Cael huffed. "You're not making any sense, man." He sheathed his blade and grinned. "But whatever it is, keep doing it. You've got that look."
Lucien raised a brow. "What look?"
"The kind that says you're about to make everyone else look bad."
Lucien let out a small laugh, shaking his head. "You think too much. We're still rookies here."
Cael shrugged, slinging his pack over his shoulder. "Rookies don't pull off commands like that."
But Lucien didn't reply, only glancing at Lyra who floated quietly by his side. Her ethereal form shimmered faintly as she looked up at him. "We'll grow stronger, won't we?" he said softly.
Lyra's intents chimed in his mind through their bond, clear and bright. "Yes, master. I will not falter."
As they began walking deeper into the rift, the air grew thicker with aether, shimmering faintly like dust caught in sunlight. Lucien's mind, however, was focused on the new function unlocked within him. He summoned the interface again, scrolling through the faintly glowing menu that had appeared earlier.
[Essence System Active]
[Stored EP: 300]
[Compatible Target: Summon – Lyra]
[Skill Upgrade Available: Phantom Rush (Novice → Adept)]
[Cost: 300 EP]
Lucien tapped his finger in the air, feeling the connection between them vibrate gently. "You ready?"
Lyra tilted her head, unsure. "For what?"
"For the next step."
He confirmed the command. A rush of warmth spread through the bond, as if a heartbeat echoed between them. Lyra's form brightened, her energy trembling for a moment before stabilizing. The faint light around her body condensed, smoother now, stronger.
[Skill 'Phantom Rush' upgraded to Adept.]
[Effect: Speed burst increased by 10%. Cooldown reduced to 25s.]
Lucien smiled faintly. "Good. That should give us an edge."
Cael, walking a few steps ahead, glanced back. "Talking to your summon again?"
"Yeah," Lucien replied simply. "We've got to be ready."
They kept walking through the winding terrain, stones crackling softly beneath their boots. The rift's faint hum surrounded them, and somewhere in the distance came the echo of other awakeners fighting their first battles.
Lucien's expression had changed from cautious to composed. There was no trace of hesitation now. His grip tightened slightly around his weapon as he felt the pulse of energy still lingering in his veins.
This system… it's more than a tool, he thought. It's a path. A way to reach what others can't.
Lyra floated closer, her glow dimming softly. "You're thinking deeply again."
Lucien smiled faintly. "Just planning ahead. If every fight gives us more essence, then we'll make the most of it."
"Together," Lyra said simply.
"Together," he echoed.
As they stepped around a bend, the air shifted. The faint pulse of the Soulbinder Interface lit up once more, signaling an incoming threat.
[Warning: Hostile Essence Detected – 40 meters ahead.]
Lucien's eyes sharpened. He nodded toward Cael. "Get ready. Something's coming."
Cael unsheathed his blade again, grin spreading across his face. "Round two already? Let's see if we can beat it even faster this time."
Lucien gave a small chuckle, his gaze fixed ahead. "Let's see."
As the distant rustling grew louder, the three of them—Lucien, Cael, and Lyra— fell into formation. The faint glow of the rift's light danced across their faces, reflecting a mix of anticipation and resolve.
Lucien's hand hovered slightly over his weapon, and he did with a confidence that didn't just feel like he was just surviving. But was evolving.
"Let's find out what this rift really has for us," he whispered.
The air inside the rift felt heavier the deeper they went, as if the world itself was breathing around them. The faint shimmer of aether drifted like mist, coating the cracked ground and twisted trees that glowed faintly from their roots. Lucien's eyes stayed forward, his steps calm but precise. Every sound mattered here, from the shuffle of gravel, to the low growl carried by the air, even the way Lyra's faint glow flickered in rhythm with his heartbeat.
The interface blinked before his eyes again.
▓▒░ [Species: Horned Boar]
[Rank: E]
[Affinity: Earth / Physical]
[Traits: Iron Hide, Charge Impact, Ground Sense]
[Essence Yield: 300 EP] ░▒▓
"Same type," Lucien muttered, tightening his grip on his dagger. "Looks like these are common here."
Cael tilted his head, eyes narrowing as the distant thumping grew louder. "Then we already know what to expect. Let's make it cleaner this time."
Lucien nodded. "You take the front again. I'll call the moves."
The unspoken agreement between them came naturally. Lucien might not have been the strongest, but he had a sharp eye, the kind that picked out weaknesses and patterns quickly. The way he spoke, calm and direct, had a weight that made others listen without realizing it. Cael didn't question his lead. He didn't need to.
He could tell Lucien wasn't just guessing his way through, he was adapting, calculating every strike and movement like he'd done this before. And the summon that floated near him? It wasn't normal either.
Lyra's faint blue light pulsed in sync with Lucien's breathing. When he gave a command, she reacted instantly, her movements fluid and controlled. Most summons at their stage were erratic, sometimes outright disobedient. But Lyra was sharp, responsive, almost alive in a way that went beyond a contract.
Cael thought of the lectures he'd heard about early summoner phases. He knew Bonds took time. Months, or even years, to strengthen. Yet these two moved like they'd known each other their whole lives. He couldn't tell if it was natural or something else, but either way, it worked.
The rumbling grew louder until the ground itself trembled. Then it appeared, a horned boar, almost the same as before but larger, thicker hide glistening faintly with aether. Its tusks glowed with a dull brown hue as dust and stone shifted under its charge.
"Coming from the left," Lucien said, his tone steady. "Cael, bait its first charge. Lyra, circle wide and watch its back leg."
Cael exhaled, rolling his shoulders before raising his blade. "Got it."