The silence of dawn still wrapped Valdren when Soul opened his eyes.His body felt heavy.His muscles ached.
But deep inside him, something vibrated with a new energy.
Barely had he straightened up on his bed when a violet window burst into view before his eyes—clear, relentless.
[Status — Soul DRASIL]
Level: 7
HP: 136
MP: 162
STR: 22
END: 20
AGI: 25
INT: 42
WIL: 45
CHA: 23
SUM: 25
NEC: 25
Bonus stat points available: 15
Soul remained motionless for a few seconds, his eyes fixed on the numbers.
I really am level 7…
Images from the day before came rushing back:
the fifteen minor wolves,the sleeping puma,the superior cave bear,the blood, the fear, the victory.
He took a deep breath… then made his decision.
A new window confirmed his choices, point by point.
[Stat Point Allocation]
+5 END
+3 STR
+2 CHA
+3 INT
+2 AGI
The numbers updated, etched into his memory as much as into the system.
Soul felt sturdier.
More stable.
As if his body had finally caught up with the violence of what he had been through.
Then, almost immediately, another window opened.
[Inventory — Current Contents]
• 90 medicinal herbs
• 50 wolf claws
• 50 wolf pelts
• 50 wolf fangs
• 25 slime jellies
• 25 incandescent jellies
• 25 vegetal jellies
• 25 aquatic jellies
• 25 toxic jellies
• 25 sparkling cores
• 25 skeleton bones
• 25 hooked swords
• 25 bone shields
• 25 worn arrows
• 25 bone bows
• 25 magical cores
• 25 bone dust
• 12 giant frog thighs
• 12 giant frog mucus
• 12 minor elemental spirit fragments
• 12 monstrous rat fangs
• 12 monstrous rat claws
• 12 cavern bat wings
• 12 cavern bat claws
• 12 swift boar pelts
• 12 swift boar fangs
• 12 giant hare legs
• 12 giant hare ears
• 12 giant wasp wings
• 12 giant wasp stingers
• 12 giant beetle horns
• 12 giant beetle wings
• 10 minor stone golem cores
• 1 Canid Summoning Scroll
• 1 Feline Summoning Scroll
• 1 Ursid Summoning Scroll
Soul blinked.
— … Scrolls?
He formed the question mentally.
At once, the system answered.
[Information — Summoning Scrolls]
Summoning scrolls are special drops.They can only be obtained by individuals who possess:
• a high summoning affinity,
• multi-class compatibility,
• and a direct link to the System.
Reason:
Your dual class Summoner / Necromancer creates a unique resonance with the soul cores of defeated monsters.
Necromancy scrolls follow the same rules.
Soul stared, dumbfounded.
So… no one else but me…
The window continued.
[Active Summoning Limit]
Maximum number of simultaneous summons:
• Summoning: 2 (INV = 20)
• Necromancy: 2 (NEC = 20)
Soul smiled, his heart pounding.
Without hesitation, he used the scrolls.
[Scrolls Used]
Summoning: Canid LV1
Summoning: Feline LV1
Summoning: Ursid LV1
He was about to try immediately.
Excitement pounded in his temples, his fingers already itching at the thought of activating his new scrolls… when his stomach protested violently.
— Grrr…
Soul froze.
He had just remembered a crucial detail:
he hadn't eaten anything the night before.
His gaze fell on a covered plate resting on his bedside table. Lynea must have brought his meal up while he was sleeping. He lifted the cloth, grabbed the still-warm dish… and devoured it in just a few seconds.
But the hunger didn't fade.
On the contrary.
A delicious smell suddenly drifted up from downstairs: warm bread, ripe fruit, sweet milk.
His mother.
Soul rushed down the stairs. Lynea turned as she heard him coming and smiled when she saw his hungry expression.
— You're already awake?
— Come here.
She hugged him briefly before handing him his breakfast. Soul ate eagerly, eyes shining, when Aegis entered the room in turn.
Between bites, Soul started talking.
He told them everything.The fifteen minor wolves.The minor puma.The superior cave bear.The fear, the strategy, the victory.
Lynea raised a hand to her mouth, worried, while Aegis listened in silence, his gaze serious… then proud.
— You did well, he finally said.
— But never forget: surviving is already a victory.
Soul nodded.
Then a sudden thought struck him.
— The grades!
He jumped to his feet.
— I have to go see my group's grade!
He ran back up to his room to grab his weapons… then stopped short.
He remembered.
What he had been about to do before hunger interrupted him.
His gaze settled on the empty space in front of him.
He took a deep breath, focused, and repeated exactly the same process as with his previous summons.
— Summoning: Canid LV1.
— Summoning: Feline LV1.
Summoning
Soul's mana gathered in a spiraling vortex around him.The air vibrated, charged with an almost animal tension.
— Summoning: Canid LV1.
A luminous circle opened on the floor, etched with wild runes. From it emerged a massive silhouette, slowly crossing an invisible threshold.
A White Berserk Maned Wolf appeared.
It was large—far taller than an ordinary wolf—with long, powerful legs and a lean yet terrifyingly muscular build. Its thick, bristling white mane cascaded along its neck and back like a frozen flame. Its immaculate fur contrasted sharply with its steel-blue eyes—lucid, intelligent… and fiercely loyal.
When it set its paws on the ground, a low rumble resonated through the room.
The wolf slowly turned its head toward Soul, approached him, then lowered itself slightly in a gesture of instinctive recognition.
Soul felt an immediate, profound connection—almost primal.
— Odo, he whispered.
The wolf lifted its head and released a short, deep growl, as if accepting the name.
A violet window instantly opened before Soul's eyes.
[Odo — Berserk Maned Wolf]
Level: 7 (linked to Soul DRASIL)
Type: Canid
HP: 280
MP: 200
Skills:
• Frenzied Bite LV1 — Continuous attack that increases in power with each hit
• Savage Charge LV1 — Frontal breakthrough, knocks enemies back
• Pack Instinct LV1 — Defense and attack bonus for nearby allies
Passive Trait:
• War Mane — Increases stats as the battle drags on
Soul didn't even have time to catch his breath.He raised his hand a second time.
— Summoning: Feline LV1.
This time, the summoning circle was thinner, faster. The air seemed to fold in on itself.
A silhouette burst forth with a sharp rush of wind.
A Berserk Cheetah appeared, its mackerel tabby coat striped with dark, elegant lines. Its body was long and supple, built for pure speed. Every muscle looked ready to explode into motion. Its slit, golden eyes surveyed the room with icy precision.
It made no sound.
It simply turned its head toward Soul… then slightly inclined its neck.
— Mystique, Soul said, his heart pounding.
The cheetah slowly swayed its tail, almost lazily.
A new violet window opened.
[Mystique — Berserk Cheetah]
Level: 7 (linked to Soul DRASIL)
Type: Feline
HP: 256
MP: 206
Skills:
• Lightning Dash LV1 — Instant movement at extremely high speed
• Piercing Claws LV1 — Targeted attack, increased critical damage
• Predator's Vision LV1 — Detects weak points and hidden enemies
Passive Trait:
• Silent Hunt — Movement produces no sound
A final window appeared, confirming the action.
[Skills — Uses]
Summoning: Canid LV1
Uses: 1 / 10
Summoning: Feline LV1
Uses: 1 / 10
Soul remained still for a few seconds, watching Odo and Mystique.
Soul frowned.
Something was wrong.
He looked again at Odo and Mystique.Their posture, their presence, their intelligence… none of it matched a mere minor wolf or a minor puma. These creatures were different. Purer. More… personal.
Why… he wondered inwardly. Why not ordinary monsters?
As if the question had been heard, a violet window opened silently before his eyes.
[SYSTEM RESPONSE]
The summoned forms were selected according to your deepest affinities.
We chose the animals you loved the most in your previous life.
Soul's breath caught.
— My… previous life?
His heart began to race.
He had never spoken about it.Never mentioned his memories from before, his attachment to animals, nor what he had been… a veterinarian, a mortician, someone who accompanied life as well as death.
A dull anxiety tightened his chest.
— How… how can you know that? he thought forcefully.
The answer came instantly, cold and implacable.
[SYSTEM RESPONSE]
Access to locked data denied.
Unlock condition: reach Level 10.
The window vanished.
Soul remained frozen for several seconds, eyes lost in the void.
The System knew.
It knew who he had been.
What he loved.
What he had lost.
He clenched his fists, then looked at Odo and Mystique who, as if sensing his turmoil, had moved closer to him—silent, but present.
— Very well… Soul thought, a new determination burning in his chest.
— Then I'll reach level 10.
— And I'll uncover the whole truth.
He set off
Soul didn't waste a single second.He grabbed his weapons, took a deep breath… and left the house, accompanied by Odo and Mystique.
Behind him, Aegis and Lynea froze on the doorstep.
They exchanged a silent look, caught between surprise and disbelief.
— "…Those were… new summons?" Lynea whispered.
— "Looks like it," Aegis replied, never taking his eyes off his son.
Outside, Soul started running.
The wind lashed his face, his heart pounding fast—too fast.
Then, without warning, Odo accelerated.
The white-maned wolf slipped his head smoothly between Soul's legs, lifted him with controlled strength in one fluid motion… and placed him onto his broad, powerful back.
— "Hey—!"
Before Soul could even protest, Odo was already moving.
The run became a roar.
The ground flew past beneath them, the scents of the village, the forest, and the roads blending together. Odo ran by following Soul's own scent, as if it were his compass. At their side, Mystique streaked forward at full speed, his supple body matching every movement, silent as a golden shadow.
The villagers stopped dead.
Baskets fell.
Conversations died mid-sentence.
— "Is that… a child?"
— "On a… maned wolf?"
— "And that cheetah… it's running with him!"
Everyone stared, stunned, as Soul rode a white Berserk Maned Wolf, followed by a Berserk Cheetah, vanishing at breakneck speed down the road leading to the school.
A murmur spread through Valdren.
That day, no one would ever forget that sight.
At the school
Soul's arrival hit like a thunderclap.
Odo finally slowed at the school entrance, Mystique stopping beside him in a perfectly synchronized motion. Soul slid down to the ground, still carried by the adrenaline of the run.
Then silence fell.
Bron, who had been talking with several teachers, froze on the spot.
Fenrick blinked.
Lady Nyxmar frowned.
Even Halden—rarely impressed—stood open-mouthed.
— "…Is this a joke?" someone muttered.
The students stared as if caught in a waking dream.
A massive Berserk Maned Wolf, its wild aura vibrating—white.
A Berserk Cheetah of a different color, taut and ready to spring.
And between them… Soul.
— "SOUL?!"
— "What are THOSE things?!"
— "Since when can you summon that?!"
His friends were the first to react.
Mira rushed over, eyes shining.
Kael stood frozen for a second—then burst out laughing.
Ryen clenched his fists, torn between admiration and frustration.
Èze slowly circled Odo, fascinated.
— "Did you see the size of that thing…"
— "They feel alive—nothing like normal summons…"
Questions flew in from every direction, piling up before Soul could even open his mouth.
But before he could answer—
— "Silence."
The voice was calm. Authoritative.
Everyone turned.
Irilla Dawnstar, the headmistress, had arrived, a thick parchment in hand. Her golden gaze swept the scene, paused for a fraction of a second on Odo and Mystique… then on Soul.
An unreadable glint crossed her eyes.
— "The grades will be posted," she announced.
— "Come closer."
The commotion died instantly, replaced by an electric tension.
Something important was about to be announced.
Results
The school courtyard was packed when the large results board was finally set up.
The conversations gradually died down, replaced by a tense, almost feverish murmur. All the students crowded closer, frantically searching for their group's name.
Then… the shock.
At the very top of the sheet, written clearly and unmistakably:
Group 1: S+
A heavy silence fell over the courtyard.
Some thought it was a mistake.Others reread the line two, three times, unable to believe it.
Below, the other grades were listed:
Group 2: AA++
Group 3: AA
Group 4: A++
Group 5: A++
Group 6: A+
Group 7: A+
Group 8: A
Group 9: BA+
Group 10: B
Zeke clenched his fists.
— "What kind of joke is this?!"
He spun sharply toward Bron, his face red with anger.
— "Why do they get S+?!"
— "My group isn't inferior to theirs!"
Bron looked at him calmly, arms crossed.
— "Because they applied everything they were taught."
— "And above all… because they faced a Cave Bear Superior."
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
Bron continued, relentless:
— "They defeated it without the supervising professor intervening."
Zeke froze for a second, then looked away in rage.
— "Tch…"
He gestured to his group and stormed off, furious—then stopped dead as a figure stepped forward.
Irilla Dawnstar.
The headmistress climbed onto the platform, her gaze sweeping across the entire courtyard. Silence became absolute.
— "Congratulations to all of you," she began.
— "You survived a program that, only a few years ago, would have been judged impossible for students your age."
She paused.
— "Grades are not here to flatter."
— "They are here to reflect the reality of the field."
She raised her hand, and the explanations began.
Group 1 — S+
— Objectives exceeded expectations.
— 15 Minor Wolves, 1 Minor Puma, 1 Superior Cave Bear defeated.
— No intervention from the supervising professor.
— Perfect coordination, immediate adaptation, no serious injuries.
All eyes turned toward Soul and his group.
Group 2 — AA++
— 5 / 10 Enhanced Slimes, 2 / 5 Toxic Slimes defeated.
— Lack of a structured plan.
— Three light to moderate injuries.
Group 3 — AA
— 3 / 10 Giant Frogs, 1 / 5 Aquatic Slimes defeated.
— Multiple injuries due to poor anticipation.
Group 4 — A++
— 10 / 10 Basic Skeletons, 1 / 5 Beast Skeletons defeated.
— Good terrain control and priority management.
Group 5 — A++
— 5 / 10 Minor Elemental Spirits defeated.
— Special objective not completed: Primal Falcon.
— Intervention by Master Aelhynn following the unexpected appearance of a Superior Elemental Spirit.
Group 6 — A+
— 5 / 10 Monstrous Rats, 5 / 10 Cave Bats defeated.
— Two members seriously injured.
— Intervention by Darsa required.
Group 7 — A+
— 1 / 10 Aggressive Plants, 5 / 10 Living Roots defeated.
— Surprise attack by a Carnivorous Root and a Giant Carnivorous Plant.
— Injuries affecting more than half the group.
— Intervention by Rudolf.
Group 8 — A
— 1 / 10 Fast Boars, 1 / 10 Giant Hares defeated.
— Injuries caused by a fleeing horde escaping a Two-Headed Lion.
— Intervention by Halden.
Group 9 — BA+
— 5 / 10 Giant Wasps, 1 / 10 Giant Beetles defeated.
— Severe poisoning after the collapse of the hive.
— Intervention by Kyria to prevent casualties.
Group 10 — B
— 10 / 10 Minor Stone Golems defeated.
— Special objective not completed: Superior Stone Golem.
— Simultaneous appearance of a Titan Otter.
— Forced retreat and intervention by Master Harald.
Irilla slowly lowered her hand.
— These results do not define your worth.
— They define your current level of readiness.
Her gaze softened slightly.
— Use the holidays to rest…
— but also to train.
Her voice grew more serious.
— When you return, the world will no longer be forgiving.
The bell rang.
The holidays had officially begun.
Soul Walks His Friends Home
They left the school together, still carried by the excitement of the results and the adrenaline that refused to fade.
Odo walked with a powerful yet measured stride, his white mane rippling with each movement. Mystique moved in silence, supple like a shadow, his muscles rolling beneath his striped coat. At their sides, conversations burst forth—laughter and exclamations mixing with disbelief.
— I still can't believe those are your summons…, Mira whispered, her eyes shining.
— And that they obey you like that, Kael added, impressed.
Soul smiled, a little embarrassed, then simply suggested:
— I'll walk you home.
They climbed up one by one. Mira and Kael settled onto Mystique, while Ryen and Èze took their places on Odo's back, whose imposing build inspired immediate confidence. The small convoy set off, drawing stunned looks at every street corner.
At Mira's Place
The first stop was the home of Mira FAYEN.
In front of the house, two adults had stopped dead in their tracks, frozen by the sight.
Her father, Alaric FAYEN, a tall man with chestnut hair streaked with gray, wore the understated attire of a support Elemental Mage. His gaze moved from his daughter to the creatures, wavering between astonishment and a nearly professional curiosity.
Her mother, Selena FAYEN, blonde hair gathered into a neat braid, was a Healer specialized in Light magic. She immediately raised a hand to her mouth.
— Mira… are you… are you all right?
— I'm fine, Mom, Mira replied as she hopped down. We did it.
Their eyes fell on Mystique, then on Odo.
— Those are… summons? Alaric asked, incredulous.
Soul inclined his head slightly.
— Yes, sir.
The couple exchanged a silent look before Selena smiled, both reassured and unsettled.
— Well then… take care of yourselves, all of you.
At Ryen's Place
They set off again and stopped in front of the house of Ryen THORN.
His father, Gareth THORN, a former frontline Warrior with a broad chest and arms marked by scars, looked at Odo as a slow grin spread across his face.
— Hah… now that's a mount worthy of real combat.
His mother, Elena THORN, a Tactical Strategist working with the local militia, narrowed her eyes, assessing the scene as if it were a battlefield.
— You won, didn't you?
Ryen nodded, proud.
— Yes.
Elena placed a hand on her son's shoulder, then looked at Soul.
— You've put together a solid team. Keep it up.
At Kael's Place
Kael RONDOR's house stood a bit farther on, near the workshops.
His father, Borin RONDOR, a massive crossbow-smith with a braided red beard, dropped the tool he was holding when he saw the two beasts.
— By the eternal forge… what are those monsters?
His mother, Lysa RONDOR, an artisan-mage specialized in enchanted materials, stepped closer, fascinated.
— They're beautiful…, she murmured.
Kael climbed down, proud.
— That's Soul.
Borin burst into a deep laugh.
— Well, kid, you keep dangerous company.
But his gaze was full of respect.
At Èze's Place
The final stop was at Èze InFire's home.
His father, Kaelen InFire, a man with black hair streaked with silver, wore the attire of an elite halberdier, still upright despite the years. He studied Odo for a long moment, silent.
— A beast like that… only follows someone solid.
His mother, Nyra InFire, a weapons master and martial instructor, crossed her arms, judging Mystique with a stern eye.
— If you truly control them, then you carry a great responsibility, Soul.
Soul nodded.
— I know.
Nyra inclined her head, satisfied.
When the group finally split up, one certainty was shared by all the adults present.
Seeing their children return alive was already a relief.
But seeing them return changed—riding on the backs of a Berserk Cheetah and a Berserk Maned Wolf—
made them understand one essential truth:
These children were no longer just students.
They were slowly, but surely, stepping into a world that forgave nothing.
Back Home
The Drasil house welcomed Soul with a calm, almost unreal atmosphere after the agitation of the day.
With a simple gesture, Odo and Mystique were recalled, their silhouettes dissolving into a discreet glow before the door closed behind Soul. Silence immediately settled in, broken only by the crackling of the fire and the familiar scent of dinner finishing its cook.
At the table, Soul told them everything.
The grades.
The reactions at school.
The stunned looks from the other students.
Zeke's anger.
Lynea listened attentively, sometimes worried, sometimes proud. Aegis did not interrupt even once, simply nodding when Soul spoke of strategy, discipline, and teamwork.
When Soul finished, he took a breath and dared to ask the question burning on his lips.
— Dad… could you train with me tomorrow?
Aegis looked at him for a moment, then slowly shook his head.
— No.
A flicker of disappointment crossed Soul's face… but Aegis immediately raised a hand.
— Not because you aren't capable.
— But because you need something else right now.
He placed a hand on his son's shoulder.
— To start a vacation properly, you must first rest.
— Your body has endured more than a child ever should.
Then he stood and disappeared for a moment into the next room.
When he returned, he was holding two old books.
He handed the first one to Soul.
— This one… I've kept for a long time.
The cover was dark, reinforced with engraved metal. The title shimmered faintly in the firelight:
Nomicon Bestiarum AeternumCodex of the creatures, monsters, and entities known to the world.
Then Aegis handed him the second book.
Its binding was lighter, but marked by age, its thick pages heavy with history.
Chronicles of Astryon's OriginsAccounts, wars, and foundations of the world.
Soul's eyes lit up.
— Is this… for me?
— So you can understand the world you're walking through, Aegis replied simply.
— And not just how to fight in it.
Soul jumped with joy, hugged the two books tightly to his chest… then threw himself into his father's arms.
— Thank you!
Lynea smiled tenderly.
— Tomorrow, if you'd like, you can help me gather medicinal plants.
— We'll make new remedies.
— With pleasure! Soul replied without hesitation.
After dinner, full and at ease, Soul went up to his room.
He carefully placed the two volumes on his table, contemplated them for a moment, then smiled.
The holidays had begun.
That night, after recalling Odo and Mystique, he fell into a deep sleep.
Far away…a silhouette was moving toward the ruins.
And something, in the shadows,was smiling.