert, a young student known for his diligence and charm. In second stood Katherine Grandwell, one who had always been first. But at the very top was a last name that had not appeared there in nearly a century, Rainstar.

“Is this a sign of change?”

The old man murmured, his eyes fixed on the board as a small smile played across his lips. However, the victor herself was far less pleased with the outcome. She was, at that moment, doing her best to remain hidden from the person she had defeated.

‘Oh no… why did I have to say all of those things back there?’

Gwen had returned to the academy’s teleportation chamber only a few minutes earlier. As soon as she stepped outside, people began to swarm her. At first, it was manageable, but then she heard a familiar voice in the distance, the one belonging to her tormentor, Katherine.

During the trial, with Rusty by her side, Gwen had felt bold enough to stand up to her. The rush of adrenaline had made her fearless. But now, with that energy drained and the moment long gone, she had slipped back into old habits. Fear crept in, and she found herself retreating, once again hiding.

“Gwendolin Rainstar! I know that you’re here, come on out this instant!”

Just when she thought she was safe, Katherine’s voice echoed through the area. It was a dead end, a training chamber that was currently unused. She had no idea how she had been discovered, but it no longer seemed like there was anywhere to run. To make things worse, her tormentor was not alone.

“Are you sure she’s here?”

“Absolutely positive, Lady Grandwell.”

Three people stood with her, the same ones who had attacked at the beginning of the trial. One of them controlled a strange creature that looked like a mix between a rat and a dog. It must have been used to track her. Now there was nowhere to hide, and the only exit was blocked by the group.

‘Rusty…’

There was only one being she could think of who might help her, but she had no idea how to summon her new friend. The two times she had done it before seemed like accidents, though she had a rough theory why it worked. Some summoned creatures were unique, capable of changing forms and possessing unusual powers. Rusty was probably one of them, a legendary spirit.

The legendary spirits mentioned in the old texts were known for their strange preferences. They often tested their summoners, appearing only at specific moments when they were truly needed. Unlike normal summons, they did not respond to commands in predictable ways.

They had minds of their own and appeared infrequently, challenging their summoners to prove themselves worthy. Gwen now believed she had to face this situation alone. If she relied on Rusty without earning his trust, he might see her as unworthy of his loyalty.

‘But how can I do this? I only have…’

Before she could finish the thought, something shifted. A sudden warmth spread through her body, and for a brief moment, she felt more powerful. Then, without warning, knowledge began to flow into her mind. Techniques she had never studied surfaced as if they had always been there. These were methods that would allow her to summon certain creatures, ones resembling her new friend.

This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author’s work.

Gwen’s hands trembled as she gripped the edge of the training equipment she had been hiding behind. Her heart pounded so loudly in her chest that it felt as if it might give her away before Katherine and her followers even had the chance to find her. Then something shifted inside her. A surge of power coursed through her, likely thanks to her friend. She was no longer powerless. And she was no longer alone. Gwen swallowed hard, stepped back from the wall, and closed her eyes.

‘It’s now or never’

She told herself while clutching her grandmother’s pendant tightly in one hand. She focused her mana and pressed her other hand to the ground. A glowing magic circle appeared beneath her, instantly revealing her position to her pursuers, but she didn’t care. With the help of her newfound knowledge, the summon was already taking shape. Before the four enemies could react, one of the bronze armors had already formed.

‘Rise…’

She whispered as the air shimmered. With a surge of magic, metallic forms burst from the circle. First came two bronze-colored living armors. One held a large bow and a quiver filled with bronze arrows. The other carried a sword and shield. Their metallic boots struck the ground like war drums as they stepped aside to make room for the final summon. It was a slightly larger iron armor, clutching a massive halberd, one which looked remarkably like the one Rusty had wielded.

“I… It’s that summon!”